An Open Letter to Owen Jorgensen - Revision history

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			[[Category:Critical analysis of William Branham‏‎]]
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 Recently, Owen Jorgensen, the author of ''[[Supernatural: The Life of William Branham]]'' wrote a response to those who criticize William Branham's ministry.  This is is a response to his letter from Luca Freeman, a former Message believer (the complete text of his letter can be found [[A Biographer Answers Critics of William Branham|here]]).

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	Recently, Owen Jorgensen, the author of ''[[Supernatural: The Life of William Branham]]'' wrote a response to those who criticize William Branham's ministry. This is is a response to his letter from Luca Freeman, a former Message believer (the complete text of his letter can be found [[A Biographer Answers Critics of William Branham\|here]]).		Recently, Owen Jorgensen, the author of ''[[Supernatural: The Life of William Branham]]'' wrote a response to those who criticize William Branham's ministry. This is is a response to his letter from Luca Freeman, a former Message believer (the complete text of his letter can be found [[A Biographer Answers Critics of William Branham\|here]]).

Admin at 22:02, 10 February 2014

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	Mr. Jorgenson also inserts a couple of stray points [for example, that William Branham fulfilled various scriptures] which do not fit within the scope of his thesis, and which he doesn’t even attempt to support biblically or factually. For brevity and clarity, I will not be addressing those points.		Mr. Jorgenson also inserts a couple of stray points [for example, that William Branham fulfilled various scriptures] which do not fit within the scope of his thesis, and which he doesn’t even attempt to support biblically or factually. For brevity and clarity, I will not be addressing those points.
	~~Inspecting the Foundation~~
			==A scriptural basis?==

	Mr. Jorgenson’s presentation of “one very basic idea” seeks to establish a clear scriptural correlation between Nicodemus’ recognition of Jesus as a teacher sent from God and our recognition of William Branham as a teacher sent from God.		Mr. Jorgenson’s presentation of “one very basic idea” seeks to establish a clear scriptural correlation between Nicodemus’ recognition of Jesus as a teacher sent from God and our recognition of William Branham as a teacher sent from God.

	~~==A scriptural basis?==~~

	Before we explore the merits of this correlation, let's read the biblical passage that contains his thesis:		Before we explore the merits of this correlation, let's read the biblical passage that contains his thesis:

Admin: /* To quote Brian Tracy... */

2014-02-10T19:34:26Z

To quote Brian Tracy...

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	Let us return to John 3 once more, only this time, let’s pay less attention to the words of the Pharisee and instead, turn our attention to the words of our Lord:		Let us return to John 3 once more, only this time, let’s pay less attention to the words of the Pharisee and instead, turn our attention to the words of our Lord:

	:''No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ~~15 that~~ whoever believes in him may have eternal life.		:''No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

	:''For God so loved the world ~~] that~~ he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ~~17 For~~ God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ~~18 Whoever~~ believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.		:''For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.<ref>John 3:14-18</ref>

	The word “gospel” simply means “good news”. Jesus found preaching this good news to Nicodemus to be a far more important subject than his own miracles. Paul, Peter, James and many others spent the balance of their lives—and indeed, gave their lives— underlining that same gospel focus. So what about us? Jude instructed his readers to “earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints”. The single word translated “once for all” is the same word Peter uses in 1 Peter 3:18 when he declared that Christ suffered once for sins” It is finished. We rest on that exact same gospel, his work on Calvary and his resurrection. May we stop falling in love with enticing “new” revelations and become consumed by the same passion that drove those early Christians. May we say, as Paul: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”		The word “gospel” simply means “good news”. Jesus found preaching this good news to Nicodemus to be a far more important subject than his own miracles. Paul, Peter, James and many others spent the balance of their lives—and indeed, gave their lives— underlining that same gospel focus. So what about us? Jude instructed his readers to “earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints”. The single word translated “once for all” is the same word Peter uses in 1 Peter 3:18 when he declared that Christ suffered once for sins” It is finished. We rest on that exact same gospel, his work on Calvary and his resurrection. May we stop falling in love with enticing “new” revelations and become consumed by the same passion that drove those early Christians. May we say, as Paul: “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

	It is my prayer that everyone who reads this, as well as Mr. Jorgenson himself, will take some time of reflection and ask God to examine his heart. Sincerity is not enough. Truth is objective, and when answers are readily available, we are accountable. When your beliefs are challenged, you can be defensive, reactionary and shallow or you can answer. It is important to remember that objecting to the challenge without actually addressing it, dismissing it out of hand, or even “sitting it on the shelf” is not biblical. Answering the challenge is not only acceptable, it is biblically commanded. (1 Pet 3:15) That doesn’t mean that you will be adequately prepared for each question that arises, but let every honest, God-fearing heart search for the answers with integrity before him, realizing we will all have to give an account someday. And if the search finds us in error, may each one of us have the humility to realize that when uncomfortable truth is discovered, one of two things will result: convenience and comfort will be sacrificed on the altar of truth, or truth will be sacrificed on the altar of comfort and convenience. Don’t be guilty of the latter, friend.		It is my prayer that everyone who reads this, as well as Mr. Jorgenson himself, will take some time of reflection and ask God to examine his heart. Sincerity is not enough. '''Truth is objective, and when answers are readily available, we are accountable.''' When your beliefs are challenged, you can be defensive, reactionary and shallow or you can answer.

	“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (1 John 4:18)		It is important to remember that objecting to the challenge without actually addressing it, dismissing it out of hand, or even “sitting it on the shelf” is not biblical. Answering the challenge is not only acceptable, it is biblically commanded. (1 Pet 3:15) That doesn’t mean that you will be adequately prepared for each question that arises, but let every honest, God-fearing heart search for the answers with integrity before him, realizing we will all have to give an account someday. And if the search finds us in error, may each one of us have the humility to realize that when uncomfortable truth is discovered, one of two things will result: convenience and comfort will be sacrificed on the altar of truth, or truth will be sacrificed on the altar of comfort and convenience. Don’t be guilty of the latter, friend.

			“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”<ref>1 John 4:18</ref>

	Sincerely,		Sincerely,

	Your brother in Christ		Your brother in Christ & former Message believer,
	& former Message believer,

	Luca Freeman		''Luca Freeman''

	=Footnotes=		=Footnotes=

Admin: /* What about Jorgensen's biography of William Branham? */

2014-02-10T19:31:38Z

What about Jorgensen's biography of William Branham?

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	==What about Jorgensen's biography of William Branham?==		==What about Jorgensen's biography of William Branham?==

	I would be remiss if I did not also point out again that Mr. Jorgenson wrote Supernatural: The Life of William Branham. This book has been offered by himself and many others as a biography of William Branham’s life. Yet a very large portion of the facts and events contained therein have since been proven inaccurate, misleading, or even outright fiction.		I would be remiss if I did not also point out again that Mr. Jorgenson wrote [[Supernatural: The Life of William Branham]]. This book has been offered by himself and many others as a biography of William Branham’s life. Yet a very large portion of the facts and events contained therein have since been proven inaccurate, misleading, or even outright fiction.

	As an author, it is not a crime to write about the life of a man you greatly admire, or even to transcribe the events of his life in accordance with the testimony of the man about whom you are writing. But when the book is marketed and described as a “biography” resulting from twenty five years of research, the standard is — and should be — much higher for factual verification.		As an author, it is not a crime to write about the life of a man you greatly admire, or even to transcribe the events of his life in accordance with the testimony of the man about whom you are writing. But when the book is marketed and described as a “biography” resulting from twenty five years of research, the standard is — and should be — much higher for factual verification.
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	#Either he was aware of the mountain of “facts” that cannot be made to fit, and chose to ignore them; or		#Either he was aware of the mountain of “facts” that cannot be made to fit, and chose to ignore them; or
	#He was simply unaware of them. The first option calls into question Mr. Jorgenson’s integrity and reliability as a biographer, the second reveals a stark absence of meaningful research.		#He was simply unaware of them. The first option calls into question Mr. Jorgenson’s integrity and reliability as a biographer, the second reveals a stark absence of meaningful research.

	=''To quote Brian Tracy...''=		=''To quote Brian Tracy...''=

Admin: /* Should we follow every faith healer? */

2014-02-10T19:31:05Z

Should we follow every faith healer?

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	==Should we follow every faith healer?==		==Should we follow every faith healer?==

	1. Mr. Jorgenson asserted a number of times that the most important question one can ask regarding William Brahnam’s ministry is How did he do it?(the miraculous) Much of the content of his essay is dedicated to debunking critics’ answers to that question. It should now be clear that this is certainly not the most important question to ask regarding William Branham. If it were, then we would be required to ask the same of every faith healer, and then be compelled to follow them.. all of them! What if their teachings are contradictory one to another? '''Do you see the quandary?'''		Mr. Jorgenson asserted a number of times that the most important question one can ask regarding William Brahnam’s ministry is How did he do it?(the miraculous) Much of the content of his essay is dedicated to debunking critics’ answers to that question. It should now be clear that this is certainly not the most important question to ask regarding William Branham. If it were, then we would be required to ask the same of every faith healer, and then be compelled to follow them.. all of them! What if their teachings are contradictory one to another? '''Do you see the quandary?'''

	In light of Jesus’ warnings, it becomes largely irrelevant how he did it.		In light of Jesus’ warnings, it becomes largely irrelevant how he did it.

Admin: /* But what else does the Bible say? */

2014-02-10T19:30:39Z

But what else does the Bible say?

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	There is no better way to answer these questions, than to turn to the very words of Jesus in the book of Matthew:		There is no better way to answer these questions, than to turn to the very words of Jesus in the book of Matthew:

	:''~~“22 On~~ that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?~~’ 23 And~~ then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.~~’” (Mat~~ 7:22-23)		:''On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’<ref>Matt 7:22-23</ref>

	:''“ For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”		:''“ For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”<ref>Matt 24:24</ref>
	~~(Mat~~ 24:24)

	And the apostle Paul:		And the apostle Paul:

	:''~~“The~~ coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,”		:''The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders...<ref>2 Thessalonians 2:9</ref>
	(2 Thessalonians 2:9)

	Please note that these scriptures do not necessarily indicate that William Branham falls within these categories, nor is it my intent to imply as much, but they do necessarily show the complete disconnect between Mr. Jorgenson’s thesis and the actual teaching of scripture. These passages not only show that his core argument is seriously flawed, but also specifically address one of Mr. Jorgenson’s supporting points, which was that Satan would not sanction anyone performing miracles for the expressed purpose of lifting up Jesus. In Matthew 7, Jesus deals directly with this false assumption, going so far as to say that many would call him Lord and point to prophecies, exorcisms, and other mighty works they had performed in the name of Jesus! And as William Branham himself pointed out, Jesus didn’t contest their claims, or call them liars. By Owen Jorgenson’s reasoning, all of these men would have been recognized as vindicated servants of God. Remember his thesis sentence?		Please note that these scriptures do not necessarily indicate that William Branham falls within these categories, nor is it my intent to imply as much, but they do necessarily show the complete disconnect between Mr. Jorgenson’s thesis and the actual teaching of scripture.

			These passages not only show that his core argument is seriously flawed, but also specifically address one of Mr. Jorgenson’s supporting points, which was that Satan would not sanction anyone performing miracles for the expressed purpose of lifting up Jesus. In Matthew 7, Jesus deals directly with this false assumption, going so far as to say that many would call him Lord and point to prophecies, exorcisms, and other mighty works they had performed in the name of Jesus! And as William Branham himself pointed out, Jesus didn’t contest their claims, or call them liars. By Owen Jorgenson’s reasoning, all of these men would have been recognized as vindicated servants of God. Remember his thesis sentence?

	Nicodemus said to Jesus, “We know you are a teacher sent from God because no man could do these things unless God was with him.” If that was true for Jesus, why wouldn't it be true for someone else who did similar miracles in Jesus’ name?”		Nicodemus said to Jesus, “We know you are a teacher sent from God because no man could do these things unless God was with him.” If that was true for Jesus, why wouldn't it be true for someone else who did similar miracles in Jesus’ name?”

Admin: /* A scriptural basis? */

2014-02-10T19:28:29Z

A scriptural basis?

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	==A scriptural basis?==		==A scriptural basis?==

	Before we explore the merits of this correlation, ~~please~~ read the biblical passage that contains his thesis~~, (John 3:1-21)~~:		Before we explore the merits of this correlation, let's read the biblical passage that contains his thesis:

	:''Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.~~” 3 Jesus~~ answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one ~~is born again[ he~~ cannot see the kingdom of God.~~” 4 Nicodemus~~ said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?~~” 5 Jesus~~ answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ~~6 That~~ which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ~~7 Do~~ not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.~~’ 8 The~~ wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”		:''Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, '''for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.'''” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

	:''Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? ~~11 Truly~~, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. ~~12 If~~ I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?~~13 No~~ one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. ~~14 And as~~ Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ~~15 that~~ whoever believes in him may have eternal life.		:''Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

	:''“For God so loved the world ~~] that~~ he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ~~17 For~~ God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ~~18 Whoever~~ believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ~~19 And~~ this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. ~~20 For~~ everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. ~~21 But~~ whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”		:''“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”<ref>John 3:1-21</ref>

	Verse 3 (~~underlined~~), is clearly the foundation for Owen Jorgenson’s defense of William Branham. Why then, would I ~~insert~~ the first twenty one verses of the chapter? To illustrate the first flaw in this defense: extracting an isolated verse from its context in order to serve some purpose other than that intended by its author. Even a casual reading of this passage reveals that John’s inclusion of this conversation has little ~~—if anything—to~~ do with Nicodemus’ observation. Jesus not only fails to affirm Nicodemus for his recognition of signs and wonders, but ignores his statement altogether, choosing instead to instruct Nicodemus on the importance of the new birth and gives a beautiful description of the gospel.		Verse 2 (in bold) is clearly the foundation for Owen Jorgenson’s defense of William Branham. Why then, would I quote the first twenty one verses of the chapter? To illustrate the first flaw in this defense: extracting an isolated verse from its context in order to serve some purpose other than that intended by its author. Even a casual reading of this passage reveals that John’s inclusion of this conversation has little, if anything, to do with Nicodemus’ observation. '''Jesus not only fails to affirm Nicodemus for his recognition of signs and wonders, but ignores his statement altogether''', choosing instead to instruct Nicodemus on the importance of the new birth and gives a beautiful description of the gospel.

	The four gospels are written in typical ancient Greco-Roman biographical style. They were divinely inspired to leave us with a historical account of the life of Jesus. Unless specifically affirmed by Jesus, there is simply no biblical warrant for taking the recorded words from some other character in these accounts and attempting to draw some sort prophetic insight or profound truism from them. To base an entire defense of a man’s ministry on a single sentence from the mouth of Nicodemus — a sentence which has little bearing even on the passage in which it is contained — makes for a razor thin biblical foundation. This type of scriptural interpretation is reckless and inevitably leads to error, as it does here.		The four gospels are written in typical ancient Greco-Roman biographical style. They were divinely inspired to leave us with a historical account of the life of Jesus. Unless specifically affirmed by Jesus, there is simply no biblical warrant for taking the recorded words from some other character in these accounts and attempting to draw some sort prophetic insight or profound truism from them. To base an entire defense of a man’s ministry on a single sentence from the mouth of Nicodemus — a sentence which has little bearing even on the passage in which it is contained — makes for a razor thin biblical foundation. This type of scriptural interpretation is reckless and inevitably leads to error, as it does here.

Admin at 19:13, 10 February 2014

2014-02-10T19:13:33Z

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