Churchwatch Central’s title for their article is “What Michael Brown is hiding from his audience (Part 1): Attacking Christian authors; contends for NAR gospel.” Thus far there are 4 articles in the series. We’re posting part 1 and providing links for those who wish to read CWC’s entire series: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.
Now to CWC’s exposé on Dr. Michael Brown:
This year, a controversial book has been published and caused a ruckus in the Christian media scene. The book is called, ‘The Rise of Network Christianity: How Independent Leaders Are Changing the Religious Landscape’. It was written by Sadly, judging by how they came across in an interview advertising what their book was about, it appears their research into this topic was very poor. The label for this movement did not summarize its identity and purpose the way Wagner did in his titles ‘New Apostolic Reformation’ (NAR) or ‘Post denominationalism’. Instead of calling it what Wagner called it, the NAR, Christerson and Flory decided to call the movement the “Independent Network Charismatic” (INC).
You can read an interview they did here:
The ‘Prophets’ and ‘Apostles’ Leading the Quiet Revolution in American Religion
Even their back cover suggests that what they were tackling is the NAR and not something new at all. They recognize that this movement “emphasizes aggressive engagement with the supernatural – including healing, direct prophecies from God, engaging in “spiritual warfare” against demonic spirits – and social transformation.”
That’s the NAR in a nutshell.
The back cover goes on to say Christerson and Flory argue that ‘religious groups’ are “organized as networks rather than traditionally organized congregations and denominations. Network forms of governance allow for experimentation with controversial supernatural practices, innovative finances and marketing, and a highly participatory, unorthodox, and experiential faith.” Once again – this is NAR, what the NAR call Apostolic networks. When you read the link in the above interview, this ‘INC’ talks about apostles governing this movement and actually names major NAR Apostles:
Largely behind the scenes, a group of mostly self-proclaimed “apostles”, leading ministries from North Carolina to Southern California, has attracted millions of followers with promises of direct access to God through signs and wonders.
[…] Their movement, which Christerson and Flory called “Independent Network Charismatic” or “INC” Christianity, has become one of the fastest-growing faith groups in the United States. Apostles like Bill Johnson, Mike Bickle, Cindy Jacobs, Chuck Pierce, and Ché Ahn claim millions of followers. They’re also aided by an army of fellow ministers who fall under their “spiritual covering.”
At one point Christerson even mentions the NAR as though it is a thing in the past.
“Peter Wagner, a leader in the New Apostolic Reformation movement, referred to himself as a “super apostle,” because he was influential with a bunch of other apostles.”
And at another point in the interview they talked about the NAR false commission known as the Seven Mountain Mandate. Those recognized in these ‘mountains’ are mentioned – such as Ben Carson and Rick Perry. But furthermore, Christerson observes that these mountain-conquering Christians are pushing the NAR Dominion Mandate to see the Kingdom of God realised:
“They will be listening to God, and he will use them to supernaturally make America or the world into the kingdom of God.”
While the book may have been reasonably researched, more damage has been done by their sloppy work in deciding to categorize this movement as something other than the NAR.