Benjamin Roden, Branch Davidians

Benjamin Roden, Branch Davidians

Benjamin Roden, who developed the Shepherd's Rod into what is now known as the Branch Davidians

This is a copy of a photograph of Benjamin Roden, the founder of the Branch Davidians, when he was estimated to be about 35 years old.

Unknown

Joe Robert Collection, The Texas Collection, Baylor University, Waco, Texas

Newport, Kenneth G. C. The Branch Davidians of Waco : The History and Beliefs of an Apocalyptic Sect, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ugalib/detail.action?docID=431150.

ca. 1935

Waco Tribune Herald

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January 5, 1902

Bearden, Indian Territory, United States of America

October 22, 1978

Author, Sabbath Teacher, Branch Davidian Seventh Day Adventist Reformer

Benjamin Roden was a Jewish convert who came into contact with the Shepherd's Rod shortly after joining the Seventh-Day Adventist church, at least by 1946 (Newport, 2006). Like Houteff, Roden and his wife developed religious beliefs that were not accepted by their church, and were ultimately disfellowshipped. The Rodens joined the Shepherd's Rod, and after Houteff’s death, Roden assumed a position of leadership. He began referring to himself as the “Branch,” which became the new name of the religious group that joined under him (Pitts, 1995). After a long legal battle with the owner of the Mt. Carmel land, in 1973 Roden finally bought the land with his wife and son. His followers developed into the Branch Davidians and lived on the Mt. Carmel property. Roden believed very firmly in his God-given purpose on the earth, and claimed to be King David's successor (Newport, 2006). He claimed most of his theology and beliefs were imparted to him directly from God, and this impressed the Branch Davidians, and he led the group until his death in 1978 (Ibid.).

Newport, Kenneth G. C.. The Branch Davidians of Waco : The History and Beliefs of an Apocalyptic Sect, Oxford University Press, Incorporated, 2006. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ugalib/detail.action?docID=431150.

Pitts, William L. “Davidians and Branch Davidians.” Texas State Historical Association, 1 Sept. 1995, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/davidians-and-branch-davidians#t-taxonomy. Accessed 2 December 2021.