PJ HanleyWhy Michael Brown is Wrong About the NAR
By PJ Hanley
In a recent article in Charisma, Dr. Michael Brown made some extraordinary statements about the movement known as the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation). He went so far as to say it’s a “Myth” and a “Conspiracy Theory.” Speaking as a lifelong Charismatic myself, it seems clear that Dr. Brown, decided to take a careless, sarcastic smear approach, rather than the informed scholarship one would expect from him. I knew Michael Brown personally many years ago, when I was a young man, and his teaching on Israel and the scourge of Replacement Theology, transformed my life and ministry. I have great respect for him as a scholar and that’s why it is sad that he would use these tactics, marginalizing people with accusations, rather than dealing with the actual realities of the apostolic movement.
The NAR is not a Myth
Mr. Brown’s assertion that the NAR is just a “Myth,” seems to be based solely on the statements of the critics of the NAR, rather than on serious research of the so-called apostolic movement. Since he, and most Charismatic leaders, assume that NAR critics are all Sensationalists and “Heretic Hunters,” there appears to be no need to approach the evidence with care or concern. All we have to do is point out how they group all Charismatics together as heretics and “Joel’s Army,” etc., etc., and the matter is easily dismissed. “Oh yeah,” it’s those crazy “Conspiracy Theory” people. Who should listen to them? Well first of all, those who are humble should listen to the criticism and examine it to see if any of it is genuine. This was Mr. Brown’s argument in a recent article about his ill-advised trip to the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference. Yet, he seems to be unable to find anything in the writings of Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec, that’s worthy of reflection and thought. And while he correctly points out that they don’t define the NAR well, since they look at it from the outside, he should be able to appreciate the many solid points they make. But instead there is this condescending tone throughout the article, which, as a Charismatic pastor for nearly thirty-five years, and one who is quite familiar with what is going on in the Charismatic, Pentecostal and Revival Movements, I find deeply offensive and hypocritical. It seems there is no respect for those of us, Charismatic or not, who disagree with Dr. Brown’s assessment of the so-called NAR. It’s a myth he says and if you believe it’s real you are an area 51 conspiratorialist. Well excuse me Dr. Brown, I am not one of those, but I can assure you there is an apostolic and prophetic movement that has swallowed up literally thousands of Charismatic churches with its teaching and emphasis on aligning pastors with councils and roundtables of “apostles” and “prophets,” and what it is called or not-called is completely irrelevant. With all due respect to Dr. Brown, with his background he should know what a movement is. Yes, it’s true that what many of the critics describe does not exist, but the so-called NAR does indeed exist and by defending and promoting its adherents and leaders, despite their erroneous teachings and so-called Bible translations,[1] Brown is declaring himself to be part of it. I guess he can’t see the forest for the trees!
Throwing Wagner Under the Bus
Dr. Brown’s second big “proof” that the NAR is a myth, is the fact that there is no such organization as the NAR. This was also Peter Wagner’s assertion and he got away with it, because people like Brown were (and apparently still are) sympathetic to his goals, even though they say they had “disagreements.” This is where I find Brown acts like he is either drunk on NAR Kool-Aid or deliberately twisting and manipulating the facts. After declaring the NAR, a myth, he admits that Wagner had an “organization” called the NAR.
“…Dr. Wagner himself led something called the New Apostolic Reformation, and it was in that specific context I was familiar with the term. This was the “NAR” I knew about. It had distinct teachings on apostolic ministry, some of which I agreed with and some of which I rejected. I was never part of the organization, which also had specific membership requirements and annual meetings. To this day, when I bring up NAR to colleagues, either they have no idea what I’m referring to, or else they say, ‘That was Peter Wagner’s organization.’”
Peter Wagner however, denied that there was any such organization called NAR and he was right. Instead he claimed the movement was all relational, and that, of course, is false. In reality, Wagner started countless organizations,[2] all promoting the New Apostolic Reformation or NAR. They all still exist or have morphed into other organizations, that are aligned with each other and all committed to bringing the church under their apostles and prophets. There are so many books and teachings out there promoting the NAR goals of Peter Wagner and his spiritual sons and daughters, that one has to have one’s head deep in the sand to miss it. NAR is not an organization, it’s a movement. Surely Dr. Brown knows what a movement is? Is there an organization called the Pentecostal Movement? Of course not! How about the Charismatic Movement? Can you join an organization called the Charismatic Movement? However, we all know what the Pentecostal Movement is and what the Charismatic Movement is, and what the Toronto Revival Movement is, don’t we? Who in their right mind denies that these movements exist? What if we call the Pentecostal Movement PM, and the Charismatic Movement CM, and the Toronto Revival Movement TRM? Will that eliminate their existence? How utterly foolish an argument this is, but it is presented by the apostolic elites to keep the ignorant masses from finding out they are drinking NAR Kool-Aid. Then to give credence to his assertions, Brown rolls out his pal Joseph Mattera and we go from absurdity to comedy.
“Recently, Dr. Joseph Mattera, who leads the organization once led by Peter Wagner, wrote two articles in which he strongly rejected some of the tenets of Wagner’s NAR. But this doesn’t matter to the critics. They simply heap scorn on him for being part of NAR and denying it. Do these critics really care about the facts?”
Mattera doesn’t agree with “some” of the tenets of Peter Wagner’s NAR. How comforting! Brown blames NAR all on Wagner and throws him under the bus, now that he has passed away. I didn’t hear him challenge Wagner when he was alive and the most powerful man in the Charismatic Movement. Furthermore, the argument that because Joseph Mattera (the “convening apostle” of USCAL[3]) had some minor disagreements with Wagner proves the NAR doesn’t exist, defies logic. Mattera’s lofty title alone proves its existence. And as far as how the NAR operates, I have included this excerpt from my book entitled, “They Call Themselves Apostles, How Revival Churches Have Been Hijacked by the New Apostolic Reformation.”
Peter Wagner insisted that the NAR is not an organization, has no top leader, no team and no annual meeting. However, this is completely misleading and factually incorrect. Yes, there is no organization called the NAR with a president, a board and an annual meeting. However, there is an elaborate structure, carefully engineered by Wagner and his colleagues which they call the “new wineskin.” This structure looks organic and fluid, but is highly organized and sophisticated — as though it were designed by someone with high-level marketing skills. The wording is carefully crafted to appear and sound non-controlling or threatening, and Wagner admitted this many times. There is an above ground structure with strict membership and dues, and there is an underground structure which operates under the radar and establishes teachings, goals and strategies. Instead of boards, they have “councils” and “roundtables” that meet frequently, and a secret, private “inner circle” of apostles and prophets that are “covenanted” together. Each apostle and network is submitted to and under the covering of an apostle in the inner circle who is submitted to the “presiding apostle.” However, they avoid the word “submission” and “covering” and instead speak of being “accountable” and “aligned.”
Conclusion
As I stated in the beginning of this article, I have had great respect for Dr. Michael Brown over the years. As a Messianic Jewish leader, he was instrumental in the fight against Replacement Theology in the church. His book on Hyper Grace was exceptional and showed great courage to challenge this despicable teaching. However, his defense of NAR and its elite apostles, who are spreading confusion throughout the body of Christ, is deeply disturbing. His silence on the scourge of Dominion Theology (which is based on Replacement Theology) that is doing such incredible damage to the church, is deafening. And while I’m at it, what about Pre-Millennialism? You claim to be a Pre-Millennialist who understands the significance of the restoration of Israel at the end of the age, yet you write article after article and use your prominence to mock those of us who believe the end of this age is near, and Jesus is coming soon! May I humbly suggest that you confront the damaging teachings and false declarations of your nameless friends and colleagues in the apostolic and prophetic movement, whatever it is called. And while you are at it please mention their names like you were quick to do with the non-aligned critics. Why don’t you confront and call for an end to their oaths, secret councils, and alignment ceremonies, and insistence that ministries align with them to be relevant. Do this and you will quickly discover that the NAR is no myth!
For a complete analysis of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) read my Book, “They Call Themselves Apostles,” available at Amazon.com
[1] Source: Michael Brown, Line of Fire, 10-13-17: Dr. Brown Answers Your Questions, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OESYGH4SCog, Streamed live on Oct 13, 2017. (Accessed Oct 30, 2017.)
In this program Brown endorses the Passion Translation by Brian Simmons, a resident “scholar” of the Wagner Leadership Institute (NAR Central.) Many years ago, Simmons was in our church and he declared that the whole Bible was an allegory. Recently he has stated on Sid Roth’s sensational TV show that he has been to heaven and seen the library there containing the Book of John 22, which will be revealed soon! For Dr. Brown to promote this ministry shows that his NAR friends always get a free pass, while he comes down heavy on the non-aligned.
[2] WLI (Wagner Leadership Institute), EVAT (Eagle’s Vision apostolic team), ICAL (International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders), ACPE (Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders), ACEA (Apostolic Council for Educational Accountability) just to name a few.
[3] https://www.charismanews.com/us/44451-us-apostolic-council-of-leaders-forms-to-advance-kingdom
USCAl is the United States arm of ICAL (International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders) and one of Wagner’s top organizations.