Off The Shelf

On September 12, 2020, the first-ever English language debate was held between a message pastor (Jesse Smith of Akron, OH) and an ex-message Christian (Rod Bergen from the Off The Shelf podcast and the BelieveTheSign website). The discussion was moderated by C. Jay Cox and Tim Kraus. The agreed question for discussion: William Branham is … Continue reading "Episode 67 – The 2020 Debate...

This is the conclusion of the interview with Eleisha Moreno, a former follower of Joseph Coleman, who initiated the Seven Thunders Inspiration, a sub-cult within the “Message” (which is how followers of William Branham refer to themselves). Book – When Prophecy Fails by Leon Festinger Music – Losing My Religion by Lauren Daigle from the … Continue reading "Episode 66...

In this episode, Emily, Rod, and Tim interview Eleisha Moreno, a former follower of Joseph Coleman, who initiated the Seven Thunders Inspiration, a sub-cult within the “Message” (which is how followers of William Branham refer to themselves). Rod starts the podcast with an editorial comment on a topic that is getting a lot of play … Continue reading "Episode 65 – The Seven...

In this episode, Emily, Rod, and Tim interview Eleisha Moreno, a former follower of Joseph Coleman, who initiated the Seven Thunders Inspiration, a sub-cult within the “Message” (which is how followers of William Branham refer to themselves). Joseph Coleman preached his first sermon in Eleisha’s grandparents’ home in the early 1960’s, so Eleisha’s knowledge of &...

This episode concludes the discussion with our new co-hosts. Rod Bergen talks to Emily Arndt and Tim Kraus about a number of important issues relating to the message. External links – Article on Pastor Vinworth Dayal from Trinidad Music – God Still Loves Me by Andrae Crouch – Available on Apple Music

This episode continues the introduction of our new co-hosts. Rod Bergen talks to Emily Arndt and Tim Kraus about a number of important issues relating to the message. Music – The Storm Still Rages by Rhonda Vincent – Available on Apple Music

Season 2 (Episode 61) of Off The Shelf starts with an introduction to our new co-hosts. Rod Bergen talks to Emily Arndt (see episode 16) about what has happened to her over the last couple of years and Tim Kraus tells of how he came to the message and why he left. Music – Call … Continue reading "Episode 61 – Season 2 Kick-Off – Introducing Your New Co-Hosts"

Listen to Jay Cox, a message follower, in a conversation with Rod Bergen, a former message believer.  In this conclusion of their interview,, they discuss why someone should follow William Branham and the status is of those who do not follow William Branham.   Other topics referred to in the interview: Dallas Willard on Post-modern … Continue reading "Episode 60 – An intervie...

With apologies for an almost 2 year hiatus, Rod continues his conversation with Jay Cox, a follower of William Branham.  In part 3, they discuss whether William Branham made any real prophecies.  Their discussion includes (click on the underlined links to read further): 1. Was William Branham credible? 2. The mystery of the Branham Tabernacle … Continue reading "Episode 59 –...

Rod continues his conversation with Jay Cox, a follower of William Branham.  In this second part, they discuss whether William Branham made any real prophecies.  Their discussion includes: What is the Biblical Test for a Prophet? The Seven Visions of 1933 Did President Roosevelt start World War 2? Video – The prophecy of the egg-shaped … Continue reading "Episode 58 – A...

Listen to Jay Cox, a message follower, in a conversation with Rod Bergen, a former message believer.  In this first part, they discuss what it means to be a follower of William Branham; where Jay places himself in the world of the message and the types of prophecies that William Branham made. External links: The … Continue reading "Episode 57 – An interview with message follower C...

Rod concludes the interview with his wife, Cindy and their daughter, Anna, regarding their experiences in the message and why they left. Go to Part 1 Music – Father and Daughter by Paul Simon from the album The Essential Paul Simon (2007) – Available on iTunes

In this installment of Off The Shelf, Rod interviews his wife, Cindy and his daughter, Anna, about their experiences in the message. External links: BelieveTheSign article – The Municipal Bridge Vision Searching For Vindication website Music – You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker from the album 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best … Continue reading...

This is the conclusion of the interview with former message follower Dr. Gabriel Pollen of Zambia. Dr. Pollen recently received a Ph. D. in Economics from the University of London. Dr. Pollen was raised in the message but recently came to grips with the problems in William Branham’s ministry.  This is his story. Go to Part … Continue reading "Episode 54 – An Interview with D...

Rod interviews former message follower Dr. Gabriel Pollen of Zambia. Dr. Pollen recently received a Ph. D. in Economics from the University of London. Dr. Pollen was raised in the message but recently came to grips with the problems in William Branham’s ministry.  This is his story. Music – Songs That Answer Questions by Gaither Vocal … Continue reading "Episode 53 – A...

Rod continues his interview with former message pastor James Manuel of Cape Town, South Africa. James was in the message for almost 40 years. Since leaving the message, James has embarked on a mission to expose the lies, deception, fraud and corruption in the message wherever and whenever he gets an opportunity.  He has challenged … Continue reading "Episode 52 – An interview with...

Rod continues his interview with former message pastor James Manuel of Cape Town, South Africa. James was in the message for almost 40 years.  He believed it, he lived it and he preached it. The message was all his wife and children knew and it was all he knew. James has stated that he is … Continue reading "Episode 51 – An interview with Pastor James Manuel of South Africa (Part...

Rod interviews former message pastor James Manuel of Cape Town, South Africa. James was in the message for almost 40 years.  He believed it, he lived it and he preached it. The message was all his wife and children knew and it was all he knew. Since leaving the message, James has embarked on a … Continue reading "Episode 50 – An interview with Pastor James Manuel of South Africa (...

Rod and Andrew Loza, a former police detective, continue their discussion of the doctrine of the seven church ages. External links: BelieveTheSign article on the Seven Church Age doctrine BelieveTheSign article on whether the message is a cult BelieveTheSign article on Christians that were required to believe Satanic doctrine Music – Wishful Thinking  by MercyMe … Continue reading "Epi...

Rod and one of our listeners, Andrew Loza, a former police detective, discuss growing up in the message and  what led him to leave the message.  They also begin a discussion of the doctrine of the seven church ages. Sermon quotes played in this podcast: William Branham, The Invisible Union Of The Bride Of Christ, … Continue reading "Episode 48 – A Biblical view of the Seven C...

Rod & John continue to examine Wisper Gwena’s defence of William Branham.  In this episode, Pastor Gwena’s defense of William Branham is challenged on the basis that: All of William Branham’s prophecies are “after the fact” and even some of those he gets wrong. William Branham made no valid “before the fact” prophecies on any of … Conti...

Rod & John continue to examine Wisper Gwena’s defence of William Branham.  They examine what cognitive dissonance is and discuss Pastor Gwena’s claim that he is not the one suffering from cognitive dissonance, rather it is John and Rod that are the ones that are experiencing cognitive dissonance.  But is this really the case? External Links: … Continue reading...

Rod & John continue to examine Wisper Gwena’s defence of William Branham.  Pastor Gwena is from Waltham Abbey (North London), UK where he is the pastor of Spoken Word Ministry church.  Joining Rod is John Collins, author of the Seek The Truth website and grandson of Willard Collins, the former pastor of Branham Tabernacle in Jeffersonville, Indiana. … Continue r...

Rod and his daughter, Anna, share stories from our listeners about their experiences with celebrating (or not celebrating) Christmas in the message.  Rod ends the podcast with a description of what Christmas is really all about. External links Article on Christianity and the Celebration of Christmas Article on William Branham and the Birth of Jesus … Continue reading "Episode 44 –...

Rod & John continue to examine Wisper Gwena’s defence of William Branham.  Specifically, they examine a number of significant problems with William Branham such as the lack of newspaper articles which William Branham said appeared across the US and Canada; his lies about travelling around the world seven times; his visit to Pigalle; the problems with … Continue reading "E...