Jaclyn had started this Bible study with a group of ladies and discovered the book they were reading at the time, “Operating in the Courts of Heaven” was from a prominent NAR ‘apostle’. Both of us were like, “What is NAR and why is this heretical book being encouraged by this team?”
We’d never heard of the NAR, an acronym which stands for New Apostolic Reformation, much like LDS stands for Latter Day Saints. Well, except that most NAR churches say they are not NAR and don’t know what it is. Needless to say, that meant I had to do my own research and you know how much I like research. ;)…
Paul said, “5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” – 2 Corinthians 13:5
Please don’t fail the test. Know the Word.
We have some seriously gnarly ancient oak trees where we live and when I started my research on this NAR church, it really felt like I was getting into some gnarly roots and branches of a movement that has really broken up the ground and blocked out the sun like the old oak in this picture. Nothing grows under it. Some of its twisted old branches wind their way to the top and insist life come through them to experience any kind of light.
In my studies, especially of the writer of the “Courts of Heaven” mess, I found a lot of old roots in old religions and branches of theology more like mormonism than Christianity. Read this, from chapter two of the book: “The Hebrew people believe that before we were on Earth we were with God in Heaven. We were spirit beings with God and a part of the counsel of Heaven. They believe that as a part of this counsel, we ‘agreed’ to the plan that God needed us to fulfill. We accepted the assignment to be born in the time we were born and fulfill what we had committed to.” Yeah, that’s just like mormonism 101, right there, a seriously twisted branch pointing to Moses 6:51 of the “Pearl of Great Price” and D&C 138:56.
I’m including here the ten characteristics to watch out for in your Bible studies and your church. I’ve inserted Roman numerals for the characteristic and normal numbers for the Biblical responses. I found this great synopsis on the “Real Talk with Jordan Riley” vodcast linked here. All scripture references are from the ESV, a free version found in the Olivetree Bible Study app, which I highly recommend.
I. The Office of Apostles and Prophets have been ‘restored’.
1. Paul is the last of the apostles chosen by Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:7-8
2. There were two criteria/qualifications for one to become an apostle.
a. Be a witness of the risen Jesus. Acts 1:22 and 10:38-41, 1 Corinthians 9:1 and 15:7-8
b. Be appointed as an apostle by Christ. Matthew 10:1-7, Mark 3:14, Acts 1:24-26, Galatians 1:1
3. The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. How many foundations does your home have? Ephesians 2:19-22 II. God is giving ‘new’ revelation.
1. In the past, God spoke through prophets many times and in many ways. Now He speaks through His Son. Hebrews 1:1-2, John 1:1-16, Jude 1:3 (…delivered (past tense), once for all, to the saints)
If what is revealed does not line up with existing scriptures, it is a lie.
III. Elevates experience over scripture.
1. 2 Peter 1:16-19 ‘…follow closely what they said. (Again, past tense.) We each have, present tense, the Word of God.
IV. Obsession with spiritual warfare.
1. Jesus dealt with demons directly and concisely: Matthew 8:16, Matthew 8:28-34 (See also Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39), Mark 1:38-39, Mark 9:25-27
2. Jesus sends the disciples out. Luke 9:1-2, Luke 10:17-20 ‘…even the demons are subject to us in your name!’, the 72 said. Jesus said, ‘…do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’ Casting out demons is only a part of the larger mission of spreading the Good News.
3. Jesus worked through Philip, one of the deacons, of the church, to ‘proclaim the Christ.’ Acts 6:6-7, . The casting out of demons was still just an evidence of the Gospel he shared. Acts 8:5-8, James 4:7, Jude 1:9, Matthew 28:18-20 Spiritual warfare will never be a higher priority than sharing Jesus. Even when you encounter it, it won’t be in your power or authority. Also, if you are ever in such a situation, you will never be alone. Jesus ‘is with you always, to the end of the age.’
4. Jesus works through ‘those who believe.’ Mark 16:17 There’s no special school or training for this. Just be one of those who believes.
V. Always seeking signs and wonders when the Word is enough.
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 4:6-13 (Curious thing here, is that Paul describe’s the Biblical lives of the real Apostles. They are nothing like the lives of the ‘apostles’ and ‘prophets’ of today, nothing.). Matthew 16:4 Are they part of ‘an evil and wicked’ generation?’
VI. Speak vague and false prophetic words. Think fortune cookies and word salads.
1. Did any of the prophets do that? Jeremiah 14:14 VII. Believe it is ALWAYS God’s will to heal and prosper us.
1. Exodus 4:11, Matthew 9:18-30, Why, then, 2 Timothy 4:20 and 2 Timothy 5:23?
VIII. Refer to the 7 Mountain Mandate. Referring to Joshua 1:11, WE must ‘take’ dominion of “Arts & Entertainment”, “Business”, “Education”, “Family”, “Government”, “Media”, and “Religion” before Jesus can return, according to Lance Wallnau and Bill Johnson.
1. I had heard of the ‘7MM’ as a student in the 80s and wondered how it had possibly been inspired by Revelation 17:8-10 which was clearly taken way out of context. In John 18:36, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.”. Oh, and this world doesn’t get better. It gets worse. Just look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and verse 13.
IX. We can “Learn” the Spiritual Gifts.
1. 1 Corinthians 12:11 makes it very clear it is the Spirit who decides who gets what. It is only clear, though, if you know your Bible.
X. People can have ‘special’ anointings.
1. 1 John 2:20 and Galatians 3:28, 29. We are all anointed by God. In Christ, there is no difference between us. Not one of us is better than any other. We are all and each unique members of the body of Christ.
…
Wait, wait. I know I said there were these 10 characteristics based on what I’d seen and read but neither of them hit on another characteristic that really stood out in the may personal experiences with gNARly books and churches. So…
XI. There’s this new(er) Bible ‘translation’ that is just as gNARly and specifically altered to support the characteristics I shared with you above. It’s called “The Passion Translation” or the TPT. (All these acronyms get my BVDs is a bunch.) There are great and way better detailed articles out there, some of which I’ll link to here, but the TPT speaks for itself as to its veracity.
Check this out. I found these in this article by Got Questions, “What is the Passion Translation”:
Luke 1:37
ESV: “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
NIV: “For no word from God will ever fail.”
NASB: “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
KJV: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
TPT: “No promise of God is empty of power, for with God there is no such thing as impossibility.”
Mark 1:15
ESV: “and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'”
NIV: “‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'”
NASB: “and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'”
KJV: “And saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.'”
TPT: “‘At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s kingdom to be experienced in fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!'”
Read the article for yourself. There is SO much added to the TPT version that is in NONE of the original versions. Entire sections devoted to the (only) author’s opinion and belief system (NAR) have been inserted as if they were canon. It might have better been labeled a commentary but, even as that, it strays completely from the oiginals.
“The Passion Translation of the Bible is not, therefore a ‘translation’ of the Bible at all. It’s a rewrite of the Bible. Referring to it as a ‘translation’ and calling it a good choice for a primary study Bible, as the author does, is deceptive.” – from the article.
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The idea for ‘gNARly’ came from Josh of “Remnant Radio” and their podcast with Holly Pivec and Doug Geivett in “How do I know if my church is NAR?” from 2020
There are many more but these two shrunk the whole mess down to a size my ADHDisorder(ly) could handle. ;)
Also from the Word of God: “13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” – 1 Timothy 4:13-16
The goal, here, is to save myself and those who will hear and heed this warning.
I recently added ‘board and batten to my stairwell. Somehow, I had gotten my angle at the bottom off by maybe, a degree. By the time I reached the top of the stairs, I had to lengthen the last batten 2 3/4 inches.
Being ‘just a little off’ can really catch up with you fast.
Please, know your Bible.
