Miracles, Manipulation, & the Myth of Faith Healing: Raising the Dead or Raising Hype? | Jed Hartley

John and Jed explore one of the most sensitive and emotionally charged topics in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles—the world of fake miracles, resurrection claims, and manufactured hype. Starting with Bethel Church’s “Wake Up Olive” tragedy, they trace the long lineage of miracle stories from Smith Wigglesworth through William Branham to today’s New Apostolic Reformation leaders. Their discussion examines how sensationalized testimonies shape belief, manipulate emotions, and reinforce authoritarian control within high-demand religious groups.

Through deeply personal stories, including experiences from within Branhamism and IHOP, they unpack how false faith-healing narratives prey on trauma, obscure genuine spirituality, and keep followers trapped in fear of doubt. This conversation dives into the emotional cost of such beliefs—the shame, confusion, and psychological damage caused when “miracles” fail—and the deeper truth about where real faith should be placed.

00:00 Introduction
01:00 The Entertainment of Miracles and Manufactured Faith
04:00 The “Wake Up Olive” Tragedy at Bethel Church
13:00 Branham, Wigglesworth, and the Origins of Modern Miracle Claims
17:00 Faith Healing or Psychological Manipulation?
27:00 Deception, Fear, and the Evolution of Revival Gimmicks
30:00 Near-Death Experiences and the Myth of Pentecostal Exclusivity
35:00 Miracles Across Religions: Hindu and Buddhist Parallels
46:00 Theological Disconnection and Charlatanism in the NAR
56:00 Branham’s Tricks: Vibrating Hands and Purple Palms
1:00:00 When Healers Avoid Hospitals
1:02:00 Oral Roberts’ Failed Healing Hospital
1:05:00 Weaponizing “Faith” Against the Sick and Doubters
1:08:00 The True Cost of Miracle Culture
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Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K
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