How Charismatic Authority Replaces Christ: The Cult Leader Blueprint

John Collins and John McKinnon examine how religious authority can quietly shift from Christ and Scripture to a living leader, creating patterns of dependency that repeat across charismatic and restorationist movements. Using historical examples, they explore how leaders construct public personas, cultivate spiritual indispensability, and position themselves as the necessary interpreter of truth, safety, and God's will. The discussion traces how these structures form, why they persist even after leaders die, and how they reshape identity, belief, and community life. By focusing on repeatable frameworks rather than personalities, the conversation highlights how control, pride, and misplaced authority distort faith and leave lasting psychological and spiritual damage, while pointing toward healthier models rooted in Scripture rather than personalities. ______________________ Weaponized Religion: From Christian Identity to the NAR: Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160962 Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCGGZX3K ______________________ - Support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/branham - Visit the website: https://william-branham.org