Restoring the view of God as Heavenly Father amongst second/multi-generation ex-members of Divergent Christian Communities

Abstract

This study departs from the premise that the twisted foundational teaching of who God the Father is, as well as His association with humans as portrayed by Divergent Christian Communities, will impair members’ understanding of God the Father. Members believe that the leader, as the spiritual father of the group, is an embodiment of God the Father and the only conveyor of God’s truth to them. Leaders portray a skewed picture of this role of “father” through their lifestyle and teaching about God. This skewed picture of God has an impact on those who were born in the group referred to as second/multi-generation members, which hampers their reintegration into society, and especially their relationship with God after leaving the Divergent Christian Community. Research already indicated that the functioning of families and the role of parents in such communities is adapted to serve and promote the goals of the community. This study investigated whether the Divergent Christian Communities' teaching of God as Heavenly Father, as well as the expression of the role of Father in the community, aligns with the biblical account. Through a survey conducted with ex-members of the Gloriavale Christian Community, it was not only confirmed that their view of the biological family in the community, as well as the concept of “father”, was adapted, but more importantly, also their view of the Heavenly Father. The results of the survey confirm that the skewed picture of God the Father as portrayed by the leader and his teachings harmed their relationship with God.  It caused them to struggle to shake this internalized view of the meaning of “father” because of how it differs from the description of God in the Bible. The spiritual father (leader) was indicated as the one who had the most influence in establishing this skewed view of God. The survey further emphasized the complexity of this issue and that the road to recovery entails a process where a new thinking system must be established to shake the old internalized thinking system of the Divergent Christian Community. Starting with understanding how and why this skewed picture of God is established. Followed by a clear understanding of God the Father from a biblical point of view, and no longer through the lens of the community or how He is presented by the leader. Thereafter, the ex-members will be in a better position to also understand their position in the body of Christ, the true role of family, and their contribution to the world.