Jump to content

A Biographer Answers Critics of William Branham: Difference between revisions

A Biographer Answers Critics of William Branham (view source)

Revision as of 18:23, 1 February 2014

684 bytes added ,  10 years ago
no edit summary
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
Recently, Owen Jorgensen, the author of ''[[Supernatural: The Life of William Branham]]'' wrote a response to those who criticize William Branham's ministry.  This is our response to his letter (his letter is below).
Recently, Owen Jorgensen, the author of ''[[Supernatural: The Life of William Branham]]'' wrote a response to those who criticize William Branham's ministry.  This is our response to his letter (his letter is below).


=Response to Owen Jorgensen=
=An Open Letter to Owen Jorgensen=


Your note below is circulating on the internet so I thought I should direct some comments directly your way before I make any public statements (not sure if I will or not as my son, Jeremy, has posted some things online).
We agree with your Brian Tracy quote:


I agree with your Brian Tracy quote but I have a significant concern that you have not applied it at all in your books on William Branham.
:''Your beliefs act as a set of filters that screen out information that is inconsistent with them. You do not necessarily believe what you see, but rather you see what you already believe.  You reject information that contradicts what you have already decided to believe, whether or not your beliefs, your prejudices, are based on fact or fantasy.
 
But we have a significant concern that you have not applied it in your books on William Branham. You [[The Message#William Branham's message = the Bible|believe that William Branham's word is on par with the Bible]] so you have simply parroted his words in your books.  '''There is no independent analysis of his life or ministry.'''


God knew that His people would have trouble identifying true and false prophets so the Bible contains some very clear identifications of a true prophet.  When a prophet speaks, people do not know whether the prophet is lying (speaking out of his own imagination) or if the prophet has actually received a dream or a vision from God. God told Israel to listen to everyone who claims to have received a vision from Him because such persons must either be exonerated or destroyed!
God knew that His people would have trouble identifying true and false prophets so the Bible contains some very clear identifications of a true prophet.  When a prophet speaks, people do not know whether the prophet is lying (speaking out of his own imagination) or if the prophet has actually received a dream or a vision from God. God told Israel to listen to everyone who claims to have received a vision from Him because such persons must either be exonerated or destroyed!
==Performing Miracles Proves NOTHING!==


The problem with your summary (theory #7) is that it contains a significant flaw - performing miracles proves NOTHING!
The problem with your summary (theory #7) is that it contains a significant flaw - performing miracles proves NOTHING!
Line 13: Line 17:
Jesus said in Matthew 24:24-25 that false prophets can perform great signs and miracles, so we know that displays or manifestations of supernatural power do not necessarily mean that God has sent a prophet. In fact, the book of Revelation reveals that a time is coming when the devil himself will call fire down out of the sky to prove that he is God, and this overwhelming miracle will deceive most of the inhabitants of Earth.  
Jesus said in Matthew 24:24-25 that false prophets can perform great signs and miracles, so we know that displays or manifestations of supernatural power do not necessarily mean that God has sent a prophet. In fact, the book of Revelation reveals that a time is coming when the devil himself will call fire down out of the sky to prove that he is God, and this overwhelming miracle will deceive most of the inhabitants of Earth.  


“And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beat, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth…” (Revelation 13:13,14)
:''And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beat, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth…<ref>Revelation 13:13,14</ref>


So, while your theory sounds good, the ability to perform miracles does not prove that a prophet is sent from God.  Sadly, it is just that... a theory.  We don't need theories, we need clear answers that are based on the Bible.
So, while your theory sounds good, the ability to perform miracles does not prove that a prophet is sent from God.  Sadly, it is just that... a theory.  We don't need theories, we need clear answers that are based on the Bible.


Another flaw is that having one or more gifts of the Spirit does not make one a prophet.  Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 12 that the Holy Spirit bestowed spiritual gifts on the early church.  Even if you insist that William Branham exercised several of these spiritual gifts, this does not cause his words to be on par with the Bible (and while you might deny that you believe that, I can prove to you that virtually everyone in the message puts the message on equal standing with the Bible).
==Having the Gifts of the Spirit does not make someone a prophet==
 
Another flaw is that having one or more gifts of the Spirit does not make one a prophet.  Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 12 that the Holy Spirit bestowed spiritual gifts on the early church.  Even if you insist that William Branham exercised several of these spiritual gifts, this does not cause his words to be on par with the Bible (and while you might deny that you believe that, we can prove to you that virtually everyone in the message puts the message on equal standing with the Bible).
 
==The REAL Biblical Test==


A true Prophet must be 100% accurate. There is absolutely no margin for error.  A true Prophet of God must accurately predicts things that do come to pass.
A true Prophet must be 100% accurate. There is absolutely no margin for error.  A true Prophet of God must accurately predicts things that do come to pass.


Let’s look at seven consecutive mistakes William Branham made in a recorded prophecy given onNovember 13, 1960:
===Seven obvious errors===
 
Let’s look at seven consecutive mistakes William Branham made in a recorded prophecy given on November 13, 1960:


1) Roosevelt will cause the whole world to go to war. (Incorrect. This explanation for the start of WW2 ignores Hitler and Pearl Harbour.)
1) Roosevelt will cause the whole world to go to war. (Incorrect. This explanation for the start of WW2 ignores Hitler and Pearl Harbour.)
Line 37: Line 47:
7) “Then I seen the United States as one smoldering, burnt-over place… That's what the Lord showed, but I predict this will take place before 1977.” (Incorrect. This did not happen)
7) “Then I seen the United States as one smoldering, burnt-over place… That's what the Lord showed, but I predict this will take place before 1977.” (Incorrect. This did not happen)


During the above statements, William Branham said, “Now, you see why I'm hammering the way I do. I got,THUS SAITH THE LORD.” This is very, very surprising, especially because William Branham also said “You can go to my hometown and find it one time, in all the times that It's ever told anything, that didn't come to pass just exactly the way It said. Now, you pin a sign on my back as a false prophet.” Those are his words, not mine.Test his prophecies. If they fail, he is a false prophet who did not have Thus Saith The Lord.  
During the above statements, William Branham said, “''Now, you see why I'm hammering the way I do. I got, THUS SAITH THE LORD.''” This is very, very surprising, especially because William Branham also said “''You can go to my hometown and find it one time, in all the times that It's ever told anything, that didn't come to pass just exactly the way It said. Now, you pin a sign on my back as a false prophet.''” Those are his words, not mine. '''Test his prophecies.''' If they fail, he is a false prophet who did not have Thus Saith The Lord.  
 
===Hundreds of problems===
 
It is astounding that in our few years of research, we have turned up [[Condensed List of Issues with the Message|well over a hundred problems with William Branham and his message which you can read by clicking here]].  Yet '''you mention not a single one!  How are we to consider your work credible?'''


It is astounding that in our few years of research, we have turned up well over a hundred problems with William Branham and his message which you can find here - http://en.believethesign.com/index.php/Condensed_List_of_Issues_with_the_Message - yet you mention not a single one!  How am I to consider your work credible?
Your books avoid answering how William Branham could prophecy things that did not come to pass. For example, in Book 1 of the Supernatural series, you retell the prophecy of 16 men falling off a bridge over the Ohio river - yet the fulfillment of this vision is missing from every book in the series. Why?  
Your books avoid answering how William Branham could prophecy things that did not come to pass. For example, in Book 1 of the Supernatural series, you retell the prophecy of 16 men falling off a bridge over the Ohio river - yet the fulfillment of this vision is missing from every book in the series. Why?  


Even George Smith admitted to me that 16 men did not die in the construction of the municipal bridge.  
Even members of William Branham's family have admitted to us that 16 men did not die in the construction of the municipal bridge.  
 
==No independent research==


The problem is that your "research" consisted primarily of re-writing William Branham's own stories. It did not consist of looking for evidence like you can find at www.searchingforvindication.com.  
The problem is that your "research" consisted primarily of re-writing William Branham's own stories. It did not consist of looking for evidence like you can find at www.searchingforvindication.com.  
Line 48: Line 63:
Your book only includes 2 evening meetings in India when there were actually 3 (there were no healings the second night, only prayers...based on eyewitness reports).  Your approach also explains why you have William Branham meeting the Egyptian King Farouk in Egypt a year after the king was exiled from the country due to a military coup.  How can that be?
Your book only includes 2 evening meetings in India when there were actually 3 (there were no healings the second night, only prayers...based on eyewitness reports).  Your approach also explains why you have William Branham meeting the Egyptian King Farouk in Egypt a year after the king was exiled from the country due to a military coup.  How can that be?


So if William Branham exaggerated (which he admits) or got his facts wrong, then your books are historical fiction.  
So if William Branham exaggerated (which he admits) or got his facts wrong, then '''your books are historical fiction'''.  


That's really sad, given your 25 years of sacrificial time to write the books.
That's really sad, given your 25 years of sacrificial time to write the books.


Owen, when all is said and done, I am confronted with Deuteronomy 18:20-22 and cannot get past it:
Owen, when all is said and done, we are confronted with Deuteronomy 18:20-22 and we cannot get past it:


But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’ — when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.
:''But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’ — when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.


I am in love with Jesus Christ and cannot abide the message being on par with the Bible.  "Let God be true, and every man a liar." (Romans 3:4).
We are in love with Jesus Christ and cannot agree with those in the message that William Branham's words are on par with the Bible.  "''Let God be true, and every man a liar.'' (Romans 3:4).


William Branham was simply a famous preacher that died almost 50 years ago.
William Branham was simply a famous preacher that died almost 50 years ago.


=Owen Jorgensen's letter=  
=Owen Jorgensen's letter=  
Line 69: Line 82:


Brian Tracy, a famous motivational speaker, says of human nature: “Your beliefs act as a set of filters that screen out information that is inconsistent with them. You do not necessarily believe what you see, but rather you see what you already believe. You reject information that contradicts what you have already decided to believe, whether or not your beliefs, your prejudices, are based on fact or fantasy.”
Brian Tracy, a famous motivational speaker, says of human nature: “Your beliefs act as a set of filters that screen out information that is inconsistent with them. You do not necessarily believe what you see, but rather you see what you already believe. You reject information that contradicts what you have already decided to believe, whether or not your beliefs, your prejudices, are based on fact or fantasy.”
I agree. It takes effort to be honest and objective. The easy path for people is to filter out any facts that contradict their theories and then they will always feel they are right.  I think this is one reason people reject the Message of the Hour.
I agree. It takes effort to be honest and objective. The easy path for people is to filter out any facts that contradict their theories and then they will always feel they are right.  I think this is one reason people reject the Message of the Hour.


Retrieved from "http:///index.php?title=Special:MobileDiff/16934"