History and Fatal Theology of Branch Davidians RELIGION AND THE WACO CULT • Ex-Adventists

24 Pages·2008·6.3 MB·English

• •
NEWS ANALYSIS OPINION
Volume 1 Number 1
RELIGION AND THE WACO CULT
• Ex-Adventists at Mount Carmel
• History and Fatal Theology of Branch
Davidians
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Raymond Cottrell
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Anonymous ma,kero~l11forthe cluster ofarticles on this topic--eertainly
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Anonymous feattrre~originallyintendedforc thisis~
Dick & Kathy Guth
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~Othera.rticles;vill'.tqCl.lS9~c relatively new Adventist Theological Societyand its
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Proponents ofalternative points ofview on these subjects have been invited to share
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our readers will be thejury.
Welcome aboard!
I
Raymond Cottrell .
i
2 Adventist Today MayIJune 1993
Editorial Introduction 2
ADVENTIST TODAY@1993
THEWACO CULT& RELIGION
Vol. 1,NO.1
May/June 1993
Ex-Adventists at Mt. Carmel: PR Problem or Leaming Opportunity? .4
Editor: Raymond F.Cottrell
Associate Editor: James W.Walters History and Fatal Theology of the Branch Davidians .5
Raymond Cottrell
Managing Editor: Duane Covrig
Editorial Consultants Interview with Pastor Charlie Liu 8
Mark August
Tampa Tribune The Waco Syndrome 9
Antonius Brandon
Raymond Cottrell
Lorna Linda University
Haraldo S.Camacho
Colton, California David Koresh: Narcissistic Personality or Dysfunctional Religious Leader..10
Barry Casey Noel Gardner and Antonius Brandon
Columbia Union College
Glenn Coe
Experiences in Loma Linda 11
South Windsor, Connecticut
Donna Evans Dalton Baldwin
Lorna Linda Academy
Frank Knittel
Koresh on Ellen White 12
La Sierra University
DennisHokama
Beatrice Neall
Union College
Joel Sandefur REPORT: LSUand LLU-AFTER THEDIVORCE .13
. La Sierra University
Deborah Vance
Walla Walla College
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Adventist Today May/June 1993 3
Ex-Adventists at Mt. Carmel
PRProblem or Learning Opp~rtunity?
THE ADVENTIST CHURCH can percent of Koresh's followers are The Seventh-day Adventist
take at least two approaches to the former Seventh-day Adventists, denomination wisely disavowed the
Waco incident. First, it can handle the according to Marc Breault, a recent Shepherd's Rod movement long ago.
situation as aPRproblem. This master's graduate in religion from The denomination abhors the tragedy
approach is understandable and in Loma Linda University, and for a time at Mt. Carmel. Nevertheless, several
many ways appropriate-and well a member ofthe Branch Davidians. questions deserve serious attention in
underway. The church hired a crisis the aftermath ofWaco:
David Koresh actively recruited in
management firm to devise a strategy.
Adventist centers, including Loma -Are there elements in the popular
Officials from the church have spoken
Linda; Honolulu; Sidney, Australia; Adventist belief system that lend
of damage control and the need to
and Bracknell, England (see Dalton themselves to warped exploitation by
"play down the Adventist connection,"
Baldwin's article). In England one charismatic leaders?
and the Southern Californip.Conference
former Adventist pastor and four
has attempted to restrict cnurch- --.:..Doesthe church's emphasis on the
Newbold College theology students
member contact with the media by "i.m.ntinence"of God's kingdom need
accepted Koresh's perspective, claims
sending out adirective to allits to be re-evaluated?
Breault.
congregations.
I -What type of Biblicalinterpretation
I Many Branch Davidians continue
Second, the church can seek t6 (a "proof-text" approach or a historical-
to adhere to traditional Adventist
learn from the Waco incident. Such a contextual perspective) ismore or less
emphase~, such as healthful living and
response may be more involved than likely to foster idiosyncratic beliefs?
Saturday Sabbath observance. Their
merely shoring up public relations, but
itisno less important. The following notoriety ihas come from their interest -What concrete steps should the
cluster ofessays offers perspectives that in prophetic interpretation and belief in denomination take to help its members
may help in this learning process. avoid the allure ofany
Many Branch Davidians continue to numoer of Adventist
Some will say that what happened "fundamentalisms" that
adhere to traditional Adventist
in Texas has nothing to do with the offer simple answers to
emphases such as healthful living
Seventh-day Adventist church since comp,lex issues?
this Waco cult was merely a "branch" and Sabbath observance.
or an "offshoot" ofa group that split -WHat is the relationship
----.~.betweenpersonal psychol-
from the church over 60years ago.
True, the Branch Davidians developed the i.m.ntinentending ofthe world- ogy and religious belief?
out of the Shepherd's Rod move- ideas hardly alien to Adventism.
-How could committed, sometimes
ment-a movement started in the 1930s
Before Koresh developed the highly educated, church members opt
by relatively few Seventh-day Adven-
religious ideas for which he isnow for Koresh's line ofbelief?
tists. Ray Cottrell's article documents
notorious, he attracted the interest ofa
this development. However, in These are at least some ofthe
number of traditional Adventists
addition to this historical connection, questions raised by the Mt. Carmel
precisely because of his command of
the Branch Davidians have had on- episode. Because of the considerable
extensive passages from the Bibleand
going connection to the Seventh-day Adventist connection we believe that
Ellen White's writings (see Dennis
Adventist Church. the denomination would do well to
Hokama's report). Unusual interpreta-
appoint a high-level study commission
David Koresh, the notorious tions of obscure Bibletexts have led
to examine the Koresh phenomenon
Branch Davidian leader, was reared as Koresh to claim to be the modem
and make recommendations. 0
aSeventh-day Adventist in Dallas and David--even Jesus Christ-and to
was a baptized member before joining believe in abiblical warrant for active -The Editors
the self-named Branch Davidian and violent cleansing of the world
Seventh-day Adventists. Ninety (note the interview with Charlie Uu).
4 Adventist Today May jJune 1993
History and Fatal Theology
of the BRANCH DAVIDIANS
ByRaymond Cottrell
ON FEBRUARY 28 AND APRIL 19, 1993,the and issued by the PacificPress asA Reply tothe
BranchDavidiansofWaco,Texasprovedbeyondthe Shepherd's Rod.
shadowofadoubtthattwistedtheologycanbefatal-both
In February, 1935,Houteff moved toWaco,Texas,
to those whoadvocate it andtotheologicallyinnocent
and inMay settled ten mileseastoftown onafarmhe
bystanders-long beforethegreat,finaljudgmentday.
named Mount Carmel Center. At various times as
Thestory began March 2,1885,with thebirth of many as90to 125people, including children, took up
VictorTasho Houteff in Raikovo,Bulgaria. Persona non residence there. OnJanuary 1,1937,Houteff married
grata toboth church and state,he was expelled fromhis Marcella Hermanson, daughter ofthe Center's treasurer,
native land in 1907and migrated tothe United States. and later appointed Marcella,hiswife, ashis successor.
OnMay 10,1919, hewas baptized aSeventh-day Administration ofthe community was strictlytheocratic.
. Adventist inRockford,Illinois,and in 1923moved toLos
With the outbreak ofwar inthePacific,Shepherd's
Angeles where hebecame amember of the Exposition
Rod "ministers" faced the draft, and asaresult in 1942
Park Church and served asaSabbath Schoolteacher.
the Center formally organized asachurch and adopted
In 1928 Houteff began toadvocate views about last the name "Davidian Seventh-day Adventists." In
day events incompatible with Adventist understanding 1955 VictorHouteff died and hiswifebecame president.
ofBibleprophecy. Matters came toahead the following
year atthe Tabernacle church innearby Fullerton when,
indefense ofhisviews, he laid claimtotheprophetic Bizarre Prophetic Interpretation Leads to Disaster
gift. Inabusiness meeting onNovember 4,1929,the
In order tounderstand what happened next,abrief
church formally requested P.E.Brodersen, president of
summary ofDavidian interpretation isnecessary.
the Southern California Conference, to examine his
Houteff professed agreement with allfundamental
teachings. InJanuary 1930,Brodersen, together with J.E.
Seventh-day Adventist beliefslisted inthe denomina-
Fulton, president of the Pacific Union Conference, and
tional Yearbook and the Church Manual. Hemaintained
others, concluded that Houteffs views were sofanciful
that his teachings could be fullysupported by the Bible
asnot tobe taken seriously, and dismissed thematter.
and the writings ofEllenWhite. He said that the
In 1930Houteff hectographed hisviews under the Seventh-day Adventist Church was the true church,but
titleThe Shepherd's Rod, thename by which he and his that itisinneed ofreforms based onhisparticular
coterieoffollowers were known over thenext 12years. interpretation oflast-day events foretold inthe Old
Persistent refusal onhispart toceasepromoting his Testament and inthebook ofRevelation.
ideas led thechurch, inabusiness meeting onNovember
He urged hisfollowers toremain members ofthe
20,1930,todisfellowship him. In1932asecond volume
church wherever possible and encouraged them totake
ofThe Shepherd's Rod appeared.
advantage ofevery opportunity toadvocate hisviews,
Relentlessadvocacy ofhisviews led,in 1934,toa eventothepoint ofdisrupting church services. Houteff
major hearing that involved representatives from the identified twoprincipal goalsoftheShepherd's Rodas:
General Conference aswell asthe PacificUnion and (1)purification oftheSeventh-day Adventist Church by
Southern California conferences. Theresult was a the cleansing foretold inEzekiel9,through acceptanceof
pamphlet with the titleA Warning Against Error, histeachings and him asitsleader, and (2)establishment
endorsed by theAutumn (now Annual) Council later of theDavidians inPalestine asthenucleus ofthe
that year asan official General Conference publication messianic kingdom and asabaseforproclaiming the
loud cry of the third angel of Revelation 14 and 18.
The OldTestament scenarioforlast-day events,hesaid,
Raymond Cottrell is retired after half a century of
was soontobeliterallyfulfilled-by theDavidians,
work as a pastor, foreign missionary, teacher, and
resident inPalestine.
editor. He is editor of Adventist Today.
Adventist Today MayIJune 1993 5
The fatal flaw in this system of interpretation is that the great battle foretold in Zechariah 14and Ezekiel 38
itignores the setting to which the Old Testament and 39.The Davidians would then lead out in establish-
passages were addressed and the numerous explicit Bible ing the eternal reign ofChrist as Lord over allthe earth.
statements identifying these prophecies as conditional on
On the basis ofRevelation 11Marcella Houteff pre-
the cooperation ofIsrael as the covenant people ofOld
dicted that a series of
Testament times.
events commencing
According to April 22,1959,would
Houteff, the David Koresh & Adventists: result in the expul-
investigative , sion ofJews and
judgment and TheEarlyConnection Arabs from Palestine
sealing of the living and open the way for
began in 1929when the Davidians to
he received the gift Vernon Wayne Howell was born in 1959to an migrate there and
ofprophecy and unmarried woman, Bonnie Haldeman ofHous- make Jerusalem their
began his ministry. ton, Texas. However, Vernon grew up in Dallas headquarters. She
The sealed saints, specifically identified
where he was reared as'aSeventh-day Adventist,
144,000in number the fulfillment of
says Newsweek (March 15,1993). As a child
(including himself), this prediction as a
would eventually Vernon was abused and repeatedly tqld that he conclusive "test" of
be translated wasn't worth anything, states former follower the integrity oftheir
without seeing Marc Breault. movement. She
death. Their arrived at this date by
probation, together Howell's maternal grandmother said that identifying Novem-
with that ofunre- Vernon was in many ways a "bright littleboy." ber 9,1955, as the
pentant Adventists commencement of
When he began school he was dyslexic and later
and Davidians, the" one thousand
went to a sgecial school for a year or so,but didn't
would close prior to two hundred and
the close ofhuman do well. He also attended Dallas Academy, an sixty [presumably
probation and the Adventist school. He dropped out by ninth literal] days" of
second coming of grade. Revelation 11because
Christ. this "light" had come
He devoted himself to Bibl~study, possessing toher on that day.
Separated thus
the ability to memorize many passages and link
from the "wheat," Accordingly, she
Adventist and them together to form unique religious perspec- set April 16as the
Davidian "tares" tives. When 18he moved to Jyler, Texas,where .timefor the faithful
would perish in the he joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. to assemble at
slaughter foretold in Mount Carmel
Church members didn't appreciate the long hair
Ezekiel9. After that Center preparatory to
and casual dress ofthis guitar-playing boy. His
the 144,000 migrating to Pales-
Davidians, sealed grandmother reports that he became disillusioned tine. The week of
for eternity, would with the Tyler church and moved to the Waco April 16to 22
proclaim the loud area where he joined the Branch Davidian Sev- witnessed the arrival
cry of the third of800to 1,000
enth-day Adventists at their Mt. Carmel outpost.
angel, general people, including
probation would -The Editors children. Non-
close~and Christ fulfillment ofthe
would return. anticipated events
inevitably resulted in
In order to
bitter disappointment
effect this literal fulfillment ofOld Testament prophecy,
and the demoralization and fragmentation ofthe
Houteff claimed it would be necessary for him and his
Davidians.
followers to migrate to Palestine in the near future.
Unrepentant Jews, Arabs, and others would perish in In the hope ofreclaiming as many ofthem as
6 Adventist Today May /June 1993
possible, the General Conference sent Vice President A. In Shepherd's Rod (Davidian) terminology the word
V.Olson to preach in the Waco SDA church. Davidian "rod" isthe" rod" or "shoot" from the" stem" ofJesse
leaders who attended the church service invited Olson (David), and the "Branch" isChrist as the Son ofDavid
to conduct aseries ofmeetings at Mount Carmel Center (Isaiah 11:1)-hence the name chosen by the Waco group,
from June 24toJuly 7. At the close ofthe series, "Branch Davidians."
Marcella Houteff requested that the General Conference
None ofthe other, relatively small, Davidian
arrange further meetings with Davidian leaders.
groups across the country approve ofKoresh or his
These joint meetings took place at General Confer- policy and tactics. In the wake ofrecent events at
ence headquarters in Washington, D.C., from July 27to Waco some of these groups have vigorously repudi-
August 7,with Vice Presidents W. E.Murray as chair ated such behaviors. During the early decades of
and A. V. Olson as secretary. The other General Shepherd's Rod history, its advocates made apractice of
Conference participants were H. W. Lowe, L.C.Evans demonstrating publicly in the vicinity ofchurch
(president of the Southwestern Union, which in- gatherings and often disrupted church services, at times
cludes Texas), A. C. Fearing, D. F.Neufeld, and R.L. resorting to somewhat bizarre tactics. Together with the
Odom. The General Conference and the Davidians both Davidian interpretation ofthe slaughter foretold in
issued formal reports of the meeting, listed at the close Ezekiel 9:1-11,these milder forms offorce may in some
ofthis article. way have predisposed Koresh to more drastic actions.
On December 12,1961,Marcella Houteff re- The stage was thus set for the tragic events of
nounced the teachings of"the Rod," and on March 11, February 28,1993 that left 4Federal agents dead and 15
1962,resigned aspresident of the Davidians. Benjamin wounded, and April 19,1993when 87Davidians per-
L.Roden assumed leadership ofthe largest remaining ished in amass suicide.
splinter group, with his wife Lois as its prophet. Upon
Roden's death in 1978,his wife and his son George
assumed command. But not for long. Primary Documentation
General Conference Committee, A Reply tothe
Shepherd's Rod, 1934,32 pp.
EnterDavid Koresh
The Committee on Defense Literature ofthe General
In 1981Vernon Howell joined the Mount Carmel
Conference ofSeventh-day Adventists, The History and
Center community near Waco, then led by George
Teachings of"The Shepherd's Rod," October 1955,64pp.
Roden. In 1983he began claiming the gift of prophecy.
On November~, 1987,animosity b~tween Howell and Research Committee of the General Conference of
Roden erupted into agun battle. Howell was charged Seventh-day Adventists, Report ofaMeeting Between a
with attempted murder but set free by ahung jury, and Group of "Shepherd's Rod" Leaders and aGroup ofGeneral
became leader ofthe Branch Davidians. In 1990he Conference Ministers, July 27-August 7,1959,May 1960,
legally changed his name to David Koresh, David being 16pp.
the name of the ideal king of Israel, and Koresh the
Universal Publishing Association (Davidian),
Hebrew name ofCyrus, who released the Jews from
Report and Analysis ofthe General Conference Committee's
Babylonian exile, both presumably types ofChrist.
Closed Hearing of "The Shepherd's Rod" July 27-August 7,
Koresh considered himself anew incarnation of 1959,1959,64 pp.
Jesus Christ, th~ Lamb ofRevelation 5. He claimed
Marc A. Breault, Letters to Dalton Baldwin, August
ownership ofeverything and everyone, especially all
1,1990, and September 18,1991. Briefly associated with
women, and exemption from paying taxes. His male
.David Koresh prior to 1990,Breault describes the
followers had to remain celibate, and he alone was
Branch Davidians as "a highly dangerous organization
permitted to inseminate. He issaid to have had 19
led by satanic forces."
wives, some ofwhom were 12or 13years old. He and
his followers assumed the right to steal, kill, or do
Marc A. Breault, "Some Background on the Branch
whatever necessary to silence critics and advance their
Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Movement From 1955
own cause. Howell maintained tight control of every
to the Early Part of1991," unpublished manuscript. May
aspect of the lives ofhis followers, who were not
27,1991.0
allowed to think for themselves. Those who broke
with him, he warned, were certain to go to hell.
Adventist Today May IJune 1993 7
Interview with Pastor Charlie Liu
Adventist Today:What was income. Some were not high school He adamantly denied itat the
your position previously? graduates, others had graduate time, but there were rumors of
degrees. Some were rich and others polygamy. I confronted him on the
Pastor Liu:Iwas the pastor at
poor. A number were newly converted issue once after church services. I
the Diamond Head Seventh-day
to Adventism. Most were younger and remember distinctly that we were
Adventist church in Honolulu for four
idealistic and the type to put them- standing right outside the front door,
years.
selves on the line for some cause. and he called his wife over to him and
Itwas there that you had some asked me, "Do you think Iwould ever
Butnothing stands out as a
connection with David Koresh? be unfaithful to this woman? No I
characteristic Unique to all 14.They just
wouldn't." He also had his child there
Yes,back in 1986David Koresh felt that here was afellow who was
beside him and he said, "Do you think
visited at the request ofamember and putting together well anumber of
that Iwould shame this child by doing
began holding home Biblestudies and scriptural texts. Koresh had abroad such a thing? No, twould never do
eventually took 14of our members appeal.
that." He liked to ask questions and
back to Southern California and then to
Youtried tokeep your church answer them himself.
Texas.
members from defecting. What was
When you cast doubt on Koresh's
Did he pose asan Adventist? their response toyour Christian and
claims, what did your affected mem-
Adventist lines ofreasoning?
bers say?
No, he never tried to gain mem-
bership or parade as an Adventist. A typical response was, "We have
They would express abit ofdoubt,
the new messenger, the new light.
but hedge. For instance, ifIasked if
Did your members see him asan
What you are reasoning from isthe old
they really believed Koresh was a
Adventist?
light. Ou~leader isthe only one who
messenger ofGod, they would reply, "1
can open the seven seals and lay before
As a former Adventist. hope so." The manipulative methodol-
us the truth ofthe very last days." I
ogy he used was fear. Church members
The group's formal name is reasoned from Christian principles,
were afraid to allow their rational
Branch Davidian Seventh-day Adven- pointing out the fallacy ofplaying to
selves to disbelieve the new "truths."
tists, isitnot? people's ~earsand using threats and
Sothey hedged their bets by staying
manipulation.
Right. They take the position that with Koresh.
they are descendants of Adventists, but They would say, "Christ's
But why would an Adventist
they have further light: they are a methods were the old way: we have
member be attracted to anew belief
"branch from" the Adventist commu- the new." But in terms ofAdventism, it
that instilled fear? That seems a
nity. was more difficult to appeal to them
paradox.
because we are based on some apoca-
What sort ofperson isMr. Koresh?
lyptic thinking that can play into this. It's clear to me that he offered a
He came across initially as ameek That was alittle tough for me. very black and white view oflife.
person. But when pressed about Koresh offered something that said:
The imminent ending ofthe world
theology he could speak very fast and "Are you tired ofthinking, ofmaking
was akey emphasis ofthis group?
had a sense ofaprophetic mantle. He decisions in your life?Come to me, I
was a soft-spoken, intense person. It was over emphasized, because will do the thinking for you. Don't
Koresh said to ignore the present, and worry any more." That is appealing to
What sort ofpersons were your
take no responsibility for family, alot ofpeople.
members who defected to him?
friends or aworld out there.
How can agroup that takes the
They were a fairly broad spectrum
We now know that Mr. Koresh Bible soseriously end up in that Waco
ofpeople in terms of education and
believes himself tobe divine and that shootout? Do you think there may be a
all men and women belong tohim- link between aliteralistic interpreta-
CharlieUu isanassociatepastorof particularly the women. Did he tion ofthe Branch's key chapters,
CampusHillChurchaswellaschaplain
advocate polygamy toyour church Ezekiel 9and Revelation 14,which do
and adjunctprofessorofreligionatLorna
members? contain some violent language, and the
Linda University.
recent violence atMr. Carmel?
8 Adventist Today May /June 1993
Ibelieve there isa definite connec- When Iwas a kid, following my We Adventists see some of our
tion. They believe they have a God- dad around, itwas the era in Adventist historic emphases, such aspreparation
given callto bear arms, not only to evangelism oflarge and gaudy beasts for an imminent ending ofthe world,
defend themselves, but to bring about ofRevelation. We did build on afear taken tobizarre ends atMt. Cannel,
the end-time scenario. They see Ezekiel factor to some degree. At that time I and we are appalled.
9as a callto cleanse the church-first thought itwas exciting, but after
We have long had aremnant
Adventism, then Christianity and the studying theology and being apastor I
theology. That has motivated us
world. In Revelation 14they see seven am bothered by our playing up avery
to highlight the unique aspects of
angels, not Adventism's traditional eccentric belief system.
Adventism to the neglect of
three angels. The additional four angels
We are pitching toward people recognizing that first ofallwe are
are the prominent leaders of the
who may be unbalanced or who may Christians. Our official creeds highlight
Shepherd's Rod-Branch Davidian
be just looking for the sensational. I that the gospel ofJesus Christ isthe
SDAs, beginning with Victor Houteff
don't like to put itthis way, but the foundational belief. That belief in the
and culminating in David Koresh.
people who may be attracted to astory gospel, ifrightly highlighted, will keep
What percentage ofthe IOO-plus in the supermarket tabloids of a five- us from bizarre, cultic behavior.
people atMt. Cannel, in your opinion, headed baby from Mars could well be
I think some followers of Koresh
are fonner Adventists recruited by attracted to some of our approaches. Is
will come out ofthis episode bruised
Koresh? this honoring God? Isthis God's call
and damaged and in need ofwhat the
that Isee in Scripture?
In Hawaii, the majority following true gospel can do for them-to make
him were Adventists. My guess is that We've probably done some things them whole persons again. That's
the majority at Mt. Carmel are former in the past that have set us up forwhat where the church community must be
Adventists. we're seeing now. Probably alot ofthe ready for them. Ifear that we are not
people connected with this cult had ready. Sometimes we are so eager to
Your father, Sunny Liu, was awell some fascination with that sort ofstuff. minimize the damage to the image of
known singing evangelist. What do They may have had aconnection with the church that we are not ready to heal
you make of our traditio~al evangelis- the Adventist church because ofthat, people who have just gotten in over
ticapproaches? / and then became disillusioned. their heads in something like this. 0
Commentary On
The Waco Syndrome
The key ingredient ofthe Waco.syndrome that exploded in violence on February 28is a naive lethal interpre-
tation of the Biblethat does not discriminate between objective reality and fantasy. As the Branch Davidians
demonstrated on February 28and April 19,1993,the proof-text method of interpreting the Biblecan be dangerous
not only to aperson's mental health but to his or her very lifeand that oftheologically innocent bystanders as well.
As a literary document the Biblemeans what its divine Author and inspired writers intended it to mean, as
determined by an objective, perceptive, competent reading of the text. Davidian interpretation ignores the
intent ofthe Biblewriters and the.historical circumstances to which they addressed their inspired preview ofthe
way in which God would work out His divine purpose for the covenant people. My article "The Role of Israel in
Old Testament Prophecy" on pages 25to 38ofvolume 4ofthe SDA BibleCommentary provides an effective
antidote to the proof-text method of interpreting the Old Testament prophets.
The Branch Davidians justify the violence that erupted at Mount Carmel Center by their interpretation of
Ezekiel 9,where the prophet is told to summon six "executioners," each with his "destroying weapon," and
directs "a man clothed in linen" to "go through ... Jerusalem, and put amark upon the foreheads ofthe men who
sigh and groan over allthe abominations that are committed in it." The six executioners are then told to
follow him and "smite" everyone without the mark. Davidians identify themselves as divinely commissioned to
fulfill this prophecy. They also cite Christ's instruction to His disciples, on the night ofHis betrayal, to arm
themselves (Luke 22:36-38).0
-Raymond Coffrell
Adventist Today May /June 1993 9
David Koresh:
Narcissistic Personality or...
ByNoel Gardner
THOUGH IHAVE NOT been able tointerview David Because of human vulnerability, a charismatic Koresh
Koresh and do not know more about him directly, Isense can step in and claim a lot ofabsolute authority, usurping
that he is primarily a severe narcissistic personality. Narcis- scriptures to support his position and structuring an
sists are individuals who defend against a sense ofdeep idealized view of the small group. 0
inferiority by the creation of a grandiose fantasied self in
which they see themselves as unusually powerful and
...Dysfunctional Religious Leader
superior. They may be very gifted and talented individuals,
but they cannot tolerate any challenge to their grandiosity.
They have avery inflated sense of self-importance. A Response to Noel Gardner
ByAntonius Brandon
My sense isthat there was akind oflinkage when
Koresh was attracted to some of the self-understanding that
isin Adventism in terms ofits uniqueness and specialness.
Consistent with the medical model, Noel Gardner
The notion!ofuniqueness, as being special, the only true and
follows a linear argument. He labels David Koresh
final people ofGod, isakind ofnotion that iswaiting for
and then proceeds to explore possible religious causes
trouble unless itis carefully understood. Itiswaiting for a
which may underlie his pathology. David Koresh's
linkage with some disturbed minds.
personal history seems to bear out that he isacon-
Iam most struck that the formation ofacult like this flicted•p..erson.
seems to spring from two fundamental vulnerabilities in
Thatdoes not, however, warrant alabel of
people. One isaneed for certitude-to feelthat one has
Narcissistic Personality (Disorder). Many religious
absolute answers in the context of avery complex world that
leaders, out ofpersonal corflict, have expressed a
is filled with ambiguity and uncertainty. The need for
certain strength of character and focus, but in assign-
certitude makes people extremely vulnerable. Erich Fromm
ing them apersonality disorder, we may miss the
talks about the many ways!in which people cannot tolerate
complex relationships involved in religious behavior.
owning the responsibility ofreal choices in aworld that's
complex and filled with ambiguity-how they will flee from Another way oflooking at the Koresh phenom-
freedom because of the enormous anxiety and uncertainty it enon is to explore the social context ofthe Branch
produces. That isa reflection ofalot ofpeople who need DavidianS and recognize the interactions that require
some absolute answers. Often times they will take al'funda- the type of1eadership they developed. This view does
mentalist position. The need for certitude makes some very not separate Koresh from the group that has become
well-meaning people highly vulnerable to being exploited in like alarge family, but sees him as apart ofasystem
this kind ofway. that requires tl1atindividuals fulfill various roles.
The other vulnerability is the need for specialness, the With his background of abuse, anger and
feeling that one is unusually important, superior. When one mistrust, he seems to fitin very well. With his ability
has aneed to be better than, or greater than, or more to respond to the emotional needs ofthe group and
righteous than, or more filled with truth than anyone else, their.feedback to him, he isas much acreation ofthe
that need for specialness isa great vulnerability that can be group as itsleader. As such, he may very well
exploited. The underlying core of "special" people often personify the dysfunctions of his religious community,
contains a great deal of doubt, and behind their apparently tying the fate ofitsmembers tohis own lifeor death. 0
smug self-cormdence there is a lot ofperceived inferiority.
Antonius Brandonwas an Adventist evangelist
Noel Gardnerwas an Adventist pastor before studying before earning his doctorate in clinical psychology.
medicine. He is chief, Council Liaison Psychiatry, University He is aprofessor ofmarriage and family therapy in
of Utah and president of the Utah Psychiatric Association. the Graduate School at Loma Linda University.
This piece is an excerpt from a telephone interview.
10 Adventist Today May/June 1993