William Branham Historical Research Podcast

John invites Menno to share his story of spending roughly four decades in churches and ministries he later came to associate with the New Apostolic Reformation. Menno traces his journey from the Netherlands to the United States and explains how researching leaders, churches, ministries, and overlapping networks led him to create NAR Connections. Their discussion explores the Toronto Blessing, shepherding, Word of Faith, church-growth structures, apostolic and prophetic networks, and the gradual blurring of denominational boundaries.

John and Menno also discuss the NAR as an interconnected ecosystem rather than a single denomination, comparing modern networks with earlier religious movements and organizational structures. They examine how megachurches, ministry networks, business connections, entertainment, theology, and other institutions can overlap, while Menno explains the purpose of his research, his upcoming NAR Connections book, and what he believes people should consider when discovering similar influences in their own churches.

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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 Jenny examine YWAM's University of Nations and the questions surrounding its unaccredited programs, student experience, school costs, teaching qualifications, and the pathway from Discipleship Training School into further education. Jenny describes how the system was presented during her years in YWAM, including the culture of continuing into additional schools, staffing programs, and pursuing University of Nations degrees.

They also discuss accreditation, academic freedom, the Seven Mountains or Seven Spheres framework, the qualifications of instructors, and what happens when students later pursue education or employment outside YWAM. Jenny reflects on both the community experiences she valued and the limitations she believes students should understand before investing years and significant amounts of money in the system. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="1"}

______________________
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 examine William Branham's use of Matthew 3:17 and Colossians 2:9, focusing on his repeated phrasing, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am pleased to dwell in." They compare that wording with the passages themselves and discuss why adding "to dwell in" changes the meaning of the baptismal declaration, affects the doctrine of Christ, and shifts interpretive authority from the biblical text to the teacher.

They also trace how this teaching connects in Branham's sermons to adoption, manifest sons of God, divine embodiment, spiritual authority, and later ideas associated with Word of Faith and the New Apostolic Reformation. The discussion explores the difference between God indwelling believers and claims that elevate human ministers or believers toward divine status, while emphasizing the importance of keeping distinct passages and their meanings intact.

______________________
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 examine the "manifestation of the sons of God" teaching built around Romans 8 and trace how the idea developed through Latter Rain, William Branham, Hobart Freeman, George Warnock, and later charismatic movements. They compare the language of Romans 8 with interpretations that turned the passage into an expectation of a special end-times ministry of matured sons.

They also discuss the distinction some teachers made between "children" and "sons" of God, the use of Greek terminology, divine healing teachings, the Feast of Tabernacles interpretation, and the way successive layers of doctrine were connected with authority, hierarchy, and dominion. The discussion emphasizes reading biblical passages in context and recognizing when later interpretations add concepts not stated in the text.

______________________
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 examines Hebrews 13:17 and the history behind the familiar command to "obey them that have the rule over you." Beginning with the Greek wording behind "obey," he compares the passage with early Christian leadership structures and explains why the modern image of a single pastor ruling a congregation does not neatly match the earliest Christian communities.

John then traces the development of Christian authority through Ignatius, Irenaeus, the Reformation, William Branham, the Shepherding Movement, and the New Apostolic Reformation. The central question is not whether all church authority is wrong, but how Christians came to organize authority, why those structures repeatedly developed, and what can happen when Hebrews 13:17 is used to demand unquestioning submission.

______________________
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