What Is the New Apostolic Reformation?

Holly Pivec, NAR researcher and author, unpacks the New Apostolic Reformation—a popular, fast-growing movement among Christians that is infiltrating many churches throughout the United States and around the world. NAR leaders emphasize miraculous signs and wonders, and teach that God is giving new revelation through an end-time movement of new apostles and prophets who will equip the church with supernatural powers to transform society, take dominion, and prepare the way for God’s kingdom to be set up on earth and Christ’s return. As Holly explains, a lot of destruction has been caused by NAR’s controversial teachings about the end time, miracles, healing, spiritual warfare, prayer, new revelation, and the authority of today’s apostles and prophets. She identifies the most well-known NAR church today—Bethel Church in Redding, California, home to Bethel Music—as well as other NAR churches and organizations. She also pinpoints the core teaching of NAR and shows how NAR beliefs differ radically from those of classical Pentecostals, historic charismatics, and other continuationists. Holly traces NAR’s history going back to the Latter Rain movement of the late 1940s. She also shows how NAR leaders misuse Scripture to support their distinctive “fivefold ministry” teaching. And she concludes by presenting three common, but inadequate, responses frequently given by NAR leaders to their critics. In tomorrow's episode, Pivec will cover the aberrant eschatology of NAR.