Joel’s Army: How Fear, War, and Mysticism Forged a Youth Christian Militia

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