Counterfeit Kingdom – The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church (B&H Publishing, 2022) by Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett is important for all Christians to read. It’s an excellent update to their earlier books on similar topics:

A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement (Weaver Book Co., 2014)

God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement (Lexham Press, 2018)

I had been researching, teaching, and writing about the New Apostolic Movement for many years, so it was good to see other writers approach the subject. I met one of the primary founders of the NAR in the late 1970s and had followed his work since that time.

Why Another Book on the NAR?

Some people may wonder why Pivec and Geivett wrote another book about The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Weren’t two previous books enough? I could ask myself the same question. I’ve written seven eBooks about the NAR and plan to write several more. Why? My reason is simply because Christians and church leaders still aren’t seeing the danger from the NAR. They are allowing the NAR to infect multiple areas of their church ministry including worship, music, theology, teaching and preaching, children’s ministry, youth ministry, and the family. I’ve seen some of the damage done to churches and Christians with my own eyes and it’s not pretty.

Here’s how the authors explained their reason for writing the book:

In this book we share memories of our personal past experiences. We have retold events to the best of our memories and after carefully reviewing our own recorded observations. We also share stories of individuals who have been damaged by the New Apostolic Reformation movement, as those stories have been shared with us. Where possible, we obtained permission to share those stories; otherwise, we removed personally identifying details to protect individual privacy. We also changed the names of some individuals. There were other stories we very much wished to include but did not because the parents who shared them with us were nervous about possible repercussions if their adult children–who have become followers of the “apostles” and “prophets” and have broken off communication with them–were to learn that they spoke with us. These parents feared that their already fractured relationships would be broken beyond repair. Their fear sends a strong signal about the destructive effect of the movement we write about.

This book focuses especially on the practices of the New Apostolic Reformation movement–the concrete ways it is showing up in churches, ministries, and music.

We also wish to note that when we refer to teachings of NAR leaders in this book, we do not mean to imply that every apostle, prophet, or teacher in this movement holds to all of the same beliefs or agrees on every point of theology and practice. But the practices and teachings we highlight here are those promoted by influential leaders in this movement and, for that reason, have gained entrance into a growing number of churches. We’ve welcomed every opportunity for direct dialogue with leaders of the movement. Counterfeit Kingdom, p xi

I highly recommend this book to every Christian who cares about following the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. I say “pure” because the NAR, and many other groups, have brought impurities into the gospel. Many of these impurities have come into churches disguised as worship music:

Young adults are especially drawn to NAR music … NAR music may seem harmless. But there are some real dangers. Danger No. 1: Their Music Smuggles in NAR Theology .. Their Music Draws People to NAR .. Their Music Divorces the Heart from the Head Counterfeit Kingdom, Toxic Worship Music, pp 139-157

My appeal to you is the same as the Apostle Paul’s appeal to Christians in Rome almost two-thousand years ago:

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:17-20

Contents

  • Author’s Note
  • Chapter 1: Wake Up, Olive
  • Chapter 2: Who Are the New Apostles and Prophets?
  • Chapter 3: Hogwarts for Christians
  • Chapter 4: Jesus’s Overlooked Warning
  • Chapter 5: The Apostolic Takeover and Spiritual Abuse
  • Chapter 6: Counterfeit Revival
  • Chapter 7: The Passionately Wrong “Bible”
  • Chapter 8: Toxic Worship Music
  • Chapter 9: Is It Always God’s Will to Heal?
  • Chapter 10: Deception-Proofing Your Children
  • Conclusion: Joining the Resistance
  • Special Appendix: On Miracles and NAR
  • Notes

Publisher’s Notes

Is there a new reformation happening in the church? It depends on who you ask.

The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is a popular and fast-growing new movement of Christians who emphasize signs and wonders, and teach that God is giving new revelation through new apostles and prophets. But is this biblical Christianity?

In Counterfeit Kingdom, apologists and NAR experts Holly Pivec and Douglas Geivett show how the NAR’s key tenets distort the gospel, twist the Scriptures, are influenced by New Age practices, and lead faithful Christians to shipwreck their faith. They also offer practical suggestions for readers who are already influenced by the NAR, curious about it, or concerned about loved ones who have been swept up in the movement.

What used to be on the fringes of the church is now mainstream, and many are being influenced by it unaware. This book is a wake-up call.

About the Authors

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 co-authored 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 she has spoken and written for several audiences and outlets.

Doug Geivett is a husband, father to two grown children, professor, author, and speaker. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy from USC and teaches at Biola University and Talbot School of Theology. Doug 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.

Recommendations and Reviews

Many churches are unaware of the questionable theology of the cult-like movement that inspires much of the worship music they sing every Sunday. I have personally witnessed the destructive impact of the teachings and practices of the NAR and have long hoped that a book would be written to inform the church of its pervasive influence. Counterfeit Kingdom is the book I’ve been waiting for. Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett have combined careful scholarship, a deeply theological gospel-focus, and a charitable tone to give the church a resource that is not only thorough but easy to understand. My honest prayer is that every Pastor in America will read this book. It’s the warning the church desperately needs.”
—Alisa Childers, author of Another Gospel?: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity 

Just as sound doctrine transforms, unsound teaching deforms. Written with victims in mind, this book is a powerful and compassionate antidote. I am grateful to the authors for enlightening me about this dangerous movement. Careful in argument, backed up by documented cases, Counterfeit Kingdom is a wake-up call to discernment.
—Michael Horton, Professor of Theology, Westminster Seminary California 

Counterfeit Kingdom is an incredibly clear and practical guide to not only understanding the errant theology behind the NAR movement, but also the specific manifestations of it that you may unknowingly encounter. No doubt, there’s a good chance that its influence has in some way reached YOUR church. I pray this book will open the eyes of many.
—Natasha Crain, speaker, host of The Natasha Crain Podcast, and author of four books 

The influence of the New Apostolic Reformation is impossible to ignore today. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec offer believers a valuable service in this clear, accessible, and persuasive critique. I especially encourage pastors and song leaders to consider the authors’ insightful analysis of the lyrics of music associated with this movement. May this book help you to walk in discernment and to reaffirm the truth and beauty of biblical Christianity.
—Matt Merker, Hymn Writer; Director of Resources and Training, Getty Music; Director of Congregational Singing, Edgefield Church, Nashville, TN 

The Bible warns that wherever the truth advances, error will soon follow; it warns that where there are teachers committed to the historic Christian faith there will be teachers committed to new and novel nonsense. Those who love the Lord and are committed to his cause are right to be concerned by the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation. In Counterfeit Kingdom Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec helpfully expose its theological errors, spiritual abuses, toxic worship, and failed predictions. They expose it for what it is and call Christians to a faith that is far better, far purer, far more fulfilling, and far more consistent with God’s Word.
—Tim Challies, author

Video Interview with the Authors

The Warning Christians Critically Need: Bethel, New Age, and the New Apostolic Reformation.

Counterfeit Kingdom – The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church (B&H Publishing, 2022) by Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett

© Faith & Self Defense, 2023