My books.
Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church
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.
“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.”
—Michael Horton, Professor of Theology, Westminster Seminary California
”I especially encourage pastors and song leaders to consider the authors’ insightful analysis of the lyrics of music associated with this movement."
—Matt Merker, Hymn Writer; Director of Resources and Training, Getty Music; Director of Congregational Singing, Edgefield Church, Nashville, TN
"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
“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
Reckless Christianity: The Destructive New Teachings and Practices of Bill Johnson, Bethel Church, and the Global Movement of Apostles and Prophets
Bethel Church in Redding, California, is one of the most popular and polarizing churches in America. Home to the award-winning Bethel Music label, its songs are among the most used in churches. Thousands of people visit the church each year, drawn by reports of miraculous healings, the manifestation of a glittering Glory Cloud, and other miracles. They’re convinced that the church is at the forefront of an end-time movement that is restoring miraculous power to the church-at-large and “bringing heaven to earth.” Yet others are concerned that Bethel has left the boundaries of Scripture and brought its followers into a dangerously speculative and experience-driven faith. They say that, in the name of training miracle workers, Bethel has introduced hazardous, perhaps even occultic, practices into the church. This has resulted in chaos, confusion, and damaged lives. In this book we examine the controversial teachings of the “Bethel Church Movement,” as it is called, which has transformed modern Christian practice, culture, and worship. We show its place in the broader New Apostolic Reformation, a worldwide movement of “apostles” and “prophets” intent on reconstructing the mission and the message of the Christian church.
"Reckless Christianity exposes the dangerous and heretical teachings and practices of the Global Movement of Apostles and Prophets. I was struck by the parallels with the so-called Toronto Blessing, or 'Laughing Gospel, ' that was all the rage thirty years ago. It seems every generation has to cook up something new that allegedly takes us back to the miracles and prophecies of the first-generation church. Pivec and Geivett rightly warn their readers to steer clear of this new heresy."
— Craig A. Evans, author of From Jesus to the Church
"Pivec and Geivett have produced an impressive, even-handed, and meticulously researched and documented critique of the burgeoning Bethel movement. This book is written in an easy, readable style undergirded by scholarly rigor in support of all of its claims. Beyond its value as a clarion warning against one of the most rapidly spreading toxic movements within evangelical Christendom, I recommend this book as a model for how to exercise spiritual discernment, evaluate evidence, and sort through competing truth claims."
— Alan W. Gomes, author of Unmasking the Cults
A New Apostolic Reformation? A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement
This critique provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the widespread but little-known New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement.
“This is an important book, a one-stop shop for an explanation and biblical assessment of the so-called New Apostolic Reformation. Anyone interested in this global movement, whether sympathetic or critical, should read it. With their careful elucidation of NAR views and even-handed critique, Geivett and Pivec have pushed the discussion forward at a high level. This book provides a much-needed service to the church!”
— James S. Spiegel, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Taylor University
“Every movement that claims to be of the Holy Spirit should welcome scrutiny. Geivett and Pivec are exemplary critics in their respectful tone and portrayal of those with whom they disagree.”
— Amos Yong, Professor of Theology and Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary
God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement
A new religious movement—led by apostles and prophets—has confused people, divided churches, and strained families as people are forced to make painful choices between those they love and what they believe to be the truth of God’s Word. This global movement is known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Although people may not know it by its formal name, they are probably familiar with its key leaders, including Bill Johnson (Bethel Church in Redding, California) and Mike Bickle (the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri). Likewise, NAR practices—such as “prayerwalking,” “healing rooms,” and “24/7 prayer rooms,” have permeated churches throughout the world. Read this book for a biblical response to the NAR movement and to learn how its teachings deviate from historic Pentecostal and charismatic teachings. (This book is the 101, condensed version of the more academic work, A New Apostolic Reformation?, shown above.)
“God’s Super-Apostles is a clear and winsome work that provides just the right depth of examination, and that comes to clear and biblical conclusions. It is worth reading whether you wish to better understand NAR or if you wish to evaluate its claims.”
— Tim Challies; author, blogger, and pastor