What is the NAR, and How is it Hurting the Church?

The NAR movement stands for the New Apostolic Reformation. Basically, it’s a cult. But it’s gaining power and influence very quickly. Started in 1996, The NAR started in the background. Now it’s right in front of us and we don’t even realize it. Leaders and pastors like Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner, Bethel Church, Bethel Music, Jesus Culture, Hillsong, IHOP Church in Kansas, and the list goes on. It’s scary, people. And here’s why: people are being fooled by this organization’s blasphemy and joining them. Let me explain what the NAR is, then you’ll see why it’s so incredibly dangerous.

The NAR believes that you can get a dead healer’s power by laying on their grave. Don’t believe me? Here’s a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSjIaaKfZ3I As the man said, that’s paganism. NOT Christianity.

Ever wonder why the “Christian” music these days is so repetitive? Bands like Bethel Music, Hillsong, and Jesus Culture are all extremely repetitive in their lyrics, music, and singing style. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fqNV9wkS9g Seriously. Look at the crowd in that video. Another reason why this is so dangerous. They reel in the youth like you wouldn’t believe. Songs like “Oceans”, “You Make Me Brave”, and others are extremely repetitive, and it’s not just because of lack of skill.

Right now you might be saying, “Hypnosis? Really? Next you’re going to be talking about demon possession!” YUP! Because how else do you explain something like this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls0D8xfo8CM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DM5FmZxBQI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIyoGB-CNjo

Another trademark of the NAR movement is its overly-romanticized picture of a Christian’s relationship with Christ. You know those “worship” songs where you can’t tell if the composer was writing to their significant other, or maybe (just maybe) God? Here’s a few examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYSh3ZPBp4M

There are also seemingly obvious hoaxes (that people take to be reality, somehow) like “Glory Clouds”. Supposed manifestations of Jesus in a cloud of mist and “gold dust”, most likely (in my opinion) to actually be from fog machines and some gold glitter from the local craft store (but, then again, they use quite a bit... Maybe they just buy it in bulk). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9eAgjH9cJQ Oh, and did I mention supposed “angel feathers” falling from the ceiling? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc8w0a2w1n8

There are also “fire tunnels” in which people can become “drunk in the Holy Spirit”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEtQ3zG-c3g Also, they have this strange obsession with singing about fire and wanting to be “consumed by the fire of God”. Funny thing is, if you find a passage in the Bible about someone or something being consumed by the fire of God, it never ends well for the recipient of said fire.

Blasphemy is also present, as I mentioned before. Ever heard of Jesus described as the “sneaky, blue genie from Aladdin”? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wu-WqLjoJo Also, they teach that Jesus is imperfect and at least one even says that Jesus apologized to him in “visions”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3MdF6GJ6fE

Now, how exactly is it hurting the church? People are converting over to this false Christianity and leaving the true faith in droves. Youth and young adults especially are being drawn away. And the NAR movement is growing, spreading in the US and even internationally. Three Bethel Church plants have opened within an hour’s drive from my home in just the past year. So spread the truth. Expose the NAR for what it is. A cult full of false prophets and false, blasphemous teachings.