Hi @holly , I’m sorry for the struggle you have found in the last year, and grateful for your honesty in highlighting the issues. Sadly, but maybe reassuringly, you’re not the only one coming across this conflict in the body of Christ. I’m impacted by 2 main points you’ve raised: firstly, that of the
and secondly of the influence of NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) spreading across churches worldwide. (For anyone reading that might be unfamiliar with this term, Holly Pivec has done some very helpful work on exposing it - see link below).
By identifying a ‘luxurious way of doing church’, my interpretation would be that the western church sits too easily with the western secular culture of ‘rights’. What I mean is that we have this sense of entitlement that we should have - have things, have opportunities, have full health, have wealth….we see this in western media and it’s certainly influenced our mindset when it comes to church. So much so, that it’s corrupted our perception of suffering and struggles. We feel like victims if we suffer, we are taught that it’s not God’s will for us to suffer which leads us down some theological roads of error. I’m not saying it’s God’s will that we do suffer, but I think He certainly uses the suffering of this broken world to shape our characters. This lesson can be lost if we think that we shouldn’t suffer ever.
I wonder how this impacts the way we share the gospel around the world to cultures whose standard of living may be very different to others or who live under persecution? Many around the world can fully embrace Romans 5:3 when it says “we rejoice in our suffering” because they daily live out their understanding of what it means.
How can we rejoice in our sufferings if we believe we’re entitled to no suffering?
How can we stand with Paul when he said “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Phil 4:11-13) if we think we are entitled to wealth and possessions and that Christians don’t deserve poverty?
I think you’re right to be concerned about all this.
I grieve with you on this.
As for the growth of NAR teachings, I can personally identify with your sense of being alone as you wrestle through some issues. It’s hard if others around you don’t recognise it, or see the problems with it. For example, what do you do if The Passion Translation is being read from the pulpit? What should you do if you raise questions over faulty theology that’s subtlety taught through this translation but it’s not received by the leaders? It can be lonely, and I understand why you’ve felt like you have done. I spent a long time looking for answers from people I respected and there always seemed to be a general idea that when using the NAR teachings and resources to “chew the meat and spit out the bones”. I personally found this frustrating and unhelpful because it seems to ignore the risk that the ‘good parts’ of these NAR ministries may draw in people who won’t have the discernment to recognise when things go off piste theologically. Certain worship songs are a good example of this, as this is a prime area where erroneous beliefs creep into Christianity without people realising.
This reminds me of the UP Live Event that was held recently called “Have Christians disproven Christianity?” with John Dickson. I found it helpful to listen to, because whilst there is dismay at how we represent Christ - we all fail at times - there is also hope because God still chooses to use us as His witnesses. He is sovereign and has a plan even when we mess up. His truth will always stand. You may find it helpful to listen to if you haven’t already.
Thank you for the reminder from Hebrews to ‘considerJesus’. It’s so simple and so beautiful, and so foundational. I pray that you will find encouragement and see God’s light through the dark times that you’ve experienced, and that you’ll be a witness to the church around you through what you’ve learned.