British Israelism and the Roots of Christian Identity

 

John and Charles examine the historical development of British Israelism and explain how the doctrine moved from fringe speculation into influential religious and political movements. They discuss its presence in holiness churches, Adventist circles, and early Pentecostalism, and why the belief system appealed to those seeking to merge theology with national identity.

The conversation traces British Israelism through key figures, major texts, and its later evolution into Christian Identity theology. They also explore how William Branham fit into this ideological stream, why some historians missed those connections, and how pseudo-history was used to legitimize power, race-based doctrines, and political aims.

• Introduction
• The spread of British Israelism across denominations
• Key books and primary sources on British Israelism
• British Israelism as political ideology
• King James, empire, and religious nationalism
• Early scholarly recognition of ideological links
• William Branham and Christian Identity theology
• From Anglo-Israel theory to organized movement
• John Wilson and the 19th-century expansion
• John Wilson, Charles Smith, and pyramidology
• Archaeology, Egypt, and pseudo-historical claims