The Jason DeMars Podcast
The Jason DeMars Podcast
ETMH SECTION 23 - Is William Branham A Cult Leader?
Could following a charismatic leader risk your spiritual well-being? Join us as we tackle the elusive and intriguing world of cults in this enlightening episode. We scrutinize the teachings and actions of Brother Branham under the lens of journalist Rick Ross's comprehensive definition of a cult. Through vivid personal anecdotes and historical accounts, we explore Branham's dedication to spiritual integrity and his firm stance against exploiting his followers for financial gain or personal power. We contrast his life and teachings with the disheartening reality of some leaders who have twisted his message for their own ends.
Our conversation doesn't stop at Brother Branham; we emphasize the paramount importance of discernment and critical thinking in the spiritual journey. By invoking the spirit of the Bereans from Acts 17:11, we urge you to scrutinize the scriptures and be vigilant in your spiritual walk. This episode serves as both a tribute to genuine spiritual leadership and a cautionary tale about the perils of blindly following self-proclaimed message preachers. Equip yourself with wisdom and integrity as we dissect the delicate balance between faith and discernment in today's religious landscape.
End Time Message Handbook, section 23. What is a cult? Is the message movement one? This is the way journalist Rick Ross describes a cult. A typical cult has a charismatic, unaccountable leader, persuades by coercion and exploits its members economically, sexually or in some other way. I think this is a very accurate way of describing a cult in modern terms. Brother Branham is described online by his detractors as a cult leader.
Speaker 1:I want to illustrate how Brother Branham conducted himself. He was well-known and well respected in his community in Jeffersonville, indiana. When his gift became known, he was invited to preach in churches all around the United States, canada and then the world. He could have become extremely rich, but frequently refused large donations and never attempted to build a big foundation or sought to raise large sums of money. He always refused to meet privately with women. He would bring his wife or others along to protect against impropriety. There are no stories or testimonies of people being abused sexually, economically or emotionally by Brother Branham. He did not use mind control or coercion. He was firmly against that.
Speaker 1:Brother Branham said you know, I heard someone was in a meeting here some time ago. Someone said just let your mind go blank. Now Just look right straight up. Someone said just let your mind go blank now. Just look right straight up towards the skies. Let your mind go blank. You'll get an experience, and no doubt. But what you do, that's right. But you get an experience, but what an experience. You see, when you do that, you just open your soul to Satan. He'll give you something, that's true. But I think a person coming to Christ should come with all the intelligence they got and quoting in their mind, when they come to him, every promise in the scripture. Keep your mind alert when you come to Christ. Don't let it go blank. The devil will make you do anything. See, they'll give you a sensation. You can do that too. But you want an experience, something that the Bible teaches, something that's real.
Speaker 1:This is not the approach of a cult leader. He didn't exploit people for money, for sexual deviancy or for power. Brother Branham says Not for one moment do I bring a message to the people that they may follow me or join my church or start some fellowship and organization. I have never done that and will not do that now. I have no interest in those things, but I do have an interest in the things of God and people, and if I can accomplish just one thing. I will be satisfied. That one thing is to see established a true spiritual relationship between God and men, wherein men become new creations in Christ, amen. Brother Branham had a church, but he wasn't even the pastor of it because he was so frequently traveling. But you could not find anywhere that he encouraged people to move to follow him or join his church.
Speaker 1:However, throughout the history of the message spreading around the world, there have been men who rise up and lead churches that are indeed cult leaders. People have been abused sexually, emotionally and economically. Lives have been destroyed. Hearts have been abused sexually, emotionally and economically. Lives have been destroyed, hearts have been broken and people's finances have been wrecked because of lying, abusive Nicolaitan pastors. The stories would fill books about pastors that have refused to follow the Scriptures and used and abused quotes from Brother Branham.
Speaker 1:Just because someone claims to be a message preacher does not mean you should trust him. As with even the messenger himself, you must search the scriptures daily to see whether these things be so. We must be like those Bereans who were more noble than the Jews in Thessalonica, acts 17.11. Now, these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica. They received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were. So Be very careful whom you choose as your pastor, and also be sure to pray for discernment, search the scriptures and the message, and don't close your eyes to corruption. This doesn't mean you need to be a paranoid conspiracy theorist, but keep your eyes and heart open.
Speaker 1:Too often, people who are victims of these cult pastors are guilty of overlooking their own conscience and overriding their own intelligence because of the religious deception that is being used. Please know that God loves you, wants to lead you personally and speak to your heart. Also, it isn't just the pastor that hears from God. Every believer is to be led by the Spirit of God and the Word of God. These cult pastors often create a great dependence upon them. They require members to ask for permission to make any life choices go on vacation, go to special meetings, buy a car or home, etc. They will sometimes keep track of your finances and confront you over not giving your tithe or offering. They will preach hard against and seek to publicly humiliate anyone that questions them in any way. They will say that you have no right to your opinion because the prophet said thus and thus. But what they are actually saying is their own private interpretation of what the prophet said. It is not what the prophet himself said.
Speaker 1:These men are narcissists and sociopaths. They view everyone in terms of whether they are their enemies or their tools to destroy their enemies. They are outwardly charming but are secretly cunning, manipulative and domineering. They are often pathological liars and lack any kind of conscience, but in their lying they will cunningly seek to make you feel crazy for thinking that they are dishonest. They will literally work to disorient you and cause you to question reality. Do not be deceived and do not submit yourselves to this kind of behavior from spiritual leaders. No matter how much your family is entangled in a church with a pastor like this, you need to remove yourself and find a godly minister that would be willing to counsel you in a church that is healthy and leading people to spiritual growth.