“The New Apostolic Reformation.” You may not have heard of it, but it’s all around you and enjoying wide influence. Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec have documented the movement in their recent books, A New Apostolic Reformation? and God’s Super-Apostles. Today they’re here to talk to us about their work.
Fred Zaspel:
First off, please introduce yourselves to our readers and tell us about the work you do.
Doug Geivett:
I’m a professor of philosophy in the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. I hold a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Southern California and a theological degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. I’ve published several books, including one on film, called Faith, Film, and Philosophy and another on Christian virtue, called Being Good: Christian Virtues for Everyday Life.
Holly Pivec:
I’m a journalist with research experience. I was first a newspaper reporter. Later I was managing editor of the Biola Magazine, which won several national awards. I operate a popular blog that critiques the New Apostolic Reformation. It’s called “Spirit of Error” (www.spiritoferror.org). I have a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University.
Fred Zaspel:
So, what is the New Apostolic Reformation?
Holly Pivec:
The New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR (pronounced NAHR), is a new religious movement led by men and women who claim to be prophets and apostles similar in authority and functions to the Old Testament prophets and Christ’s apostles. They claim to hold the keys required for the church to transform society and usher in God’s kingdom. The keys are the new revelations they claim God has given them. Those Christians who receive their new revelations will be formed into an end-time, miracle-working army. The miracles to be worked by this army will be greater than those that were performed by Jesus himself.
Fred Zaspel:
Transforming society, new revelations, a miracle-working army. Those are pretty sensational claims. Why does it seem that relatively few people have heard of this movement? Where is it and where do we see it?
Doug Geivett:
You’re correct to point out that relatively few people have heard of the New Apostolic Reformation — at least by that name. But many of the people we talk with are surprised to learn that they have encountered this movement — though they didn’t know it at that time. This recognition usually happens when they start hearing the names of specific organizations and leaders, such as Bethel Church in Redding, California, and the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri, commonly known as IHOP.
Beyond those specific organizations, the NAR’s influence is vast. Approximately 3 million people in the United States attend NAR churches. These are churches that have joined apostolic networks that are ruled by a single apostle or group of apostles. And many more millions attend Pentecostal and charismatic churches where NAR teachings have made considerable inroads.
Holly Pivec:
That’s right. And the NAR is global. Coalitions of apostles are forming in dozens of countries throughout the world, including Australia, Canada, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, and Zimbabwe. The NAR is growing fastest in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Fred Zaspel:
Okay, they’re big. How many prophets and apostles would you say there are?
Doug Geivett:
It would be impossible to provide an exact number. The reason for this is the NAR is not a single organization. Rather, it’s a movement made up of churches, leaders, and organizations that share a belief in the present-day offices of apostle and prophet. Thousands of men and women claim to be apostles or prophets worldwide. The world’s largest network of apostles is called the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders, with about 400 members. Each apostle leads his or her own network of churches and ministries. Some of these networks are very large, such as Harvest International Ministry led by the U.S. apostle Ché Ahn. This apostolic network claims to encompass more than 20,000 churches worldwide.
One of the most prominent networks of prophets is the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders, led by the U.S. prophet Cindy Jacobs. Every year, this council releases a “Word of the Lord” that is published by Charisma Magazine and distributed through NAR organizations. Other prophetic councils include the Australian Prophetic Council, the Canadian Prophetic Council, and the UK Prophetic Council.
Fred Zaspel:
Let’s talk more about some of the specific players you mentioned. Many people have heard of IHOP. Tell us more about this organization.
Holly Pivec:
IHOP hosts popular youth conferences, called “Onething,” which are attended by thousands. It’s also home to a university and a non-stop, around-the-clock “Prayer Room.” IHOP-style prayer rooms have opened in cities throughout the United States and around the world. Yet when many people get involved with IHOP they’re unaware of its NAR teachings. These teachings include a peculiar view of the end time, which has been disseminated by IHOP founder, Mike Bickle, in a series of teachings he has delivered on the book of Revelation. In this series, he teaches that the end-time church will have the authority and miraculous powers to loose God’s judgment on unbelievers.
Fred Zaspel:
Are there other NAR leaders people should be aware of?
Holly Pivec:
Another name people should know is Bill Johnson at Bethel Church in Redding, California. Johnson’s church is probably the most influential NAR church in this nation. Ché Ahn’s HRock Church, in Pasadena, California, is also influential. Other key NAR leaders include Randy Clark, from Global Awakening, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; Rick Joyner, with Morningstar Ministries; Cindy Jacobs with Generals International, in Texas; author Dutch Sheets; C. Peter Wagner; Bill Hamon, from Christian International Ministries; and Lou Engle with The Call. Engle has organized numerous prayer and fasting rallies held in large stadiums throughout the United States.
Fred Zaspel:
Let’s talk more about what they believe. Describe what you call “the biggest innovation” of the New Apostolic Reformation.
Doug Geivett:
The biggest innovation of NAR is the belief that apostles, working together with prophets, must take over….
Editor’s Note: Come back tomorrow, as we continue this important interview with Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec.
