Resources
For Cross-Examining The Message (Branhamism)
Those who are leaving The Message (aka Branhamism) often have so many questions—good questions—more than we can answer with our content alone. In an endeavor to help you find quality content to read and consider, we’ve compiled the following directory of resources addressing frequently asked questions.
There is a lot of information here. If you’re still in the process of disentangling faith and hammering out what you believe, this page may become overwhelming. Please don’t feel pressured to find all the answers in a day. God sees where you are, He is pleased that you are seeking His truth, and He cares about you. If you find yourself becoming mentally/emotionally exhausted, we recommend taking a break and coming back at a later time when your mind is refreshed and able to focus. If it would help to share your story with someone, feel free to reach out! We’re here and happy to listen, as well as connect you with likeminded believers (when opportunities arise).
This resource page was created to be as comprehensive as possible, so feel free to bookmark it and take your time working through each topic. Please note, we are not in complete agreement with all the content, authors, and organizations we recommend. However, each source on this page has been carefully selected and vetted as much as possible for alignment with Christian values. If a resource made our list, then we believe it contains valuable information that is worth taking into consideration. We pray that iron will sharpen iron as you examine various interpretations in your search for Scriptural truth and disentangle from harmful teachings.
Directory
The Message (Branhamism)
Exiting from a high-control group can feel incredibly isolating. That is why this directory starts with personal stories of those who have left The Message. We are grateful for their courage to publicly share how they disentangled from the teachings of Branham.
When learning the truth behind “the message of the hour,” it is important to have background on the history of the movement. This is especially important because of the many plagiarisms and contradictions Branham himself made over time. Branham influenced other movements such as the Latter Rain movement, NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) and Word of Faith/prosperity gospel teachings. Several of his followers and associates formed their own groups, such as Isaac Noriega (Golden Dawn Tabernacle) and Jim Jones (of the infamous Jonestown).
In correlation with Braham’s teachings about women, there are several cases of abuse within The Message. We’ve chosen to include a few of those stories which you’ll find here. The majority of this directory is devoted to resources addressing Branham’s specific teachings and how they differ from mainstream Christianity. For further cross-examination, see the comprehensive resources at the end of this page.
We hope these resouces will equip you to hold William Branham’s life and teachings accountable to God’s Word. May you come to discover that God’s message to us through Scripture is fully suficient!
What Is The Message (Branhamism)?
- Branhamism/William Branham Profile by Watchmen Fellowship (Article)
- William Branham by Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (Article)
- William Branham’s Family Tree by Eric Pement on Midwest Christian Outreach (Article)
- What is “The Message” (William Branham)? on Ready to Harvest (Video)
- Who was William Branham? on Ready to Harvest (Video)
- “Understanding and Answering William Branham” 4 part series by Centers For Apologetics Research (Video)
- “Branhamism” chapter in World Religions Made Easy by Paul Carden of Centers For Apologetics Research (Book)
Personal Stories
Books
- Where the Willow Weeps: The inside story of growing up in a cult, and how I found freedom in Christ by C. R. Wottrich
Websites
- The Casting Pearls Project
- Testimonies from Former Followers by Believe The Sign
- Our Stories by William Branham Historical Research
Podcasts
- Interviews on Off The Shelf
Videos
- Our Stories video series on Leaving The Message
- I Grew up in a Cult video series with CR Wottrich
- Jennifer Collins with CR Wottrich
- Hope Makola with CR Wottrich
- Naomi Wright with Sean McDowell
- former member of a polygamous splinter group of The Message
- Stephen Phaladi’s “Branham Message: Three of the Many Reasons I Left”
- “I started to wonder why is it that nothing outside of ‘the message of the hour’ points you to ‘the message of the hour?'”
- Lack of teachability in ‘Message’ churches
- “Us and them paradigm” also known as, exclusivity
- Lance LeReux
- Benson Mulenga
- Benjamin Mubanga
- Eve Mafupa
- Beulah Mashego
- From Branham to Christ: The Testimony of Emily Arndt with CFAR Video
- Christian Cyr’s Testimony on Believe the Sign
Cross-Examining Branham’s Teachings: The Message
Books
- A Logical Refutation of Branham’s Message: From An Author Born and Raised in the Message by Nathan Rivera
- Investigating William Branham: The Unfolding Story of Plagiarisms and Errors by Bryan H. Smalls
- Triumph through Tribulation: William Branham’s Theology In and Out especially pgs. 34–40 (available for free at provided links)
Articles
- Branhamism Profile from Watchman Fellowship
- Separating the Messenger From The Message
- William Branham published by Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry
- William Branham’s Family Tree by Eric Pement on Midwest Christian Outreach
- William Branham’s Teachings
- Misinterpreted Scriptures
Podcast
Videos
- Leaving The Message channel
- Believe The Sign channel
- Centers For Apologetics Research Video’s “Understanding and Answering William Branham” 4 part series
- Exposing False Prophet William Branham by Berean Bible Studies with Randall Standifer
- What is “The Message” (William Branham)? and Who was William Branham? on Ready to Harvest
Instagram Profiles
Websites
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
— John 14:6 —
“Branham’s teachings on Jesus are confusing and often contradictory. He identified Jesus with the Holy Spirit (who came forth from God as the “Logos”). [He taught that] God created Jesus as a sinless human inside of Mary to provide a physical dwelling for the Holy Spirit, who entered Jesus at his baptism and left him in the Garden of Gethsemane (because “He had to die a man).”
—Paul Carden, “World Religions Made Easy”
The Godhead
Videos
- Is the Jesus of The Message the Jesus of the Bible? by Believe The Sign
- Nabeel Qureshi (former Muslim) explaining the Trinity
Articles
- William Branham’s Idea about the Evidence of the Holy Spirit Changed Over Time
- See Believe The Sign’s article series on “William Branham and the Nature of God”
- William Branham’s Understanding of Jesus Christ by Believe The Sign
- Did Jesus Die Simply as a Man? by Believe The Sign
- What is Modalism? by Got Questions
- What is Arianism? by Got Questions
- A Formulation and Defense of the Doctrine of the Trinity by William Lane Craig
- Defending the Trinity by James M. Rochford
Podcasts
- What Does The Trinity Have to Do with Spiritual Abuse? on Reclamation: A BeEmboldened Initiative
- Former Muslim Talks About the Doctrine of the Trinity, Parts 1–3 (See Part 1) on Off The Shelf
“Depending upon his audience, Branham preached Modalism, Arianism, and Trinitarianism.”
—John Collins in “Triumph Through Tribulation: William Branham’s Theology In And Out” pg. 38
Understanding…
The Bible
- Is The Message Greater than the Bible? by Believe The Sign (Article)
- The Word of God is Alive (Hebrews 4:12) on Got Questions (Article)
- Tips for Studying the Bible by Find Your Christian College (Article)
- Do We Need An Interpreter to Understand the Bible? by Don Stewart (Article)
- “To make matters worse, each of these groups, which claim that an infallible interpreter is needed, contradict all of the other groups in their main teachings!”
- William Branham Rejected the Bible by Leaving The Message (Video)
- What Is Your Absolute? William Branham or Scripture? by Believe The Sign (Video)
The Gospel
-
What Is The Gospel & How Do We Obey It? by Jonah McElhaney (Article)
-
Justified by Faith, Alone by Divide the Word Blog (Article)
-
What is the Gospel? by Chelsea Kight (Article)
-
What Must I Do To Be Saved? by Divide the Word Blog (Article)
Salvation
“Branham changes the Biblical narrative such that it makes the role of Biblical prophets authoritative rather than supportive and creates dependencies on human leadership rather than divine.”
—John Collins in “Triumph Through Tribulation: William Branham’s Theology In And Out” pg. 37
Branham’s Claims
The Seven Church Ages
- The Seven Churches Ages by Believe The Sign (Article)
- The Theft of the Seven Church Ages by Believe The Sign (Video)
- Back to Basics — CHURCH AGES?? by Believe The Sign (Video)
- A Biblical View of the Church Ages, Episodes 48–49 on Off The Shelf (Apple Podcasts: Part 1|Part 2)
The Seven Seals
- Where did William Branham Get the Revelation of the Seven Seals? by Charles Paisley (Article)
- Seven Seals by Believe The Sign (Article)
- The Theft of the First Seal by Believe The Sign (Video)
- The Plagiarization of the Seven Seals – Episode 66 by William Branham Historical Research Podcast (Video)
The Cloud Ring
- The Cloud on Believe The Sign (Articles)
- The Cause of the Cloud by Believe The Sign (Article)
- The 1963 Arizona Cloud Parts 1–3 on Off The Shelf (Listen to Part 1 on Apple Podcasts)
- Back to Basics – Vindications, The Cloud by Believe The Sign (Video)
- The Road to Sunset Series by Christ The Solid Rock (Video, See Part One)
The Pillar of Fire/Houston Photograph
- The Houston Photograph by Believe The Sign (Article)
William Branham’s Angel
- The Angel of William Branham by Believe The Sign (Article)
- How An Angel Came To Me – Episode 12 by William Branham Historical Research Podcast (Video)
Was Branham the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5–6?
Celebrating Holidays
Videos
- Leaving The Message’s Christmas videos playlist
- Are Christmas Trees Pagan? with Bible teacher Mike Winger
- Inspiring Philosophy videos; Christmas is Not Pagan, or Easter is Not Pagan
Articles
- The Celebration of Christmas by Believe The Sign
- Is it Okay for Christians to Celebrate Christmas? published by Compelling Truth
- Should Christians celebrate Easter? and What are the Origins of Easter? both published by Got Questions
Podcasts
- Christmas in The Message on Off The Shelf
- Once Upon a Time, a Pagan Might’ve Done It, So I Never Can on the Moving Forward Talk Show (formerly Free And Clear)
- Debunking Pagan Holiday Myths and Is Easter Pagan? on Cultish
- Holidays and Celebration (and all the in-between) on Reclamation: a BeEmboldened Initiative
William’s Branham View Towards Women Vs. Jesus’
“William Branham taught that the woman was designed by Satan for filth, unclean living, and deception,” but Jesus valued women, and how He treated women was revolutionary compared to that of His culture at the time. Hearing stories from former Message women who’ve been moved to discover Jesus’ attitude towards women is reminiscient of how Muslim women are moved to learn that Jesus sees women with dignity and honor.
Articles
- Branham’s View of Women Vs. the Biblical View by The Casting Pearls Project
- Scripture Referring To The Role of Women by Believe The Sign
- Branham’s View Towards Women by William Branham Historical Research
- How Jesus Viewed and Valued Women by Crossway Articles
Social Media Posts
- May 13, 2021 by Berean Holiness
- September 12, 2022 by Berean Holiness
Books
- Jesus Through The Eyes of Women by Rebecca McLaughlin
- Part 5: Jesus and Women of Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey
Videos
- Seeing Jesus through the Eyes of Women with Rebecca McLaughlin
- How The Message Attempts to Control and Subjugate Women by Believe The Sign
- Pearls Before Swine: Women in William Branham’s Message Cult by Leaving the Message
History
Historical Overview
Books
- Preacher Behind the White Hoods: A Critical Examination of William Branham and His Message by John Andrew Collins
- Come Out Of Her My People: A History of The Message of William Branham (Vol. I: Days of the Voice 1930-1965) by Charles Paisley
- “[…] While many biographies of William Branham have been published, this is the first book on the history of The Message movement. Written by the former associate pastor of the second oldest Message church in the world, this book explores The Message community and the origins of its ideology…”
- The Healer-Prophet: William Marrion Branham: A Study of the Prophetic in American Pentecostalism by C. Douglas Weaver (sample free chapters at provided link)
Influence on Other Movements
The Latter Rain Movement
- What is the Latter Rain Movement? by Got Questions? (Article)
- William Branham by Apologetics Index (Article)
- William Branham & The Latter Rain on Cultish (Podcast)
- The Latter Rain Message by William Branham Historical Research (Video)
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
- William Branham: The Bad Root of the N.A.R. on Fighting For the Faith (Podcast)
- The NAR Hopes You Never See This! My Interview with Former Branham Cult Members by The Messed Up Church (Video)
- New Apostolic Reformation Origins: The William Branham Halo by Leaving The Message (Video)
Word of Faith Movement/Prosperity Gospel Preachers
Followers and Associates of Branham
Jim Jones/Jonestown
- The Intersection of William Branham and Jim Jones on Alternative Considerations of Jonestown & Peoples Temple (Article)
- Enemy in the Camp: The Inside Story Behind Jim Jones’ 1957 Prophecy of Death on Alternative Considerations of Jonestown & Peoples Temple (Article)
- The Message Connection of Jim Jones and William Branham on Alternative Considerations of Jonestown & Peoples Temple (Article)
- Part 6: William Branham & The Road to Jonestown on Cultish (Podcast)
Paulaseer Lawrie in India
- Paulaseer Lawrie: William Branham Message in India by William Branham Historical Research (Video)
- Christians and Missionaries in India edited by Robert Eric Frykenberg (Book; see Chapter 15: From Pentecostal Healing Evangelist to Kalki Avatar)
- William Branham and his False Christ by Discerning the World (Article)
Isaac Noriega/Golden Dawn Tabernacle
Abuse within The Message
Books
- The Serpent’s Tail: A Memoir Deborah Daulton Thibodeau
- Amazon.com: From Miracle To Murder: Justice For Adam Joyce Lefler
Websites
Podcasts
- Episodes 84–88 The Serpent’s Tail (Abuse in “The Park”) see Part 1 on Off The Shelf
Comprehensive Resources
For Cross-Examining The Message
- Believe the Sign (Website)
- William Branham Historical Research (Website)
- Searching For Vindication (Website)
- William Branham and His Message (Website)
- Field Guide: Overview of the Ministry of William Branham (Website)
- Leaving The Message (Videos)
- Believe the Sign (Videos)
- Off The Shelf (Podcast)
- William Branham Historical Research (Podcast)
For Healing/Moving Forward
- Morning Mercy (Website)
- The Casting Pearls Project (Website)
- Moving Forward Talk Show (Podcast)
- Leaving the Message: Articles about the Effect & Fears of Leaving the Message Archived on Morning Mercy (Articles)
- See pg. 55, “How can former members heal?” in Triumph Through Tribulation: William Branham’s Theology In and Out (Book)
- Recovering from The Message (Episode 41) on Off The Shelf (Podcast)
Other Resource Pages
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’“