Portal:Controversies
William Branham, his message and the followers of his message are not without controversy.
The following is not an inclusive list and, if there is something that you feel should be dealt with on this page or information that will bring greater accuracy or clarity to this information, please contact us.
External Controversies
The Hagin Prophecy
Did Kenneth Hagin and Anna Schrader predict William Branham’s death in 1964? This question is addressed in the article on the Hagin Prophecy.
Controversies Relating Directly to William Branham
Visions that were Unfulfilled, Incorrect or Changed Over Time
- The Municipal Bridge Vision
- The Vision of the Meetings in South Africa
- The Brown Bear
- The 1933 Prophecies
- The Marilyn Monroe vision
- The Tent Vision
Cause of the Return Ministry Sect?
And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (Dt 18:21–22)
He said here was the test of a prophet: if a prophet prophesied, and that what he said come to pass, then hear him. But if it don't come to pass, then God hasn't spoke. That's all. So don't--don't fear him. That's right. "If there be one among you who's spiritual or a prophet, I, the Lord God, will make myself known unto him in visions, speak to him in dreams. And if it comes to pass, then I--that's Me speaking." Sure, God ain't going to lie. You know He can't lie there's nothing in Him to lie. He's the Fountain of all purity, all truth, is God. So it can't be a lie come from God. He's perfect, pure. (The Signs of His Coming, April 7 1962)
If there were prophecies or visions which William Branham told that did not come to pass, what is the effect? How many false visions or prophecies is a prophet allowed?
Some followers of William Branham's message admit that there are visions that were left unfulfilled at the time of his death. However, that are not prepared to admit that William Branham was not a true prophet. Their method of dealing with the unfulfilled visions is to hold to a doctrine that William Branham will return from the dead prior to the rapture to fulfill all of the visions that remain unfulfilled. Of course, there is no scriptural basis for this and demonstrates the true power of cognitive dissonance in message believers. They are prepared to ignore the clear instructions in Deuteronomy 22:18 because of their firm belief that William Branham was a true prophet.
Doctrinal Controversies/Questions
Doctrinal issues directly relating to William Branham's teachings are detailed on our page - Doctrinal Issues
Controversies Relating to Followers of the Message
The Doctrine of Progressive Revelation
What is the doctrine of Progressive Revelation? Is it supportable from scripture?
Sects within the Message
The followers of the message of William Branham are not a united group. There are varying interpretations which have formed into sub-sects or denominations within the message. These subgroups have little or nothing to do with anyone in other message subgroups. The underlying theme of most of these subgroups is very similar to that of the message itself - if you do not believe the "special revelation" that the specific subgroup holds, then you are not part of the "true bride" and you will not be part of the rapture. Those outside of a subgroup are viewed by the members of that subgroup as "foolish virgins" or "pentecostals", a derogatory term used by those in the message.
- Return Ministry - Believing that William Branham will return to fulfill those visions that remained unfulfilled at his death
- Josephism - Believing that Joseph Branham is a prophet carrying on the works of his father.
- Diety - Believing that William Branham was God in flesh.
- The Seven Thunders - followers of Joseph Coleman
- Vaylism - followers of Lee Vayle, some of these have gone of on a separate tangent, such as the followers of Terry Sproule in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (who originally were followers of Lee Vayle).