The Holly Pivec Podcast

Holly Pivec
  • 5.0 (52)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Deception is everywhere, even in the church. So, how can we spot today's cons, cults, and counterfeits? Welcome to The Holly Pivec Podcast, where I teach how to detect and debunk deception and be a careful thinker. Follow me on: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34DIly5ngf4&list=PLpdZpSd09UDr8PK8tzDkR9xqawLI3D7Ew Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollypivecauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollypivec/

  1. EP 25 | The Dangers of "Hearing God's Voice" on the Mission Field: A 2-Part Interview with Aaron and Chelsea Hunter (Part 1)

    FEB 6

    EP 25 | The Dangers of "Hearing God's Voice" on the Mission Field: A 2-Part Interview with Aaron and Chelsea Hunter (Part 1)

    We Left the Mission Field: The Reality of "Beyond" and the Theological Drift in Modern Missions Why would an ethusiastic, committed missionary couple walk away from their life’s work? In this deep-dive, two-part interview, Aaron and Chelsea Hunter share their jarring experience with the missions organization "Beyond." They reveal how the pressures to "hear God's voice" and document numerical growth have led to a "Jesus Hermeneutic" that replaces sound doctrine with subjective impressions, and why they believe these "Church Planting Movements" are hindering the gospel and world missions. Watch to discover: The perceived tension between "theological purity" vs. "reaching the nations." A first-hand account of when "Discovery Bible Studies" bypass God's objective Word in Scripture. The dangers of "Listening Prayer" and New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) influence on the mission field. Advice for churches and aspiring missionaries on how to select sound missions organizations to partner with.  CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to the Hunters' Missionary Journey 03:13 Understanding Beyond: The Organization's Role in Missions 06:01 Concerns Arising: The Influence of YWAM 08:53 "Hearing God's Voice": The Central Pillar of Beyond 12:12 The Dynamics of Listening Prayer 14:55 The Pressure of "Obedience": A Burden on Missionaries 17:46 The Harmful Impact of Listening Prayer on Missionaries' Relationships with God 21:03 The Unbiblical Role of Listening Prayer in Decision-Making 23:55 The Process of Listening Prayer: Steps and Practices 27:11 Urgency in Missions: The 2025 Goal 29:51 The Dangers of Presuming God's Voice and Prophecy 41:51 Testing Divine Revelation and Insufficient Criteria 46:56 Hyper-Spiritualization: Leaving No Room for Simple Encouragement 50:54 Prayer Declarations and Their Influence 54:08 Strategic-Level Spiritual Warfare: Understanding Strongholds RESOURCES MENTIONED: Nine Marks: https://www.9marks.org/ (Resources on biblical missions) ABOUT THIS PODCAST: The goal of this conversation is not to discourage missions, but to call the church back to a foundation of sound theology and biblical integrity. We believe that true "success" in missions is measured by faithfulness to God's Word in Scripture, not the pursuit of "hearing God's voice" outside of Scripture or rapid multiplication. #Missions #Beyond #ChurchPlanting #Theology #Christianity #Discernment #Gospel #BibleStudy

    2h 1m
  2. EP 24 | You Don’t Have to Do Discernment Alone: An Invitation to “Hold Fast"

    JAN 22

    EP 24 | You Don’t Have to Do Discernment Alone: An Invitation to “Hold Fast"

    In this episode, I share exciting news about the launch of my new book club and discussion community, over at Substack, called "Hold Fast with Holly Pivec." And I invite you to join us. I explain my vision for Hold Fast with Holly Pivec and share messages from my podcast listeners revealing the need for such a discernment community. I also share my own backstory that motivated me to undertake this new venture. Be sure to watch through to the end to learn about a special launch discount available to my podcast listeners and others who join in the first month. Are you navigating the challenges of the New Apostolic Reformation and feeling like you’re doing it alone? Well, many others are in the same boat. This community pulls together like-minded believers for guidance, encouragement, and study. Listen to this episode to learn all about my new discernment community and see how you can get involved, including coming to the Acts 17:11 Book Club—where we dissect primary NAR texts together and evaluate them by Scripture and careful reasoning—and participating in my monthly live Q-and-As. Subscribe today and join a community dedicated to protecting the body of Christ and holding fast to gospel in an age of new "apostles." For more information and to subscribe, visit Hold Fast with Holly Pivec at https://hollypivec.substack.com/about. And don’t forget to listen to this episode to get the full scoop!

    24 min
  3. EP 23 | Is "Listening Prayer" Biblical? How "Listening Prayer Retreats" Hinder Spiritual Growth

    JAN 9

    EP 23 | Is "Listening Prayer" Biblical? How "Listening Prayer Retreats" Hinder Spiritual Growth

    Is "listening prayer" the key to intimacy with God, as many Christian teachers claim? In this deep-dive conversation, we discuss a particular view of prayer as "two-way communication" and explore how seeking audible voices or mystical promptings can be a distraction from true spiritual growth. If you’ve ever felt stuck waiting to "hear from God" or worried that you’re missing God's specific instructions for your life, this episode is for you.In this video, we explore a more robust, biblical framework for intimacy with God. The topics we address include:True "Conversation" with God: How God communicates through a mind transformed by Scripture.Wisdom Over Formulas: Why God wants you to grow into an "empowered agent" rather than a puppet waiting for instructions.The Dallas Willard Connection: A personal look at Willard’s approach to "hearing God."The Obedience Key: Why acting on what you already know is the surest path to intimacy with God. RESOURCES MENTIONEDHearing God by Dallas Willard - https://www.amazon.com/Hearing-God-Developing-Conversational-Relationship/dp/1514011573 Have you ever felt pressured to "hear a voice" in your prayer life? Let’s discuss in the comments. I’m curious to hear your experiences with "listening prayer." If you want to deepen your spiritual discernment, make sure to subscribe and hit the bell icon! #ChristianDiscernment #HearingGod #DallasWillard #PrayerLife #BiblicalWisdom #ChristianLiving #Discernment #Theology

    44 min
  4. EP 22 | Is the Pressure to "Hear God's Voice" Preventing You from Actually Knowing Him?: An Interview with Doug Geivett (Part 1)

    12/25/2025

    EP 22 | Is the Pressure to "Hear God's Voice" Preventing You from Actually Knowing Him?: An Interview with Doug Geivett (Part 1)

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Doug Geivett, my co-author and long-time colleague, to discuss a very popular teaching in the church right now: “hearing God’s voice” outside of Scripture. Doug and I have co-authored four books on the New Apostolic Reformation. In this conversation, which is part of my larger series on "hearing God's voice," we address why the modern expectation of daily private messages from God has become so widespread and why it is spiritually risky. We respond to real pushback messages I have received, including claims that relying on Scripture to mediate God's voice means you only have a “relationship with a book.” We explain why that argument undermines both biblical authority and true intimacy with God. We also dig into what the Bible actually teaches about the Holy Spirit’s role in the believer’s life, what “being led by the Spirit” means, and why obedience is the biblical foundation for intimacy with God, not chasing impressions, dreams, or inner promptings. 00:00 Intro and who Doug Geivett is 01:53 Why this topic hits a nerve and the pushback has been intense 03:51 Why “hearing God’s voice” is so appealing and why it became mainstream now 06:08 How expectations are shaped by church culture and imitation 08:35 The personal draw: intimacy, immediacy, and “God speaking to me” 10:35 Main dangers: replacing real intimacy with an artificial metric 12:18 The irony: seeking intimacy but actually blocking it 14:35 Social pressure, spiritual insecurity, and manufactured experiences 19:06 Reading pushback comments: “relationship with a book” and “living God speaks” 21:07 Why Scripture still governs the question, even if God speaks in other ways 24:19 Psalm 119 and why God’s Word is not “just a book” 28:35 Why impressions are also a medium, and the inconsistency in the critique 30:37 A sincere concern: “being led by the Spirit” and daily guidance 34:47 Acts, decision making, and “it seemed good to us” vs “God told me” 37:09 John 14 and what Jesus actually promised about the Holy Spirit 41:29 Fruit of the Spirit and what it means to be led by the Spirit 43:34 “Does God speak English?” Clarifying what people mean by “God spoke” 45:44 Guidance through maturity vs claiming private revealed words 47:52 Imagination based practices and why that is a problem 50:19 The core claim: intimacy with God is grounded in obedience, not voice chasing 52:24 Outro

    53 min
  5. EP 21 | The Challenge of Discernment Globally (Part 2): An Interview with Paul Carden and Rodgers Atwebembeire of The Centers for Apologetics Research

    12/11/2025

    EP 21 | The Challenge of Discernment Globally (Part 2): An Interview with Paul Carden and Rodgers Atwebembeire of The Centers for Apologetics Research

    Seventh-day Adventists, NAR, and The Miracle Myth: Protecting the African Church from Heresy & Exploitation In the concluding segment of our interview with Paul Carden (Centers for Apologetics Research) and Rodgers Atwebembeire (Africa Center for Apologetics Research), we expose critical doctrinal threats and challenges in Africa, including the rapid growth of Seventh-day Adventism, the stealth infiltration of the New Apostolic Reformation, and the massive amount of false miracle claims. This segment includes vital information on the Project Priscilla ministry, which is equipping vulnerable women against exploitation, and a powerful example of how small donations make a massive, life-saving impact on the front lines of global discernment. In This Final Segment, You Will Learn: * The Miracle Deception: Why claims of healing in extreme charismatic movements, including NAR, lack credible evidence and how believers are blamed for their "lack of faith." * SDA Exposed: Why Seventh-day Adventism is doctrinally cultic ("False Prophet, Wrong Jesus, Impossible Salvation") and how it uses fear tactics (like the "mark of the beast") to pull Christians out of sound churches. * NAR's Stealth Invasion: How the Seven Mountain Mandate and Dominion Theology are infiltrating major denominations amd traditions, like the Anglican Church in Africa. * Dangerous Syncretism: The mixing of NAR spiritual warfare with African traditional religious beliefs (e.g., specific ancestral demons and curses). * Project Priscilla: The critical ministry focused on equipping women and girls who are culturally vulnerable to sexual and financial exploitation by predator "prophets." * Direct Impact: An eye-opening story showing how just $400 in funding resulted in outreach to over 400,000 people and brought victims out of cults. Timestamps (Jump to what interests you!): | 0:00 | The Miracle Myth: How Miracle Claims Lack Evidence | | 3:11 | The Blame Game: Why Claimed Healings Fail and the Fault is Placed on the Victim | | 4:25 | Project Priscilla: Equipping Women Against Spiritual Exploitation | | 7:07 | Seventh-day Adventism Exposed: Why SDA Is a Cult | | 11:00 | Investigative Judgment: The SDA Doctrine that Makes Salvation Impossible | | 14:55 | The Stealth Infiltration of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) | | 18:05 | Strategic Spiritual Warfare & African Syncretism (Targeting Ancestral Spirits) | | 20:13 | The Global Challenge of Discernment (Are Evangelicals Aware?) | | 23:17 | Partnerships and Ministry Needs (Literature, Prayer, Workers) | | 26:50 | The Power of Small Donations: How $400 Reached 400,000 People | | 28:48 | Call to Action: How to Partner with CFAR (Prayer & Support) | Connect with the Ministries and Support Their Work: The Centers for Apologetics Research (CFAR): thecenters.org LIKE & SHARE this video to equip and warn others about these critical issues! SUBSCRIBE for more essential discussions on theology, discernment, and global missions. #SDAExposed #NARHeresy #FalseProphets #AfricanChurch #Discernment #ProjectPriscilla #Cults #SeventhDayAdventist #WordOfFaith #Apologetics

    42 min
  6. EP 20 | The Challenge of Discernment Globally (Part 1): An Interview with Paul Carden and Rodgers Atwebembeire of The Centers for Apologetics Research

    11/27/2025

    EP 20 | The Challenge of Discernment Globally (Part 1): An Interview with Paul Carden and Rodgers Atwebembeire of The Centers for Apologetics Research

    The future of global Christianity is African, but this explosive growth is under massive attack. Join us as we interview Paul Carden (Centers for Apologetics Research) and Rodgers Atwebembeire (Africa Center for Apologetics Research) to discuss the hidden dangers, manipulative movements, and organized cults aggressively targeting Christians across the continent. This is a deep dive into the "flip side of the Great Commission"—the vital work of doctrinal polemics and counter-cult ministry needed to prevent spiritual disillusionment and protect millions from toxic, heretical teaching. In this Urgent Discussion, You Will Learn: * Why the Word of Faith and Prosperity Gospel movements are devastating in Africa. * The difference between general apologetics and cult-focused doctrinal polemics. * How aggressive international cults like Shincheonji (South Korea) and UCKG (Brazil) are operating. * The terrifying reality of indigenous false prophets—from those commanding followers to eat grass to those causing mass starvation deaths (e.g., the Shakahola Forest tragedy). * Why the chaos of extreme charismatic groups, including the New Apostolic Reformation, makes orderly cults, like Mormonism, appealing. * The danger of spiritual inoculation: when false doctrines turn people away from true Christianity. Timestamps (Jump to what interests you!): | 0:00| The Mission: Apologetics & Dealing with Cults | |1:22| What Sets CFAR/ACFAR Apart From Other Mission Agencies? (Doctrinal Polemics) | | 3:43 | Why Counter-Cult Ministry is Necessary (The Biblical Mandate) | | 7:49 | The Danger of Spiritual Inoculation and Disillusionment | | 10:00 | The Staggering Demographics: Africa is the Future of Christianity | | 13:17 | Why African Believers are Especially Vulnerable to Cults | | 17:07 | The Allure of Order vs. Chaos (Mormonism vs. NAR) | | 18:49 | Unmasking the Biggest Threats: International & Indigenous Cults | | 20:16 | The Shocking Reality of Local False Prophets (Shakahola, Mbonye) | | 25:00 | The Devastating Impact of the Word of Faith Movement (Hagin, Oyedepo) | Connect with the Ministries and Support Their Work: The Centers for Apologetics Research (CFAR): thecenters.org LIKE & SHARE this podcast to equip and warn others about these critical issues! SUBSCRIBE for more essential discussions on theology, discernment, and missions. #ChristianApologetics #Cults #Heresy #AfricanChurch #ProsperityGospel #WordOfFaith #FalseProphets #Missions #DoctrinalPolemics #ChristianDiscernment

    30 min
  7. EP 19 | Exegesis Matters: Why Getting the Text Right Is So Vital to Expository Preaching (Part 2 of a 2-Part Interview with Dr. Adam Pivec)

    11/13/2025

    EP 19 | Exegesis Matters: Why Getting the Text Right Is So Vital to Expository Preaching (Part 2 of a 2-Part Interview with Dr. Adam Pivec)

    Many Christians assume that if a sermon is biblically sound, it must be expository, but is that always true? In this conversation with my husband, Adam Pivec, we look beyond the label to explore what genuine "expository preaching" is. And we provide a checklist of things to listen for during your next Sunday sermon to know if your pastor is exegeting the text. This episode examines subtle, but crucial issues: • Why “using the Bible” doesn't guarantee that a sermon communicates the biblical author's intent • How some sermons begin in the text but drift into opinion or agenda • The role of the pastor as a messenger, not an originator of truth • Why faithful preaching often corrects our expectations rather than confirming them Ultimately, this discussion reminds us that true expository teaching does more than reference Scripture, it submits to it. When the Word leads, the church is not shaped exclusively by the imagination or creativity of the preacher but by the voice of God Himself.

    38 min
  8. EP 18 | Exegesis Matters: Why Getting the Text Right Is So Vital to Expository Preaching (Part 1 of a 2-Part Interview with Dr. Adam Pivec)

    10/30/2025

    EP 18 | Exegesis Matters: Why Getting the Text Right Is So Vital to Expository Preaching (Part 1 of a 2-Part Interview with Dr. Adam Pivec)

    How to know if a sermon is faithful to the biblical intent? In this episode, I sit down with my husband, Adam Pivec, to talk about something we care deeply about: expository preaching. We explore what it really is, why it's essential for the church today, and why so many sermons drift away from Scripture without people recognizing it.We explain the difference between exegesis (drawing meaning from Scripture) and eisegesis (reading our own ideas into it), and why getting this right is foundational for faithful Christian teaching and discipleship. We also discuss how sermons can subtly shift into opinion, trends, or personality-driven messages, even when pastors still quote the Bible. And Adam shares the concerning methods regularly used to preach within the New Apostolic Reformation movement.If you've ever struggled to find a church that teaches the Bible faithfully, or wondered whether topical sermons can be biblical, we address those issues, too. We also share encouragement for believers who feel discouraged by the lack of churches that teach exegetically, and what to do about it. #exegesis #doctrine #bibleverses #hermeneutics #hollypivec

    43 min
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About

Deception is everywhere, even in the church. So, how can we spot today's cons, cults, and counterfeits? Welcome to The Holly Pivec Podcast, where I teach how to detect and debunk deception and be a careful thinker. Follow me on: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34DIly5ngf4&list=PLpdZpSd09UDr8PK8tzDkR9xqawLI3D7Ew Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollypivecauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollypivec/

Information

  • Creator
    Holly Pivec
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Holly Pivec
  • Show Website
    The Holly Pivec Podcast

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