the Christian Catholic Church in Zion

206 Pages·2016·2.82 MB·English

Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and
Retrospective Theses and Dissertations
Dissertations
1990
From sect to cult to sect: the Christian Catholic
Church in Zion
Warren Jay Beaman
Iowa State University
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Recommended Citation
Beaman, Warren Jay, "From sect to cult to sect: the Christian Catholic Church in Zion " (1990).Retrospective Theses and Dissertations.
9480.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/9480
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Order Number 0110482
From sect to cult to sect: The Christian Catholic Church in
Zion
Seaman, Warren Jay, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1990
U M I
SOON.ZcebRd.
Ann Aibor, MI 48106

From sect to cult to sect:
The Christian Catholic Church in Zion
by
Warren Jay Beaman
A Dissertation Submitted to the
Graduate Faculty in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Department: Sociology and Anthropology
Major; Sociology
Approved;
Signature was redacted for privacy.
In Charge of Major Work
Signature was redacted for privacy.
For the Major Department
Signature was redacted for privacy.
Foç/^he Graduate College
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
1990
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1
Statement of Purpose 1
Methodology 4
Biographical Sketch of John Alexander Dowie 9
Cults and Cult Leaders 15
CHAPTER II; CULT AND SECT LITERATURE . . 19
Defining the Cult and Sect 19
Stark and Bainbridge 19
Keith Roberts 23
The Genesis Variable 28
The Tension Variable 32
The Leadership Variable and Separation Variable . . 34
The Charismatic Leader 35
Separation .............. 37
Synthesis 37
Cult or Sect; Who Cares? 39
CHAPTER III: FROM SECT TO CULT TO SECT 42
The Deviant Character of Dowie's Religious
Movement 43
Deviance Indicators 44
Temperance 46
Divine Healing 46
Dietary Restrictions and Health Laws 49
Pacifism 52
Communal ism 53
Women in Ministry 56
Interracial Marriage 57
British Israelis# 58
Millenarianism 60
Restoration of the Wicked 62
Centrality of Dowie as Prophet, Apostle, and
Ruler 62
The Elijah Declaration 62
The First Apostle 70
Polygamy 71
Analysis and Summary 78
CHAPTER IV: MODELS OF CULT FORMATION 80
Subcultural-evolution Model 81
CHAPTER V; THE PSYCHOPATHOLOGY MODEL 85
Medicalization of Deviance 85
Stark and Bainbridge 88
Wallace; Prophets of Cultural Revitalization ... 92
Silverman: Shamans and Acute Schizophrenia .... 95
i i i
Major Crises Events 100
Early Ministry Crises 100
Early Marriage Crisis 102
Independent Ministry 104
Second Marriage Crisis 105
Visions and Gifts 107
Analysis and Perspective 109
CHAPTER VI: THE ENTREPRENEUR MODEL OF CULT FORMATION . 115
Dowie as Entrepreneur 117
The Promoter . 117
Economic Feedback Effects 124
Financial Rewards for Followers 128
The Downfall of Zion 131
The Entrepreneur and Religious Eclecticism . . . 136
Analysis and Summary 138
CHAPTER VII: SYMBOLIC INTERACTION AND THE CULT
LEADER 141
A Brief Revisit to the Three Models 141
Theory 4: Symbolic Interaction and the Cult Leader . 142
The Social Self 144
Early Leadership: Sympathetic and Attractive . 147
Blinded by Success 155
Elijah the Restorer 156
First Apostle 160
The Prophet's Social Self 163
Groupthink 164
Analysis and Perspective 169
CHAPTER VIII: CONCLUSION 172
Further Study 181
BIBLIOGRAPHY 185
NEWSPAPERS 192
ARCHIVAL SOURCES 193
iv
LIST OF TABLES
PAGE
TABLE 1. Typology of Cult Definitions ......... 38
TABLE 2. Deviance Indicators 45
TABLE 3. Dowie And Three Nineteenth Century "Cult"
Groups 137