I love books. It is not uncommon to find small stacks of books sitting around my house waiting to be read. I have a bad habit of buying new books that pique my interest, creating a new pile of books with pristine spines and pages yet to see dog eared corners and the trails of highlighter to mark the insight within. The types of books that I purchase and eventually read for personal growth have changed dramatically over the last five years, and it is a change that has been for the better.

Several years ago, after exiting the New Apostolic Reformation movement, I had a book purge, emptying my bookshelves of various books that I had collected and read over the years. Rather than donate them to Goodwill or another unfortunate soul, they found their home at the local dump. Over time, the bookshelf that once held those books began to fill up again, but this time there were books without the emphasis of deliverance ministry or claimed prophetic revelation outside of Scripture. However, over the past several years in doing research regarding the NAR, I have accumulated books once again pertaining to this movement. This time, they are for research purposes, as I share what is in these books, some of which are now unpublished.

In 2016, Holly Pivec wrote an article concerning NAR books and how to identify them. She mentioned key markers, such as the publisher, the author and endorsers, and the language in assisting to identify these types of books. For example, there are publishers such as Destiny Image who have published various books pertaining to beliefs and practices within the NAR, such as the Courts of Heaven books by Robert Henderson, Bethel’s The Physics of Heaven, the teaching of Sozo, and various books on prophetic insight and revelation. In 2022, they republished a book by Peter Wagner titled Dominion! The interesting thing about this particular book first written in 2008 and then published by Chosen (an imprint of Baker Publishing), is that it explicitly discusses the New Apostolic Reformation and the restoration of the office of apostles of the same caliber as Peter and Paul.

There are numerous authors to be aware of in this movement, and their doctrine is infused into their books. According to Holly,

“Some popular NAR authors to watch out for include Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton (both of Bethel Church in Redding, California), Mike Bickle (International House of Prayer), Rick Joyner (MorningStar Ministries), Randy Clark (Global Awakening), Cindy Jacobs (Generals International), Heidi Baker (Iris Global), Che Ahn (Harvest International Ministry), and Dutch Sheets. Endorsements from any of these NAR leaders should also give you pause. Countless NAR authors (as well as NAR musicians) have come out of Bethel Church in Redding, California, and its affiliated Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. So watch for references to all things Bethel in author bios.”

I would agree that there is a specific language to notice when looking at such books, such as a focus on the governing fivefold ministry, signs and wonders, dreams and visions, prophetic revelations, demons, angels, deliverance ministry/spiritual warfare, manifestations, prophetic activations, and encounters with Jesus Christ. A prime example containing sectarian language indicative of this movement can be noted in The Passion Translation by Brian Simmons. The claims surrounding this representation of the Bible are concerning, and the additions to the translation along with the change in language is of equal concern. Bethel church in Redding, California has endorsed The Passion, adding a 2020 Bethel version to their online shop.

Why does all of this matter? If you are familiar with this movement and have been influenced by it, you know that the beliefs and teachings in such books can have a tremendous influence on people. Some of these books even claim divine revelation given directly by the Holy Spirit. To claim such a thing places one’s words on par with Scripture and could arguably bind a person’s conscience to those claims. There are teachings in this movement that are leading people away from a proper understanding of Scripture and back to particular individuals claiming divine revelation. If teachings and practices are leading away from the Bible, then they are essentially leading away from God. In some instances, authors will claim that their book is the manual needed for deliverance or special insight in life. This begs the question: why is the Bible not sufficient for life and godliness?

There is nothing inherently wrong with reading books outside of the Bible. Books can aid us supplementally in our understanding of Scripture, and there are books that can bring encouragement to our faith and to our daily lives in the midst of difficulty. However, when it comes to spiritual and doctrinal matters, it is wise to consider what we are reading and to make sure that it agrees with what God has already said in His Word. Is the current book in our hands contributing to a better and solid way of understanding the Word of God? Is it driving us to the Bible for daily reading and study? Is the individual appealing to personal supernatural experiences in order to present an alleged divine revelation? What doctrines are discussed in the book and what claims are made in the summary of the book? When reading any book for Christian growth that mentions Scripture, I encourage you to read the verses mentioned and pay attention to the context. When there are people claiming extrabiblical revelation that potentially contradicts Scripture and goes beyond what is written, there should be a great pause about reading such material.

Link to Holly’s original article: How to spot a NAR book — Holly Pivec

Listen to this recent discussion regarding the topic of NAR books: NAR Books- What We Read Matter – The Lovesick Scribe Podcast – Apple Podcasts