In recent days, there has been a flurry of accusations of adultery and/or inappropriate behavior against singer Adam Levine. Some of his comments give real insight into the contradictions of human nature. So, Levine claimed, it’s not in our male genetic makeup to be monogamous. But when we do cheat, we feel miserable...

Adam Levine, Human Nature, and Adultery | Article | AskDrBrown

In recent days, there has been a flurry of accusations of adultery and/or inappropriate behavior against singer Adam Levine. This, in turn, has led to the unearthing of a 2009 Cosmopolitan interview with Levine before he was married. 

Some of his comments give real insight into the contradictions of human nature.

In the interview, he was asked “why do guys cheat?” 
He responded, “Instinctively, monogamy is not in our genetic makeup. People cheat. I have cheated. And you know what? There is nothing worse than the feeling of doing it.”

So, Levine claimed, it’s not in our male genetic makeup to be monogamous. 
But when we do cheat, we feel miserable. What a picture of our human nature!

We are created in the image of God, because of which we have a conscience and recognize the difference between right and wrong. But we are fallen human beings, because of which it is in our nature to sin and do evil. 

We were created by God for lifelong monogamous relationships, which is why we get married. But as males, Levine said, we are prone to adulterous thoughts and actions. Yet if we act on those impulses, we feel guilty.

In short, we are walking contradictions, often condemning in others the very things that we do ourselves. As Paul wrote, “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” (Romans 2:1)

We look down on others and say, “What wretches!” And yet we ourselves do those very things.

As for the internal contradictions we live with, especially outside of God’s grace and help, Paul famously wrote this: “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (Romans 7:14-15)

He continued, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” (Romans 7:18–20)

In Levine’s case, he said what most men already feel: We do not seem to be wired for monogamy. It’s all too easy for us to have sinful, even adulterous thoughts. We have to reign in our fleshly desires. Yet we want to be married and we want to be faithful. How contradictory. And if we are unfaithful, we feel terrible. Yes, said Levine, nothing feels worse than cheating.

So, you gratify the flesh one moment and you feel miserable the next.

You affirm the beauty of marriage and your desire to be with one person for life, then you allow yourself to get pulled into adultery (or you yourself lead the way). Why?

To quote Paul again, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24)

The reality is that it can often feel “natural” to do what is wrong and evil. It takes determination to do what is right.

It’s more “natural” to be lazy than to be disciplined, more “natural” to overeat than to control our appetite, more “natural” to sleep in than to get up early.

But catering to what’s natural leads to destruction. It also leads to guilt.

Catering to our fleshly desires is also antithetical to being disciples of Jesus. As the Lord said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

Where, then, does that leave us? Is there any hope at all? To quote Paul once more, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25) 

Of course, Paul had much more to say about this, but in short, we can summarize his thoughts with these three words: we need Jesus.

With His grace, our very nature can be changed to the point that we love what is right and hate what is evil. 
To the point that we can lead disciplined lives. 
To the point that we can be faithful to our spouses.


As for Adam Levine, his wife, and his accusers, let’s pray that each of them have a real, life-changing encounter with the Lord.

If He could forgive and transform the likes of you and me, He could forgive and transform anyone. 

I caught only a few moments of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth, but those moments were very powerful, as a Christian cleric read the description of the new heavens and earth from Revelation 21. What a majestic portion of scripture!

A Place for Majesty, Royalty, and Awe | Article | AskDrBrown

Adding to the majesty of the moment was the majesty of the setting, as the funeral took place in  Westminster Abbey, and the Christian leader wore his clerical robes as he beautifully intoned the Word of God. And, of course, it was a funeral fit for a queen, apparently with the largest number of international leaders and dignitaries ever assembled at one place and time.

Here in America, we’re not used to the pomp and ceremony, while the very concept of royalty is foreign to us, not to mention seemingly outdated. Kings and queens today?

Several years ago, while ministering in England, a pastor said to me, “I’m so glad we have a queen.”

I could not relate to his statement at all. Why are you glad to have a queen? What does that add to your life? Isn’t the whole concept a little silly?

Yet for most of human history, royal figures have been the norm. And, throughout the Bible, God is presented as the King par excellence, while kings and rulers are honored, especially the good ones.

As for God Himself, worship of this King was couched in awe and majesty, with the Tabernacle, then the Temple, meant to produce feelings of reverence and holy adoration. The place where God manifested Himself was to be treated with the utmost respect.

But that, too, is foreign to many of us who do not come from high church backgrounds, meaning churches that emphasize liturgy and the sacraments and clerical ministry. These kinds of churches are more likely to recite biblical passages and historic creeds, to sing (or chant) the old hymns, and to meet in historic, beautifully crafted buildings.

This would be in stark contrast to many contemporary churches that meet in high school auditoriums, that feature drums and electric guitars, and that have leaders who are dressed as casually as the rest of the congregants attending.

It is those kinds of churches I have worked with and worshiped in for decades, never wearing clerical robes in my life (despite being ordained in 1984 and preaching since 1973) and rarely participating in liturgical services. In fact, I could not imagine myself wearing clerical robes for a split second.

But I don’t say this to be critical of those who wear robes or to denigrate the rich heritage of church (and synagogue) liturgy. Not at all. Instead, I say this to explain how foreign these beautiful cathedrals and clerical displays are to me, just as the concept of current day royal figures is foreign to me. 

At the same time, for many years now, I have been acutely aware of the lack of reverence for God often found in our contemporary Christian circles, the lack of awe, the lack of wonder.

I have been deeply concerned about our spiritual shallowness, about our skin-deep commitment, about our lack of historical perspective.

In short, I have been burdened by our lack of a real God consciousness, the type that comes from being still in His presence, from meditating on His Word, from focused, reverential worship.

Yet it is our view of God that determines who we are as human beings. As A. W. Tozer (1897-1963) said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” 

As for Tozer himself, Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994), who was his close friend, recalled him saying, “There are occasions when for hours I lay prostrate before God without saying a word of prayer or a word of praise – I just gaze on Him and worship.”

Ravenhill shared this with me personally, as he and I became close friends the last 5 years of his life. Ravenhill’s spiritual depth challenged me to the core as well, as he had a certain heritage that seemed so foreign to our shallow, contemporary, spiritual culture.

To be sure, I’m still more at home in dressed down settings than with robes, more at home with lively music than with chanting, and with spontaneous worship more than liturgy. We can encounter God with reverence and awe in those settings as well. The structure of the building does not determine the depth of our worship.

But let us be sure to leave room for majesty. 

We serve a majestic King. May our lives and attitudes and worship reflect how great He is.

When ‘Masculine Christianity’ Becomes Unhealthy and Even Dangerous

There is a great need in the Church today for men to be men, to exhibit courage and conviction, to lead well and to serve well, to provide and to cover. But that is a far cry from the machismo version of the gospel, let alone the militarized gospel.

When ‘Masculine Christianity’ Becomes Unhealthy and Even Dangerous | Article | AskDrBrown

There is a great need in the Church today for men to be men, to exhibit courage and conviction, to lead well and to serve well, to provide and to cover. 

In fact, the Greek verb translated “be courageous” in modern English versions of 1 Corinthians 16:13 is literally, “act like men.” Let the Christian men rise up and fulfill their unique calling, even as Christian women rise up and fulfill their unique calling as well. 

But that is a far cry from the machismo version of the gospel, let alone the militarized gospel. To the contrary, those are striking examples of Christians creating a Jesus in their own image, a Jesus who caters to their flesh rather than calls them to crucify their flesh.

Of course, the wimpy Jesus, the always apologizing Jesus, the toothless Jesus, is not the Jesus of the Bible either. And we are certainly not called to follow that man-made version of the Lord.

The last thing we need is what missionary C. T. Studd (1860-1931) called “chocolate soldiers” who melt in the heat when the going gets rough.

According to Studd, their song sounds like this:

I must be carried to the skies
On a flowery bed of ease
Let others fight to win the prize,
Or sail thro bloody seas

Mark time, Christian heroes,
Never go to war;
Stop and mind the babies
Playing on the floor.

Wash and dress and feed them
Forty times a week.
Till they're roly poly
Puddings so to speak.

Round and round the nursery
Let us ambulate
Sugar and spice and all that's nice
Must be on our slate.

In contrast, said Studd, “Every true Christian is a soldier - of Christ - a hero par excellence! Braver than the bravest, scorning the soft seductions of peace and her oft-repeated warnings against hardship, disease, danger and death, whom he counts among his bosom friends.”

That spirit of courage, that heroic spirit of godly manliness, is under attack today.

But there is a difference between the courageous and heroic Church and the hyper-masculinized, even militarized Church

The former overcomes evil with good and vanquishes hatred with love. It refuses to deny Jesus even to the point of death. It is filled with courage and faith and truth. The latter confuses the gospel with fleshly anger, chest-beating, and sword-rattling, mistaking carnality for Christlikeness.

The apostle Paul was one of the most courageous leaders who ever lived, and for him, that meant following the example of Jesus. Speaking of himself and his fellow-apostles, Paul wrote, “When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat.” (1 Corinthians 4:12)

Today’s version sounds like this: “When reviled, we respond in kind with a salvo of ugly words; when persecuted, we fight back, armed to the teeth and brandishing our weapons; when slandered, we launch a withering response.”

As I noted in The Political Seduction of the Church, in many of our church circles, meanness is considered more spiritual than meekness. This especially applies to preachers, and in the eyes of many, the nastier you are the more anointed you are.

In fact, in some circles, a sermon is not complete without throwing out some meanspirited political barbs, followed by a line like, “No one is going to shut me up and no one is going to take away my guns. In Jesus’ name!” And the people shout, “Amen!”

This is not the gospel and this is not the overcoming Church. This is a politicized, macho church that could easily become militarized.

To be clear, there are many fine Christians in the military and there are many fine Christians who strongly advocate for our Second Amendment right. There are also times that going to war is fully justified, and self-defense is not unscriptural.

But this is a far cry from the conflating of a worldly, carnal masculinity with Christian courage or, worse still, the call to take up arms in the name of the gospel.

My friend Ron Cantor recently pointed out that Hitler thought that “the Jesus of the Bible was effeminate and weak,” referring to Dean Stroud’s Preaching in Hitler’s Shadow.

Stroud wrote that for Hitler, this was “A Faith for Weaklings.”

Yes, “It was not only Jesus’ Jewishness that provoked Nazi hatred of orthodox Christianity. Along with worshiping a Jewish God, traditional Christianity praises virtues that Nazis found repugnant: love of neighbor, forgiveness, peacemaking, and humility, to name but a few… but in Nazi speech these are replaced by hatred, rejection, brutality, final victory, obedience to Hitler, and rejection of the weak, the ill, and the marginal.”

Many American Christians also despise these values, wanting to emulate the Jesus who overturned the tables of the money changers in the Temple and drove out the cattle with a whip, while rejecting the Jesus who taught us to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek. (For the real meaning of “turn the other cheek,” which does not forbid self-defense or justifiable military action, see here.)

Looking back through Church history, Dr. John Dickson pointed out that, “The most remarkable sign of this medieval process of Christian militarisation is a ninth-century Old Saxon poem called the Heliand or ‘Saviour.’ It is a retelling of the Gospels’ account of Christ in the style of a pagan heroic saga. Jesus himself is described as a knight, and his apostles are his travelling war band.”

In fact, “Even the Sermon on the Mount— usually associated with an ethic of love— is transposed in the Heliand to describe the rewards given to the magnanimous warrior.”

Yes, “Words originally intended to inspire mercy, peace, and non-retaliation are retold in the Heliand as a kind of war speech from the head ‘Wielder’ about the rewards due to his good ‘war-men.’ The author of the Heliand is obviously attempting to modify the pagan warrior ethic in the direction of justice, but the modifications involve some accommodation to the warrior culture itself.” (See John Dickson, Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History.)

So, Jesus is the Wielder of military weapons while His disciples, depicted in the Sermon on the Mount as those who will be persecuted and hated for their faith, are the “war-men,” in the literal sense of the words. They wield very real swords and march out to fight for the faith. Talk about turning the biblical text upside down and creating a Jesus in our own image.

Dickson cites Christopher Tyerman, who wrote, “In mediating between the Christian message and Germanic values, the vocabulary of Christianity itself adopted appropriate images accessible to warrior elites.”

Dickson adds, “Within this context, Christian discipleship could, without too much of a stretch, be extended to include real physical violence for Christ’s cause.”

To be sure, there is a holy war that we are called to fight as servants of the Lord. But it is not that kind of holy war, fought with physical violence or intimidation.

May God help us to learn these lessons from the past. 

Three simple words. We. Need. God. But those words say it all. America has sunk too deep to recover on its own.

We Need God | Article | AskDrBrown

But those words say it all. America has sunk too deep to recover on its own.

We have sunk too deep in into a moral morass, too deep into cultural confusion, too deep into a spiritual stupor. Only God can turn the tide. Only God can save us from implosion. We need God!

There are many practical things we can and should do.

But all the while, we must recognize that without divine intervention, it is over for America as we know it. There is no turning back the clock.

Without a fresh wave of revival in the Church that will lead to a great awakening in our society, America is in terminal condition. No strategy can heal us. No method can save us. Only God!

Let’s be realistic for a moment. We need to understand just how far we have fallen.

There was a time when truth was considered absolute. Today we have “my truth” vs. “your truth.”

There was a time when moral standards were considered fixed. Today, morality is relative.

Even reality has become relative. After all, you are whoever (or whatever) you perceive yourself to be, including males who are females and females who are males and others who are neither or both.

A whole generation has been raised on this madness. Let’s not fool ourselves.

Consequently, while we’re trying to restore respect for the Scriptures others are debating which preferred gender pronouns to use. We need to wake up!

It was not that long ago that the idea of same-sex “marriage” was universally rejected by conservative leaders, especially in the Church. It was contrary to nature. It was in violation of God’s plan. It was not in the best interest of children who would be raised by same-sex parents.

Today, many conservative outlets avoid the subject of homosexuality as too controversial, while many pastors affirm it from their pulpits. This is high-level deception. This is a generational turn in the very wrong direction.

In fact, when gay atheist David Rubin announced that he and his partner were adopting children, quite a few conservative leaders offered him their warmest wishes. (This is not to bash Rubin and his partner. It is to point out the degree to which our eyes have been blinded and our standards have been compromised.)

And it was Fox News, the largest “conservative” news network, that recently hired Bruce “Caitlyn” Jenner as part of their team. In the words of Fox CEO Suzanne Scott, “Caitlyn’s story is an inspiration to us all. She is a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ community and her illustrious career spans a variety of fields that will be a tremendous asset for our audience.” Enough said.

Or consider the depths to which we have sunk in musical entertainment, with unrepeatable songs like W.A.P. captivating the nation. How many young children know the words by heart?

As for our churches, how many are really preaching the gospel without compromise? How many are gaining new converts and making lasting disciples rather than losing members?

Recent research indicates that more churches are closing than opening in America, while the number of professing Christians continues to decline dramatically.

As for our reputation before the world, how many more scandals must we experience before we recognize that something is fundamentally wrong? We need God!

When it comes to the Church and politics, we are just as divided as the world and often as vulgar and ugly and carnal. Is this the Church for which Jesus died? Is this His spotless Bride?

Yet again and again, we think a new Church strategy will transform us or we look to the latest political hero to deliver us. When will we learn? How much more shaking do we need in our nation, from political upheaval to riots in our streets and from pandemics to financial crises, before we fall to our knees by the millions and cry out for mercy?

In the Old Testament, Israel constantly looked to the arm of flesh, hoping that other nations and leaders could bail them out of their trouble. But they were in trouble because they were not in right relationship with God. Instead, they continued in their sin and looked to man for help. But it never worked.

As the prophet Isaiah warned, “Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him” (Isaiah 36:6). The same can be said about all earthly supports in which we put our spiritual trust.

More of the same will only produce more of the same, and we deceive ourselves by thinking that somehow, simply with the passing of time, the tide will turn on its own.

Only God can turn the tide. Only God can change the narrative. 

Only God can save the nation. It really is revival or we die.

Can Christians Thrive as the Dominant Majority and Not Only as the Persecuted Minority?

It was Jesus Himself who said, “Every kingdom divided against itself... will not stand.” The same applies for the Church: If we are divided against ourselves, we will be ruined and we will not stand. And if we, the people of God in America, will not stand, neither will our nation.  Yet unity is of no use if it is not based on truth.

Can Christians Thrive as the Dominant Majority and Not Only as the Persecuted Minority? | Article | AskDrBrown

Someone once said, “What began as a movement in Jerusalem became a philosophy in Greece, a monument in Rome, a culture in Europe, and an enterprise in America.” How true! From country to country and kingdom to kingdom, the church has often taken on the culture of the surrounding society, becoming conformed to the image of the world rather than calling the world to become conformed to the image of God.

And so it is here in America. We know how to make everything Christian, and we know how to sell it.

We know how to produce a bigger and better Christianity (that’s the American way!).

We know how to tailor make the gospel to suit the sinner rather than calling the sinner to die to self and follow Jesus. (Put another way, we know how build up the sinner’s ego rather than call the sinner to repent.)

In short, we have learned how to merchandize Jesus and market the gospel, promising a better life – including financial prosperity, physical health, and loads of popularity – to all who will respond quickly, as long as this special offer lasts.

As a result, we have cheapened the gospel, we have demeaned our Lord, we have misled the world, and we have lost our distinctives. Who needs a “gospel” like this?

When it comes to politics, we have often become appendages to political parties (different groups of Christians have done this both with Democrats and Republicans), putting our hope in political solutions more than gospel solutions and giving more energy to winning elections than to winning the lost. And, when we have been entrusted with political power on the highest levels, we have often forgotten our call to serve and love all, enjoying our moment in the sun.

I have had the privilege of traveling to India twenty-seven times since 1993, missing my trips the last two years because of COVID but otherwise, visiting there every year to serve the Christian believers.

On my first trip there, joined by my wife Nancy and some of our close friends, we were introduced to about seventy-five orphans who lived in two small rented homes, one for boys and the other for girls. They slept on the floor, and each had one set of clothes. But they were fed three meals a day and were getting a solid education as well as robust spiritual grounding.

When we saw these precious kids, the first thought we had was adoption. Why don’t we adopt one of these precious children and bring them to America where they can live in relative luxury and enjoy the many benefits our country has to offer?

We quickly concluded that this would be the worst thing we could do for them, since, in India, these kids were being raised without TV and movies, without peer pressure and obsession with the latest fashion, without our cultural narcissism and our many addictions to entertainment and technology and sports. And that’s why they were so amazingly content and even happy.

They were being loved and cared for. They were being raised in a beautiful Christian environment. They were learning the most important of Christian values. And they were getting a good education that would prepare them for a blessed future.

That being said, I am truly and deeply thankful for the amazing blessings we do have here in America, and I’m glad our daughters could sleep on comfortable beds living at home with their mom and dad. At the same time, I realize that living here in our great country can also be challenging, as we have our unique set of minefields to navigate.

Can we enjoy prosperity while maintaining the same level of commitment as our persecuted brothers and sisters? 

Can we live with plenty while walking in discipline and self-denial?

Can we be part of the dominant political power while still being servants of all? 

Can we be active politically without losing sight of our higher calling, namely, to know Jesus and make Him known?

Can we be in this world without being of this world, living as loyal citizens of an earthly kingdom without losing the perspective that, first and foremost, we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom? 

Can we show solidarity with good political leaders without compromising our morality or spirituality?

In short, can we be better known for our spiritual affiliation than for our political affiliation, for our devotion to Jesus than our vote for a candidate? Can we live just the same under Caesar as under Constantine? Can we emulate that third way – not the American way and not the way of other religions and cultures, but the gospel way – while remaining fully engaged in the country we call home here on earth, namely the United States of America?

It is a challenging task, but it must be done. 

Staying on Mission: A Lesson From the Pentecostal Charismatic Movement

How do we explain the unprecedented, massive, worldwide growth of the Pentecostal-Charismatic Church? And what can all Christians learn from this spiritual phenomenon?

Staying on Mission: A Lesson From the Pentecostal Charismatic Movement | Article | AskDrBrown

For some believers, this is an odd question, since they associate Pentecostals and Charismatics with aberrant spiritual practices and unbiblical, deviant teachings. Why would they want to learn from this group?

The reality is that aberrant practices and unbiblical teachings reflect the “chaff” of this worldwide movement (to use a biblical term, in contrast with “wheat”), just as dead traditionalism, spiritual dryness, and religious hypocrisy mark the “chaff” of other parts of the global Church. 

Each group has its strengths and its weaknesses. And while it is easy to focus on the many weaknesses of the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement, the whole Church would do well to learn from its strengths...

We are living in very distressing times, times of darkness and discouragement and disillusionment, times in which we are constantly bombarded by bad news. At times like this, it’s all too easy to become pessimistic and cynical, even to the point of losing hope. But there is a way out of the malaise, a way to break free from the despair...

Joy is Contagious | Article | AskDrBrown

We are living in very distressing times, times of darkness and discouragement and disillusionment, times in which we are constantly bombarded by bad news. 

At times like this, it’s all too easy to become pessimistic and cynical, even to the point of losing hope. 

But there is a way out of the malaise, a way to break free from the despair. It is the way of joy, the joy of the Lord. 

Speaking personally, it was experiencing “the joy of the Lord” on December 17, 1971 that transformed my life. It was at that moment that I said to God, “I will never put a needle in my arm again.” And from that moment, I was free.

In the weeks leading up to that moment of surrender, I had been wrestling with God, believing that Jesus died for my sins – something I had never believed before – yet unwilling to repent and turn away from my sins.

But on that night, without the blaring, ear-shattering rock music I used to listen to day and night (not to mention play with my band) and without the aid of any drugs – not pot or LSD or speed or heroin – as we sang old hymns to the accompaniment of a piano, I encountered a joy I had never known before.

At once, I realized that it was of a different quality from anything I had experienced, far beyond the “high” of drugs or music or sports or friendship or anything else. It was the love of God poured out in my life! It was the reality of His goodness! It was what the King James Version described as “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). It came straight from the presence of God!

Moments later, I was a new man, and by the Lord’s grace, I have never looked back.

How do we find that joy? Psalm 16 tells us that in God’s presence is “fullness of joy,” and Nehemiah 8 tells us that “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”

How do we get into God’s presence? We can do it anywhere and at any time. We don’t need a building or a minister or a crowd (although, without a doubt, joyful worship with a crowd of like-minded believers can carry us to incredible, corporate heights).

We simply meditate on His goodness. We set our hearts and our minds on His promises. We recite biblical statements about Him, declaring that they are true even when everything around us shouts that they are not. 

We begin to sing and worship, either alone or with the help of our favorite songs of praise. And then, regardless of how we feel, we determine to rejoice, speaking words of praise and adoration.

To quote the words of Habakkuk, a prophet who lived in some of the darkest days of his nation’s history, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:17–19)

At times, we may have to do this entirely by faith, without any experience of joy. But if we will continue to worship and give thanks, continue to confess the truth of God’s Word (His character never changes!), and continue to look up rather than down or around, that joy will come. And when it does, it will be contagious!

As you walk in joy personally, people will be drawn to you. 

As congregations experience the joyful presence of God in worship – not hype or show but that genuine, holy presence – people will come.

And, as lost sinners find new life in the Lord, repenting with tears for their transgressions and misdeeds, there will be joy in heaven in response, a reflection of the rejoicing that is taking place on earth (see Luke 15). I have witnessed it firsthand around the world!

If you need some encouragement right now, read through Paul’s letter to the Philippians where over and again, he encourages his readers to rejoice in the Lord. Yet he wrote this letter from prison! Then, read Acts 16 to see just how liberating praise and worship can be.

If you want to watch a classic Pentecostal example of joy-filled celebration (not empty emotionalism!), the fruit of years of prayer, powerful repentance preaching, and many lost people coming to faith, watch this (and yes, you’ll spot me in the video too, almost 25 years ago). 

Or if that is not your style, put this worshipful, slower song of devotion on in the background and let your heart soar heavenward.

Even in a time of mourning, when looking back at the life of a beloved Christian leader who died in a tragic accident, there can be joy because of the assurance of heaven. (Watch this remarkable moment in the memorial service of Pastor David Wilkerson in 2011 after words of tribute and awe-filled songs of worship; the video is queued to the right place where joyful praise breaks out.)

And so I pray, “Pour out Your joy on Your children, Lord! And may that joy draw others to You!”

How to Have a Constructive Conversation about ‘NAR’ (the New Apostolic Reformation)

I had the pleasure of spending 4 hours in face to face dialogue with Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec, best known for their jointly-authored books on "NAR" the "New Apostolic Reformation." Our purpose was not to debate but rather to have a constructive discussion...

How to Have a Constructive Conversation about ‘NAR’ (the New Apostolic Reformation) | Article | AskDrBrown

This past Saturday, August 13, I had the pleasure of spending four hours in face to face dialogue with Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec, best known for their jointly-authored books A New Apostolic Reformation? A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement and God's Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement.

Our purpose was not to debate but rather to have a constructive discussion about what they would classify as “NAR.” Where did we agree and where did we differ? (For the rest of the article, I’ll drop the quotation marks around “NAR” so as not to be redundant. But whenever I say NAR, I mean, “What Doug and Holly describe as NAR.”)

In my view, they have painted with too broad of a brush, wrongly grouping together related but different movements, churches, and individuals, labeling all of them NAR, while using extreme examples to negatively color the whole.

In their view, they have been careful, judicious, and fair in their citations, using the very language that NAR proponents would use and rightly describing a global movement that does, in fact, have a number of key unifying factors.

In my view, having worked on some level with a number of the leaders they critique, Doug and Holly are putting the worst construction on the words and ministry philosophies of these leaders.

In Doug and Holly’s view, they are quoting these leaders accurately and in context, and they can point to many examples of people who have been hurt by NAR leaders and churches.

Having said this, I believe in Doug and Holly’s sincerity. I believe they want to be fair. I believe they truly desire to dialogue with those they are critiquing. And, most importantly, I agree with many of their critiques.

That’s why, in preparation for our meeting, my prayer was that the Lord would be glorified and His people edified. And that’s why we met together to have a discussion rather than a debate.

Hopefully, in the months to come, others will be able to benefit from our dialogue, which was videotaped with the goal of future release.

For now, I would propose that rather than continuing to debate the existence or scope of NAR (which has been a major point of contention for me), we focus on the actual issues.

When you say NAR, what do you mean? How do you define it, and what are your areas of concern (or agreement)?

If you say, “That’s a NAR church,” or, “He’s a major leader in NAR,” my response is, “Please tell me exactly what you mean by NAR.” This is not to be argumentative but to gain understanding.

Perhaps we’re talking about two different things?

Have you ever talked with an atheist who told you why he didn’t believe in God, only to respond, “I don’t believe in that God either!”

It could be the same thing when it comes to NAR.

For example, all NAR churches are charismatic, but not all charismatics are NAR, meaning NAR here as defined by Doug and Holly in their writings. Conversely, all NAR churches believe in present day apostolic and prophetic ministry, but not all churches which believe in present day apostolic and prophetic ministry are NAR.

Based on my understanding of the Word and of different ministry functions and giftings, I strongly believe in the continuance of apostolic and prophetic ministry. I also believe that it’s important for the overall health of the church to recognize these ministry functions, just as it’s important to recognize the functions and giftings of evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

Each calling complements the other. Each calling plays a different role in equipping and edifying the Body. And each calling presents a different aspect of the ministry of Jesus to His Church.

At the same time, I reject “the governing offices of apostle and prophet” (this is how Doug and Holly described what, in their mind, is the most fundamental pillar of NAR).

Do I believe that apostles (or prophets) can govern? Absolutely, just as evangelists, pastors, and teachers can govern.

All of them can potentially lead churches or birth movements or serve as spiritual fathers in a region.

Do I believe in the office of apostle or prophet? No I don’t, just as I don’t believe in the office of evangelist, pastor, or teacher.

But, to ask again, what exactly is the difference between ministry function and office?

For some believers, this is quibbling over words and splitting hairs. To others, these distinctions are important.

Either way, if we don’t talk to each other and make efforts to understand each other, how can we help each other grow in the Lord? How can we pursue unity? How can we sharpen each other? How can we learn from each other? How can we correct each other?

During the course of our dialogue, Holly read numerous quotes to me from different NAR leaders, many of whom I knew personally and some of whom I have worked with.

To my knowledge, those I have worked with are fine Christians, true servant leaders, not authoritarian or heavy handed, lovers of the Lord and lovers of the Word, sound in their fundamental theology.

At the same time, when asked if I agreed with the quotes Holly read, I responded consistently, “No, I don’t agree with that position,” or, “I would not put it like that,” or, “Yes, I agree with your concerns.”

I have worked with hundreds of leaders over the years, some of whom I agree with on virtually every point, some of whom I agree with on many points, and some of whom I agree with only on the most fundamental matters of the faith. (One leader said to me jokingly, “Sometimes I don’t even agree with myself!”)

Personally, I don’t have the slightest problem when a colleague says to me, “Mike, I think you’re wrong on this issue.” And it wouldn’t offend me in the least if, when questioned publicly about our differences, they said, “I disagree with Dr. Brown on this point for the following reasons.”

Wonderful! Let’s put the issues on the table and have a constructive conversation about them.

Who said we had to agree on every point to have unity? To the contrary, we are more likely to find true unity in the midst of our diversity. And I can say to you as a fellow-leader, “I have the utmost respect for you and I honor you in the Lord, but I don’t agree with this statement you made.”

These disagreements may provide fodder for the destructive critics, but for the rest of the Body, this is a sign of being healthy and mature.

That being said, the big question in the context of this article is: What, exactly, are the distinctive beliefs and practices of what Doug and Holly refer to as NAR, and are these beliefs and practices biblical and helpful or unbiblical and harmful?

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