In recent years, one of the most influential—and dangerous—movements within modern Christianity has been the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Though it presents itself as a revival movement bringing fresh vision to the church, its roots, teachings, and goals stand in stark opposition to biblical Christianity.
A Brief History
The term New Apostolic Reformation was coined by C. Peter Wagner in the late 1990s to describe what he saw as a new wave of charismatic leaders claiming direct apostolic authority for today’s church. Unlike traditional denominations, this movement emphasizes modern-day apostles and prophets who supposedly receive fresh revelation from God. Wagner and other leaders argued that the church must be restructured under these apostles to fulfill its true destiny: bringing God’s kingdom to earth before Christ returns.
This vision departs dramatically from the historic Christian faith. Scripture affirms that the foundation of the church was laid by the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20), with Christ as the cornerstone. The office of apostle in that foundational sense is not ongoing. Yet the NAR insists that new apostles are necessary to lead the church into “dominion.”
The Seven Mountains Mandate
Central to NAR teaching is the Seven Mountains Mandate, the belief that Christians are called to take authority over seven key spheres of society in order to establish God’s kingdom on earth. These “mountains” are:
- Religion – Reshaping the church and faith communities under apostolic rule.
- Family – Redefining family structures with NAR-approved authority models.
- Education – Influencing schools and universities with their brand of “kingdom teaching.”
- Government – Taking political power and shaping laws to reflect their vision.
- Media – Controlling information, news, and entertainment to spread their agenda.
- Arts & Entertainment – Using creativity, music, and film to advance their dominion message.
- Business – Controlling commerce and wealth to finance the expansion of their movement.
While Christians are indeed called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16), the NAR twists this call into a quest for dominion—a human effort to seize control over society’s institutions. This is not the gospel of Christ, but a political and cultural program disguised as spiritual mission.
Why It Opposes Biblical Christianity
At its heart, the New Apostolic Reformation undermines the sufficiency of Scripture and the authority of Christ. It does so in several key ways:
- Extra-Biblical Revelation: NAR leaders claim direct words from God that often contradict or bypass Scripture. This undermines the completed canon of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Man-Centered Dominion: Instead of waiting for Christ to return and establish His kingdom (Revelation 19–20), NAR teaches that the church must bring the kingdom now by conquering the seven mountains. This rejects the biblical teaching that Christ alone brings the kingdom in its fullness.
- False Apostolic Authority: By elevating modern “apostles” to unquestionable authority, the NAR mirrors cult-like structures that place leaders above Scripture and the local church.
- Dilution of the Gospel: The true gospel is about salvation through Christ’s finished work on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The NAR often replaces this with a social or political agenda, reducing Christianity to cultural conquest.
A Counterfeit Movement
The New Apostolic Reformation is appealing because it promises power, influence, and cultural victory in a world spiraling into chaos. But it is a counterfeit kingdom. The Bible warns of such movements: “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13).
Jesus did not commission His church to seize political and cultural power but to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). The true hope of the world is not in conquering seven mountains but in the return of Christ, who will establish His righteous reign.
Until then, believers are called to faithfulness, not dominion; to watchfulness, not world conquest. The NAR offers a false hope that distracts from the true mission of the church and the blessed hope of Christ’s appearing (Titus 2:13).
The post NAR: A Counterfeit Kingdom :: By Joe Hawkins appeared first on Rapture Ready.
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