Grant City Baptist Prayer Page

01/01/2024

My thoughts on Reckless Christianity (I bought the Amazon Kindle edition) - the fourth book by Holly Pivec and R. Douglas Geivett. Like their previous books - essential reading in the light of the insidious NAR movement that's infiltrating churches worldwide. Their gracious approach to critiquing Bethel and the teachings of Bill Johnson is far more than I could muster. But what their approach does is disarm Bethel's followers, who will have to deal with well-researched facts instead of dismissing valid critique because of the attitude of the authors - reacting out of "hurt" or a "religious spirit." What becomes clear is that the issue with Bethel is not the cessationism versus continuationism argument (an over-used excuse), but something that breaches the boundaries of orthodoxy. In fact, Bethel veers into the swamp of Mysticism and Gnosticism, and the cult-like characteristics of Bethel should be the cause of great concern to anyone who has friends or family caught up in Bethel or the NAR. What also stood out is the fact that Johnson and his underlings are not the types who stay silent in the face of criticism and humbly ignore their critics - as they pretend. They strike back - with venom and demeaning comments.
Well-documented research and new material make this book an essential tool - not just to be informed, but also to have a well-articulated defense for those who ask you why Bethel is dangerous. There simply is NO excuse, Bill Johnson and Bethel must be marked and avoided, this book will leave you without a doubt...unless you are under a spiritual delusion.
Purchase here - https://www.amazon.com/Reckless-Christianity-Destructive-Teachings-Practices/dp/1725272474/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CX9F1VJWLN3O&keywords=holly+pivec&qid=1704118940&s=books&sprefix=holly+pivec%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C350&sr=1-1

10/26/2023

08/18/2023

1 Cor 4:6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

Paul was passing on what he followed himself. Not to go beyond what is written. How do the NAR and deliverance folks respond to that? New revelation would be beyond what is written. Doctrine made out of the absence of scripture on a subject is beyond the written. Paul, an Apostle, didn't go beyond what is written.

We don't need apostles and prophets to tell us what God says. We have what is written and we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in God's written word. There are leaders who teach and preach for our benefit but it is ultimately our responsibility to make sure it lines up with God's word. If we go beyond God's word we are at the mercy of those claiming to speak for God beyond His word. Without God's word there is no standard for the truth. Without God's word these so called apostles and prophets can say whatever they want and tell their followers it's from God no matter how outrageous. This kind of teaching brings with it arrogance as stated in 1 Cor 4:6. The teacher puts himself or herself in a place of power over their followers because of no accountability from God's word. Power corrupts even in the church. That arrogance is passed down to the followers because they have believed the lies of the leader.

People follow false teachers because they don't know what is written or because they found a teacher who preaches what they want to hear. The word says they find teachers to tickle their ears. Either way God's word is ignored and it is easy to stray away. Exposing a false teacher is easy when God's word is the standard. Those who follow false teachers may not want to know the truth because it will mess up what they are experiencing. I promise you if you want to know the truth it's easy to find in what is written.

08/14/2023

08/05/2023

08/05/2023

Beware the "Passion Translation," produced by the New Apostolic Reformation "apostle" Brian Simmons. It smuggles NAR teachings into the Bible, such as the dominionist "Seven Mountain Mandate" (also known as the seven "mountains of influence"). See how the Passion Translation's rendering of Proverbs 8:1-3 compares to one of the major trustworthy translations, the English Standard Version. For more examples of NAR theology in the Passion Translation, see our book, Counterfeit Kingdom: The Dangers of New Revelation, New Prophets, and New Age Practices in the Church: https://tinyurl.com/y5aebres

08/05/2023

08/05/2023

08/05/2023

New podcast out! Check out my latest interview on the Reasonable Truth Podcast. (Link is in the Comments)

Most people don't know who the New Apostolic Reformation leaders are. But chances are that these leaders' music and questionable theology have already infiltrated their church. In this episode, Prashanth talks to Holly Pivec, an author and blogger who has done extensive work on Pastor Bill Johnson (the pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA) and the New Apostolic Reformation movement at large. We discuss issues like Bethel's version of the prophetic office, "grave-sucking," "Christian tarot" cards, and other practices common to the NAR movement.

08/05/2023

08/05/2023