Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2009, Page 47
Book Reviews
Tabernacle of Hope. Bridging Your Darkened Past Toward a Brighter Future
Kerry Noble, Fort Worth, Texas: Noble Strategies. 2008. ISBN-10: 0982008406
ISBN-13: 978-0-9820084-0-9, (soft cover), $18.95.178 pages.
Kerry Noble, an ordained minister, is a professional writer and speaker about destructive
political groups. His story is a familiar one: Idealistic young man joins a commune finds
himself second in command of a destructive political cult. Eventually he leaves the group
and becomes an expert on combating dangerous right-wing extremist ―patriots.‖
After Noble left The Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord (CSA) group in 1983, he
developed a personal philosophy—a mixture of Christian principles and positive psychology.
In its first 134 pages, Tabernacle of Hope concentrates primarily on Noble's adult
autobiography over three decades it concludes with his formula for overcoming a
―darkened past.‖
Noble's Story
Noble's story is dramatic, with many twists and turns. Upon finishing his theological studies,
the young, idealistic, pacifist evangelical, accompanied by his pregnant wife Kay and their
small child, accepts an administrative position at a small commune (the CSA) in Arkansas.
Noble becomes second in command to Jim Ellison, its mesmerizing and charismatic leader.
As the group, influenced by signs from God, changes in its philosophy and objectives, CSA
develops an extreme right-wing fundamentalist philosophy it is anti-Semitic, anti-
Communist, anti-federal government, and racist and homophobic.
Although often feeling shame and remorse, Noble becomes an American fascist—in his
terms, a terrorist.
Jim has an affair with a group member and takes her as a ―second wife.‖ When Noble
proposes to follow his leader, Kay becomes very upset. Noble, ashamed and guilt ridden,
then ends an adulterous relationship.
When CSA joins the Christian Patriot movement, it plots to overthrow the U. S. government,
adds new violent members, buys arms and ammunition, and turns the commune into a
fortress. Examples of consequent episodes include the following:
Tension between Jim and Noble increases.
CSA plans to bomb courthouses and assassinate federal officials.
Noble enters a gay church with a briefcase filled with explosives.
The FBI surrounds the CSA compound. Noble acts as negotiator between Jim and
the FBI.
Noble spends two years in federal prisons, often in isolation.
Noble is increasingly troubled by inconsistencies in the group‘s ideology and moved
by the kindness and respect of his ―enemies.‖
Once he is released, (no mention of exit counseling?) Noble builds a successful life as a
salesman, writer, lecturer, consultant to federal officials, and promoter of his new
philosophy and in 1998 he publishes Tabernacle of Hate: Why They Bombed Oklahoma
City.
Book Reviews
Tabernacle of Hope. Bridging Your Darkened Past Toward a Brighter Future
Kerry Noble, Fort Worth, Texas: Noble Strategies. 2008. ISBN-10: 0982008406
ISBN-13: 978-0-9820084-0-9, (soft cover), $18.95.178 pages.
Kerry Noble, an ordained minister, is a professional writer and speaker about destructive
political groups. His story is a familiar one: Idealistic young man joins a commune finds
himself second in command of a destructive political cult. Eventually he leaves the group
and becomes an expert on combating dangerous right-wing extremist ―patriots.‖
After Noble left The Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord (CSA) group in 1983, he
developed a personal philosophy—a mixture of Christian principles and positive psychology.
In its first 134 pages, Tabernacle of Hope concentrates primarily on Noble's adult
autobiography over three decades it concludes with his formula for overcoming a
―darkened past.‖
Noble's Story
Noble's story is dramatic, with many twists and turns. Upon finishing his theological studies,
the young, idealistic, pacifist evangelical, accompanied by his pregnant wife Kay and their
small child, accepts an administrative position at a small commune (the CSA) in Arkansas.
Noble becomes second in command to Jim Ellison, its mesmerizing and charismatic leader.
As the group, influenced by signs from God, changes in its philosophy and objectives, CSA
develops an extreme right-wing fundamentalist philosophy it is anti-Semitic, anti-
Communist, anti-federal government, and racist and homophobic.
Although often feeling shame and remorse, Noble becomes an American fascist—in his
terms, a terrorist.
Jim has an affair with a group member and takes her as a ―second wife.‖ When Noble
proposes to follow his leader, Kay becomes very upset. Noble, ashamed and guilt ridden,
then ends an adulterous relationship.
When CSA joins the Christian Patriot movement, it plots to overthrow the U. S. government,
adds new violent members, buys arms and ammunition, and turns the commune into a
fortress. Examples of consequent episodes include the following:
Tension between Jim and Noble increases.
CSA plans to bomb courthouses and assassinate federal officials.
Noble enters a gay church with a briefcase filled with explosives.
The FBI surrounds the CSA compound. Noble acts as negotiator between Jim and
the FBI.
Noble spends two years in federal prisons, often in isolation.
Noble is increasingly troubled by inconsistencies in the group‘s ideology and moved
by the kindness and respect of his ―enemies.‖
Once he is released, (no mention of exit counseling?) Noble builds a successful life as a
salesman, writer, lecturer, consultant to federal officials, and promoter of his new
philosophy and in 1998 he publishes Tabernacle of Hate: Why They Bombed Oklahoma
City.
