Taken by themselves, these episodes could arguably be taken as the kinds of disputes that are normal in religious and political movements of any kind.  But given the players and institutions involved here, we cannot then argue that just because political and theological disputes are normal, that specific disputes are also necessarily insignificant.  

These episodes happened not incidentally, but because of and in reaction to the profound role of NAR leaders in organizing The Response on behalf of Gov. Perry.  The massive prayer rally was unprecedented in the history of American presidential politics, and demonstrated a high degree of organizational strength as well as high-level political connections and ambitions.

Here is Worldview Weekend's full summary of MacArthur's points about NAR from a recent sermon:

Brannon plays a portion of John MacArthur's sermon from October 23, 2011 in which he discusses the New Apostolic Reformation and Rick Perry's prayer Rally. Dr. MacArthur explains how the NAR and Word of Faith movement are attributing the works of Satan to the Holy Spirit and thus blaspheming the Holy Spirit as well as God. MacArthur says the NAR is not new, not apostolic, and not a reformation just like grape nuts are not grapes and not nuts. MacArthur mentions Mike Bickle and Lou Engle of the International House of Prayer as well as Cindy Jacobs. MacArthur says if you did not know better you would think someone opened the back door of the nut house, yet many of these false teachers have been embraced by some of America's largest pro-family and evangelical leaders. One pro-family leader has written Brannon to say that Bickle and Jacobs have solid doctrinal statements. What does this tell us about American Christians that follow such "Christian" leaders that defend and unite with false teachers? Why are more pastors not warning of this serious religious Trojan horse? How are America's "Christian" leaders that have and continue to unite with the WOF and NAR actually hastening the judgment of God on America? Brannon encourages you to listen to the entire message by Dr. MacArthur and to e-mail him and thank him for publically warning of the NAR and WOF and their blaspheming the Holy Spirit.