Resources

Content

• What Is The Message/Branhamism?
• Personal Stories
• Cross-Examining Branham’s Teachings
• History
• Abuse Within The Message
• Comprehensive Resources

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 published 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)? and Who was William Branham? on Ready to Harvest (Video)
• Centers For Apologetics Research Video’s “Understanding and Answering William Branham” 4 part series (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”
  1. “I started to wonder why is it that nothing outside of ‘the message of the hour’ points you to ‘the message of the hour?'”
  2. Lack of teachability in ‘Message’ churches
  3. “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

• William Branham Historical Research
• Cultish Episode 261 and Episodes 133-138

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

• Seeking Truth Together
• The Noble Bereans
• Only Believe The Bible

Websites

• William Branham Historical Research
• Searching For Vindication

“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) (Article)
• Interpreting the Bible (Article)
• Tips for Studying the Bible (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

• Why We Must Reject The Message by Believe The Sign (Article)
• What is the Propitiatory Sacrifice of Jesus? (Article)
  • “Propitiation refers to the turning away of the wrath of God as the just judgment of our sin by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.” – Propitiation: An Essay by Ligon Duncan
• What Does the “Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness to All Believers” mean? (Article)
  • “The doctrine of imputation teaches that in the doctrine of justification, God imputes or accredits the righteousness and suffering of Jesus to those who are in him and, conversely, imputes the sins of those redeemed to Christ.” –The Doctrine of Imputation:An Essay by J.V. Fesko
• What is Justification? How Are We Justified By Faith? (Article)

“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)
• Episodes 48-49 on Off The Shelf (Podcast) “A Biblical View of the Church Ages,” Part 1 and 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 article series on Believe The Sign
• The Cause of the Cloud by Believe The Sign (Article)
• Episodes 13-15 on Off The Shelf (Podcast) The 1963 Arizona Cloud Parts 1-3 (Listen to Part 1)
• Back to Basics – Vindications, The Cloud by Believe The Sign (Video)
• The Road to Sunset Series by Christ The Solid Rock, see Part One (Video)

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?

• Malachi 4:5 on Believe The Sign (Article)
• Gentile Elijah by The Bitter Belly (Article)
• Acts 3:21 on Believe The Sign (Article)
• Malachi 4 on the “Back To Basics” Series by Believe The Sign (Video)
• Malachi 4:5, In Context by Joshua Keith (Video)

Branham’s Plagiarism

• Ripped-off Revelation? series by Believe The Sign (Video)
• Plagiarism series by Believe The Sign (Article)

Miscellaneous Teachings

Progressive Revelation Doctrine

• Progressive Revelation (Article)
• What Progressive Revelation Is, and What It Isn’t (Video)

Serpent Seed Doctrine

• Apple Seed or Serpent Seed? on the Moving Forward Podcast (formerly The Free And Clear Show)
• What is the Serpent Seed Doctrine on Got Questions? (Article)
• The Serpent’s Seed on Believe The Sign (Article)

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
  • “Jesus’s treatment of women was revolutionary […] this book gives readers a unique lens to see Jesus as these women did and marvel at how he loved them in return.”
• 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

• Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaf (Book)
• Counterfeit Revival by Hank Hanegraaf (Book)
• Todd Bentley – When The Angel Came by Mike Oppenheimer of Let Us Reason Ministries (Article)
• Word-Faith Movement Profile by Watchmen Fellowship (Article)

Followers and Associates of Branham 

Jim Jones/Jonestown

• The Intersection of William Branham and Jim Jones – Alternative Considerations of Jonestown & Peoples Temple (Article)
• Enemy in the Camp: The Inside Story Behind Jim Jones’ 1957 Prophecy of Death – Alternative Considerations of Jonestown & Peoples Temple (Article)
• The Message Connection of Jim Jones and William Branham – 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)
• Chapter 15: From Pentecostal Healing Evangelist to Kalki Avatar of “Christians and Missionaries in India” edited by Robert Eric Frykenberg (Book)
• William Branham and his False Christ by Discerning the World (Article)

Isaac Noriega/Golden Dawn Tabernacle

• Golden Dawn versus Similar Communities, and Why Focus On Isaac Noriega? by Believe The Sign (Video)
• What is Golden Dawn? (Article)
• Origins of Golden Dawn (Article)

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

• The Casting Pearls Project

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” archive 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

• Resources – The Gospel Church
• The Casting Pearls Project
• Believe The Sign