New Apostolic Reformation?

I know a bit about the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Sure, I’ve seen articles, and some sermons plus speeches on video. Yet I first started studying this theology as I went through training regarding nationalist hate groups or Central and South American dictatorships in the 1980s/90s as a police officer and military intelligence analyst.

Why? The teachings have roots in the 1940s and have been “repackaged” over the years. Not all those espousing such beliefs are inherently dangerous,  although many Christians consider their theology heretical. Yet, this family of theological ideas has been often used and manipulated to help hold up dictatorships in Central America; rationalizing abuses and violence. Closer to home, White Nationalists and groups against the US government also often incorporated beliefs from this theology into their religious practices back then and still do. The theology seemed to support their worldview establishing a “Christian” nation in expectation of and preparation for Jesus’ return.

You see, even in a purer form, many adherents favor Christian dominion over society in a belief this will help prepare for an End Time army. Thus, my classes and research back in the day wasn’t to suppress religion, but it was to help understand and help combat people who wanted to overthrow the government, kill law enforcement, disregard laws, and oppress minorities or other faith traditions using violence.

Not everyone with an End Time (eschatological) theological focus or a belief in contemporary prophecy is criminal or dangerous, but sadly, some are. Partly, this is because such theology often relies heavily on personal revelation and prophesy which historically has led many astray when left untested or improperly interpreted. Also, wanting a theocracy in a democratic republic espousing freedom of religion is…problematic. What will qualify one as the right kind of Christian? How will those who don’t believe be dealt with?

Further, there’s a stated goal of reinstating the Temple in Jerusalem (a Third Temple) to help precipitate or be a sign of Jesus’ return. What is not often recognized, this Zionism often masks a teaching among some adherents that once the Temple is restored, non-converting Jews can be eliminated. Thus, this is a popular belief among some related White Nationalist hate groups.

Adherents are also commonly known for imprecatory prayer; asking God to smite those they feel are against them. They see demons at work. With such a worldview, they tend to desire the dismantling of secular government. That’s antithetical to a Constitutional system espousing freedom of religion – the freedom to believe as you want even as one might not have religious faith at all. As a Lutheran Christian, I believe the Gospel rightly preached (with words as necessary as St. Francis once remarked) is strong enough to attract people without force or intimidation.

It’s important to note once again that the eschatology they hold dear is not held by the majority of Christians in the world. It stems from biblical interpretation by members of the Plymouth Brethren which broke away from Anglicanism in the 1820’s. You can trace contemporary rapture theology to the 1830’s within this movement. It derived from both supposedly prophetic vision and biblical interpretation. A leader, John Nelson Darby, had his ideas popularized in the United States during the 20th Century through the Scofield Reference Bible. Through its extensive commentary, many fundamentalist began to hold strongly to the notion of dispensationalism. This also began an extensive speculation about the Book of Revelation and eschatology in general. Not all of this speculation has been good, as we have seen with a number of groups trying to discern and manipulate the timing of Jesus’ Second Coming. It has spread even more thanks to popular books and movies echoing these themes.

Many in the United States have come to see this eschatological teaching as THE teaching of the Church due to its cultural influence. It has seeped into the theology of many when their denomination actually might consider it anathema. This is particularly true in the South or anywhere charismatic faith traditions are common. Yet the Orthodox, Roman Catholic Church, Lutherans (both confessional and non-confessional), Anglican tradition, Methodism, and more (the majority of Christians in the world) consider it a terrible misunderstanding of scripture and Apostolic teaching. You are hard pressed to find it in early Church teachings, and even in scripture, the verses used in support often are out of context or linked with a great bit of mental gymnastics. Even Evangelicals, charismatic churches, and Anabaptists often interpret and apply the relevant scriptures quite differently.

The New Apostolic Reformation comes out of questionable biblical interpretation and often personal visions. The ministries associated often have a tendency toward personality cult surrounding the favored “prophets” and “Apostles” of their sect. It too often becomes problematic if not dangerous when applied in the real world. Unfortunately, there are parallel theologies, such as Roman Catholic integralism. None of it represents the best that the United States has to offer, and it leans heretical in my view. That said, people in the United States are free to be theologically wrong, but it doesn’t mean they have to be accepted in leadership positions.

So, if the President is surrounding himself with folks adhering to this theological worldview held by friends of the NAR, and he is, to include his new faith office leader, I want to learn more. You might like to as well.

I can’t vouch for this book, as I’ve not read it yet, but I just bought the digital version at Logos: A New Apostolic Reformation? A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement.

I encourage you to read up on the movement, talk to other Christians as well as others, and take a look at scripture also in dialogue with others, to help you discern about this movement for yourself. I fear a number of adherents will likely have a profound negative impact on the President’s own view of things and ultimately our national policy. It has been historically used by bad actors for their personal agendas or benefit, and that should give one pause. Upon reflection, it will be good to have our educated, thoughtful voices and votes heard.

© 2025 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.