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The Brethren (Jim Roberts group)

January 01, 1970

For other religious groups known as Brethren, see Brethren (religious group).

The Brethren is one of several informal names for a nameless religious movement created by Jimmie T. "Jim" Roberts. Other names include The Travellers, The Road Ministry, Body of Christ, and the Brothers and Sisters. The movement's members shun material things and family, living essentially as vagrants and doing odd jobs to pay their expenses. The movement's way of life has led to accusations by detractors that it is a cult, while supporters would say that the inclusion of the group in "cult" lists is part of the anti-cult movement or Christian countercult movement, which denominates any group a "cult" that does not fit the anti-cult group's doctrine or practice.

Brethren
Body of Christ
Brothers and Sisters
ClassificationEvangelical new religious movement
TheologyMillenarianism
Apocalypticism
LeaderJerry Williams
FounderJimmie T. "Jim" Roberts
Origin~1971
Separated fromJesus movement

Origins edit

Jimmie T. Roberts (also known as Brother Evangelist Roberts[1]), son of a former Pentecostal minister, created the movement around 1971, drawing together followers of the Jesus Movement across the United States. Roberts had become convinced that mainstream churches were too worldly and wished to create a wandering discipleship patterned on the New Testament apostles. He began recruiting a core of followers in Colorado and California.[2] At first they adopted a communal lifestyle.[citation needed]

Jim Roberts died on December 6, 2015, in Denver, Colorado at the age of 76. His cause of death is listed as "metastatic adenocarcinoma of unclear primary." Upon Jim Roberts’ death, the leadership role of the organization was passed to Jerry Williams; A.K.A. "Brother Hatsair" and three other elders.

Beliefs edit

Beliefs are prominently millenarian and apocalyptic, centered on the teaching that humanity is in the end times and that members must purify themselves in preparation for the end of the world.[3] The movement directs new members to sell their possessions and break ties with their families as a necessary part of discipleship.[1] Any finances generated are distributed according to need. For instance, money might be used for material to sew clothing, traveling expenses, or cooking spices. In some cases new members' money was given to older members, but in other cases it was kept by the individual to do what they would with it.

The main Scriptures used in support of the group's anti-materialistic lifestyle are:

  • Luke 14:33 "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."
  • Matthew 19:29 "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my names's sake, shall receive an hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting life."
  • Acts 4:32 "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul; neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."
  • Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment?"
  • Mark 8:35 "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it."
  • 2 Timothy 6:7-8 "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

The Brethren live as itinerants. They acquired the nickname "the Garbage Eaters" after being observed collecting discarded food from dumpsters.[1][4] Although some members may at times not bathe frequently, especially when camping out, the group has no laws or rules against bathing or using soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc. Although some members refuse medical treatment, other members have accepted medical treatment or dental work. During the 1970s, members wore monk-like habits.[2] Men wear long beards and tunics, and women dress modestly in long dresses and long hair. Women and men eat separately and have clearly defined roles. Immediately on joining the group, women begin sewing their own clothing. Graven images are not allowed, and any image on products found are covered to protect the members from seeing them. Coloring is allowed, but not creating images. Singing is a part of nightly gatherings. [citation needed]

The Brethren also maintain that there is no actual sacrament of the Eucharist, and that the bread and wine should be understood only as a metaphor for fellowship.[citation needed] Members are divided into pairs (or occasionally three) and sent off to preach. The teams regather periodically for fellowship and to be assigned new companions and their next destination. The hierarchy is minimal. After the death of Roberts, four Elders were ordained as leaders. Some members are designated as "Older brothers" or "Middle brothers" according to time served in the group.[2]

Secrecy edit

A highly publicized case of deprogramming in Arkansas during 1975 brought unwelcome attention to the Brethren. Beginning in the late 1970s, stories written by members, such as Rachel Martin,[5] also began appearing. Coverage, often negative, continued to surface in the media. The group dropped out of sight around 1980.[2]

After several police raids and arrests in the 1970s, Roberts ordered members to keep their locations secret and not to communicate with their families. The members fear being arrested or kidnapped at the request of distraught families, with instances reported as recently as 1998.[citation needed]

Families of members have asserted that their relatives are moved about to keep them from reestablishing familial contact.[1] Parents whose children have disappeared into the movement have formed a group called "The Roberts Group Parents Network" for mutual support and to aid in locating missing members.[3] In 2011, Evangeline Griego's documentary film God Willing[6] explored the experiences of parents trying to reestablish contact with children who had joined the Brethren and disappeared. The film has since aired on PBS stations in the United States.[7]

See also edit

Bibliography edit

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ a b c d Walker (2007), p. 74.
  2. ^ a b c d Melton (2003), p. 1131.
  3. ^ a b Snow (2003), p. 190.
  4. ^ Melton (2003), p. 1132.
  5. ^ Martin (1980)
  6. ^ Griego, Evangaline (28 April 2011). "What I Learned About Cults While Making God Willing". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  7. ^ . About Time Productions. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.

References edit

  • Martin, Rachel; Bonnie Palmer Young (1980). Escape. London: Pickering and Inglis. ISBN 0-7208-0459-0.
  • Melton, J. Gordon (2003). Encyclopedia of American Religions (Seventh ed.). Farmington Hills, Michigan: The Gale Group, Inc. ISBN 0-7876-6384-0.
  • Snow, Robert L. (2003). Deadly Cults: The Crimes of True Believers. Westport Connecticut: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 978-0-275-98052-8.
  • Walker, James K. (2007). The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7369-2011-7.

Further reading edit

Books edit

  • Cult Sister by Lesley Smailes ISBN 978-0-624-08040-9
  • Darnell, S.E. (2017) [2011]. Agents of Discord: Deprogramming, Pseudo-Science, and the American Anticult Movement. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-351-53322-5.
  • Dugger, Rachel Martin; Bonnie Palmer Young (1980). Escape. London: Pickering and Inglis. ISBN 0-7208-0459-0.
  • Guerra, Jim (2000). From Dean's List to Dumpsters: Why I Left Harvard to Join a Cult. Dorrance Publishing Co. ISBN 978-0-8059-4850-9.
  • Walker, J.K. (2007). The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality. Harvest House Publishers. p. 74. ISBN 978-0-7369-2011-7.

News reports edit

  • Staff writer (2006-02-10). "Father receives letter from missing daughter". Lawrence Journal-World.
  • Kondo, Emmy (1998-03-25). . ABCNEWS.com. Archived from the original on 2001-09-28.
  • Lopez, Rebecca (2000-11-28). . WFAA.com. WFAA-TV. Archived from the original on 2001-02-08.
  • Raney, Dave (2006-02-08). "Family believes cult lured daughter". Lawrence Journal-World.
  • Richards, Deanna (2006-02-07). . 6 News Lawrence. Archived from the original on 2008-06-20.
  • Sheill, Bill (1998-05-11). . NewsNet5.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08.
  • Sheill, Bill (1998-05-11). . NewsNet5.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08.
  • Sheill, Bill (1998-05-11). . NewsNet5.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08.
  • Sherry, Allison (1998-09-08). "Students warned about cults". Rocky Mountain Collegian.[permanent dead link]

External links edit

  • The Roberts Group Parents Network

January 01, 1970
brethren, roberts, group, other, religious, groups, known, brethren, brethren, religious, group, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, require,. For other religious groups known as Brethren see Brethren religious group This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia s quality standards The specific problem is Please help improve this article if you can February 2017 Learn how and when to remove this message This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources The Brethren Jim Roberts group news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2017 Learn how and when to remove this message Learn how and when to remove this message The Brethren is one of several informal names for a nameless religious movement created by Jimmie T Jim Roberts Other names include The Travellers The Road Ministry Body of Christ and the Brothers and Sisters The movement s members shun material things and family living essentially as vagrants and doing odd jobs to pay their expenses The movement s way of life has led to accusations by detractors that it is a cult while supporters would say that the inclusion of the group in cult lists is part of the anti cult movement or Christian countercult movement which denominates any group a cult that does not fit the anti cult group s doctrine or practice Brethren Body of Christ Brothers and SistersClassificationEvangelical new religious movementTheologyMillenarianism ApocalypticismLeaderJerry WilliamsFounderJimmie T Jim RobertsOrigin 1971Separated fromJesus movement Contents 1 Origins 2 Beliefs 3 Secrecy 4 See also 5 Bibliography 5 1 Footnotes 5 2 References 6 Further reading 6 1 Books 6 2 News reports 7 External linksOrigins editJimmie T Roberts also known as Brother Evangelist Roberts 1 son of a former Pentecostal minister created the movement around 1971 drawing together followers of the Jesus Movement across the United States Roberts had become convinced that mainstream churches were too worldly and wished to create a wandering discipleship patterned on the New Testament apostles He began recruiting a core of followers in Colorado and California 2 At first they adopted a communal lifestyle citation needed Jim Roberts died on December 6 2015 in Denver Colorado at the age of 76 His cause of death is listed as metastatic adenocarcinoma of unclear primary Upon Jim Roberts death the leadership role of the organization was passed to Jerry Williams A K A Brother Hatsair and three other elders Beliefs editBeliefs are prominently millenarian and apocalyptic centered on the teaching that humanity is in the end times and that members must purify themselves in preparation for the end of the world 3 The movement directs new members to sell their possessions and break ties with their families as a necessary part of discipleship 1 Any finances generated are distributed according to need For instance money might be used for material to sew clothing traveling expenses or cooking spices In some cases new members money was given to older members but in other cases it was kept by the individual to do what they would with it The main Scriptures used in support of the group s anti materialistic lifestyle are Luke 14 33 So likewise whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath he cannot be my disciple Matthew 19 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my names s sake shall receive an hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting life Acts 4 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own but they had all things common Matthew 6 25 Therefore I say unto you Take no thought for your life what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink nor yet for your body what ye shall put on Is not the life more than meat and the body more than raiment Mark 8 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel s the same shall save it 2 Timothy 6 7 8 For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out And having food and raiment let us be therewith content The Brethren live as itinerants They acquired the nickname the Garbage Eaters after being observed collecting discarded food from dumpsters 1 4 Although some members may at times not bathe frequently especially when camping out the group has no laws or rules against bathing or using soap shampoo deodorant etc Although some members refuse medical treatment other members have accepted medical treatment or dental work During the 1970s members wore monk like habits 2 Men wear long beards and tunics and women dress modestly in long dresses and long hair Women and men eat separately and have clearly defined roles Immediately on joining the group women begin sewing their own clothing Graven images are not allowed and any image on products found are covered to protect the members from seeing them Coloring is allowed but not creating images Singing is a part of nightly gatherings citation needed The Brethren also maintain that there is no actual sacrament of the Eucharist and that the bread and wine should be understood only as a metaphor for fellowship citation needed Members are divided into pairs or occasionally three and sent off to preach The teams regather periodically for fellowship and to be assigned new companions and their next destination The hierarchy is minimal After the death of Roberts four Elders were ordained as leaders Some members are designated as Older brothers or Middle brothers according to time served in the group 2 Secrecy editA highly publicized case of deprogramming in Arkansas during 1975 brought unwelcome attention to the Brethren Beginning in the late 1970s stories written by members such as Rachel Martin 5 also began appearing Coverage often negative continued to surface in the media The group dropped out of sight around 1980 2 After several police raids and arrests in the 1970s Roberts ordered members to keep their locations secret and not to communicate with their families The members fear being arrested or kidnapped at the request of distraught families with instances reported as recently as 1998 citation needed Families of members have asserted that their relatives are moved about to keep them from reestablishing familial contact 1 Parents whose children have disappeared into the movement have formed a group called The Roberts Group Parents Network for mutual support and to aid in locating missing members 3 In 2011 Evangeline Griego s documentary film God Willing 6 explored the experiences of parents trying to reestablish contact with children who had joined the Brethren and disappeared The film has since aired on PBS stations in the United States 7 See also editFaith mission Jesus ChristiansBibliography editFootnotes edit a b c d Walker 2007 p 74 a b c d Melton 2003 p 1131 a b Snow 2003 p 190 Melton 2003 p 1132 Martin 1980 Griego Evangaline 28 April 2011 What I Learned About Cults While Making God Willing The Huffington Post Retrieved 22 May 2015 God Willing A Film by Evangeline Griegio About Time Productions Archived from the original on 18 January 2012 Retrieved 11 March 2012 References edit Martin Rachel Bonnie Palmer Young 1980 Escape London Pickering and Inglis ISBN 0 7208 0459 0 Melton J Gordon 2003 Encyclopedia of American Religions Seventh ed Farmington Hills Michigan The Gale Group Inc ISBN 0 7876 6384 0 Snow Robert L 2003 Deadly Cults The Crimes of True Believers Westport Connecticut Praeger Publishers ISBN 978 0 275 98052 8 Walker James K 2007 The Concise Guide to Today s Religions and Spirituality Eugene Oregon Harvest House Publishers ISBN 978 0 7369 2011 7 Further reading editBooks edit Cult Sister by Lesley Smailes ISBN 978 0 624 08040 9 Darnell S E 2017 2011 Agents of Discord Deprogramming Pseudo Science and the American Anticult Movement Taylor amp Francis ISBN 978 1 351 53322 5 Dugger Rachel Martin Bonnie Palmer Young 1980 Escape London Pickering and Inglis ISBN 0 7208 0459 0 Guerra Jim 2000 From Dean s List to Dumpsters Why I Left Harvard to Join a Cult Dorrance Publishing Co ISBN 978 0 8059 4850 9 Walker J K 2007 The Concise Guide to Today s Religions and Spirituality Harvest House Publishers p 74 ISBN 978 0 7369 2011 7 News reports edit Staff writer 2006 02 10 Father receives letter from missing daughter Lawrence Journal World Kondo Emmy 1998 03 25 The Clandestine Brotherhood ABCNEWS com Archived from the original on 2001 09 28 Lopez Rebecca 2000 11 28 Cult Targets College Students WFAA com WFAA TV Archived from the original on 2001 02 08 Raney Dave 2006 02 08 Family believes cult lured daughter Lawrence Journal World Richards Deanna 2006 02 07 Missing daughter believed to be with cult 6 News Lawrence Archived from the original on 2008 06 20 Sheill Bill 1998 05 11 Held Captive By A Cult NewsNet5 com Archived from the original on 2012 02 08 Sheill Bill 1998 05 11 Kidnapped From A Cult NewsNet5 com Archived from the original on 2012 02 08 Sheill Bill 1998 05 11 Cult Con Men NewsNet5 com Archived from the original on 2012 02 08 Sherry Allison 1998 09 08 Students warned about cults Rocky Mountain Collegian permanent dead link External links editThe Roberts Group Parents Network ICSA review for From Dean s List to Dumpsters Why I Left Harvard to Join a Cult Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Brethren Jim Roberts group amp oldid 1166643191, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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