Uphill Trust and the Abuse of Authority

John and Chino discuss the critical need for sound biblical scholarship after leaving movements shaped by William Branham, Hobart Freeman, and the later charismatic-deliverance teachings. John recalls how his early reading of Colossians 2 opened his eyes to how Branhamite and NAR-style teachers misused words like "mystery" and "Laodicea" to insert their own authority. Together they trace the harm caused by the so-called "five-fold ministry" and by leaders who demanded loyalty to themselves while twisting Scripture—contrasting this with the plain, accessible meaning of the Bible that any believer can read. The conversation emphasizes humility, historical context, and careful interpretation over sensational claims, warning of the arrogance and elitism that often poison even seemingly solid teaching. ______________________ 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 discuss the issue of blind trust in cult leaders, using the recent defense of Mike Bickle as a case study. They explore how trust in healthy relationships is earned through honesty and integrity, but in cult settings it is demanded and weaponized. Drawing parallels from their own experiences in Branhamism and the International House of Prayer, they reveal how the same manipulation tactics keep followers trapped in circular reasoning and misplaced loyalty. The conversation also examines how defenders of Bickle dismiss victim testimonies, misuse scripture, and even deny the reality of grooming to protect leadership. John and Jed highlight how these patterns echo the broader history of abusive revivalist movements, and why recognizing the difference between genuine trust and coerced control is critical for healing and 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 Adam dive deep into the growing commercialization of Bethel Church, exposing how its conferences, subscriptions, merchandise, and even a dating app reflect more of a shopping network than a house of worship. From inflated costs to questionable data practices, they highlight how spiritual life has been packaged and sold for profit. Drawing parallels to William Branham, Branhamism, and other cult dynamics, the discussion uncovers how monetization strategies blur the line between ministry and manipulation. The conversation also unpacks troubling doctrinal trends, including Bethel's use of new age terminology like "Christ consciousness" and how hierarchical leadership structures mirror Masonic and cult-like models. With personal insight into business operations, IT security, and church finance, John and Adam expose both the practical dangers of poor accountability and the theological dangers of a man-made religion that replaces the free gift of grace with hype and hierarchy. ______________________ 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 unpack William Branham's controversial adoption doctrine and its connections to elitist theology, racism, and dominionism. They show how Branham's teachings on the Serpent Seed, Manifest Sons of God, and the super race mentality blended white supremacist ideology with a counterfeit gospel. By examining Branham's claims alongside his mentor Roy Davis and Christian Identity roots, the episode exposes how these distorted ideas laid the foundation for later movements. They trace Branham's influence into the Latter Rain revival and modern NAR, where elements like dominion theology, spiritual DNA, and new gospels echo his message. Throughout, the hosts contrast Branham's diminishing of Christ and elevation of man with the true gospel. The discussion warns of how aberrant theology spreads, reshaping salvation into elitism, while pointing listeners back to Christ as the center. ______________________ 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 how cult leaders like William Branham and Hobart Freeman misuse the Bible to claim exclusive authority while dismissing scholarship. They explore how higher education, textual criticism, and historical understanding reveal the complexity and richness of Scripture instead of undermining faith. Together, they show how the Bible was written by many voices over centuries, why overlapping prophets dismantle Branham's claims, and how manuscript families expose the dangers of the "pinned by God" myth. With examples ranging from Adam's "rib" to scribal errors, they explain how studying history, language, and archaeology makes faith stronger and more grounded in reality. This episode challenges shallow teachings, debunks King James Onlyism, and shows why critical scholarship is essential for those leaving high-control religious groups. ______________________ 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 Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson sit down for a deeply personal and eye-opening conversation about the history and dangers of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Together, they trace its roots back to William Branham, the Latter Rain revival, and post-war healing movements, explaining how elitism, fresh revelations, political entanglements, and celebrity worship transformed parts of modern Christianity. Laura-Lynn shares her own experiences in NAR-influenced circles, the harm caused by spiritual abuse and false leaders, and the hope she found by returning to the Bible. This candid discussion shines a light on practices such as grave soaking, dominionist teachings, and manipulative use of "touch not God's anointed," offering encouragement to those seeking a healthy, Scripture-centered faith. ______________________ 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

Christine joins John to share her journey through a Jesus movement commune called Daystar Ministries—not to be confused with the media company of the same name. She describes growing up in an intense spiritual environment rooted in discipleship schools, communal living, and deliverance ministry practices that often veered into dangerous territory. The community, while birthed with good intentions, dealt with mental health crises using spiritual warfare methods rather than professional therapy, leading to traumatic and unsafe conditions for both adults and children. Christine unpacks how children were treated as spiritual warriors, used as symbols of family ministry, and often subjected to exorcisms or dangerous counseling by untrained adults. She reflects on the psychological consequences of these experiences, including the normalization of trauma, complex PTSD, and systemic authoritarianism.The conversation deepens as Christine and John explore the deliverance movement’s psychological fallout—highlighting how trauma was mislabeled as demonic possession, how legitimate mental health conditions were exacerbated, and how cultic systems discouraged seeking real therapy. They discuss the toxic blend of spiritual abuse, authoritarian control, and the attraction of narcissistic or mentally unstable leaders to such groups. Christine introduces the concept of post-traumatic growth, encourages grace in the healing process, and emphasizes that recovery isn’t linear. The episode ends with an agreement to continue the conversation in future sessions, particularly regarding the health effects of 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

John and Bob reflect on the painful journey of leaving high-control religious groups and the struggle to find authentic faith afterward. They open up about grief, trauma, and the challenge of rebuilding belief after encountering a false image of God. Their discussion highlights how many survivors develop "spiritual scar tissue," making them hypersensitive to control, manipulation, and inauthenticity in new church settings. Together, they outline what to look for when searching for a healthy community: authenticity over image, relationships over numbers, peacemakers over narcissistic leaders, and a willingness to embrace questions without fear. Both hosts emphasize that faith after disillusionment is not about urgent theological perfection but about finding authentic relationships, honest dialogue, and the freedom to explore belief with fresh eyes. ______________________ 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