A New Apostolic Reformation? A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement
Overview
This critique provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the widespread but little-known New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement. As the authors state in the preface: “We write this book with two major goals in mind. First, to give people an idea of the sheer size and reach of the NAR movement. And second, to systematize its key teachings and practices and evaluate them on the basis of Scripture and careful reasoning.”
Praise for A New Apostalic Reformation?
Despite its remarkable claims, including new revelation, many Christians have not yet heard of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Christians need to know about this movement and its extreme claims. In their fair and eminently readable book Geivett and Pivec inform us all of the history, founders, beliefs, and goals of NAR. The authors make it clear that NAR is not to be confused with mainstream Pentecostals and charismatics. Rather, the NAR movement is a phenomenon of very distinctive characteristics. Geivett and Pivec expose the movement’s dubious theological foundations and quirky understanding of Scripture, and warn of the harm to the church’s witness it has caused and will likely continue to cause. All who care for the health of the church need to read this book.
—Craig A. Evans, Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Acadia Divinity College, Canada
This is an important book, a one-stop shop for an explanation and biblical assessment of the so-called New Apostolic Reformation. Anyone interested in this global movement, whether sympathetic or critical, should read it. With their careful elucidation of NAR views and even-handed critique, Geivett and Pivec have pushed the discussion forward at a high level. This book provides a much-needed service to the church!
—James S. Spiegel, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Taylor University
Every movement that claims to be of the Holy Spirit should welcome scrutiny. Geivett and Pivec are exemplary critics in their respectful tone and portrayal of those with whom they disagree. Advocates of the so-called New Apostolic Reformation are invited to reconsider if and how their beliefs and practices are aligned with Scripture even as those looking to better understand this global phenomenon more will come away much more informed and be ready to draw their own conclusions.
—Amos Yong, Professor of Theology and Mission; Director of the Center for Missiological Research, Fuller Theological Seminary
Top Highlights
“So how does that individual authority play out? In a NAR church, on the local level, the senior pastor calls the shots. The pastor is viewed as the leader of a church—not an employee of the church—and has final authority over the staff and budget.19 He or she does not answer to the elders; rather, the elders serve and support the pastor. This CEO-type role for pastors is much different from many traditional churches where the pastors are treated as employees of the church.” (Page 37)
“Nevertheless, present-day apostles can receive new revelation that supplements Scripture so long as it doesn’t contradict it. Wagner states: ‘The one major rule governing any new revelation from God is that it cannot contradict what has already been written in the Bible. It may supplement it, however.’” (Page 49)
“Paul contrasts his own motivations and manner of ministry with theirs. They were motivated by a desire for money (2 Cor. 2:17) and self-promotion (2 Cor. 4:5), and were concerned with superficialities—like physical appearance and polished speaking skills—rather than true inner spirituality (2 Cor. 5:12; 10:10). They were arrogant, boasting that they were super-apostles (2 Cor. 11:5; 12:11). They twisted Scripture deceptively to serve their own purposes (2 Cor. 4:2). Most alarmingly, they did not teach the truth about Christ and his saving work, but instead preached another Jesus and a different gospel (2 Cor. 11:4).” (Page 75)
“Some critics have linked NAR with mainstream Pentecostalism and charismatics. We do not do this. In fact, it’s our contention that NAR deviates from classical Pentecostal and charismatic teachings. This movement has emerged out of independent charismatic churches and thus has gained a foothold in many of those churches in varying degrees. But we do not argue for cessationism, the view that the miraculous gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are no longer active in the church. Whether the miraculous gifts are ongoing or not has no bearing on the arguments of our book.” (Page xiv)
Contents
- What Is the New Apostolic Reformation?
- Massive Size and Growing Political Influence
- Mainstreaming the New Apostolic Reformation
- NAR Apostles: The Generals
- NAR Apostles: A Closer Look
- Apostles in the Bible: The Twelve and Paul
- Apostles in the Bible: The Other Apostles and False Apostles
- NAR Apostles Compared to the Bible’s Apostles
- Testing NAR Apostles
- NAR Prophets: The Secret Intelligence Agents
- NAR Prophets: A Closer Look
- Prophets in the Bible
- NAR Prophets Compared to the Bible’s Prophets
- Testing NAR Prophets
- Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare
- A Biblical Analysis of Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare
- Unifying the Forces through Apostolic Unity
- A Miracle-Working Army: NAR Teaching on Miracles
- A Biblical Analysis of a NAR Miracle-Working Army
Product Details
- Title: A New Apostolic Reformation? A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement
- Authors: R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2014
- Pages: 272
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 6x9
- ISBN: 9781683591740
About the Authors
R. Douglas Geivett is Professor of Philosophy in Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He is the author of Evil and the Evidence for God, and coeditor of four books: Contemporary Perspectives on Religious Epistemology; In Defense of Miracles; Faith, Film and Philosophy; and Being Good: Christian Virtues for Everyday Life.
Holly Pivec holds a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University. She is an experienced journalist and researcher, having served as a newspaper reporter, a contributing writer to the Christian Research Journal, and as the University Editor at Biola University for nearly 10 years as well as the managing editor of the award-winning Biola Magazine.
Reviews
3 ratings
Preston Davis
9/11/2021
This book is a home run. Right on Time! This book is a perfect example of the wisdom of Acts 17:11, which encourages us to be like the Bereans in our examination of these "New" movements so as to understand the "controversies" which have arisen. This book does a good Job of helping you to see the issues more clearly (2 Timothy 4:3).
William Pankey
7/25/2021
GregW
12/26/2020
This book has become somewhat dated, even in the time since it was published. It deals with the beliefs of people in the NAR, and doesn’t address any of the behaviour, although the authors are clearly concerned about this. It also doesn’t really examine the various networks that make up the NAR, and so therefore misses some of the nuances. It effectively predated the Passion “Translation” which is (I believe) one of the big issues of the moment with the NAR so although I found it helpful, I also found it of limited usefulness.
