Donate to or support
Talk to Action








The Indian River Incident : What You Can Do

link > The "Stop the ACLU Coalition" Shaming Project
How you can help stop "Stop The ACLU" just by sending a few emails



 'Left Behind' video game imageThe Shaming Project

does the violence of "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" bother you ? If so, what can you do ? Well, to begin with you can email Jonathan Hutson's stories to people you know. That will help to bring more public scrutiny of the game. Public shaming really works ! Just click on the "email" icon and link at the top or bottom of the story and you'll be taken to a form that will allow you email the first story, The Purpose Driven Life Takers or the latest installment without leaving this site. Thanks. 'Left Behind' video game image




Spiritual Mapping and Spiritual Warfare - Muthee and the "Transformations" Franchise / 2
By Ruth Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 12:41:26 PM EST printable version print story
Palin's Churches and the Third Wave Series

By The New Apostolic Reformation Research Team

Part Two (continued)
part one     part three


A video starring Thomas Muthee as a prayer warrior and witch hunter was released in 1999. "Transformations" was the first in a series of videos that would soon become  the heart of the Transformations franchise, a network of prayer warriors, ministries, organizations, and businesses, brought together for the purpose of promoting religious based governments.  They share the goal of bringing their own communities and nations into the "Kingdom." These videos would play a major role in the teaching and promotion of spiritual mapping and spiritual warfare.  Following is the story of those videos and how the Transformations brand has propelled the development of an emerging international belief system, the New Apostolic Reformation, and is bringing that movement into your community and your government.

Link here to Part One:
The Unique Evangelizing System of the Transformation Videos
The Videos of the Transformation Series
-Transformations I
-Transformations II
-Transformations IV  (Let the Sea Resound)
Source of the Transformations - Sentinel Group, and the New Apostolic Reformation
The Significance of Muthee's Anointing of Sarah Palin
Statistics


Part Two - Muthee and the "Transformations" Franchise

topics
--Militant Anti-pluralism: Who is the Enemy?

--The Queen of Heaven: the Demon of Religious Corruption

--The Prince of Greece: the Demon of Humanistic Thinking

--Militancy

--Use of Reconciliation Events

--Apostolic Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Roots

--Taking Control of the Kingdom: Business

--The Lonely Resisters: Objecting Fundamentalists and Walkaways

--Transformations Activities in the United States and the World: A Few Examples

Part One provided an overview of the development of the phenomenon of spiritual mapping and spiritual warfare as demonstrated in the Transformations videos. Spiritual mapping provides the scouting and charting of demons that must be confronted and expelled from a geographic area. The major figures in this movement include George Otis, Jr. who heads the Sentinel Group and also appears in the Tranformations series. C. Peter Wagner is the founder of the New Apostolic Reformation and Convening Apostle of the Apostolic Network and the numerous "prayer warrior" networks that fall under this authority. Otis claimed in a recent New York Times article, that "the weapons of this warfare are not of this world, we don't respond with guns and violence."

As demonstrated in Part One, spiritual warfare can and does impact the lives of those in the affected communities and not necessarily in the positive way demonstrated in the videos. The videos view the world strictly through a filter of the benefits to certain "born again" Christians, and even the validity of much of that information is easily challenged. Furthermore the movies completely ignore the effects on those who do not choose to join the movement. This includes those of other faiths which the New Apostolics believe remain unevangelized due to demonic control over their belief systems. This goes far beyond a general belief that others are unsaved and therefore doomed to hell. The process through which demons have supposedly taken control of other religions is spelled out in graphic detail.

The Queen of Heaven - Demon of Religious Corruption

C. Peter Wagner has written extensively about the "Queen of Heaven", a major demon in Satan's hierarchy that they believe prevents Roman Catholics and Muslims from accepting the gospel. Top Apostles and Prophets of the movement go on international spiritual warfare excursions like "Operation Ice Castle" in 1997, to confront this demon. Results of Operation Ice Castle were reported by the chief of strategic operations, Ana Mendez, as including the death of Mother Theresa (as well as Princess Diana, for other demon-related reasons.) This testimony, as well as the Transformations videos accounts, is featured prominently on the website of a Transforming Melbourne, a Christian unity and charitable organization that is supported by a variety of churches, including at least one area Catholic congregation. Their website masthead reads, "Transforming our city through the Unity, Servanthood and Prayer of the Whole Church."

Another spiritual warfare assault against the Queen of Heaven took place at the Santiago de Compostela cathedral in Spain. This was in 2004, a pilgrimage year for the famous cathedral. Apostle Chuck Pierce claims after the excursion that their efforts at disruption had been successful and God had sent many signs including the fraying of the rope by which the giant incense burner swings from the ceiling.

The Prince of Greece - Demon of Humanistic Thinking

The New Apostolic Reformation, and its related networks, is an international movement. Teams of leaders have traveled throughout the continent mapping the spiritual geography and conducting spiritual warfare events. They have concluded that Europe is controlled by not only the Queen of Heaven but by the Prince(s) of Greece. This is the demon that is the source of humanistic thinking and rationalism. Additionally, spiritual mapping by the group is focused on the presence of Masonic activity, which they view as a major source of demonic control in both Europe and the United States.

In 2002 an Apostolic Summit was held by Wagner and other major Apostles and leaders of the Target Europe prayer initiative. In 2003, a Gatekeepers of Europe Convention was held to further unite the efforts of the European network. Apostle George Markakis of Defend Europe, in Athens, Greece, was the host of the event. The conference outline includes the goals of the event. Page 22 outlines the need to stop the Olympic Games,

"In the spirit realm the land of Europe is spiritually one entity. Let us look at the map drawing, which Franz Lippi, Pastor of Exousia Church in Graz, Austria sent me.

Following the map and explanation of the demonic influence of the games, Markakis continues,

'To stop that demonic scheme from happening we need to with stop the Olympic games from taking place, or by dismantling the (spiritual) so-called "Euro-temple," or both. However, both are practically impossible. Having sought the Lord about the Olympics in Athens in 2004, the Lord has not responded with any particular direction for me.'

Projects overseen by Markakis and other European Apostolic leaders have included intercessory prayer movements to impact the European Union Constitutional proceedings and against the 2004 Olympics in Greece. In a newsletter titled "Gatekeepers of Europe" and dated August 2007, Markakis overview plans for gathering an intercessory team in Brussels for spiritual mapping.

"Democracy with its implied absence of author and the inherent need for debate and intrigue is the environment where the Hellenic mindset (i.e. the fruit of the Prince of Greece) thrives and uses to induce anarchy, division and the spirit of the Antichrist within the Church."

Markakis continues under the heading "Who the enemy is,"

"We already know that the "Ruler of Europe" is either the "Prince of Greece" or, some local demonic authority under him (more likely). His presence is apparent; it is mainly manifested through the architecture of public buildings, the powerful Masonic Lodge which rules over most of the political rulers of Europe as well as those of Belgium, and the prevailing humanistic sprit which has shaped the politics and culture of the Benelux area even prior to the unification of Europe." ( Link to PDF file of Gatekeepers of Europe newsletter. )

Apostle Markakis then gives an overview of specific problematic buildings and statuary in Brussels. Numerous articles posted at the Defend Europe website explain the battle that they perceive exists between the "Sons of Zion" and the "Sons of Greece." They view themselves, the fighters for Zion, as a return to a more pure early church before it was defiled by the demon of the Queen of Heaven, who corrupted the early church, and the Prince of Greece, source of the Enlightenment, rationalism, and Freemasonry.

In another Defend Europe Conference report George Markakis states,

"Anti-religious socialist government of the 80s brought such a drought over Hellas, that lack of rain caused water rations in some places, and destroyed vast expanses of forest areas turning the land almost into desert. That was but a physical manifestation of the unrighteousness, injustice and waste of public finances that prevailed in the country."

Militancy

These evangelizing efforts are not only aggressive but increasingly militant. The New Apostolic movement uses military terminology and openly speaks of revolution. Palin's anointers Thomas Muthee and Ed Kalnins frequently make use of the verse "the violent take it by force." Muthee has gone even further in his sermons such as during a 2004 sermon at KingsGate Community Church in the U.K during which Muthee stated, "the more violent you become, the more committed you become, the quicker you will see things happen in this region."

Mary Glazier is a member of the inner circle of the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders (see bottom of page), and the top Apostle in Alaska as head of the state's Strategic Spiritual Prayer Network, (formerly called the Spiritual Warfare Network, and recently renamed again as the US Global Apostolic Prayer Network.) She claimed in a June 2008 speech at a conference in Everett, WA, that Sarah Palin was called by God to politics while in Glazier's Wasilla network when she (Palin) was twenty-four years old. In this same speech Glazier explains that "God is preparing a people to displace the ones whose sin is rising so that then they tip over and the church goes in - one is removed and the church moves in and takes the territory." Link to article and link to transcript. In a published interview Glazier described her own witch-hunting, and the efforts of her spiritual warfare network to chase a witch from the Alaska prison chaplaincy program. In the linked interview she claims that the network's prayer efforts resulted in success as the woman became ill, maimed, and left Alaska.

Glazier's Florida counterpart, state and Southeastern leader of the United States Global Apostolic Network, Diane Buker, has a ministry named the Battle Axe Brigade. Her website features an animated graphic of an arm swinging a mace and features the verse,

"Thou art My battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider."

Diane Buker's web site hosts an entire section which attacks the Catholic Church as a "corrupt religious system" and Apostle Buker also makes the following statement, on her site:

"The Lord told me that He hates the false religious structure of Catholicism and in His mercy He wants the people delivered."

Use of Reconciliation Events

Glazier is on the board of the International Reconciliation Coalition founded by John Dawson, International President of YWAM (Youth With a Mission). The reconciliation approach, including reconciliation walks, has been used to gain access to Native American groups in the U.S and Canada, and also to African Americans, Amish, Turkish Muslims, and other groups around the world. Link to "Palin and the Apostles" for an account of New Apostolics in a prophetic ceremony representing the shielding of Native Alaskans from interference from other churches and social services.

Reconciliation is designed to remove the generational curses and other demons which are preventing the target group from being open to evangelization. For instance, a reconciliation walk in Turkey in 1999 was advertised as apologizing for the Crusades to the Muslim population. However, following the reconciliation walk, the New Apostolics embarked on an aggressive proselytizing campaign which included a ceremony in the Ephesus amphitheater. Organized by Ted Haggard and others and with participation of groups from Korea, they chanted Jesus is Lord for four hours in the amphitheater.

"The Centre for International Reconciliation and Peace" is an apostolic ministry in Cairns, Australia. The front page of their website informs the reader that this husband and wife team have been ordained Apostles and Prophets by Bishop Bill Hamon of Christian International, USA, who provides their "Apostolic covering." In the New Apostolic structure, ministries work under the "apostolic covering" or authority and discipleship of leaders above them. The front page of Bill Hamon's website provides a download option for "Releasing the King's Decree." From the decree,

"I, Jesus Christ, issue this decree to all prinicipalities and powers which have worked to hinder CI [Christian International] from its work of restoration. The records in Heaven have been researched and found that King Jesus did commission Bill Hamon/CI to re-lay the Foundation of the Church which is Apostles and Prophets and continue building the Temple until it is finished. Therefore, I command you, Satan, to stay away from CI and hinder them not more. Moreover, I command you to start releasing all the resources CI needs to complete their commission from God. If anyone tries to alter or hinder this decree, they are to be destroyed...." ( from Christian International )

Bill Hamon is a long term leader in the movement, one of the few left from the original New Order of Latter Rain of the 1940s and 1950s, a forerunner of the New Apostolic Reformation that was condemned as heresy by some Pentecostal denominations of that time. These "legal proclamations" are becoming increasingly popular and other examples are included in the last section.

Another associate in Bill Hamon's Christian International is Martha Lucia, head of Watchmen's Network. Lucia is well known throughout the movement for her spiritual mapping skills and has gone on numerous worldwide expeditions to map important locations such as Washington D.C. and Israel. Like others in the movement, Lucia stresses the presence of Masonic buildings and influences as the cause of demon control of a geographic area. On her Watchman Network website Lucia reports her spiritual mapping ventures. In a section subtitled "Heritage Robbed" Lucia states,

"Therefore Freemasonry, to the extent that it became the spiritual undercurrent of the Revolution, also became the spiritual undercurrent of our government. Hence Washington DC, the seat of this new government, was laid out according to Masonic symbology by Pierre L'Enfant. Most of our Nation's most sacred buildings in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches were dedicated by Masons, with their cornerstones dedicated in Masonic rituals." - Watchman Network

Apostolic Messianic Judaism and Hebrew Roots

Apostles from Wagner's International Coalition of Apostles (ICA) support aggressive proselytizing of Jews, and provide support systems for Jewish Messianic groups worldwide, including in Israel. The internationally celebrated Day of Prayer for The Peace of Jerusalem as well as many of the other Christian Zionist events are led by Apostolic leaders and in accordance with New Apostolic theology and expectations for Israel. Target Europe leaders and other related "prayer warriors" lead many of the major Christian Zionist events in Europe including Germany.

The Day of Prayer for The Peace of Jerusalem event is co-chaired by Jack Hayford, featured on the Transformations video, "The Quickening," which also features Muthee. The other co-chairman is Robert Stearns, regional director of John Hagee's CUFI (Christians United for Israel) and editor of Kairos, a leading Apostolic journal featuring the top leaders of Wagner's network. Hayford has recently added an Apostolic Messianic Jewish division to his King's Seminary in order to prepare Messianic Jews in "the Redemption of all Israel."

The current large scale celebration of Christianized Jewish holidays, particularly the Feast of Tabernacles, is a product of the Latter Rain movement of the 1940s, which predates the New Apostolic Reformation and plays an important role in its end time theology. The "Restoration of the Tabernacle of David" which is a major theme in current Christian Zionism is also an important feature of the New Apostolic Reformation's end time beliefs. Many Christian Zionist leaders including some associated with John Hagee's CUFI and related activities are apostles in Wagner's International Coalition of Apostles. Tom Hess, head of the Jerusalem House of Prayer for All Nations (JHOP) is an apostle in the network and is linked to many leaders in this report including John Mulinde, the Apostle from Uganda who is on the board of JHOP.

For more about Tom Hess, see this recent Talk2action.org article, Fishers and Hunters - The Continuing Saga of Christian Zionism which concerns Hess, a well known Christian Zionist, and his book, "Let My People Go" which Hess claims has been mailed to thousands of Jewish homes. The book features a Jewish businessman on the cover chained to a Wall Street sign. It has been printed in numerous languages and distributed worldwide in order to convince Jews around the world that they must leave their homes and move to Israel before it is too late. Hess claims that it is his "deep love" for the Jewish people that inspires him to issue these dire warnings, but throughout the book credits "secular, Reformed and Conservative Jews" with causing many of the evils in American society including abortion and financial manipulation.

(A separate report on the New Apostolic Reformation's increasing control of Christian Zionist activities around the globe will be released later by this research group.)

As mentioned above, the New Apostolics view themselves as returning to the purity of the early church. They see this process as beginning with Martin Luther but reaching fruition in their "Second Reformation," the New Apostolic Age. This often involves the use of Jewish holidays, customs, and terminology in order to more closely resemble the New Testament Christians and this is visible at many of their activities and on their websites. They liken themselves to "Sons of Zion" fighting to return the church to purity and release Christendom from the demons of the Queen of Heaven, and from the Enlightenment and Freemasonry. Unlike Dispensational theology, with its two separate tracks for Jews and the Church, there is no need in the end time theology of New Apostolics to maintain a role for unconverted ethnic Jews. They believe that those Jews who embrace Yeshua will become "one new man" along with born again Christians and share in the rule of the earthly Kingdom, which will be ruled from Jerusalem.

Martha Lucia, mentioned above, has also taken spiritual mapping journeys to Israel and the reports can be found on her Watchman Network site. The following report is listed underneath an Israeli flag and the verse, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."

"On September 15, 2005 we went to the new Supreme Court building which was built by the Rothchilds and contains every Masonic symbol and the illuminati. This place was built as a connection to the mind of Satan as this connects to the Knesset and all the government buildings and is to house the Prime Ministers office next door. We knew we sat in a major axis of evil and made many declarations against the mind of Satan ruling this land and the earth. The Word of the Lord says the Law, the Word, and much more will go forth from Jerusalem, but the enemy is setting his kingdom right in the midst of what God has said will be performed. We commanded all to line up with the Word of the Lord. We declared Jesus sovereign in Israel as there is no sovereign. There is so much in this place you have to read about how this place was built to get the impact of what is sitting here."
On Friday, September 16, we went to the home of our guide and enjoyed a Shabbat meal with him and his family."

The conversion of Jews to Messianic Judaism, the conversion of Roman Catholics to evangelical or charismatic faith, and the movement of pastors and entire churches into the Apostolic fold is celebrated in The Voice Magazine, and Charisma Magazine of Strang Publications. Both Lee Grady, editor of Charisma Magazine, and Stephen Strang, of Strang Communications, are apostles in Wagner's International Coalition of Apostles.

The Voice, published by Jonas Clarke Ministries, has featured articles about the "crossing over" of other churches and pastors into the New Apostolic fold including Southern Baptists and Roman Catholics.

Taking Control of the Kingdom: Business

As Muthee explained in his speech prior to anointing Palin, the effort to control the "Kingdom" extends to taking control of business. Muthee states just prior to anointing Palin,

"The second area where God wants us, wants to penetrate in our society is in the economic area. The Bible says that the wealth of the wicked is stored up for the righteous. It's high time that we have top Christian businessmen, businesswomen, bankers, you know, who are men and women of integrity running the economics of our nations.That's what we are waiting for. That's part and parcel of transformation. If you look at the - you know - if you look at the Israelites, that's how they work. And that's how they are, even today."

The New Apostolic Reformation's Seven Mountain Strategy heavily stresses the need to take control of business in order to finance their plans for the "Kingdom." It is widely believed and prophesied that there will be a great "wealth transfer" from the "ungodly to the godly" in order to help facilitate conquering the other six "Kingdoms."

The Word-Faith movement or Prosperity Doctrine is one of the global forerunners of the New Apostolic Reformation. This refers to the belief that God rewards the good with wealth and health and punishes the evil or faithless with poverty and illness. This is reflected in the similar beliefs of the New Apostolics with the addition of the idea that a large "wealth transfer" is guaranteed to the godly in this Apostolic Age. Wagner has set up special Apostolic councils to manage this wealth transfer including a specific category of Marketplace Apostles, the Zion Apostolic Council for wealth distribution, Hamilton Group, and International Christian Wealth Builders. Conventions on the "wealth transfer" and "release of wealth" are being held on a regular basis including the recent Kingdom Economic Summit held in Austin in September, 2008 (link to videos) and the upcoming November conference in Phoenix, Opening the Gate of Supply and Understanding the War over Wealth Transfer.

The June 2008 convention at which Mary Glazier revealed her relationship to Sarah Palin, was titled Opening the Gate of Heaven on Earth: Receiving the New Prophetic Wind for Increase. It was billed as an alignment of heaven and earth that will "produce wealth and dominion for future generations."

Thomas Muthee speaks at events around the world including the International Christian Chamber of Commerce Conference in Orebro, Sweden that was organized by the Swedish National Prayer Network. Another speaker at this event was Ed Silvoso who helped Wagner to develop spiritual warfare strategies in the 1980s when he (Silvoso) "expelled a warlock" from a Catholic area of Argentina that was resisting the efforts of evangelical church planting by his Harvest Evangelism ministry. Silvoso stated at the 2004 conference on the "Kingdom of God - and the Transformation of Society,

"The task is not to get the people into the church, but to get the Kingdom of God into the world... We must use the keys of the Kingdom, find the keyhole and unlock the doors, this is how we attack the gates of hell."

The same International Christian Chamber of Commerce newsletter, "The Market Calling" (link to pdf of newsletter) which featured the coverage of the convention, featured an ad for another convention in Argentina "Nation Transformation through Marketplace Redemption." Silvoso's Harvest Evangelism now has access to the highest levels of Argentine government and according to Silvoso,

"The strength and the vitality of the emerging Argentine prototype has impacted many cities and nations as a result, Harvest Evangelism is now engaged assisting emerging prototypes in Hawaii and Minnesota in addition to soon to emerge ones in other parts of the USA, Canada, the Caribbean region, Mexico and Africa."

(A separate report on the expected "Great Wealth Transfer" expected by the New Apostolic Reformation from the ungodly to the godly will be released later by this research group.)

Leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation are not waiting idly for the Rapture or rewards in heaven - they are taking control of the Kingdom now. However, in the United States, very few outside of the New Apostolic world are paying attention to their progress.

The Lonely Resisters - Objecting Fundamentalists and Walkaways

To date, the greatest resistance to the international Apostolic movement has come from other groups of Fundamentalists and Evangelicals (see end of article footnote) who disagree with New Apostolic theology, and from some whose churches may be threatened by absorption into the movement.

The other significant group is made up of individual "walkaways" that were previously part of the movement. Most objections come from conservative Christians who do not believe that the church is supposed to take physical dominion over the earth before Jesus returns. They also object to the hyper-charismatic nature of the New Apostolic movement, since many who are biblical literalists believe that supernatural gifts and manifestations ceased at the end of the biblical age (link: video on the New Apostolic Reformation by Apologetics Coordination Team).

Hundreds of pages of discussion and theological objections to the New Apostolics can be found on the internet, radio, and published formats, originating from conservative Christian sources worldwide. (Discernment Ministries: 1, 2, 3,[PDF file] 4, 5) They are the most knowledgeable in terms of understanding the leadership and emerging theology of the New Apostolic tidal wave and their "Transformations" strategies.

While they provide a rich and extensive resource of information, it is difficult to incorporate their material directly into research, because their conclusions about the New Apostolic Reformation are presented through their own Fundamentalist and literalist filter. For instance, some Fundamentalists view the New Apostolic Reformation as the "global one world church" of the Antichrist. Ironically, many also view the New Apostolic movement as allied with the Roman Catholic Church, another favorite candidate for "the woman riding the beast" of the end times, despite the hostility of New Apostolics toward Catholicism. However, they still remain one of the few sources of information on the New Apostolic movement as they apparently remain alone in their grasp of the extent and dangers of the movement with the exception of those who are actual "walkaways" from the movement.

An additional source of information and resistance is the growing number of "walkaways" who have left these New Apostolic ministries. Many of these remain anonymous because of the dualistic and coercive nature of the movement. These ministries often practice what was previously described as "Shepherding" or "Discipling" which was exposed as coercive in its previous manifestations such as in Maranatha and under the Ft. Lauderdale Five. The names of these authoritarian practices have changed over time from "Shepherding" to "cell groups," and other terminology. Many of the leaders associated with those movements are now Apostles in Wagner's network including Bob Weiner, who founded Maranatha.

Walkaways from groups such as Weiner's report that the nature of the movement is still coercive and there is often abuse of those who try to leave the networks. A range support groups, internet groups, and counseling services have emerged to help those who have left or are trying to leave coercive groups, such as Weiner's former Maranatha, and to address the special psychological needs of those who have suffered abuse in Third Wave and New Apostolic churches and para-church organizations. A few of these walkaways have published their experiences: Kurt Quadflieg, who left Missionswerk of Germany, and Kevin Reeves who published the book, "The Other Side of the River."

There are also support groups for those who have suffered abuse in Third Wave and New Apostolic related drug, alcohol and behavioral 'rehabilitation' programs. After a huge scandal in Australia, Mercy Ministries has closed its facility there. Mercy Ministries is an international program based in the U.S. that provides free longterm residential treatment for young women. Residents from the U.S are beginning to make complaints similar to the residents in Australia but it has received very limited media coverage.

Some Australian Mercy Ministries residents went public with claims that they were not getting medical and psychiatric care but were being exorcised of demons. They claim that their treatment was based on a system called Restoring the Foundations by Chester and Betsy Klystra. The Klystras are part of Partners in Harvest, the international network of ministries of Apostle John Arnott, founder of the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, internationally know for hosting the Toronto Blessing and Holy Laughter revival, estimated to have had about 300,000 visitors from around the world (More ex-Mercy information).

Nancy Alcorn, founder of the program, gave a sermon in February in which she stated that "Jesus did not say to medicate demons, he said to cast them out." Despite the controversy, Mercy Ministries in the United States continues to function and raise funds for its programs. The program is currently planning several new facilities in the U.S.

Although the New Apostolic Reformation has caught the attention of a few academics, such as Rene' Holvast, whose 295 page doctoral dissertation, "Spiritual Mapping: The Turbulent Career of a Contested American Missionary Paradigm, 1989-2005" (link to PDF) was published by Utrecht University in 2008, mainstream media and secular sources have provided only a few brief and isolated glimpses into the New Apostolic World.

One of the few mainstream media journalistic treatments addressing spiritual warfare and spiritual mapping was Jane Lampman's 1999 article in Christian Science Monitor, "Targeting Cities with 'Spiritual Mapping,' Prayer". While she did not challenge Thomas Muthee's and George Otis' claims that spiritual warfare could miraculously transform entire cities and geographic areas, she did point out that many evangelicals were uncomfortable with the emphasis on the spiritual mapping, and that the aim of targeting and converting other faith groups would be controversial. She also noted that the phenomenon appeared to have originated in the United States and pinpointed the chief architect,

C. Peter Wagner, head of Global Harvest Ministries in Colorado Springs, Colo., is in the vanguard of the movement. He defines three levels of spiritual warfare: "Ground-level" involves casting demons out of individuals; "occult-level warfare" involves more organized "powers of darkness" [They target here New Age thought, Tibetan Buddhism, Freemasonry, etc.]; and "strategic-level warfare" directly "confronts 'territorial spirits' assigned by Satan to coordinate activities over a geographical area."
Spiritual warfare has been practiced most vigorously in other countries - particularly in Latin America and Africa - where the idea of demons has greater parlance. But its influence is growing in the United States, along with spiritual mapping.
Even as conferences on the subject attract larger numbers, these practices serve as a source of controversy. Among evangelicals, some question how much of a biblical basis there is, and just how far such prayer should go.

Lampman's article was ignored by the mainstream press along with the growing phenomenon of spiritual mapping and spiritual warfare. Several years passed before the mainstream press provided any glimpses into the New Apostolic Reformation world. This includes the award winning movie Jesus Camp featuring Becky Fischer who still leads a large children's ministry. Fischer's stated desire in Jesus Camp--to indoctrinate children to the point they would 'lay down their lives' and fight with the same religious fervor as displayed, according to Fischer, by Islamic suicide-terrorists--shocked many viewers. (link - Jesus Camp is now available in its entirety as a nine-part series on YouTube.)

Following Jesus Camp's release, other evangelical and fundamentalist leaders claimed that Fischer was not indicative of a larger movement. This is despite the fact that Fischer had been a pastor with Rick Joyner's Morningstar Ministries, a major New Apostolic center which is massively scaling up its ministry and infrastructure. Morningstar has recently purchsed and is rehabilitating the former palatial PTL headquarters of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, 'Heritage USA'. Other glimpses into the New Apostolic Reformation have included Jeff Sharlet's Harpers, May 2005 article, Soldiers of Christ, about the World Prayer Center and Ted Haggard's New Life Church, and the Southern Poverty Law Center's report on Joel's Army.


PART THREE:

Transformations Examples in the United States

Introduction

There are Transformations networks connected to Sentinel Group and "prayer warriors" under the authority of Wagner's Apostles in almost every state and most major cities.

Following is a small sampling of their organizations and activities. They take many forms, but most Transformation entities are presented as charitable or community service organizations. While these organizations are also often presented as "reconciliation councils" and "religious unity" groups at the ground level, the top level leaders openly proclaim their goal of using these entities for "possessing the gates of the enemy." Recognize that many local participants in these activities may take the organizations at face value as charitable organizations, and may not be aware of the beliefs and goals of their leadership. Each example is from a Transformation related entity or one of the "prayer warrior" groups under the New Apostolic leadership.



You have reached the end of
Spiritual Mapping and Spiritual Warfare - Muthee and the "Transformations" Franchise / Part 2

Links to parts one and three of this story:      part one            part three




>> A PDF file version of the three part report is available at this link.

>> Link here for the rest of the Palin's Churches and the Third Wave Series.



Display:
Who knew? Seriously, is there some kind of collective insanity going on with these people?

by SharonB on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 05:08:56 PM EST
You know, I have to tell you, I really enjoy this blog and the insight from everyone who participates. I find it to be refreshing and very informative. I wish there were more blogs like it. Anyway, I felt it was about time I posted, I've spent most of my time here just lurking and reading, but today for some reason I just felt compelled to say this. if you do not mind, please visit my article related to pandeglang district in Banten, Indonesia at Kenali dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata di Pandeglang and also related to a leadership at Mengembalikan Jati Diri Bangsa and Oes Tsetnoc or Oes Tsetnoc the second.


by mkoswell on Sat Oct 03, 2009 at 11:18:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]



WWW Talk To Action


Dobson And Destiny: Will Religious Right Leader Turn His Focus To Electioneering?
James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family (FOF), is not a happy camper these days.  "What is happening in Washington right now is......
By Rob Boston (2 comments)
Resource Page on John Hagee and Christian Zionism
Special Focus:  Christian Zionism Following are a list of articles on Christian Zionism that have been posted on Talk2action.org over a period of several......
By Bruce Wilson (1 comment)
Progressive Catholics in Maine Push Back on Question One
On Tuesday November 3rd, voters in Maine can either vote yes or no on "Question One," a potential people's veto of recently enacted legislation......
By Frank Cocozzelli (7 comments)
Renewed Controversy Over Hagee's Sermons
Hagee's controversial sermons are again an issue in the aftermath of Elie Wiesel's appearance at Hagee's church.  This was further escalated after Max Blumenthal......
By Rachel Tabachnick (0 comments)
Back to Israel, Back To Africa ? : The Economist on Pro-Israel Anti-Semitism
As The Economist's Democracy In America blog notes , support for Israel doesn't preclude anti-Semitism: Bigotry comes in many forms, and can easily be......
By Bruce Wilson (1 comment)
CBN Scrubs "Witch Candy" Blog Post
The Christian Broadcasting Network has caved in to scoffers and mockers and scrubbed a blog post which explained the dangers of Halloween - specifically,......
By Richard Bartholomew (8 comments)
Rick Warren Must Denounce Antigay Bill in Uganda
We here at Political Research Associates are calling on Pastor Rick Warren to denounce a bill now being debated in Uganda that criminalizes homosexuality.......
By abbyscher (1 comment)
Family Member Stupak: "I am not trying to kill health reform"
Blue Dog Democrats in Congress played a "magnificent" role in blocking health care reform during the Clinton administration. And, under the "courageous" and "smart"......
By Bruce Wilson (2 comments)
Extreme Lobbying : Southern Baptists' Richard Land Defends Nazi Analogies
Earlier this month I criticized some offensive comments about health-care reform made by Richard Land, the top lobbyist for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).......
By Rob Boston (5 comments)
An Open Letter To Elie Wiesel
Dear Mr. Wiesel, Your years of tireless campaigning for human rights and against anti-Semitism have earned our deepest respect. For this reason we have......
By Rachel Tabachnick (1 comment)
Donohue, Scalia, and Religious Supremacy
On October 7, 2009 the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the constitutionality of a seven-foot cross currently standing in the Mojave National Preserve......
By Frank Cocozzelli (6 comments)
Worldwide Biblical Zionists
This is Part Three in a series of articles on why we need J Street, and a new perspective on the meaning of "pro-Israel."......
By Rachel Tabachnick (1 comment)
Top Ten Reasons Christian Zionism "Impairs Israel's Interests"
This is Part Two in a series about the dangers of Christian Zionism, and why organizations like J Street are badly needed to provide......
By Rachel Tabachnick (0 comments)
What About Fascism?
I recently wrote here and at Daily Kos about the important, but often underappreciated differences between demonization and incivility in our political culture, (with......
By Frederick Clarkson (0 comments)
The Great Passion Play
My recent trek through the Ozark Mountians wound me through a meandering road that opened up to one of the largest entertainment regions in......
By wilkyjr (0 comments)

US News & World Report Showcases Creationist Ray Comfort
US News and World Report's Dan Gilgoff has charitably provided evangelist Ray Comfort a media platform in the form of a US News & World "exclusive" through which Comfort defends his efforts to distribute,......
By Bruce Wilson (0 comments)
Atheist billboard in Central Florida
The organization "Atheists of Florida" sponsored a billboard promoting atheism in Lakeland, Florida.  I, however, have some concerns. ......
By ArchaeoBob (1 comment)
Transcript: Billy Graham and Richard Nixon, February 21, 1973
The following is my own transcript of a 20 minute phone conversation between Richard Nixon and Billy Graham, on February 23, 1973. As far as I am aware this is the only publicly available,......
By Bruce Wilson (0 comments)
Rifqa Bary being sent back to Ohio now
Well, there's a change in this case.  After the judge gets immigration documents and so on from the parents, he will send her back. ......
By ArchaeoBob (0 comments)
The War on The War on Christmas Goes To Pot
The first day of Fall could be considered the official launch date for the annual war on the war on Christmas, which represents a significant part of the the American Family Association business model......
By Bruce Wilson (1 comment)
School Officials off the hook
Today it is reported that the judge excused the school officials who violated the agreement they had over separation of Church and State. ......
By ArchaeoBob (0 comments)
Dominionists trying to outlaw birth control
Well, they're at it again in Florida. ......
By ArchaeoBob (2 comments)
No Danger for Rifqa Bary
The FDLE just completed an investigation and found "no credible reports of threats" against Rifqa Bary. ......
By ArchaeoBob (1 comment)
Truth hitting the mainstream!
I've despaired of ever seeing anything critical or exposing Dominionism hit the mainstream press.  There is now an exception. ......
By ArchaeoBob (0 comments)
Extremism?
The term extremism is currently in vogue to describe hate groups and other malcontents listed as such by knowledgeable monitors like SPLC and others in the T2A sidebar, but while we all know what......
By Jay Taber (2 comments)
My Netroots Nation Panel Talk
Where Do We Stand in the Bright Light of History? Netroots Nation August 14, 2009 Thank You, Professor Ledewitz, for initiating this discussion of a progressive vision for church and state -- and Netroots......
By Frederick Clarkson (0 comments)
Transcript, Jan. 18, 2009 Steven Anderson Sermon Excerpt
Note: the sermon excerpt video and transcript below, from a January 18, 2009 sermon by pastor Steven Anderson of the Tempe, Arizona Independent Baptist Church, begins at approximately 21:30 into Anderson's  one hour, four......
By Bruce Wilson (0 comments)
More anti-Muslim provocation
The local paper reports that students in Gainsville, Florida are wearing T-shirts with "ISLAM IS OF THE DEVIL" printed on them. ......
By ArchaeoBob (1 comment)
Rifqa Bary to stay in Florida
The young ex-Muslim girl who ran away from her parents will be allowed to stay in Florida.  The news article has strong indications that this is purely political. ......
By ArchaeoBob (10 comments)
Framing Fascism
In her recent article, Sara Robinson argues the United States is well on its way to becoming a totalitarian, fascist state. As evidence of this inevitability, she cites current town hall disruptions and threats......
By Jay Taber (11 comments)
Rock Paper Scissors
GOP-sponsored vigilantism has happened before. It is an integral part of domestic terrorism aimed at ethnic minorities and other sub-populations targeted by White Nationalism and Christian Fundamentalism. Catholics, Jews, Blacks, and Native Americans have......
By Jay Taber (2 comments)
PA Shooter's Church taught: "You can commit mass murder, then still go to heaven"
George Sodini, the 48-year-old misogynist who shot up a Pennsylvania Gym full of women on Aug. 4th, killing three women before turning the gun on himself, believed God wouldn't judge him by his actions.......
By Stacey Tallitsch (0 comments)
Vatican grilling Catholic sisters
While I am not Catholic, I accidentally ran across this article which is of interest to us on this blog - it involves Vatican actions that concern attempts at political control... ......
By ArchaeoBob (3 comments)
Sect Controls Women's Destinies
by Carolyn Jessop and Laura Palmer On The Issues Magazine Had I not escaped one night five years ago with my eight children from the manipulation and control of the FLDS (Fundamentalist Church of......
By On The Issues Magazine (4 comments)
The Religion of Fear
<h2> Living on Guard</h2> In The Religion of Fear, Jason C. Bivins examines conservative evangelical culture as it intersects with America's love affair with spectacular violence and the popular culture of fright that has......
By Jay Taber (2 comments)
Monvee: Profiles of the Mega-churched.
[ed: updated from diary section] Over the last 20 years, a consolidation from the small protestant church has given way to the "Mega-church" where community fellowship goes to die, and prosperity-gospel-rock-concerts are born. Just......
By Stacey Tallitsch (10 comments)
Woman Shoots ex-Husband in Groin, To "Let The Demons Out"
An investigating detective read an entry from a three ring binder, written shortly before the crime: "I know now what I have to do. There are three demonic spirits in (Dr. Loher), one assigned......
By Bruce Wilson (0 comments)
Separation of Church and State attacked in Florida
A Central Florida organization, "The Community Issues Council" has funded a number of billboards attacking the separation of Church and State, using "Quotes" from some of the Founding Fathers. ......
By ArchaeoBob (5 comments)
Radio host: We're only united through Christianity
Most of you in Indiana may know about Peter Heck, who hosts a daily radio show in Kokomo and puts out a column that appears in several newspapers across the state and in OneNewsNow.......
By Christian Dem in NC (1 comment)
Cindy Jacobs--the new leader of the NAR
You may remember that Lou Engle has made moves of late to position himself as the new power in the religious right.  He's a member of the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders, a group......
By Christian Dem in NC (2 comments)
James F. Linzey Espouses anti-Semitic, White Racialist Conspiracy Theory
James F. Linzey is a prominent, active duty chaplain in the United States military. Linzey has stated that he was the command chaplain for the Operation Iraqi Freedom troop mobilization prior to the US......
By Bruce Wilson (3 comments)
White Supremacist named as Holocaust Museum Shooter
An 89 year old, vehemently antiSemitic  Ron Paul supporter has been named by police as the gunman who opened fire in the Holocaust Museum shortly after noon today: Gunman, guard shot at Holocaust museum......
By CynthiaGee (0 comments)
From Focus On The Family to La Familia Michoacana
I didn't think my work on the religous right would converge with what I'm doing on the narcoguerra in Mexico...but here it is: the Faith-Based Cartel. ......
By julydogs (2 comments)
A Pagan Among the Mainstream Churches in Boise
The participation by an "out" Pagan in the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force proves that some religions will accept and welcome help from all quarters, in recognition that we are all human.  The glaring......
By Chiawana (3 comments)
Clarkson on CounterSpin
Hear me discuss the Tiller assasination this week on the nationally syndicated radio program CounterSpin, the progressive media criticism show produced by Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR).  You can also listen via Mp3......
By Frederick Clarkson (0 comments)

More Diaries...


Donate to or support
Talk to Action

Left Behind: Eternal Forces: Installments of Jonathan Hutson's Talk To Action expose series on the "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" video game have been viewed by up to 1/2 million people. See our site section featuring Over 35 original articles covering the controversial "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" video game that has provoked a boycott by a coalition of religious groups and a letter writing campaign urging Walmart to stop selling the game. Media inquiries click here
(image: detail from Francoise Dubois' rendition of the Bartholomew's Day Massacre reveals the actual nature of religious warfare)