New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
Definition
Wikipedia
Link
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a title used to describe a movement which seeks to establish a fifth house within Christendom, distinct from Catholicism, Protestantism, Oriental Orthodoxy, and Eastern Orthodoxy.
The movement is largely associated with the Pentecostal and the Charismatic movements and advocates the restoration of the lost offices of church governance, namely the offices of prophet and apostle.
Inspired by the G12 movement, it grows by recruiting pastors of independent congregations and nondenominational churches, by assimilating members from other churches through cell group meetings, and by frequent Church planting and rapid expansion, including foreign missions around the globe.
Got Questions
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Question: “What is the New Apostolic Reformation?”
Answer: The New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR, is a loose collection of non-denominational and independent churches rallying around a particular set of biblical interpretations. The New Apostolic Reformation approaches church leadership and biblical interpretation differently from mainstream Protestant denominations. Of particular distinction are the role and power of spiritual leaders, a literalist approach to spiritual warfare, and an overt interest in cultural and political control. Unfortunately, this has led to some unscriptural approaches to faith and spirituality.
The New Apostolic Reformation teaches that God’s intended form of church governance is apostles and prophets, holding leadership over evangelists, pastors, and teachers. However, this has not been the case for the vast majority of Christian history. So, according to the New Apostolic Reformation, God began to restore prophets and apostles over the last thirty to forty years. Only now, as the church is properly guided by the appropriate spiritual leaders, can it fulfill its commission. This commission is seen as more than spiritual, as it includes cultural and political control.
In the New Apostolic Reformation, apostles are seen as the highest of all spiritual leaders, being specially empowered by God. True maturity and unity, per the New Apostolic Reformation, is only found in those who submit to the leadership of their apostles. According to this teaching, as the church unifies behind the apostles, these leaders will develop greater and greater supernatural powers. Eventually, this will include the ability to perform mass healing and suspend the laws of physics. These signs are meant to encourage a massive wave of converts to Christianity. These apostles are also destined to be recipients of a great wealth transfer (in the end times), which will enable the church to establish God’s kingdom on earth.
Prophets in the New Apostolic Reformation are almost as important as apostles. These people have been empowered to receive “new” revelations from God that will aid the church in establishing dominion. According to the New Apostolic Reformation, only prophets, and occasionally apostles, can obtain new revelations. Evangelists, pastors, and teachers cannot. The prophets’ new revelations are crucial to overcoming the world, and the success of the church depends on the apostles following through on the information prophets provide. Most of their prophecies are extremely vague and easy to re-interpret, and the New Apostolic Reformation is willing to modify them, since they set no standard of infallibility for themselves.
According to New Apostolic thinking, mankind lost its dominion over earth as part of the fall of Adam. So Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross not only resolved our sin debt, but it empowered mankind—specifically, Christians—to retake control of the earth. The New Apostolic Reformation sees seven areas in which believers are supposedly empowered and expected to dominate: government, arts, finances, education, religion, family, and media. Of these, the New Apostolic Reformation sees government as the most important because of its ability to influence all of the other facets of life. As a result, the New Apostolic Reformation overtly encourages Christian control over politics, culture, and business. In some ways, this is nothing unusual, as people should be expected to vote and lobby according to their convictions. The New Apostolic Reformation, however, is often accused of pushing for outright theocracy.
Spiritual warfare, according to the New Apostolic Reformation, is meant to resolve worldly concerns. For example, economic troubles or health problems in a particular city are seen as the result of a demonic spirit’s influence. Prayer, research into the specific name of that demon, and other spiritual disciplines are then applied in an effort to combat this presence. This is necessary not only for the health of the region, but also because the church cannot take “dominion” over that area until the demonic control has been lifted.
Biblically, there are major problems with the New Apostolic Reformation. Claiming that Christians have access to certain spiritual gifts is one thing, but their distinctive approach to the role of apostles and prophets is a stretch from what is found in the Bible. More to the point, the office of apostle requires traits which are impossible today. For example, true apostles must be personal eyewitnesses of the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:7–8), specifically designated as apostles by Jesus (Galatians 1:1; Acts 1:2; Luke 6:13), and already verified by miraculous signs (Matthew 10:1; 2 Corinthians 12:2; Acts 5:12).
The idea of new revelations from God, especially those that come in the form of vague, easily reinterpreted mysteries, runs counter to the idea of a faith delivered “once for all” to mankind (Jude 1:3). The fact that New Apostolic Reformation prophecies frequently turn out to be false suggests a false spirit behind those predictions (Deuteronomy 18:22).
Likewise, the emphasis on an earthly kingdom contradicts Jesus’ own declaration that the Kingdom of God was spiritual, not political (John 18:36). It places an unhealthy emphasis on political and worldly approval, rather than Christlike influence.
Though it uses the word new, the New Apostolic Reformation is actually a reworking of a very common, very old approach. Since the beginning of Christianity, various groups have claimed to have a “new revelation” from God to correct all of the errors of the present world. These movements contend that “real” spirituality or maturity or truth is found only by those who listen to their leadership. Some of these sects, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormonism, endure and become religions in their own right. Others fade away.
Much of what the New Apostolic Reformation teaches has at least some basis in Scripture, albeit carried much further than the Bible intends. That, however, still makes those doctrines unbiblical, and Christians should flatly reject the New Apostolic Reformation’s teachings and those who choose to be associated with it.
Critiques
Traditional Critiques
Any organization needs introspection, traditional critiques within the Christian Community includes :-
- Walter Martin
- David Wilkerson
Holly Pivec
It is good to see a young lady offer her take.
Videos & Podcasts
Critic
- Alisa Childers
- Podcast
- The New Apostolic Reformation: Movement or Myth? With Dr. Doug Geivett, Holly Pivec, and Dr. Michael Brown — The Alisa Childers Podcast #19
Channel :- Alisa Childers
Published on :- 2018-April-18th
Link
- Michael Brown
- Videos
- YouTube
- Do You Agree with Bill Johnson on Dominionism?
Channel :- AskDrBrown
Published On :- 2018-Feb-7th
Link
Critic
- Alisa Childers
- YouTube
- Channel :- Sold out 4 Christ – Deidra
- Modern Day Apostles and Prophets? What Is The NAR?
- Profile
- Interview With Holly Pivec and Alisa Childers. There is a movement within Christendom called the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Some Christians believe it’s a true work of God, others are skeptical…others claim it doesn’t exist at all! My guest, Holly Pivec has written two books on the NAR, and talks with me about her concerns regarding the teachings and practices of this growing movement.
- Video
Link
- Fighting for the Faith
- YouTube
- Channel :- Sola Scriptura
- Fighting for the Faith – New Apostolic Reformation.
Chris Rosebrough interview- Holly Pivec
- Profile
- Interview with Holly Pivec on the New Apostolic Reformation.
- Video
Link
Published on :- 2017-Sept-21st
- Naked Bible
- YouTube
- Channel :- Houseform Apologetics
- What is the New Apostolic Reformation, with Holly Pivec
- Profile
- The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) seems to quite clearly justify labeling it a movement or denomination. Millions of people around the world are part of its network of churches. However, many NAR leaders and advocates deny that it’s a denomination or movement. Many Christians who are attracted by NAR teachings and practices have no idea that something called the NAR even exists. For those aware of its influence and presence within Christianity, the NAR has branded itself as representing the return of authoritative apostles and prophets to the modern church, complete with miracles such as healing and raising the dead. On this episode, we talk to Holly Pivec, an authority on the NAR, to learn what it is, what its defining characteristics are, and how we should think about its teachings.
- Video
Link
Published on :- 2018-March-7th
- Christian Apologetics
- YouTube
- Channel :- Christian Apologetics
- Profile
- God’s Super Apostles and the NAR with Holly Pivec
- Videos
- Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc
- Videos
- Will NAR Will Converge with Evangelical Churches?
Researcher and author, Holly Pivec joins us to look at a pressing question, “Will NAR Will Converge with Evangelical Churches?” Is your church prepared?
Channel :- Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc
Streamed live on May 15, 2018
Video
- Biblical Christianity
- Videos
- YouTube
- Video #3
Channel :- 2018-Jan-10th
Link
- Video #6
Channel :- 2018-Jan-10th
Link
- Dave Flang
- Videos
- YouTube
- Escape from the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
Channel :- Dave Flang
Published On :- 2018-Feb-18th
Link
- John MacArthur
- Videos
- YouTube
- Wretched: New Apostolic Nuttiness.
Link
- The Modern Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Selected Scriptures)
Channel :- Grace to You
Date Published :- 2012-June-1st
Link
For
- Scott Webster
- The prophetic voice: Table talk between Scott Webster and Per Ivar Winnæss
- Profile
- Per Ivar Winnæss is founder of Roaring Lamb prophetic ministry, located in Norway, close to Drammen. Scott Webster from Congress-WBN is guest in this English episode of “Den Profetiske Røst”. Since the role of the apostolic ministry has globally come into its fully functionality, the other role of the ministerial gifts will be redefined to lead the saints into a higher level of maturity: Apostle Pauls letter to the Ephesians 4:12 «…for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.»
- Videos
In-depth
Video
Fighting for the Faith – New Apostolic Reformation.
Chris Rosebrough interview- Holly Pivec
- Issues
- Division
- Division within Church
- Division within Family
- Over Reliance
- Distraction
- Disillusion
- Disillusion with Christianity
- Prophecy
- Prophecy blamed on the hearer than on the Prophets/Prophecy
Essays
- Spirit of Error
- Holly Pivec
- The Changing of the Apostolic Guard: 13 Names to Watch
Link
- PulpitandPen.Org
- Dr. Michael Brown in Full Damage Control Mode After NAR Debate
Link
- Church Watcher
- Apostolic ‘liars’: Bill Johnson & Dr Michael Brown
Link
Other Videos
- Wretched
- How nuts is the New Apostolic Reformation?
- Link
