Well, this is a different kind of post for me. At least, I don’t often go into the political realm – until of late as morals and ethics collide with the real world around us. Some might find my musings in this post too political. Some might accuse me of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Yet, I am actually responding to a great risk to the Christian Church (alleged heresy), a risk to our republic as we know it (Christian nationalism), and what can be a cultlike, prosperity based religious movement with what seems to be an open door at the White House. A large number of the President’s “spiritual advisors” have been identified as part of this religious-political-cultural movement. Some in this movement explicitly state that they want a theocracy with their “spiritual army” in the lead. Interested in learning more? Please read on, and then listen to the podcast.
As I’ve recently shared on social media, I first became aware of this movement, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR for short), while serving in military intelligence during the 1980s and 1990s. After attending the Virginia Military Institute, I had been commissioned in the United States Army Reserve and sent to attend my Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course (OBC) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Although not properly named yet, through open, public sources, we were shown how the theology of what was later be be named NAR was seemingly being used to help control and oppress indigenous populations in Guatemala. They often incorrectly used Romans 13 to do so. It shocked me that the modern Church could be complicit in such a thing. Later as a police officer, I discovered their theology was influencing some hate groups. It was also being used at times in ways that broke the law especially in regards to sex and money related offenses. NAR can reportedly result in some cult-like behaviors. Over the years, I kept my eye on NAR influenced groups, just as I had kept up my very early interest in espionage. I have continued to learn about hate groups and Christian nationalism throughout the years.
If you don’t know from my earlier post, NAR has deeper roots in the problematic Latter Rain Movement. (You might remember Jim Jones cult’s suicide through poisoned Kool-Aid, a spin off of its theology.) Striving to represent the five fold ministry of Ephesians 4:11, primarily led by new “apostles” and “prophets” who often claim direct contact with the divine, who are often detached from the past teachings of the Church, and who often serve with little or no true oversight, many pastors and priests from the most conservative to the most liberal segments of Christianity find fault with their theology. Sometimes, this error even touches upon our understanding of the nature and teachings of Jesus Christ. Worst of all they want dominion over the earth for a thousand year rain. (They are dominionist.) They tend to want to do so through their brand of spiritual warfare focusing on healings and exorcisms, but also, such leaders hope to manipulate or gain influence over seven areas of our culture. They commonly call this the Seven Mountain Mandate, and attempt to gain influence if not control over family, religion, education, government, media, arts/entertainment, and business.
NAR is often seen labeled evangelical, but it’s really something else hiding in plain site. It’s megachurches tend not to openly identify as NAR. Even its preferred Bible translation, the Passion Translation, is often criticized for straying from the original text to make the passages fit into its new teachings. This was bad enough that BibleGateway.com, one of my favorite portals to the Bible in multiple translations, removed the Passion Translation from its offerings. According to A New Apostolic Reformation: A biblical response to a worldwide movement (2014, p. 182), “Three things set NAR apart from more conventional views about miracles:
- under the leadership of apostles and prophets, the end-time church will perform miracles that are unpreecedented i terms of their grandeur and frequency;
- new truths revealed by the new apostles and prophets are crucial to ‘activating’ miraculous gifts among individuals; and
- the followers of apostles and prophets will grow in miraculous gifting until they ‘loose’ God’s judgements on earth and become immortal.
Oh, they do want unity in the Church, but it is a unity to fit their ultimate purposes and goals. In the book, End Time Warriors, according to A New Apostolic Reformation (p. 173), the authors state, “The apostle is the one who will unify the Church into a fighting force.” For some, it is a spiritual army. Yet for others, use of force (or any means necessary) is on the table. It can prove very disturbing.
NAR lends itself to the us verses them mentality, and that can do real harm. In February 2025, Lieutenant General Michael Flynn (Ret.) attacked Lutheran and Roman Catholic social service organizations through social media as money launderers, ultimately part of a vast criminal conspiracy. He has called himself a Roman Catholic, but multiple reports indicate his connection to NAR beliefs and Christian Nationalism. His statements fit the Seven Mountain Mandate. Through what is called “strategic-level spiritual warfare,” NAR has encouraged viewing opponents (especially religious organizations that promote liberal or mainstream social views) as enemies serving evil. In the worst cases, NAR related theology is used by hate groups to support genocide.
Megachurch pastor, Mike Signorelli, is often identified as evangelical in the press. His church held a worship service in Times Square this past Easter. According to a report by the conservative Christian news source, Church Leaders, “The pastor said the moment was not about making history but about reaching people outside the church walls.” I have my doubts about his motivation because he is allegedly NAR affiliated, an apostle, according to a simple internet search. They want dominion. As soon as I read about his claim of demons manifesting against him during his service in Times Square, I looked deeper. That’s a common red flag. He also alluded to going back to the ways of the first century Church, restorationism. That’s another flag. This event would likely not just reflect his going to where the people are. NAR believes and teaches that demons hold sway over geographical areas. Through spiritual warfare and exorcism, through manipulation of political powers, they hope for theocracy and control in the US and beyond. Coincidentally, they often appear to get rich while doing it.
In Washington, DC, The Museum of the Bible truly has some great displays and programs. I have enjoyed visiting. Yet with the 250th anniversary of our nation, they are hosting an event called, America Reads the Bible, “a national Scripture-reading event and movement led by Christians Engaged – a nonprofit organization committed to discipling Americans on biblical worldview and their responsibilities as citizens to pray, vote, and engage for the wellbeing of our nation.” Christians Engaged reportedly is affiliated with NAR and dominionist goals. As with some of those that attend NAR congregations, I would not be surprised if those reading the Bible that day will necessarily understand what theology proves the motivation behind the event. Sure, it seems harmless enough, in so far as reading the Bible is in itself harmless, but the event will raise the profile of NAR and likely become a platform for NAR friendly personalities. I am still waiting to see the full list of all the people who will read. I expect mostly social and political conservatives, but I also expect to find a number of dominionist or NAR-friendly pastors among them.
Unfortunately, as I indicated above, they have a strong presence within conservative politics. Their music, sermons, writings and memes are influencing others. You can learn more about this troubling movement from listening to this episode. Thanks to Chris Carr for inviting me to take part. I hope you find it helpful. As stated in the podcast, my comments reflect my long time interest, reading, and study, not any agency or nonprofit that I work for. Yet, education is needed. At the end of the podcast, I share resources for news and further information. Education is likely the best defense against such abuses, but if pastors (any pastors or Christian leaders) violate the law, they should be prosecuted fully.
True, End Times theology (eschatology) is a matter of faith. No one knows the hour, as Jesus taught, nor can we explicitly know the means. Yet victimizing others or a movement working toward Christian Nationalism, theonomy or theocracy is rightly a public concern when some proponents have such profound access to the President and other members of the government. As the authors of A New Apostolic Reformation (p. 203) argues, I agree that “the Bible does not support the NAR teaching that present-day apostles and prophets must govern the church. Nor does it support the teaching that they are revealing new truths the church needs for it to advance God’s kingdom, including new teaching and practices that will enable the church to become and end-time, miracle working army.” Are they Christian? At the best, not healthy ones. At the worst, no, they are not deeply connected to what’s come before, our inherited faith. Indeed, what they teach can be literally new, not trustworthy.
In my recent interview about the New Apostolic Reformation with Secrets & Spies, I argue that the Church is not to cozy up to political power whether liberal or conservative where our identity as the Holy People of God becomes blurred. We are to be in this world but not of it according to Jesus (see John 17:14-16). Political identities should not form our faith or become a litmus test. We all sin, and only faith in Jesus saves. So love one another, even our enemies, as Jesus lived and taught. The work of the Kingdom lies within our family and communities, especially amidst the small, the weak and overlooked, but know that political power will fail us. There is only one holy catholic (universal) Church, and we can only live into that reality with God’s help.
Sadly, if you don’t understand it by now, this theology is being normalized and is influencing many theologically conservative congregations and denominations. Worse perhaps, it is very active in the White House and halls of Congress. I have seen many prayers on YouTube where people are exorcising demons in DC. I see Pine Tree flags, as suggested by a NAR influencer mentioned in the episode as a protest fitting NAR worldview, have been repurposed and is being used by congressman and others – perhaps not fully understanding the new NAR connection. NAR’s influence is often subtle. It might not always lead to a crime. Yet, it certainly seems a shame if not sin. I suspect these so-called apostles and prophets just might be some of those Jesus warned us about in Matthew 7:15-20.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.”
My blog post and participation in Secrets & Spies are being offered for educational purposes. The podcast is available via the below links.
To listen to the podcast, visit: https://pod.fo/e/3ef111
Or, you can watch the recorded version on YouTube:
Image credit: Secrets & Spies
© 2026 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author unless under terms of fair use and properly attributed. Scripture passages when used are from the NRSVue translation unless otherwise indicated.
2pennyblog 