Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church

Some fifteen years ago he sat in my church study. He was the minister of a large charismatic church in town and had come to invite me to join a new reforming “movement,” the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). I had never heard of this movement, but he claimed it had apostles and prophets whom God had raised up to reignite the church and restore America to her Christian roots. Since those days I have heard more and more about the NAR, and began to notice how some prominent church leaders, pastors, and a few politicians, who are aligned with the NAR and are coming into influence in our civil government. I knew I needed to learn more and was glad to find a very readable 272-page softback that addressed this program. “Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church” was put together by Holly Pivec, blogger and author of several books on the New Apostolic Reformation, who also served as university editor at Biola University for nearly a decade, and R. Douglas Geivett, author of several works on the New Apostolic Reformation, and professor at Biola University and Talbot School of Theology. If I understand the authors correctly, they are in agreement with the charismatic and Pentecostal tradition, and thus their work is not a cessationist manuscript. Rather, as orthodox Pentecostals they have felt – personally – the impact of the NAR and have seen its dangers. They write the book to give a voice to the countless people and churches who have been harmed by the NAR. “It’s meant to expose the movement and its practices. Along the way, we reveal the dangers of NAR teachings, the harm they’re doing, and the way they’re compromising the gospel” (15). The authors use Bethel Church in Redding, California, as their sample case, though they do reach beyond that organization to show that Bethel is not a one-off. Pivec and Geivett address numerous oddities that seem to be mainline at Bethel, and the NAR. They show how New Age practices and teaching – given other names – are commonplace. They examine the different kinds of “prophecies” that are promoted in that association, and how their numerous inaccuracies and failures are sidestepped by leadership. There are a host of other practices and models that are studied in the book, such as prayer declarations, leaders ‘activating’ prophetic gifts in others, fresh revelations, and communicating with the dead, to name a few. One of the beliefs of the NAR that Pivec and Geivett present is the Seven Mountain Mandate. The Seven Mountain Mandate is supposedly revealed to the NAR prophets and apostles on how to infiltrate and seize the highest positions of the major societal institutions: government, media, family, business, education, church, and the arts. The ‘prophets’ and ‘apostles’ of the NAR “claim that this mandate gives them authority to govern not only the church, but also society” (104). Let that sink in a bit. As the authors examine various aspects and angles of the NAR, they also give good, wholesome, biblical, sober guidance so their readers can gain discernment. For example, they show how the “Bible gives three negative tests” for evaluating the legitimacy of prophecy and prophet: “the Orthodoxy Test (do their prophecies line up with Scripture?), the Lifestyle Test (are they greedy and lustful), and the Fulfillment Test (did they get it right?)…” (50). Though I’m a cessationist (let the reader understand), I still found this three-fold test useful. The writers also show how the NAR distort the gospel and minimize Jesus. Their “airtime” test is really a good, simple approach: “see how many minutes are devoted to talking about forgiveness of sin, salvation, and growth in holiness versus miracles, prophetic words, and Christians “ruling and reigning”” (105). That airtime test is a good rule-of-thumb for evaluating any ministry or church. Pivec and Geivett give readers much more. They lay out the control tactics used by NAR groups to keep people in their circles (pg. 80-94) and what to do to recover from those tactics (pg. 95-99). They expose how the NAR has created their own “translation” of Scripture – The Passion Translation – to sneak in their peculiar dogmas, which is specious in its source and rendition (Chapter 7) – which should raise more than a bunch of eyebrows! Further, they show solid reasons to avoid NAR worship music put out by Bethel Music, Jesus Culture, Hillsong Music, Forerunner Music and Gateway Worship. All told, this is a useful, easy-to-read book on an important topic: The New Apostolic Reformation. Copies of this work should be in the hands of pastors, elders, Bible teachers, and anyone who cares about the gospel of Jesus Christ and his church. I highly recommend the book.

An excellent study on the dangers of the New Apostolic Reformation. NAR is just another attempt by Satan to complicate Christianity and ignore plain scripture and the faith of our fathers.

I LOVE this book. As someone who grew up in the New Apostolic Reformation and Word of Faith Movement along with plenty of Prosperity Gospel, this was a breathe of fresh air. About five years ago my eyes were opened to the twisted teachings that make this movement a works-based gospel that does not save and since then I have been working hard to rebuild everything I believe based on what the Bible truly says. This book is extremely helpful in pulling all of these verses and thoughts together in a way that can be presented to those still trapped in the NAR movement. It is an easy read that gets straight to the point of why all of the main beliefs of this movement are unbiblical and the detrimental effect it has on the world’s view of the church. If you are someone who is questioning the things that go on at Bethel, IHOP, or any of the other NAR and NAR affiliated churches or if you have friends and loved ones that are involved with these churches, this is a must-read. I could not put this book down once I started it and have highlighted passages and notes on almost every single page. Praise God for the books like this that are coming out, bringing light to the unbiblical doctrines of movements like this! I also ordered Allen Parr’s book Misled and am excited to dive into that one next!

If you’re wanting answers about this so called new apostolic reformation doctrine this is the book for you. Very well written, and very easy to read and understand. Keeps your attention also. There’s a lot of apostasy out there in the body of Christ. This is one of the biggest deceptions I have ever seen in my whole life as a believer this NAR, dominion, seven Mountain movement and the exalting of Apostles and Prophets. But The Bible warns us in the last days we would see this and we are in a huge way because we are in the last days before Jesus comes for His Bride. This will get you well informed what to avoid and what to look out for in your own church or anywhere else you may go. It helps you to understand the deception of this so called new revelation and where it’s come from, and the ministries that are very well known and are involved in it and have promoted it. So important to be in the word of God because the Bible has every answer and the Bible is what we should follow. It tells us everything we need to know and how to live our Christin lives according to Gods word. Great book!

Informative good read on the many cults that belong to the vast platform of Protestantism. Meanwhile there are only 2 groups on the non-Protestant side of Christianity. Really gets one thinking which church is the original church that Christ established (hint: it’s not Protestant). Highly recommend this book for anyone questioning their church’s progressive, non-Christian beliefs.

È un testo che aiuta a capire la deriva dottrinale del mondo neo-pentecostale e neo-carismatico dalle radici evangeliche negli Stati Uniti. Gli scrittori sono degli specialisti della materia.

If you ever wondered about whether you are attending a NAR ( New Apostolic Reformation) church, this is a must read! Even if you are just curious about NAR read this book!! It woke me right up to the kind of church I was attending for 20 yrs and finally left! Great information!

Me gustó mucho porque me dio pautas para usar el pensamiento crítico y discernimiento contra falsa enseñanza y doctrinas en contra de la verdad Bíblica. Lo recomiendo a pastores y padres que busquen ser auténticos seguidores del evangelio de Jesucristo y de Su Palabra, la Biblia.

Worth reading Good insight Gives you plenty to think about Price is ok

In 2Thessalonians 2:3 we are told the Day of the Lord won’t happen ... until the rebellion (apostasy, revolt or defection from the truth) occurs... We are living in a time where we are seeing this rebellion or defection from the truth. We we are seeing it through Word of Faith, Progressive Christianity and NAR amassing huge followings and leading people from the truth of God's Word. Counterfeit Kingdom is a clear presentation on NAR and gives strategies on what we can do to stem the flow of NAR in our particular areas. It presents NAR theology clearly. It is written in a gentle tone. It gives examples from people who have been devastated by NAR practices. And it shows the strategy of NAR to reach youth and young adults through NAR music. This is a must read for all Christians.