Holly Pivec

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Hot off the press: 'Study Guide for God's Super-Apostles'

final cover for study guideI'm pleased to announce that our Study Guide for God's Super-Apostles has just been published. Check it out here at Amazon.I haven't posted many articles on my blog in recent weeks because I've been working hard on completing this study guide with my co-author, Doug Geivett. We're convinced that this study guide is an important tool for helping people understand the NAR and its harmful teachings.NAR has been growing at an alarming rate, despite its serious distortions of Christianity. When I first started researching this movement, about 15 years ago, it had primarily gained a foothold in Pentecostal and charismatic churches. Indeed, many Pentecostal leaders are very concerned about NAR and have endorsed our books. But, today, NAR teachings are found not only in Pentecostal and charismatic churches. They've infiltrated a growing number of more traditional churches. This is happening not just in the United States, but throughout the world. I'm regularly contacted by people in other countries who've become concerned about NAR entering their churches--to such an extent that video teachings by U.S. NAR apostles, like Bill Johnson, are being shown in place of the Sunday morning sermons. The NAR movement has reached a tipping point.Those of us who are concerned about NAR must use whatever influence we have to stem its tide. If you can lead a group study of any sort--a church small group, Sunday School class, men's or women's class, or Bible study--consider using this study guide together with its companion book, God's Super-Apostles. It's also great for individual study. Families should consider using it to inoculate their older children, who will be especially vulnerable to NAR teachings when they leave the nest and are actively targeted by NAR organizations.It's going to take a movement to stop this movement.Here's the description from the back cover.

Do God’s prophets and apostles walk the earth today?Many popular teachers say yes, including Bill Johnson from Bethel Church (Redding, California), Mike Bickle from the International House of Prayer (Kansas City, Missouri), and Rick Joyner from Morningstar Ministries (Fort Mill, South Carolina).But when examined in the light of Scripture, their teachings about prophets and apostles fall short.Whether you know it or not, you’ve probably encountered the fast-growing religious movement involving these and other teachers—the New Apostolic Reformation. The New Apostolic Reformation is led by men and women who claim to be modern-day prophets and apostles. They seek to bring God’s kingdom to earth through their new revelations, miraculous powers, and novel practices like “Treasure Hunting,” “Sozo ministry,” “24/7 prayer rooms,” and “schools of supernatural ministry.” Some groups embrace all of these, others only some.Designed for individuals or groups, this study guide—used with the full-length companion book, God’s Super-Apostles—will help you understand this bewildering movement. You’ll learn what New Apostolic Reformation leaders teach about topics like apostles, prophets, spiritual warfare, demons, and miracles. You’ll learn how their teachings about these topics deviate from historic Pentecostal and charismatic teachings. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to respond to their teachings with Scripture. It will also guide you in developing personal strategies for countering the New Apostolic Reformation’s growing influence.

--------Holly Pivec is the co-author of A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement and God's Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement. She has a master's degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University.