Lois Roden: A Unique Figure in American Religious History and Her Connection to the World Mission Society Church of God

Lois Roden occupies a distinct position in American religious history as one of the first proponents of the doctrine of the Female God. Her teachings and actions bear significant similarities to the "Mother God" doctrine propagated by the World Mission Society Church of God today. Below, we examine her life, theology, and parallels with the World Mission Society Church of God.

1. The Life and Teachings of Lois Roden

Birth and Early Activities

• Birth: Born in 1916 in Montana, USA.
• Joining the Seventh-day Adventist Church: Became a member in 1940 but was excommunicated, along with her husband, after being drawn to the teachings of the Davidian movement.
• Establishment of a New Sect: Founded the General Association of Davidian Seventh-day Adventists (GADSDA) on Mount Carmel, Texas, in 1962.

Advocacy for the Female God Doctrine

• Interpretation of Genesis 1: Cited the verse “In the image of God, He created them; male and female” to claim that God has a feminine aspect.
• Analysis of Elohim: Interpreted the plural form of the Hebrew word "Elohim" as evidence of the existence of both male and female aspects of God.
• Heavenly Family Concept: Asserted that the family structure on earth (father, mother, and children) mirrors a heavenly counterpart.

Activities and Influence

• Publishing: Spread her doctrine through the magazine Shekinah.
• Engagement with the WCC: Promoted her teachings at sessions of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
• Division of the Sect: After her death in 1986, leadership disputes led to the division of the church and the infamous Waco Siege.

2. Parallels Between Lois Roden’s Teachings and the World Mission Society Church of God

The Doctrine of Mother God

• Lois Roden: Advocated for God’s feminine aspect and introduced the concept of a heavenly family.
• World Mission Society Church of God: Refers to Jang Gil-ja as "Mother God," emphasizing a similar concept of a heavenly family.

Methods of Spreading Doctrine

• Lois Roden: Disseminated her beliefs through publications and collaborations with international organizations.
• World Mission Society Church of God: Employs modern marketing techniques and an international network to propagate its doctrines.

Characteristics of Religious Splinter Groups

Both GADSDA and the World Mission Society Church of God originated as splinter groups from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, developing independent doctrines.

3. Parallels in Development Between Lois Roden and the World Mission Society Church of God

Historical Developments

• Lois Roden: Rose to leadership following her husband’s death.
• World Mission Society Church of God: Jang Gil-ja emerged as the leader after the death of Ahn Sahng-hong.

Religious Divisions

• Lois Roden’s Sect: Leadership conflicts and violence, culminating in the Waco Siege, occurred after her death.
• World Mission Society Church of God: Reports of internal disputes over doctrines and leadership have surfaced.

Visual Comparison

A comparative table highlighting the theological and historical parallels between Lois Roden and the World Mission Society Church of God can further illustrate these similarities. (Table omitted but can focus on key elements like doctrine, leadership transition, and historical developments.)

4. Conclusion: Implications and Concerns

The Influence of Lois Roden

The Mother God doctrine championed by Lois Roden is fundamentally similar to the teachings of the World Mission Society Church of God, suggesting the latter may have drawn inspiration from her ideas.

Concerns and Future Outlook

• Roden’s community disintegrated after her death due to extreme apocalyptic beliefs and violent outcomes.
• The World Mission Society Church of God faces similar risks, including potential internal conflicts and external pressures that could lead to instability.

Lessons Learned

• Religious doctrines must be understood within their historical and contextual frameworks, as blind adherence can have severe consequences for individuals and communities.
• Investigating religious truths requires a thorough examination of historical facts and biblical evidence.

Understanding these parallels and their historical context allows believers to critically evaluate the teachings they follow, ensuring their faith is grounded in truth rather than distortion or misinterpretation.