About the Book –
This critique provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the widespread but little-known New Apostolic Reformation 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. . . . In our judgment, the NAR perspective crosses these boundaries [that is, certain broad parameters, revealed in Scripture and practiced in the historical orthodox church], and it does so in part because of flawed theology rooted in a flawed understanding of Scripture.
“We wish to warn readers about a possible confusion: Some critics have linked the NAR movement with mainstream Pentecostalism and charismatics. We do not do this. In fact, it is our contention that the NAR movement 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 But we do not argue for cessationism, the view that the ‘miraculous gifts’ listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are no longer active in the church.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 has no bearing on the arguments of our book.”
About the Authors –
R. Douglas Geivett is Professor of Philosophy in Talbot School of Theology at Biola University (La Mirada, California, U.S.A.). 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 in Southern California (U.S.A.). She is an experienced journalist andresearcher, 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. She has more than 200 published articles, many related to the New Apostolic Reformation, church trends, and theological issues. She currently operates a popular blog that critiques the New Apostolic Reformation, called “Spirit of Error” (www.spiritoferror.org).
My Review –
Unaware that I had heard of this movement previous, but not by this name, I consider this book to be very helpful in putting on display what the New Apostolic Reformation is. What these two authors do well is giving information to describe and define this movement, what they hold to and how they are growing. What I’m not convinced of, however, is whether it’s a helpful book to help the reader beware the dangers of such a movement. Geivett & Pivec are clear in their objectives: 1) to give people an idea of the sheer size and reach of NAR; and, 2) to systematize NAR’s key teachings and practices and evaluate them on the basis of Scripture and careful reasoning. They achieve #1 very well indeed. What will take some convincing, for me at least, is whether #2 is met adequately or not.
The New Apostolic Reformation has arisen out of the Pentecostal movement. However, it’s gone beyond that group by a good stretch. NAR’s emphasis upon apostolic moves them beyond Charismatics and Pentecostals. ‘Its leaders claim they’re restoring the lost office of apostle to the church–an office endowed with astonish authority, miraculous powers, and divine strategies for establishing God’s kingdom on earth’ (Geivett & Pivec, p. 1). Those within the movement consider it a reformation because ‘the movement will completely change the way church is done, and its effects will be as great–or even greater than–the sixteenth Protestant Reformation.’ (Geivett & Pivec, p. 1)
Both of these are very bold claims indeed. What Geivett & Pivec then do is go chapter by chapter and describe what this NAR is, what it emphasizes and what its far-reaching objective may bring about. The authors do a fine job of documenting where they are getting their information. The reader can tell this is meant to be a credible scholarly work.
I am convinced, however, that they fall short in some of their evaluations of what this movement has done, is currently doing and could do in the future. One could listen to the sessions from John MacArthur’s ‘Strange Fire’ conference held nearly one year ago as a back drop for discerning the value of this current work. While I may not be the outright strong cessationist MacArthur is, there is no doubting the havoc that has been brought upon the church and individual Christians by this movement (and all of its more radical and aberrant adherents). I think Geivett & Pivec’s pre-dispositon toward the non-cessationist position leaves them wanting, somewhat, in their ability to use Scripture well to evaluate this movement.
My own convictions turn me away from this aberrant-cum-mainstream movement. However, that does not mean this book is not a worthy read. I think that it is…just not for the average layperson who either has never heard of this movement or given thought to whether apostles could exist today and whether new revelation is being given from God to a select few who appear to have no form of accountability to what they prophesy.
I recommend this book with caution. Know your background, your biblical context, your theological context and your historical context. Then, with discernment, you could benefit from this work. If you’re nearly unfamiliar with NAR or whether or not modern-day apostles can even exist or not, perhaps you should start with the authors’ shorter work: God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Apostles and Prophets Movement. It’s a much briefer book, more concise in the explanations and descriptions and geared for those just being introduced to such matters.
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A New Apostolic Reformation may be purchased here:
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Cross Focused Reviews. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
