Submission and Control: From Shepherding to Charismania

John welcomes Sam to share his story of involvement in the Shepherding Movement, setting the stage by describing how it emerged as an outgrowth of Branham's influence and helped shape what later became the NAR. Sam recounts how he first encountered the movement as a young believer in the early 1970s, describing Christian coffeehouses, Pentecostal fervor, and the excitement of discipleship, which soon shifted into rigid submission and authoritarian leadership. Together, they discuss the figures at the heart of the movement such as Derek Prince, Charles Simpson, Bob Mumford, and Don Basham, while exploring how teachings about demons and submission created an atmosphere of fear and control. John adds context by connecting the movement's roots to Branham, T.L. Osborn, and Christian Identity influences, showing how these networks interlinked. As the discussion deepens, Sam shares personal experiences of exorcism meetings, authoritarian control, and the emotional toll it took, leading to years of anxiety and mental health struggles. John and Sam connect this to broader patterns in Pentecostal and charismatic history, drawing lines from Branham to Shepherding, to the Jesus Movement, to later revivals like Toronto and Bethel. They reflect on how sincere intentions turned extreme, how networks amplified destructive ideas, and how control was often marketed as discipleship. The conversation ends on reflections about leaving behind controlling systems, the challenges of processing trauma, and the importance of finding healthier faith expressions. ______________________ 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