Lois Roden and Her Influence on the Doctrine of Mother God: A Comparative Analysis with the World Mission Society Church of God

Lois Roden holds a unique position in the history of American religion as one of the earliest proponents of the doctrine of a female God. Her teachings and activities bear striking similarities to the “Mother God” doctrine espoused by the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) today. Below, we explore her life, doctrines, and parallels with WMSCOG's teachings.

1. Lois Roden’s Life and Teachings

1.1 Early Life and Religious Activity

• Birth: Born in 1916 in Montana, USA.
• Conversion to Adventism: Joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1940 but was later excommunicated alongside her husband due to their attraction to the Davidian movement.
• Formation of a New Sect: In 1962, she established the Branch Davidian (GADSDA) in Mount Carmel, Texas.

1.2 Doctrine of a Female God

• Interpretation of Genesis 1: Cited Genesis 1:27 ("So God created mankind in his own image, male and female") to argue for the femininity of God.
• Elohim as Plural: Claimed that the plural Hebrew term Elohim implied both male and female aspects of God.
• Heavenly Family Concept: Advocated that earthly family structures (father, mother, children) mirrored a divine family in heaven.

1.3 Activities and Influence

• Magazine Publication: Spread her doctrine through Shekinah, a magazine promoting the concept of a female God.
• Global Outreach: Presented her teachings at the World Council of Churches (WCC).
• Division After Death: Following her death in 1986, disputes over leadership led to the fragmentation of her sect, culminating in the infamous Waco siege.

2. Parallels Between Lois Roden’s Teachings and the WMSCOG

2.1 The Doctrine of Mother God

• Lois Roden: Asserted the existence of a female God and introduced the heavenly family concept.
• WMSCOG: Declares Zhang Gil-Jah as “Mother God” and similarly emphasizes the concept of a heavenly family.

2.2 Methods of Spreading Doctrine

• Lois Roden: Used print media (Shekinah) and alliances with international religious organizations to disseminate her teachings.
• WMSCOG: Employs modern marketing techniques and an extensive international network to propagate its beliefs.

2.3 Characteristics of Religious Sects

• Both movements originated as splinter groups from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, developing unique doctrines that diverged from traditional teachings.

3. Similar Trajectories of Leadership and Division

3.1 Leadership Succession

• Lois Roden: Rose to prominence after her husband’s death, assuming leadership of the Branch Davidian.
• WMSCOG: Zhang Gil-Jah became the leader of the church following the death of Ahn Sahng-Hong.

3.2 Internal Conflict and Division

• Lois Roden: After her death, internal disputes over leadership led to violent outcomes, including the Waco siege.
• WMSCOG: Reports indicate internal disagreements over doctrines and leadership, posing risks of future fragmentation.

4. Conclusion: Implications of the Parallels

4.1 Influence of Lois Roden

The doctrine of Mother God introduced by Lois Roden shares fundamental similarities with WMSCOG's teachings. This raises the possibility that WMSCOG may have drawn inspiration from Roden’s earlier work.

4.2 Concerns and Future Risks

• Historical Lessons: The Branch Davidian movement collapsed following extremism and leadership struggles after Roden’s death.
• Potential Risks for WMSCOG: The church faces similar challenges, including internal discord and external criticism, which could lead to a comparable decline.

4.3 Key Takeaways

• Religious doctrines must be scrutinized within their historical and theological contexts to avoid blind adherence that could harm individuals and communities.
• Exploring historical precedents and verifying scriptural foundations are essential for discerning religious truth.

Lois Roden’s teachings and WMSCOG’s doctrine demonstrate how religious ideas can evolve and spread, often mirroring each other across different contexts. However, history also shows the dangers of such movements, emphasizing the need for critical examination and a return to foundational truths.