New Apostolic Reformation

Oy vey! Just when you think Christianity can’t get any stranger...

Don’t worry, Get the Flick isn’t going to become a religious discussion site. Although -- I have to admit -- I could spend weeks discussing this group, I’ll quote you what I think politically significant from this episode of NPR’s Fresh Air and I’ll leave you to explore the religious aspects on your own.

The Evangelicals Engaged In Spiritual Warfare

”An emerging Christian movement that seeks to take dominion over politics, business and culture in preparation for the end times and the return of Jesus is establishing a presence in American politics. The leaders are considered apostles and prophets, gifted by God for this role.

The international apostolic and prophetic movement was named the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR, by its leading architect, C. Peter Wagner. My guest, Rachel Tabachnick, has been researching and writing about this movement. She says although the movement is larger than the network of apostles organized by Wagner, and not all those connected with the movement describe themselves as part of Wagner's NAR, the apostles and prophets of the movement have an identifiable ideology that separates them from other evangelicals.”

That sets the background for you. Keep in mind that this is an hour-long show that covers a lot of ground. I highly encourage you to listen to it for yourself. Now, for the names you’ll recognize;

”Two ministries in the movement planned and orchestrated Texas Gov. Rick Perry's recent prayer rally, where apostles and prophets from around the nation spoke or appeared onstage. The event was patterned after The Call, held at locations around the globe and led by Lou Engle, who has served in the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders of the NAR. Other NAR apostles endorsed Perry's event, including two who lead a 50-state "prayer warrior" network. Thomas Muthee, the Kenyan pastor who anointed Sarah Palin at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church in 2005, while praying for Jesus to protect her from the spirit of witchcraft, is also part of this movement.”


(Thomas Muthee prays over Sarah Palin)

That would be the current-Republican-front-runner-for-President-of-the-United-States Rick Perry and if-I-wasn’t-making-so-much-money-teasing-you-about-running-I-might-run-for-President Sarah Palin. That’s just to let you know that these people are serious -- and they have the money to make people take them seriously.

”GROSS: So we don't really know what Rick Perry's own beliefs are on these issues, but we do know that when he spoke at his prayer rally, he was surrounded on each side by two of the apostles. Tell us a little bit about those two apostles.

Ms. TABACHNICK: Well, one is an apostle, Alice Patterson. The other is a well-known African-American pastor, C.L. Jackson. Alice Patterson wrote a book, published last year, when she describes the journey that they have been with Perry since 2002.

And in this book, she explains that the Democratic Party is controlled by a demonic structure, and their mission was to travel around the state and to explain to African-American leaders why they should not be in the Democratic Party.

And on this journey with them was - and now I'm talking about Alice Patterson and C.L. Jackson, not Perry personally - but as they went around the state since 2002, they had with them David Barton.
And David Barton is well-known for his histories in which he claims that the founding fathers had no intention of separation of church and state. One of his early books was called "The Myth of Separation."”

So, the Democratic Party is controlled by a demonic structure. I guess that’s convenient if you’re a Republican. And it just so happens a religious group is going after the most stalwart of Democratic voters -- African Americans.

”GROSS: So when you say this event is intended to be spiritual warfare against the intent of Islam, are the organizers of this event publicly saying that?

Ms. TABACHNICK: Yes. And in fact another person who has been there preparing for this event is Retired Lieutenant General William Boykin who is now part of the Oak Initiative. He does not announce himself as an apostle but he's a part of this Oak Initiative which includes many of the leading apostles. And he has been going to Michigan and speaking about the nine principles of warfare. One of these principles is offense instead of defense, and he is advising people that they have to act to prevent mosques from being built before they are actually constructed.”

Some of you may remember General Boykin. He had an extraordinary career in the U.S. Military -- mostly in Special Operations. He rose to become Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence but his career ended on a sour note when he got into trouble for preaching in his uniform. And that’s the point I want to leave you with. If you’ll look -- if you’ll pay attention -- you’ll recognize a lot of these people from times past and their message will be familiar.

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They are radicals and they are committed. They will not go away quietly. And if you don’t pay attention, they could wind up with an enormous amount of influence in your government.

Don Brown
August 31, 2011