Defending the Truth: William Branham's Doctrine Compared with Scripture
After more than thirty years as a devoted follower, defender, and minister within the teachings of William Branham, John McKinnon came to believe that many of Branham’s central doctrines could not be supported by Scripture. In Defending the Truth, he carefully examines key Message teachings—including the identity of Jesus Christ, salvation, baptism, the Holy Spirit, church-age prophets, Malachi 4, signs and wonders, election, and Branham’s prophetic claims—by comparing Branham’s own recorded teachings with the Bible in context. Written from the perspective of a former believer, the book is not a criticism of sincere followers but a documented appeal to place ultimate trust in Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture rather than any human prophet, encouraging readers to test all doctrines by God’s Word.
For more than thirty years, John McKinnon devoted himself to the teachings of William Branham and the movement known as "The Message." Convinced that Branham's supernatural ministry validated his teachings, he defended the Message, witnessed to others about it, and eventually became a minister within its ranks.
But years of careful Bible study led him to a difficult conclusion: many of William Branham's core doctrines could not be reconciled with Scripture.
In Defending the Truth, McKinnon takes readers on a thorough, Scripture-based examination of some of the most influential teachings promoted within the Branham movement. Drawing directly from Branham's recorded sermons, books, and doctrinal statements, he compares those teachings with the biblical text in their context and challenges readers to test every claim by the Word of God.
Topics include:
• The identity of Jesus Christ
• Salvation and the new birth
• Water baptism
• The baptism and filling of the Holy Spirit
• The doctrine of church-age prophets
• Malachi 4 and end-time prophecy
• Signs, wonders, and spiritual deception
• The Angel of the Lord
• William Branham's teaching on the Bride, adoption, and election
• The danger of following a prophet above Scripture
Written with the heart of a former believer, this book is not an attack on sincere Christians but an appeal to place confidence in Jesus Christ and the authority of Scripture alone. Whether you are a current Message believer, a former follower, a pastor, or a Christian seeking answers about William Branham's teachings, Defending the Truth provides a carefully documented examination of doctrine and a call to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Truth does not fear examination. Scripture invites it.