John and Adam discuss the hidden roots of modern revival movements through the lens of Adam's personal journey. Adam shares his early involvement with Metro Christian Fellowship, a church tied to the Kansas City movement, and how its teachings and leadership structures set the foundation for later organizations like IHOPKC. As he traces his steps from Metro to All Nations and into international missions, he reflects on the theological and cultural elements that shaped his worldview—and how those same elements were used to control and harm.

The conversation gradually deepens into Adam's raw experience of emotional and spiritual hardship while serving in Africa. He recounts being under the authority of a charismatic yet authoritarian leader, facing manipulation and mistreatment. The story explores the global reach of revival culture, the lack of institutional accountability, and the emotional toll of enduring harmful leadership structures. Adam reflects on the long-lasting effects and the difficult road to healing, while John adds insight into similar patterns across revival-driven ministries.

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Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

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John and Bob dive deep into the growing entanglement between modern religious leadership and the culture of entertainment. They begin by exploring how charismatic figures use divine authority as a tool to justify behavior that contradicts traditional Christian teachings. Drawing from their personal experiences and research, they trace how religious performance evolved into spectacle—shaped by branding, narcissism, and a demand for attention. They also discuss how market-driven ministry, rooted in the postwar influence of fundamentalism and cultural narcissism, turned church leadership into celebrity and ministry into a monetized brand.

As the conversation unfolds, they highlight how entertainment values overtook sacrificial service within spiritual life. The duo critiques the technological evolution from print to screen and the psychological manipulation baked into digital media and megachurch marketing. Bob reflects on church scandals, the illusion of prophetic authority, and the use of staged drama to maintain crowds and income. John exposes the shifting narratives behind so-called prophecies and how modern religious media outlets repackage failed predictions for popular appeal. They close with an indictment of modern prophetic performance, where spectacle has replaced repentance, and entertainment has replaced humility.

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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

______________________

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John and Charles open with a discussion on the controversial nature of fringe sects that broke off from William Branham's teachings, defending their decision to highlight them by pointing to the consistent pattern of extremism born from the main sect. They argue that the "main sect" of the movement is directly responsible for the rise of extremist figures and practices, even as it publicly disassociates from them. The episode takes a deeper look at how these splinter groups emerged, tracing their roots back to failures in leadership and accountability within the central institutions of Branhamism. John recounts his own upbringing in the main sect, sharing personal stories about the culture of tape churches, where Branham's recordings replaced live preaching, often leaving congregants spiritually neglected.

Charles walks listeners through the organizational evolution of the main sect, especially in the decades following Branham's death. He outlines the central institutions—William Branham Evangelistic Association, Branham Tabernacle, Voice of God Recordings, and Spoken Word Publications—arguing they were controlled by a faction known as the "Deity cult," a group that worshipped Branham as God. Billy Paul Branham's role as a behind-the-scenes power broker is explored in depth, along with his leadership style and the subsequent transition to his successor, "Prophet Junior." The hosts assert that the main sect's failure to confront misconduct, combined with the cultic reverence for Branham's words, created fertile ground for abuse and manipulation.

______________________

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

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John and Chino examine the contradiction between Hobart Freeman's radical teachings on divine healing and the reality of his untreated foot injury. Although Freeman claimed healing by faith and told others to throw away their medical aids, he secretly wore an orthopedic shoe for a leg damaged by polio. When his shoe supplier closed, he wore an ill-fitting substitute that caused an ulcer, which ultimately led to his death. The episode exposes how Freeman's public teachings were at odds with his private actions and how this dissonance was hidden from his followers through visions, dreams, and declarations of healing.

They also explore the psychological and spiritual toll of living under rigid legalism and "faith formulas." By dissecting Freeman's messages and theology, John and Chino show how misplaced faith can become harmful when believers are told to deny reality in the name of belief. They introduce the concept of cognitive dissonance as a way to explain why followers defend ideas that consistently fail them, and how entire communities can police themselves to maintain the illusion. The result is a sobering reflection on the cost of loyalty to broken systems and a call for honesty, reason, and integrity.

______________________

Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K

______________________

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John and Jed explore Lance Boelter's background, his education at Christ for the Nations Institute, and his involvement in the broader network known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Drawing on personal experiences and insider perspectives, they examine how leadership structures, spiritual rhetoric, and ideological frameworks shaped his worldview.

As the conversation unfolds, Jed shares deeply personal insights—including his family's experience at a mission commune linked to early Kansas City Fellowship leadership. The hosts reflect on how some modern religious movements blur the lines between spiritual and political spheres. Their discussion highlights the challenges of accountability within loosely affiliated networks and raises important questions about the influence of charged language and unchecked authority.

______________________

Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K

______________________

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John invites Cora Eppinga to share her story about growing up as the granddaughter of Jock Troup, the preacher behind the Fisherman's Revival. Their discussion opens with her family's deep ties to revivalist movements in Scotland and later America, detailing how spiritual fervor intertwined with fear-based theology and strict religious rules. As Cora reflects on her grandfather's ministry, she reveals how early exposure to doomsday messaging, harsh religious discipline, and emotionally charged conversion experiences shaped her mother's childhood—and ultimately her own. Her family's commitment to religious performance masked a darker emotional toll, leaving Cora to wrestle with contradictions between outward faith and private suffering.

As their conversation deepens, Cora describes her own upbringing marked by fear, spiritual pressure, and personal trauma under a stepfather who presented himself as a preacher. Despite this, she maintained a quiet, personal belief in God, even as she endured years of instability and abuse. Eventually, she entered adulthood struggling with addiction, spiritual disillusionment, and rejection from religious circles. Her journey through various charismatic and Word of Faith ministries led to more questions than answers. In time, she began critically investigating the teachings she had grown up with, leading her to a simple and personal understanding of the gospel that was free from manipulation and fear.

______________________

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

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John Collins and John McKinnon discuss the origins and unraveling of one of the most significant stories in Branhamism: the 1963 mystery cloud. They explore how the image of a circular cloud featured in Life magazine became a central symbol for followers who viewed it as divine validation of Branham's teachings. Drawing from eyewitness testimony, military records, and Branham's own evolving accounts, they unpack the inconsistencies and mythology built around this event.

The discussion moves through the buildup of the cloud's legend, the role of photo manipulation and misinformation, and the logical contradictions in Branham's sermons. As John recounts his personal journey from believer to skeptic, he reveals how the doctrine surrounding the cloud was used to shape a theology of exclusivity and end-time revelation. Together, they highlight the importance of critical thinking and the consequences of accepting unverifiable claims as divine truth.

______________________

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

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John and Charles discuss the growth and global spread of William Branham’s message following his death, focusing on lesser-known sects that played pivotal roles in disseminating his teachings. They begin by tracing the message’s expansion in Brazil, led by American missionary Archie Martin and later dominated by Joaquim Gonçalves Silva, a figure who not only expanded the movement through a radio network but also became embroiled in legal and moral controversy. The segment raises questions about Silva’s potential political influence and parallels to other authoritarian religious figures involved in clandestine activity, drawing attention to possible connections with Cold War intelligence operations in South America.

As the conversation continues, they turn their attention to the message’s development in Africa, highlighting how Sidney Jackson, Ewald Frank, and others helped establish the groundwork that later fragmented into powerful independent sects. Robert Gumbura, a controversial leader in Zimbabwe, is examined in detail, particularly his orchestration of a failed coup from prison and his conviction on sexual misconduct charges. The episode concludes by examining fringe figures like David Terrell and Neil Frisbee, evangelists who claimed Branham’s mantle without direct lineage, yet introduced core teachings into broader Charismatic networks. Frisbee’s construction of a pyramid-shaped church and televangelism outreach are cited as influential in the early rise of Charismatic expressions, including the roots of what would become the New Apostolic Reformation. 

______________________

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 discuss the long-running charismatic healing ritual known as leg lengthening, using the life of Hobart Freeman as a case study in contradiction. Despite Freeman’s teachings that God could lengthen limbs through faith, he lived with a visibly shortened leg from childhood polio and wore orthopedic shoes throughout his life. The hosts explore the irony and inconsistency of his ministry, sharing personal stories, scriptural comparisons, and insights into the psychological manipulation often used in faith healing services. The discussion spans both personal experience and public spectacle, unpacking the difference between genuine belief and deceptive theatrics.

They examine the roots of these practices in the Latter Rain and Charismatic movements, comparing them to biblical healing accounts and exposing common tricks used by ministers to manufacture the illusion of miracles. Legends, stagecraft, and emotionally charged testimonies are critically analyzed alongside humorous and tragic anecdotes. By highlighting Freeman’s unhealed leg, the hosts invite listeners to consider how such movements have relied on emotionalism, peer pressure, and spiritual fear rather than transparent truth. In closing, they encourage critical thinking and a return to authentic biblical discernment.

______________________

Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K

Chino's YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@chinodross

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John and Jed explore the growing intersection of politics and faith, specifically focusing on the influence of the New Apostolic Reformation and key figures like Sean Feucht. With candid personal commentary and historical insight, they reflect on how revival language, nonprofit tax loopholes, and spiritualized political rhetoric have been strategically used to galvanize religious communities. The discussion includes parallels to William Branham, the role of Christian identity theology, and disturbing trends in public manipulation by modern religious movements.

As the dialogue deepens, Jed shares firsthand experiences from Los Angeles during recent political unrest, emphasizing the human cost of spiritualized nationalism. They examine how faith-based communities have been mobilized around emotionally charged narratives, often without awareness of the historical or ideological roots. Throughout the discussion, both hosts encourage critical thinking, empathy, and the need to disentangle faith from manipulation, offering a thought-provoking and at times unsettling look at the current religious and political landscape.