Some believers have not even heard of NAR (the New Apostolic Reformation) while others have, and still others have been tricked into believing that it is actually Biblical. Also, there are other variations of the Pentecostal/Charismatic side of things which, quite frankly, are an embarrassment to those of us who embrace a Scriptural view of it. We have “dread champions,” folks who kick elderly women for their healing, individuals who hear from angels wearing yoga pants and golden slippers, people who stagger and convulse yet claim it’s God doing this to them, and other forms of lunatic-fringe church antics. From “glory clouds” to granny-kicking healers, we are going to take a walk on the wild side of today’s Christian landscape in this blog.
A. What is NAR?
It is not always easy to spot or pin down the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR, because it is not a particular religious denomination, although this movement ambitiously seeks to establish a new branch in Christianity. Adherence to NAR comes from various churches that identify as Pentecostal/Charismatic in their beliefs. Furthermore, there is a varying degree of adherence to the various points of this theological system. There is not room enough in a blog to detail it, but in summary NAR embraces what is variously called the seven mountain mandate or the seven spheres of influence. NAR adherents believe that in order for Christ to return, the church take over these spheres and make the world subject to the kingdom of God. This is what is also known as “kingdom now” theology. The seven spheres or mountains that the church is supposed to take over are education, religion, family, business, government (including the military), arts and entertainment, and the media. Beginning in the form of “dominion theology” in the early 1970’s, this unscriptural collage of beliefs has gained considerable momentum. A number of NAR-influenced believers have little or no belief in the Rapture. Some of this warped theology’s proponents include Lou Engle, Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner, Todd White, and Randy Clark.
There are Christians who may not immediately be aware that their church embraces NAR theology. They uphold the validity of some of the same beliefs that more Biblical Pentecostal/Charismatic believers do, such as the fivefold ministry, the Gospel of the Kingdom, spiritual warfare prayer, and prayer walking. But when you hear such phrases or about such things as kingdom now, dominionism, the seven mountain mandate, soaking in God’s presence, and the end-time transfer of wealth to today’s “ruling apostles,” watch out. You are in the midst of a NAR-corrupted church and you need to get out of there lest you become ensnared in the same misguided teachings. Also, sometimes they may attempt to infiltrate churches, claiming to have a desire to spark revival while clandestinely looking to steal people away from congregations to follow their own heretical teachings. Pastors and parishioners alike need to know the Word of God and be aware of such attempted church hijackings. No Biblically grounded person can possibly embrace NAR theology, nor can any such person sit idly by if such spiritual miscreants attempt to invade and divide their church. As the Bible says:
Romans 16:17-18: Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.
Titus 3:10-11: Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
B. Charismania
I do not know who coined the word “charismania,” but it succinctly captures the sometimes downright silly ideologies, stories, and behaviors that are passed off as Christianity by a number of churches. There are people who proclaim themselves to be “dread champions,” supreme spiritual warriors. Sounds more like something you would hear in wrestling than in church! Todd Bentley, a controversial figure who has been around for a while now, has been caught on video kicking people, including an elderly woman, claiming the Lord told him to do that so they would be healed. Some of these videos have since been taken down, but there is one on YouTube where he describes himself doing these maniacal things. There are those such as Todd White who have described various angels coming to them, including a shirtless angel in tight white yoga pants and golden slippers. Now why would an angel of God appear to someone wearing an article of clothing that is tied to an irremediably pagan religion (Hinduism)? And wearing golden slippers also? This man has either been deceived by a demon or he is lying, one of the two, yet so many Christians, many of whom either do not read their Bibles or who read watered-down versions, believe this man’s nonsense. White also specializes in leg healings, lengthening shortened legs—or so we are led to believe. Where is the documentation?
There has been a phenomenon in some Christian circles called “being drunk in the Spirit.” There are Christians who will actually stumble and stagger around as if inebriated though they are physically sober, and claim it is God who is making them act this way. There are other “spiritual” manifestations in some services as well, such as people making animal noises, laughing hysterically, moving with sudden and uncontrollable jerks and shakes, rolling around in the floor, and even twitching convulsively. There is a type of spirit in the demonic realm known as the kundalini spirit. It is associated with yoga. This spirit is extremely powerful and deceptive, and it manifests in the same ways as described above. The kundalini spirit is so adept at tricking people that it has been named “the counterfeit Holy Spirit.” Kundalini spirits are, therefore, extremely dangerous. If you ever watch Hindu services on video where people are receiving “impartations,” watch how they act and then compare them to church services where this kind of stuff is going on. You will be shocked to see that the manifestations in both places are exactly the same! The Holy Spirit will never cause a believer to act silly, crazy, or in an otherwise undignified manner. On this website there is a concise lesson detailing the kundalini spirit and other false teachings that are out there today.
While we are on the subject, there is yet another thing which goes on in some churches called “being slain in the spirit,” where, under the power of God, people so stricken fall backwards and enter into some sort of trancelike or euphoric state. There are people known as “catchers” who help folks fall back gently without crashing to the floor. Take it from someone who has been through this, sometimes these “catchers” try forcing you to fall backwards. Yes, it happened to me. In the Bible, however, when God showed up mightily, people fell on their faces, not backwards (Joshua 5:13-15; 1 Corinthians 14:23-25).
One well known church in Redding, California, is Bethel Church, whose senior pastor is Bill Johnson, a NAR believer. In some of the services out there mysterious “glory clouds” appear. It is supposedly composed of gold dust and is a “manifestation of God.” When watching videos of this, you will see the congregants becoming very happy and excited when these clouds appear. It is amazing how strongly air-blown clouds of cheap glitter or fool’s gold can affect deceived hearts. Gems seem to fall from the ceiling there sometimes, and have been found to be synthetic, manmade stones. Imagine that! This shameless showmanship is a disgrace to the Church and has no place whatsoever in Christianity. Do you know what actually happened when God showed up in the cloud during an worship service in the Bible? Read these Scriptures and see for yourself:
Exodus 40:34-35: Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
1 Kings 8:10-11: And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
The account in 1 Kings is essentially repeated in 1 Chronicles 5:11-14.
So we see that in a number of churches there is a lot of pretending going on. Like those who preach prosperity and the word of faith, so these charlatans also bring their own performances to the church stage in order to fill their churches and their own pockets. This is tragic. We who know God and His Word are not so easily tricked, although at one time we were, to a degree, and could be again if we are not diligent in our search for and living out of Biblical truths. At no time in the Church Age could any believer afford to be a casual Christian and especially not today because we are living in the end times and the enemy is bringing everything he has to the table in order to lead folks astray, the lost and the saved alike. If you are a careless believer and are led astray it could ultimately cost you your salvation. We would do well to obey this admonition and heed this warning from Paul:
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11: But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
In Part VI of this blog series I will examine yet another way the Church is under assault: Through dead, dull, dry religion. Such stiff, unyielding formality is just as detrimental to believers as everything else we have discussed so far.
