New Apostolic Reformation? (or just living in a Mosaic Kingdom)

So, I heard this phenomenon named yesterday on this blog post from "The Spirit of Error" website, which kind of says all you need to know about the OP.

I didn't link to the site just because.  

The blog post that irked me the most is entitled (and linked here) How to Spot a NAR Book 

Later in the Facebook feed where the blog post was linked, there was also a link to a book critical of the movement entitled New Apostolic Reformation? (or NAR, for short).

So, I bought it and read through the first two chapters last night that defined the topic and the context of the critique as well as a little later in the book that criticizes the Seven Mountain Mandate.

This last bit surprisingly lumps Loren Cunningham and Bill Bright into the crosshairs of the critique. In short, these two leaders sought to focus on the seven peak influencers in a community. Ironically, the criticism says nothing about Abraham Kuyper's (horrifying) notion of "sphere sovereignty" which is exactly the same thing, just another way to talk about a form of Christian colonizing rather than inviting the Kingdom to come through strangers and exiles (Hebrews says something about this in chapters 11 and 12).

In summary, the New Apostolic Movement is identified with C. Peter Wagner of church growth guru fame as well as another 20th century movement called the Latter Rain. Similar movements are named including African Independent Churches, The Kansas City Prophets (cool name for a band, I think), the Latter Day Saints (Mormons), the Bethel School of Worship, and the International House of Prayer. (Do I have your attention now?) Note: I have avoided hyperlinking in this paragraph because you can just google any of these topics on your own. The main contention against NAR is that all of these groups point toward modern-day apostles and prophets. 

My initial worries about critics of NAR: 

• It is an attempt at "branding and banishing" with very little context.
• Groups and leaders are named, like Loren Cunningham (YWAM), Bill Bright (Cru), and John Wimber (Vineyard), but later partially excused whereas others like Mike Bickle (IHOP) are not.  
• There are buzzwords in the linked post (above) gleaned from the book that are part and parcel of global Christianity: "apostolic," "prophets," even "revivalist." Um, wha-? Let's not give ammo to church bullies (see below)
• Also, there is a bit against the Ephesians 4 passage on the five-fold ministry of apostles and prophets. Now, the book makes a distinction betweeen the teaching that apostles and prophets are a gifting and functioning within ministry, e.g. APEPT/Alan Hirsch and Neil Cole, rather than an office with authority demanding loyalty, such as the NAR groups. If this is the case, do not encourage the use of targeting biblical words such as apostle and prophet, because the undiscriminating church bully will jump on any use of this word. Come on. Take care.
• One of the criteria is that NAR veers from a right view of Scripture, which automatically gives Nazarenes pause, because we do not tow the Evangelical party line at this point. Nazarenes have always believed the Bible (the written word) points to Jesus (the Personal Word). The Bible is a guide to bring people toward God not a weapon to be used against others seeking God. I'll be interested if the book 
• Do not forget that Nazarenes were harshly criticized in the early days. I think of this quote from the film Elmer Gantry: "What is a revival? Is it a church, a religion, or a circus sideshow complete with freaks, magic, and rabble rousers." Sounds like critics of the NAR of Nazarenes. Let's not turn the tables.
• There are too many faithful Christians in these groups, and some of the groups which are moving toward faithfulness. This is happening among African Independent Churches. And, the same could happen here, too. Let's not like keepers of the gate. Let's keep the doors open. 
• With all of this said, I know I've said my fair share of criticism toward some of these groups and leaders before I knew they were to be labeled as NAR. At the same time, my criticism is leavened with gracious openness. I would not turn away or break fellowship with anyone involved in these groups, while keeping a close eye on what's happening, watching for opportunities to point toward truth without poking someone else in the eye. For instance, I am worried about those that have fallen under the spell of Bethel School of Worship, and mainly some of their on-the-street magical-mystery-ministry tactics, while enjoying their music for communal and personal worship. So . . . what? I like it, some of it. I can take what I consider to be the good, carve out the bad, and try to love people as I seek to love God. I'm cool with this struggle to love people not like me. I think it comes with living in the Kingdom that more mosaic than monotone.

When I read more of the book and its critiques (such as not knowing anything about the Latter Rain movement), which could take some time with the semester starting Monday (and because I should be working on my syllabi instead of writing this), I'll try to post some updates later.