"Counterfeit Kingdom" (Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett)

TITLE: Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church
AUTHOR: Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing, 2022, (272 pages).
 

What is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement? What are their beliefs and practices? Why are they so popular? What spurred their rise? Who are the people involved? Why should we be concerned about its spread? The term NAR might appear foreign to us. However, if you are familiar with Bethel Church, Bethel Music, the music group "Jesus Culture," or some of their hit songs like "One Thing Remains," "Reckless Love," "Where You Go I Go," and "Your Love Never Fails," you would realize that their reach goes further than meets the eye. In February 2022, the popular website BibleGateway pulled the Passion Bible translation because of its NAR influences. What is wrong with such a movement? For authors Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett, the problems become visible when they see individual lives disillusioned, fractured, and damaged because of NAR teachings. Using their research, their purpose in this book is not to demonize but to highlight the trends with regard to the NAR influence in the evangelical world now. More crucially, NAR teachings are twisting the way churches are doing ministry today. They point out several "dangers" pertaining to the rise of this movement. They tell stories of a theological slant toward healing and miraculous deeds. In the story of Olive  Heiligenthal, we read how some leaders of Bethel Church started a prayer appeal for the resurrection of a dead 2-year-old girl. Focusing on the 2 Kings 13:21 verse about healing powers from merely touching the bones of the prophet Elisha's body, they assume the same could happen in a modern context. Some practice "grave sucking" while others write songs to spearhead this theological practice that believes in modern-day apostles and prophets who could heal just like the early believers. Apart from sharing in-depth information about Bethel Church and the popular "apostle" pastor Bill Johnson, as well as Kris Valloton, the authors also share their personal encounters with this movement. Pivec's first encounter with the NAR began in 2002 from an email about the movement. Upon further research, her inquisitiveness turns into intrigue, and her investigation subsequently turns to incredulity about how the movement had grown among many mainline churches. She even dated someone oblivious to NAR influences in his church. She writes firsthand her own encounters with the happenings within the Bethel Church ministries. From Sunday School "holy laughter" classes, prophecy "activation exercises," new age spiritualism, to occult practices, Pivec gives first-hand reports about these events and also provides us with some tips on the testing of these prophecy claims. Other scary claims revolve around abuse of power, control, threats, and counterfeit revivals. On the latter, they give us 13 signs of counterfeit revivals and more. They even include Mike Bickle of the International House of Prayer (IHOP) as being involved in leading the NAR movement. Geivett first learned about the movement from his co-author. Subsequent interactions with various leaders during his speaking tours convince him that the movement merits greater scrutiny.

My Thoughts

The most dangerous things are typically subtle and silent. They resemble the normal but seduce and subvert the unsuspecting person with false teachings. This book highlights some salient features of this movement. One report even said that the NAR now has a growing influence in the Republican political party? Some of the activities highlighted by the authors remind me of the early days of extreme pentecostalism that seeks supernatural acts as evidence of God's blessings. In that sense, the NAR movement is nothing new. My initial search of the various institutions (the IHOP, etc) accused of leading the NAR, turns up with the accused declaring flat denials of their involvement. Of course when under the limelight, no one would openly confess anything. Yet, it is entirely possible that one practices the teachings of NAR without actually understanding the dangers or the beliefs in the first place. Books like this highlight the differences between the NAR and orthodoxy. 

I do have certain reservations about the way the book has been written. One of the key things is the frequent use of anecdotal evidence based on limited testimonies. There is no doubt that the authors are passionate about their study and research, but personally, I would need more than that to be convinced about how pervasive this movement is. Having said that, this book does provide a good reminder to keep up our guard against false teachings. Whether it is NAR or some extreme philosophies, we need to beware of any wolf masquerading in sheep's clothing. The Western Church is now experiencing a negative image. This has not bottomed out yet and critiques of any Christian movement would add more fuel to the fire. The warnings are legitimate but I feel that the discovery is still very much in its infancy. Those accused might issue quick denials.  Some passionate ones might wonder what is wrong with teachings that they had personally benefitted from. This is a tricky path to walk in terms of speaking the Truth in Love. 

Read this book with an open mind. Perhaps, because of the findings here, Christian leaders of all organizations will pay attention to the teachings they are providing or hearing, and do the necessary corrections. May they learn to nip any heresies in the bud. Discernment is always relevant and needed.

Holly Pivec is a blogger, author, and speaker, as well as a pastor’s wife and homeschooling mom. She has a master’s degree in apologetics from Biola University, where she also served as university editor for nearly a decade. She has coauthored two books about the New Apostolic Reformation: A New Apostolic Reformation? and God’s Super-Apostles. She operates a popular blog which has followers from around the world, and has spoken and written for several audiences and outlets.

R. Douglas Geivett is a husband, father to two grown children, professor, author, and speaker. He has a PhD in philosophy from USC and teaches at Biola University and Talbot School of Theology. Douglas has written or edited several books and spoken on issues related to the New Apostolic Reformation, Christian apologetics, and the Christian life to audiences all over the world. 

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of B and H Publishing and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.