THE HEALER-PROPHET (Three Indispensible Studies of American Evangelicalism) [Paperback]

C. Douglas Weaver (Author)

Book Description

Series: Three Indispensible Studies of American Evangelicalism | Publication Date: November 1, 2000

This study of William Marrion Branham’s ministry reveals much about the healing methodology of deliverance evangelists. Branham’s theology of healing highlights the widely accepted role of evangelists as mediators between God and the afflicted. In addition, some of his methods are still commonly practiced in healing revivalism.

The dynamic growth of Pentecostalism in the twentieth century is a major feature of the modern religious scene. From its beginning, divine healing was recognized as a critical element of the Pentecostal movement. Branham is acknowledged as a leader of the healing revival movement. Although little known outside of the Pentecostal movement, his work had tremendous influence on the "prophetic" identity claimed by his contemporaries, today’s televagelists, and the whole of Pentecostalism itself.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"The story C. Douglas Weaver tells... is one of riviting interest to those who trace their religious roots to the post-World War II craving for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is a fascinating, unlikely tale of triumph and disappointment. Branham was enigmatic and controversial at the height of his career, and he became more ethereal toward the end of his life. Weaver tells the Branham story fairly and dispassionately. Indeed, he writes with a rare and admirable degree of sympathy for his subject. As a result, his book will help outsiders understand the making and functioning of a prophetic personality in the Pentecostal subculture....

"...This is a story well told and truly worthy of reading. Much of what happened in the Pentecostal/charismatic world in the second half of the twentieth century owes something to the startling reports and wondrous claims that echoed from the Branham healing campaigns of 1946 and 1947."—David Edwin Harrell, Jr. from the Foreword

"Largely unknown today, William Branham was a powerful force in the Pentecostal healing revivals of the mid-twentieth century. This excellent study explores Branham's activities as a preacher-healer and his place within the broader Pentecostal tradition. An unassuming man with a controversial theology, Branham's impact on later faith healers—Oral Roberts and others—has often been overlooked. Weaver's book is an intriguing exercise in American biography and theology. It is also a perceptive analysis of the "prophetic" in one representative segment of American Pentecostalism. The book is a provocative contribution to the study of American Evangelicalism."—Bill J. Leonard

About the Author

C. Douglas Weaver is professor of Christianity at Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Mercer University Press (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865547106
• ISBN-13: 978-0865547100
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,313,453 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very poorly researched, or researched by an unbeliever., November 17, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Healer-Prophet, William Marrion Branham: A Study of the Prophetic in American Pentecostalism (Hardcover)

This review is written for those who are seeking the truth about William Branham and his Ministry. Although he has already passed on, you can still get copies of his sermons(including early life story) in both printed text and audio cassette. There is no better way to find out about him and what he believed than to hear him preach. I personally don't think you'll find another person with that much love for people, nor as humble, outside of our Lord Jesus Christ. The last time I checked the printed texts were available for free. Like Phillip said to Nathaniel when Nathaniel said" Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" He replied" Come and See." That's really the only way to find out, and it could be the most important decision you make. It was for Nathaniel. The address for his sermons as well as a few other books about him is as follows: The Voice of God Recordings, Inc.,P.O. Box 950, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47131. I also highly recommend a three series book entitled "Supernatural: The Life of William Branham" by Owen Jorgensen.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Presupposition distorts the well-documented facts, August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Healer-Prophet, William Marrion Branham: A Study of the Prophetic in American Pentecostalism (Hardcover)

C. Douglas Weaver, coming from an admitted antipathetic theological background, manages to make minimum allowance for his bias when studying Brother Branham's ministry. He seems to be stumped (as Dr. Harrell is not) by the amazing popularity and widespread Pentecostal acceptance of Brother Branham's early years and so falls back continually on two arguments both provably false: 1) Brother Branham CANNOT POSSIBLY have proclaimed his personal prophetic role and his unique doctrines in the early years (1946-53) and - if the reader is not persuaded - the exact opposite, viz.:) 2) Brother Branham pointed to HIMSELF too much ("if you believe ME to be God's prophet ...." and made his impact by developing a personality cult. You can't have it both ways CDW! This book reflects a viewpoint common in the circles who financed and drew benefit from Brother Branham's campaigns, namely, that he supposedly "went off the rails" later in his life. This line was useful to those who acquired new converts by pointing them to Brother Branham's uniquely supernatural ministry, but then secured them for their own camp by ridiculing the doctrine of Brother Branham, because he was uneducated and theologically untrained. If these were good grounds for the rejection of his doctrine, the same ones would have to reject Jesus and 90% of the biblical prophets for the same reason. I only give this book 1 star because the least I would expect of a supposedly sholarly book is historical NEUTRALITY.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars THE DECEPTION BY C. DOUGLAS WEAVER, August 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Healer-Prophet, William Marrion Branham: A Study of the Prophetic in American Pentecostalism (Hardcover)

I started reading this book that Mr. Weaver wrote and found that this man clearly had no spiritual understanding regarding the ministry of God's prophet for this age. This man was vindicated as God's prophet by the works that God had used him for like raising the dead and healing the sick. Mr. Weaver is a very educated man as surmised by his knowledge of the worldly wisdom that he seems to possess but when it comes to knowing anything about the spirit of God this man is lost as the Bible says that God hid his secrets from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes such as would learn. Mr.Weaver fills this to a "T" the prucency of Mr. Weaver clearly shows that he has no spiritual wisdom whatsoever. Remember the word of God says that they took notice of them that Peter and John were ignorant and unlearned, but marveled because they had been with Jesus. Brother Branham may have not had an extensive education but this man was clearly used of God. Men that have high education tend to reason things out concerning God as they use their knowledge of the world and try to make sense of the things of God, an unlearned man is more likely to accept the word of God as truth than an educated man is, But Satan will use any little subtle thing to try to sway the true believers from believing the truth. Mr Weaver had no spiritual revelation as to the truth of the gospel.Brother Branham's ministry is summed up by this reader as a true man of God and any man who would say otherwise is driven by nothing more than plain jealousy, I would not recommend this book as it is offensive and defamatory to one of Gods prophets