The Holly Pivec Podcast

• 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

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• 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 themUltimately, 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.

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• 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

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• EP 17 | Hearing God’s Voice: What Scripture Actually Teaches

  Many Christians are told that if they’re not hearing God’s voice through inner impressions, dreams, or prophetic words, they’re missing out on intimacy with Him and knowing His will for their lives. But is that really what the Bible teaches?In this episode, we turn away from popular teachings and look at Scripture itself. What we find is both freeing and grounding: the normative way to hear God’s voice is through His written Word. The Bible is sufficient to equip us for salvation and for living a life pleasing to Him—without the pressure of chasing constant “signs.”You’ll learn:What Scripture actually means when it talks about “obeying God’s voice”Why the sufficiency of Scripture is central to hearing GodHow the “way of wisdom” offers a biblical model for making decisionsWhy God’s guidance doesn’t mean micromanaging our every choiceThis episode is not about dismissing God’s power to speak in extraordinary ways—but about recovering the confidence and peace that comes from growing in our ability to make wise, God-honoring choices.📖 Scriptures discussed: 2 Timothy 3:14–17, Deuteronomy 26:17, 2 Kings 18:11–12, Jeremiah 9:12–13, James 1:5, Proverbs 9, Psalm 111.If you’ve ever wondered how to truly hear God, this talk will help you anchor your faith and decision-making where they belong: in Scripture and the "way of wisdom."#doctrine #theology #bibleverses #hollypivec #godsvoice

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• EP 16 | The Hidden Dangers of ‘Hearing God's Voice’: Exposing Spiritual Bondage and Abuse

  Is “hearing God’s voice” actually harming Christians?In this eye-opening episode, we expose the hidden dangers behind modern teachings that encourage believers to regularly hear God speak outside of Scripture—focusing especially on Pete Greig’s book How to Hear God.You’ll learn how these teachings:- Enslave Christians to their feelings, dreams, and unreliable impressions- Create dependency on spiritual leaders who claim to hear God “better”- Add unbiblical requirements that compromise the gospel- Cause confusion, anxiety, and bad decision-making- Lead to real damage in missions, evangelism, and church lifeThrough real-life examples, scriptural analysis, and testimony from the mission field, this episode shows why these teachings aren’t just “misused by bad leaders”—they’re spiritually abusive at their core.Key Topics Covered:The dangers of the "hearing God's voice" teachingsThe illusion of intimacy and divine willEmotional and spiritual exhaustionManipulative leadership and dependencyHow missions and evangelism sufferIf you've ever felt pressured to “hear God” through inner impressions, leaders, or signs—or if you’ve been told you're missing God’s will—this episode is for you.Coming Soon: A biblical explanation of how Christians should hear God today.

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