William Branham Historical Research

John and John Garvey discuss the strange evolution of Britain’s charismatic movement—from early Anglican involvement and university-era enthusiasm to the influence of Dennis Bennett, the Full Gospel Businessmen, and later John Wimber and the Kansas City Prophets. Garvey recounts firsthand experiences with failed prophecies, emotional manipulation, and the slow shift from Scripture-centered worship toward experience-driven spirituality. Together they trace how charismatic practices crossed the Atlantic, blended with British evangelical respectability, and created an environment where prophecy, spiritual gifts, and experiential worship were welcomed without adequate discernment. The conversation also explores how worship music, emotional highs, and the rise of celebrity “worship leaders” reshaped the culture of local churches, paving the way for modern movements tied to Bethel, Hillsong, and NAR-style theology. John and Garvey unpack concerns over the Alpha Course’s “Holy Spirit weekend,” imported American revivalism, the diminishing role of biblical teaching, and how addictive emotional experiences can blur the line between genuine faith and spiritual counterfeits. The discussion exposes the long arc that connects historical Pentecostalism to today’s global charismatic trends. John and John Garvey discuss the strange evolution of Britain’s charismatic movement—from early Anglican involvement and university-era enthusiasm to the influence of Dennis Bennett, the Full Gospel Businessmen, and later John Wimber and the Kansas City Prophets. Garvey recounts firsthand experiences with failed prophecies, emotional manipulation, and the slow shift from Scripture-centered worship toward experience-driven spirituality. Together they trace how charismatic practices crossed the Atlantic, blended with British evangelical respectability, and created an environment where prophecy, spiritual gifts, and experiential worship were welcomed without adequate discernment. The conversation also explores how worship music, emotional highs, and the rise of celebrity “worship leaders” reshaped the culture of local churches, paving the way for modern movements tied to Bethel, Hillsong, and NAR-style theology. John and Garvey unpack concerns over the Alpha Course’s “Holy Spirit weekend,” imported American revivalism, the diminishing role of biblical teaching, and how addictive emotional experiences can blur the line between genuine faith and spiritual counterfeits. The discussion exposes the long arc that connects historical Pentecostalism to today’s global charismatic trends.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John invites listeners into a thoughtful and compassionate reflection on Christmas, legalism, and spiritual recovery. He traces how high-control groups distort biblical interpretation, weaponize fear, and turn normal human celebrations into battlegrounds of shame. As John describes his own journey—from cult indoctrination to rediscovering faith—he shows how ancient Jewish and early Christian practices were far more similar to surrounding cultures than many modern legalistic teachings admit. He explores the historical overlap of festivals, solstices, agriculture, and worship, and explains how Paul’s writings in Galatians and Colossians reject judgmentalism and condemn attempts to bind believers to the Mosaic legal code. This segment offers hope for those navigating grief, estrangement, or uncertainty around Christmas. John reminds listeners that celebration is a human universal, not a spiritual trap; that the Bible does not forbid festivals; and that Christian liberty frees believers to celebrate—or not celebrate—without fear, shame, or condemnation. His story offers a gentle invitation to reclaim joy, gratitude, and authentic faith after religious trauma. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Brantley discuss the strange intersection between Christmas traditions and the theology of control that runs through movements like William Branham’s Message and the International House of Prayer. Their candid conversation explores how cult systems redefine holiness by stripping joy from human experience—right down to banning Christmas trees. The episode connects Branham’s mantle claims, the rise of Joel’s Army, and IHOPKC’s culture of overwork and spiritual abuse, tracing how authoritarian leadership transforms faith into fear. They unpack how stage personas, hero worship, and emotional addiction create a cycle of narcissism and trauma, then turn to healing, recovery, and the rediscovery of genuine community and humanity.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Chino discuss the lived reality of leaving Faith Assembly and similar high-control healing movements, focusing on emotional shunning, generational trauma, and the psychological toll of absolutist doctrine. Drawing from personal stories and interviews, they explain how sincere families were shaped by rules about medical care, "confessions," and spiritual status, and how those beliefs persisted decades after the leader's death. The conversation examines spiritual pride, fear-based control, and the harm caused when leaders discourage medical treatment, using real examples involving cancer, rapture anxiety, and family division. The goal is understanding and healing—inviting honest dialogue, accountability, and a healthier approach to Christian faith for those affected by authoritarian religious systems.

John explores how modern prophetic leaders such as Cindy Jacobs trace directly back to the numerology-driven theology of William Branham, Gordon Lindsay, and the Voice of Healing movement. The episode unpacks how Jacobs’ 5777 prophecy, her connection to the International Coalition of Apostles, and her political messaging around Donald Trump mirror the same manipulative patterns embedded in early Latter Rain teachings. John explains that these networks merge fortune-telling techniques, authoritarian apostolic structures, and political propaganda into a system designed to influence followers through confusing numerology and claims of divine insight. By tracing Jacobs’ involvement with Christ for the Nations and her reliance on later-rain numerological frameworks, the episode shows how today’s NAR “prophecies” are recycled patterns from Branham-era cult dynamics rather than authentic expressions of biblical prophecy. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branhamVisit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Lael open up about the hidden cost of growing up under religious control. Lael McKay, a former member of Hobart Freeman’s Faith Assembly, shares her life story—from an idyllic Indiana childhood shadowed by legalism and fear, to years of silence about physical pain, sexual abuse, and her father’s preventable suffering under faith-healing teachings. Together, John and Chino explore how purity culture, fear of hell, and denial of medical care shaped entire families. Through raw honesty and reflection, Lael describes her path through therapy, rediscovering safety, compassion, and spiritual balance. This conversation offers hope for survivors of high-control religious movements and insight into the lifelong impact of spiritual abuse and recovery.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Jenny discuss how purity culture in evangelical and high-control Christian spaces turns bodies into commodities, fuses "holiness" with racial anxiety, and leaves survivors carrying crushing shame. They trace the roots of modern purity teaching through abstinence-only campaigns, racialized myths about "protecting" white women, and high-demand groups shaped by Branhamism and Christian identity rhetoric, highlighting how fear-based sermons and public shaming deform both faith and embodiment.Drawing on Jenny's therapeutic work and John's historical research, they talk about consent, autonomy, and why healthy boundaries are different from rigid rules, offering language for people who still value faith but are done with spiritualized control. Whether you grew up in modesty talks, pledge rallies, or holiness churches--or you love someone who did--this conversation names the harm, honors survivors' stories, and points toward practical pathways for healing in "really good bodies" that are never damaged goods.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John Collins and John McKinnon explore the destructive evolution of William Branham’s “little gods” doctrine and how it reshaped the nature of Jesus into something unrecognizable to historic Christianity. They trace how Branham’s shifting revelations, internal contradictions, and reliance on mystery-language gradually moved his followers into Arianism and deep theological confusion, creating a belief system where multiple versions of Jesus circulated at the same time. This discussion highlights how these teachings fractured families, eroded biblical clarity, and set the stage for modern charismatic excesses rooted in Branham’s ideas. Together they examine the internal logic of the doctrine, the manipulation of John 1:1, the diminishing of Christ’s deity, and the way Branham’s ideas empowered authoritarian leadership models that continue into today’s New Apostolic Reformation. With careful clarity, they unpack how these heresies developed, why they were historically rejected, and how they still shape ministries, identity, and belief inside and outside the movement. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Chino explore the hidden cost of life inside Faith Assembly and similar high-control churches, unpacking the difference between first- and second-generation members, how utopian promises slowly harden into authoritarian control, and why so many survivors carry more emotional baggage than they realize. Drawing on years of conversations with former members, they talk through holiday taboos, "negative confession," fear-based teaching, and the long shadow of legalistic Pentecostal culture on work, family, and identity. Along the way, they examine how Bible verses were repeatedly pulled out of context, how that misuse of scripture fuels magical thinking and self-destructive choices, and why counseling and safe relationships are so vital in recovery. John shares how people can be talked back from the brink when they feel utterly alone, while Chino emphasizes humility, honesty, and re-learning what genuine Christian faith looks like outside of performance, control, and fear. This conversation offers both language and hope for anyone trying to make sense of life after a controlling religious environment. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Laura-Lynn discuss the surprising historical trail behind Daystar and the broader apostolic media world, showing how today’s networks were shaped by earlier healing-revival publicity, Gordon Lindsay’s Voice of Healing magazine, and the institutions that grew out of that era. They trace how a revived “Elijah for the last days” narrative became the connective tissue linking early Pentecostal personalities to later charismatic platforms and schools. They also unpack how the Elijah/messenger expectation, blended with older covenant thinking, end-times date-setting, and rising leader-centric authority, gradually displaced a Christ-centered focus with celebrity “generals” and their followers. The conversation highlights why these ideas kept reproducing across generations—and why understanding that lineage matters when evaluating modern Daystar-adjacent apostles, prophets, and movements. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Joey reveal how devotion to Jesus can slowly be entangled with authoritarian control inside the New Apostolic Reformation. Joey describes how constant pressure to obey “apostles,” secrecy around finances, plagiarism from the pulpit, and emotional manipulation led to a crisis of trust in leadership—yet not in Christ. The conversation continues to discuss how spiritual abuse thrives wherever human power replaces biblical accountability, yet freedom and healing are possible. This testimony offers hope to anyone escaping high-control churches: you can leave toxic authority behind without leaving Jesus. Your faith can survive—and grow stronger—after the NAR. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ – Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Bob unpack the phenomenon of hero worship inside Christianity, tracing it from the ancient world to modern megachurch culture. They compare the charisma of today’s revivalists with mythological demigods and discuss how emotional euphoria, dopamine highs, and the hunger for significance can turn spiritual leadership into idolatry. Together they explore how Pentecostalism’s “man of God” model, stage personas, and the social-media influencer mindset have created a new kind of religion—one driven by power, performance, and addiction to admiration. They also dig into the psychological mechanics behind revival culture: the cycle of emotional highs, the crash that follows, and how the congregation becomes addicted to the same sensations. Drawing parallels from William Branham to Mike Bickle and beyond, they reveal how both leaders and followers are trapped in the same system of hero worship that blurs the line between faith and self-exaltation. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Christian discuss the rise of miracle-centered Christianity and how modern charismatic culture often replaces the gospel with spectacle. Drawing from historical patterns, revival culture, and first-hand experiences, they explore why movements focused on signs and wonders drift away from Scripture and toward emotionalism, hype, and manipulative faith-building tactics. They compare the biblical purpose of miracles with how theatrics, staged healings, and personality-driven leadership have created confusion, dependency, and spiritual harm. The conversation also examines William Branham’s revival era, fraudulent “manifestations,” the psychological pressure behind positive confession, and how charismatic environments can open the door to hero worship and authoritarian leadership. John and Christian reflect on the dangers of creating a false dichotomy between cessationism and continuationism, reminding listeners that the true gospel is not found in supernatural showmanship but in Christ Himself. ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John explores the shocking hidden history of the “Billion Soul Harvest” movement, revealing how its roots stretch far deeper than the New Apostolic Reformation. Drawing from Cold War politics, postwar psychological experiments, and William Branham’s authoritarian theology, he traces how government fear tactics and revivalist propaganda merged into a global dominionist agenda. Along the way, he connects the dots between the Milgram obedience studies, Nixon’s “battle for the mind” speech, and the rise of prophetic generals who promised to win the world for Christ through control, not compassion. This episode exposes how the language of revival became the language of psychological warfare, transforming faith into a weapon.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Jed examine the rise of manufactured signs and wonders in charismatic culture, using Bethel’s “gold dust” phenomenon as the clearest modern example. They trace the pattern from Branham-era Voice of Healing testimonies to contemporary Bethel practices, showing how trivial, low-stakes miracles—gold teeth, leg-lengthening tricks, glitter clouds—become part of a weekly spiritual environment. Jed reflects on growing up in the International House of Prayer and how exaggerated or invented testimonies created a world where deception became normalized, even expected. Together, they explore why these miracles continue to gain traction, connecting them to deeper psychological needs, theological distortions, group reinforcement, and the modern crisis of digital trust. They warn that with AI-generated images, videos, and text, the NAR’s long-standing dependence on sensational signs now intersects with technology capable of manufacturing “evidence” indistinguishable from reality. Their conversation challenges listeners to reconsider the role of signs in spiritual identity, the danger of counterfeit validation, and the urgent need to return to grounded, ethical faith practices.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John Collins and McKinnon continue their in-depth exploration into William Branham's “Adoption” doctrine and its influence on modern charismatic movements. They expose how Branham's teaching of a “word for the age” replaced salvation through faith in Christ with loyalty to new revelation. Drawing direct lines from Branham to the New Apostolic Reformation, they analyze how a theology rooted in mysticism, pantheism, and esoteric thought evolved into the cultic systems seen today. The discussion compares scriptural truth with Branham's distortions, examines the idolization of tapes and prophets, and reveals how persuasive charisma led countless believers to substitute emotional fervor for biblical faith.00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode00:32 How Branham's “Word for the Age” Replaced the Gospel02:25 Cultic Authority and Fear of Outside Information05:20 Doctrinal Problems: Diminishing Christ and Changing the Gospel07:01 Tape-Only Churches and Movement-Wide Confusion10:40 Internal Message Criticism: A Minister Challenges Tape Worship13:25 Emotional Manipulation and the Power of Persuasion17:03 “Not Every Word Is Thus Saith the Lord”: Rising Internal Doubt20:55 Infallibility Contradictions in Branham's Teachings23:17 The Shift Toward Mysticism and Pre-Existence Doctrine29:56 Platonic and New Thought Roots Behind Branham's Ideas35:51 Blending Ancient Mysticism With Christianity38:18 A Different Gospel: Recognition Theology and Loss of Biblical Salvation44:00 Modalism in the Message and the Denial of Christ's Deity51:01 Closing Thoughts and Preview of Next Episode______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham– Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ– Visit the website: https://william-branham.org– Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham– Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr– Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

John invites Martin and Sarah from the UK to share their story of escaping a controlling, charismatic fellowship tied to shepherding-style authority inspired by Derek Prince and the Shepherding Movement. They describe how subtle shifts — from house-church "body ministry" to centralized power — opened the door for predatory leadership to operate unchecked.Their journey reveals why spiritual covering doctrines, personality cults, and authoritarian structures can create the perfect environment for silence and fear. Despite deep wounds and the loss of community, Martin and Sarah share how healing, truth-telling, and faith brought post-traumatic growth — and why others suffering in similar systems deserve to be heard.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Jenny dive deep into the psychology of manipulation within pseudo-Christian movements, using Youth With A Mission (YWAM) as a case study. Jenny, founder of the Indwell Movement, explains how spiritual leaders exploit trust, empathy, and worship to bypass critical thinking and enforce obedience. Together they explore concepts like mind control, cognitive dissonance, and consent—examining how emotional manipulation, purity culture, and the "always maintain the witness" mentality condition believers to suppress their own intuition.John connects these patterns to historical cult behavior and even ancient paganism, tracing how fear and fabricated "divine wrath" are weaponized to secure loyalty. They also uncover the neurological side of manipulation—how music, repetition, and performance-based spirituality deactivate the brain's critical centers. This powerful conversation invites listeners to question how spiritual systems use psychology, fear, and belonging to shape faith, identity, and submission.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Chino explore how the “little gods” doctrine emerged, evolved, and spread through Pentecostal, Latter Rain, Word of Faith, and modern charismatic movements. They trace the development of these ideas from William Branham’s distorted view of Christ as a “thought expressed,” through Hobart Freeman’s charismatic reinterpretations, and into the broader landscape of dominionism and modern spiritual power claims. Along the way, they highlight how proof-texting, misused Greek terms, and theological shortcuts created a framework that encouraged believers to see themselves as small deities capable of commanding reality, weather, sickness, and even God Himself. The discussion also exposes the psychological and spiritual consequences of this theology—how it fostered hierarchies of “manifested sons,” opened the door to manipulative ministry culture, and blurred the line between biblical faith and occult-like practices. John and Chino connect these historical teachings to current religious-political movements, examining how ideas about dominion, authority, and spiritual control continue to shape contemporary charismatic expressions. This episode gives listeners a clear historical roadmap of how these ideas took root and why they still matter today. John and Chino explore how the “little gods” doctrine emerged, evolved, and spread through Pentecostal, Latter Rain, Word of Faith, and modern charismatic movements. They trace the development of these ideas from William Branham’s distorted view of Christ as a “thought expressed,” through Hobart Freeman’s charismatic reinterpretations, and into the broader landscape of dominionism and modern spiritual power claims. Along the way, they highlight how proof-texting, misused Greek terms, and theological shortcuts created a framework that encouraged believers to see themselves as small deities capable of commanding reality, weather, sickness, and even God Himself. The discussion also exposes the psychological and spiritual consequences of this theology—how it fostered hierarchies of “manifested sons,” opened the door to manipulative ministry culture, and blurred the line between biblical faith and occult-like practices. John and Chino connect these historical teachings to current religious-political movements, examining how ideas about dominion, authority, and spiritual control continue to shape contemporary charismatic expressions. This episode gives listeners a clear historical roadmap of how these ideas took root and why they still matter today.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Laura-Lynn discuss the authoritarian structures and doctrines that connect Branhamism, the Latter Rain, and today’s New Apostolic Reformation. They explore how William Branham’s reinterpretation of Malachi, the Elijah motif, Christian Identity influences, and mystical elements helped form a theological framework that still shapes major NAR figures and institutions. Through examples involving Jim Jones, Christ for the Nations, Gordon Lindsay, Dutch Sheets, and others, they illustrate how these ideas created a parallel “kingdom” with its own prophecy-driven hierarchy. They also examine how these movements subtly redefine the gospel, elevate human leaders, and inject mysticism and esoteric narratives into Christian belief. John and Laura-Lynn reflect on cult dynamics such as elitism, shunning, secrecy, and the pursuit of spiritual power, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and grounding in the plain reading of Scripture. The conversation highlights why awareness, historical accuracy, and careful theological evaluation remain crucial as these movements continue to influence mainstream charismatic spaces.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Laura-Lynn discuss the authoritarian structures and doctrines that connect Branhamism, the Latter Rain, and today’s New Apostolic Reformation. They explore how William Branham’s reinterpretation of Malachi, the Elijah motif, Christian Identity influences, and mystical elements helped form a theological framework that still shapes major NAR figures and institutions. Through examples involving Jim Jones, Christ for the Nations, Gordon Lindsay, Dutch Sheets, and others, they illustrate how these ideas created a parallel “kingdom” with its own prophecy-driven hierarchy. They also examine how these movements subtly redefine the gospel, elevate human leaders, and inject mysticism and esoteric narratives into Christian belief. John and Laura-Lynn reflect on cult dynamics such as elitism, shunning, secrecy, and the pursuit of spiritual power, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and grounding in the plain reading of Scripture. The conversation highlights why awareness, historical accuracy, and careful theological evaluation remain crucial as these movements continue to influence mainstream charismatic spaces.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Caleb explore the complex story of Pentecostalism—its roots, its divisions, and its evolution from the Azusa Street revival to today's movements. Caleb shares his experiences growing up in the United Pentecostal Church and contrasts moderate and extremist versions of holiness culture. John connects the dots between early Branhamism, Roy Davis, and Pentecostal sect formation, while exposing historical cover-ups like the Prescott tragedy. Together, they discuss race in early Pentecostalism, the Assemblies of God's segregation, the impact of figures like Jim Jones and Gordon Lindsay, and how prophetic showmanship corrupted genuine faith. They also debate whether true healings occurred in Branham's campaigns and how faith, culture, and control have shaped modern Pentecostal identity. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Jesse discuss the emotional recovery process following the departure from high-control religious movements and the steps toward rebuilding a healthy sense of identity. Jesse shares his involvement in the documentary "See Through the Darkness," which explores how people find hope and renewal after years in controlling environments. Together, they talk about the impact of spiritual manipulation, the loss of community, and the journey of rediscovering self-worth. They share practical strategies for emotional wellness, building supportive relationships, and cultivating inner peace through healthy boundaries and positive thought patterns. This is an uplifting conversation focused on recovery, empowerment, and finding light after leaving an oppressive belief system. John and Jesse discuss the emotional recovery process following the departure from high-control religious movements and the steps toward rebuilding a healthy sense of identity. Jesse shares his involvement in the documentary "See Through the Darkness," which explores how people find hope and renewal after years in controlling environments. Together, they talk about the impact of spiritual manipulation, the loss of community, and the journey of rediscovering self-worth. They share practical strategies for emotional wellness, building supportive relationships, and cultivating inner peace through healthy boundaries and positive thought patterns. This is an uplifting conversation focused on recovery, empowerment, and finding light after leaving an oppressive belief system.______________________Please check out an excellent suicide prevention film by Carl David and Frank X Panico title, See through the Darkness. Join us in our battle to help save lives. The trailer and film could be seen at seethroughthedarkness.org ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Christian dive into the State of Theology 2025 survey and uncover surprising contradictions in what American Christians believe about God, the Bible, and salvation. From the question "Is Jesus God?" to debates about sin, gender, and truth itself, the results expose a growing divide between biblical foundations and cultural Christianity. John reflects on how Pentecostal and Charismatic teachings have reshaped people's view of God, while Christian connects the trends to the loss of a biblical worldview and the rise of subjective truth. Together, they discuss how theology has shifted from reverence to relativism—and what it means for the future of faith.______________________State of Theology:https://thestateoftheology.com______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Chino dive deep into one of the most confusing and destructive doctrines taught within Branhamism and Faith Assembly: eternal security—or, as many lived it, eternal insecurity. They unpack how William Branham and Hobart Freeman twisted the gospel of grace into a doctrine of fear, confusion, and control. Drawing from firsthand experiences, personal stories, and archived recordings, the hosts reveal how both leaders contradicted themselves, manipulated scripture, and redefined salvation to keep followers dependent on their authority. Together they examine how Branham’s shifting messages on salvation, election, and damnation evolved through the Pentecostal, Latter Rain, and Charismatic movements, shaping Freeman’s authoritarian theology. Chino shares insights into the psychology of cult obedience, while John traces how Branham’s legacy of doctrinal chaos still influences modern fringe movements. This episode challenges listeners to discern between faith rooted in Christ and fear imposed by cult leaders. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John explores the origins of Joel’s Army—a militant spiritual ideology that emerged from the strange crossroads of Pentecostalism, Christian Identity, and post-WWII fear. He traces its development from early influences like Helena Blavatsky’s esoteric teachings, New Thought metaphysics, and British Israelism to William Branham’s “spoken word” theology and Roy Davis’s ideological orphanages. The episode exposes how the Sharon Orphanage in North Battleford, Canada, became a model for youth indoctrination under the guise of revival and prophecy. John connects the rise of Joel’s Army to the political and apocalyptic climate after the atomic bomb—when fear of a coming world war fueled a militant form of faith. He explains how these doctrines laid the groundwork for movements like the Latter Rain revival and today’s New Apostolic Reformation. With historical depth and theological clarity, this episode uncovers how mysticism, nationalism, and spiritual warfare blended into a single, radical ideology that continues to shape modern charismatic movements. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham – Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John invites Jenny McGrath to explore the hidden emotional and psychological damage caused by high-demand religious groups like Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Jenny McGrath, a former YWAM staff member and researcher, opens up about her experiences as a teenage missionary molded by purity culture, colonial attitudes, and spiritual manipulation. Together, they uncover how exhaustion, self-denial, and trauma are often mistaken for holiness and how these organizations can weaponize faith to control both youth and global missions. The conversation dives deep into dissociation, mind control, white saviorism, and the lifelong process of healing from religious trauma—revealing how sincere devotion can be transformed into exploitation under the guise of serving God.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Bob explore how a little-known thread of mid-20th-century Pentecostalism shaped modern dominionist movements. They uncover the role of William Branham, Roy Davis, Tommy Hicks, and political forces like Richard Nixon in transforming Joel's prophecy into a militant vision of a supernaturally empowered youth army. The conversation exposes how the same ideas re-emerged in Kansas City, laying foundations for IHOPKC and the New Apostolic Reformation—alongside patterns of manipulation, exploitation, and spiritual authoritarianism. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John Collins examines the deep historical roots connecting Daystar Television, Christ for the Nations Institute, and the legacy of William Branham. Rather than responding to recent scandals or current headlines, he traces the long development of revival movements—from the Voice of Healing era to the founding of CFNI—to explain how the theological frameworks, leadership structures, and apostolic networks of the mid-20th century shaped today’s charismatic media landscape. He demonstrates that understanding Daystar requires understanding the system that produced it, a system whose foundations were laid decades before Marcus and Joni Lamb entered public ministry. Collins follows the historical trail from Branham’s influence, to Gordon Lindsay’s publishing empire, to the rise of the Latter Rain movement and early Church of God dynamics, showing how these streams converged in Dallas–Fort Worth. This convergence created the environment that would later give birth to CFNI and inform the worldview of many prominent charismatic leaders. The episode explores how themes such as deliverance ministry, dominion theology, hero-centric leadership, and apostolic authority migrated across generations until they emerged in modern Christian media. His aim is to provide clarity, context, and a broader frame for understanding why Daystar developed as it did—and why its origins still matter today.

In this powerful discussion, John Collins and McKinnon expose how NAR theology (and message theology) subtly shifts the focus from Christ's finished work on the cross to man-centered doctrines that promise hidden knowledge, new revelation, and even the ability to become a god. They show how claims about "attributes," the Logos, and end-time mysteries gradually erode biblical teaching and authority, eventually making followers dependent on a human prophet rather than Scripture itself. As the conversation continues, they reveal why diminishing the eternal deity of Jesus is not just a theological error — it's a doorway into manipulation, elitism, and spiritual abuse. When believers are told that they were eternal thoughts of God, equal in nature to Jesus, the message no longer leads people to the cross, but into works, striving, and fear of losing divine status. The episode calls listeners back to biblical faith, the sufficiency of Christ, and the simple gospel that brings true freedom.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Chino explore the dramatic rise of megachurch culture and how American consumerism reshaped faith into a spectacle. They compare intimate home-based congregations with today’s oversized entertainment venues, asking whether the push for bigness has come at the cost of discipleship, accountability, and authentic community. With humor and candor, they share personal experiences from cult exits to high-tech worship environments that feel more like sci-fi productions than spiritual gatherings. They also dig into the historical roots behind the phenomenon—from the early revivalists to the strategic church-growth movement—and expose how power, money, and celebrity have created a modern cult of personality. This conversation challenges listeners to consider what truly defines a healthy church and whether the biggest churches might be obscuring the smallest, most essential aspects of faith.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K______________________– Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham– Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ– Visit the website: https://william-branham.org– Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBranhamOrg – Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@william.m.branham– Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/wmbhr– Buy the books: https://william-branham.org/site/books

John and Jed explore one of the most sensitive and emotionally charged topics in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles—the world of fake miracles, resurrection claims, and manufactured hype. Starting with Bethel Church's "Wake Up Olive" tragedy, they trace the long lineage of miracle stories from Smith Wigglesworth through William Branham to today's New Apostolic Reformation leaders. Their discussion examines how sensationalized testimonies shape belief, manipulate emotions, and reinforce authoritarian control within high-demand religious groups.Through deeply personal stories, including experiences from within Branhamism and IHOP, they unpack how false faith-healing narratives prey on trauma, obscure genuine spirituality, and keep followers trapped in fear of doubt. This conversation dives into the emotional cost of such beliefs—the shame, confusion, and psychological damage caused when "miracles" fail—and the deeper truth about where real faith should be placed.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John invites Priscilla Cyanni Morris to discuss her time inside City Reach Church, where revival culture and "spiritual covering" turned into authoritarian control. Priscilla describes how obedience was demanded, critical thinking discouraged, and loyalty to leadership elevated above faith in Christ. Through emotional stories of public rebukes, deliverance rooms, and "prophetic activations," she reveals how City Reach's vision replaced the gospel with coercive loyalty tests.Together, they unpack how fear, phobia indoctrination, and "decision paralysis" can follow people who escape high-control churches. John explains the biblical case against "spiritual covering" and the manipulative use of honor language, while Priscilla shares how she rediscovered freedom through Scripture and genuine Christian community. The conversation offers hope to anyone recovering from spiritual abuse or wondering if their "revival-focused" church has crossed the line into control. ______________________Priscilla's Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@priscillacyanni______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Steve trace the ideological roots of mystical fascism and its unsettling influence on modern religious movements. They uncover how thinkers like Savitri Devi, Helena Blavatsky, and Alice Bailey shaped occult traditions that fed into Nazi spirituality—ideas that later resurfaced in Christian Identity, Latter Rain, and the New Apostolic Reformation. Together they explore how mysticism, dominionism, and political power converge into what Steve calls a "weaponization of Christianity," connecting early 20th-century esoteric fascism to the rhetoric of modern revivalists.Through themes like divine unity, eugenics, and "ongoing revelation," they reveal how the same doctrines once used to justify racial purification now appear repackaged as "kingdom power" and "apostolic authority." This episode dives deep into the historical cross-pollination of mysticism, nationalism, and religion—showing how the pursuit of a "divine world order" has too often led to destruction instead of redemption. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSpezVG15TVG-lOYMRXuyQ

John and Christian discuss how "loaded language" within cults and charismatic movements creates communication barriers, spiritual elitism, and moral confusion. They explore how words like faith, doubt, spirit-filled, and Jezebel spirit carry entire doctrines that alienate others and discourage honest inquiry. Drawing from their experiences leaving high-control religious groups, they show how language can shape identity and restrict thought—turning simple words into tools of control.Together they examine how even well-meaning Christians can drift into self-righteous rhetoric and "church-speak" that isolates them from both outsiders and fellow believers. The conversation connects biblical examples, psychology of cult speech, and cultural references like Harry Potter to show how prideful communication dehumanizes others and undermines the gospel's inclusivity.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Chino discuss what makes a true pastor versus a false one, tracing how cult movements like Hobart Freeman's Faith Assembly distorted the gospel into a "health and wealth" message. They examine how trauma from authoritarian churches shapes what people look for when finding a new congregation—and why "signs of a healthy church" lists can be dangerous when written by unhealthy leaders. Through personal stories and biblical insight, they break down why empathy, sound teaching, and genuine care matter more than charisma, claimed miracles, or titles like "apostle" and "prophet."______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Laura-Lynn expose how hidden doctrines, secret networks, and unchecked apostolic authority connect modern revival movements back to William Branham and the Manifest Sons of God theology. Laura-Lynn recounts her firsthand experience within Art Lucier's circles and the unfolding allegations surrounding Daystar Canada and other NAR leaders, revealing patterns of moral failure, financial misconduct, and abuse of power. John connects these events to Branham's early networks with Roy E. Davis, the Full Gospel Businessmen, and even Christian Identity roots—showing how these old engines of influence continue to power modern charismatic movements. Together they call believers to discernment, courage, and truth, reminding listeners that exposure and repentance must precede revival.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Annalise discuss her harrowing experience at the House of Prayer in Atlanta, a sister ministry of IHOP Kansas City. Annalise recounts how she went from a hopeful young dancer seeking community to enduring a life-threatening medical crisis while being pressured to perform in worship. Her powerful testimony exposes how some leaders suppress stories that do not fit their preferred "miracle" narrative and how this left her isolated, disillusioned, yet ultimately stronger in faith. The conversation highlights the dangers of spiritual abuse and challenges the church to respond with compassion and integrity. ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Matthew revisit the deep and often overlooked history of the Global Missions movement and its ties to Sharon Orphanage and the 1948 Latter-Rain Revival. Matthew, a former member, shares firsthand insights about growing up under the group's culture of "prophetic history" and its fixation on ongoing revelation. Together they examine the roots of this theology in Branhamism, the hidden influence of early founders like Eric Holt, George Houghton, and Percy Hunt, and how editing and distributing recorded sermons shaped the movement's beliefs. They also discuss the broader restorationist mindset that underpins much of the New Apostolic Reformation and why it continues to attract followers today. This candid conversation sheds light on the long-term dangers of replacing the sufficiency of Scripture with leaders who claim to reveal divine mysteries.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John, Kevin, and Barbara expose the spiritual and political machinery behind the so-called "Communion Revival" led by Lou Engle, Dean Briggs, and Chris Berglund. They trace how Manifest Sons of God theology from William Branham and the Latter Rain revival evolved into today's New Apostolic Reformation—with its Dominion Now teachings, manipulation of Gen Z, and exploitation of women. Together they unpack how a movement once claiming to bring unity and revival instead breeds hierarchy, nationalism, and theological corruption. The discussion moves from Nixon-era politics and charismatic propaganda to modern platforms like Awaken the Dawn, revealing a pattern of humanizing Christ, hero-worshiping leaders, and silencing victims—all under the banner of revival.______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John and Chino expose the dangerous theology of Hobart Freeman, tracing his teachings back to William Branham's pattern of secrecy and manipulation. They discuss Freeman's claims of a "12-word revelation," his insistence that only one man held the true end-time faith message, and the psychological grip these ideas held over followers. The conversation connects the dots between Branham's "three high words," Freeman's mysterious visions, and the modern culture of prophetic elitism that still echoes in the New Apostolic Reformation.This episode invites listeners to reconsider how claims of hidden revelation and exclusive authority distort the humility and servant leadership modeled by Christ. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org

John Collins traces the disturbing historical and theological roots linking William Branham's teachings to modern megachurch culture through Robert Morris and Gateway Church. Drawing from detailed research, he shows how Branham's "spoken word" doctrine and authoritarian "Moses model" structure evolved into today's New Apostolic Reformation, creating a cycle where abusive leaders are elevated again and again. John explores how figures like Roy E. Davis, Gordon Lindsay, and Jack Hayford bridged these movements—from early Christian Identity and Latter Rain to the prosperity gospel and NAR. This episode exposes how Branham's anti-biblical view of Christ as a "spoken manifestation" echoes directly in Robert Morris's sermons, proving that cultic theology can resurface even in the largest churches of modern evangelicalism. ______________________Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________- Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org