Worldwide Church of God

[DeaconDean]

I was helping a friend move a while back and while cleaning out a coffee table, he pulled out a book entitled "Mystery of the Ages" The answer to the questions of why I am who I am, and what am I doing here". Written by Herbert Armstrong.

I thought this would be something I'd like to read and since he was going to pack it away, he gave it to me.

The first few pages were really, really good.

However, the more I read, the more I wanted to throw the book away.

Nevertheless, in keeping with principles taught to me in seminary, I am still reading the book.

As I understand it, Mr. Armstrong wanted to turn over the reigns to his son, but his son became disillusioned with his teachings and began to refute them.

As a result, the reigns of his church was given to another man.

This man has since Armstrong's death, slowly and gradually, began to led the church back towards orthodox Christian beliefs.

What information can you guys give me other than what is posted on the wikipedia on this man?

How can a man decieve "Christians" into believing that the doctrine of the trinity was started by Satan, initiated through Simon Magus, into the Roman Catholic church, and people believe this?!?

How can a man decieve "Christians" (and I am using this term loosely) into believing that Jesus' death cannot save anyone?!?

How can a man decieve "Christians" into believing that people who die, will be given a second chance at salvation at the great white throne judgement?!?

How can a man decieve "christians" into believing that God created man to "put the finishing touches" on the creation, and to reporduce Himself into millions upon billions of gods?!?

Have we as Americans, walked so far from God that we are willing to accept anything, any teaching, any belief?

How can a man speak of the creation, quote scripture where the Holy Spirit is at work during the creation, and yet deny the very doctrine of the Holy Spirit?!?

I could almost write an entire book refuting everything this man is/has taught.

Insights anyone?

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[DesertJoe]

I remembered The world wide church of God from when I was young.I used to listen to Garner Ted (Herbert's son) on the radio all the time.They used to ascribe to British Israelism,among other errors,& they were a cult.I did say "were" on purpose.I do not know if the change was for real & still going on,but an organization called CRI (Christian Research Institute) Whose spokesman is Hank Hanegraaf is also someone I used to listen to on the radio.That organization's raison d'ettre is to teach sound orthodox Bible doctrine & to point out error & cults,& why they are errors & cults based on God's word.Having said all that,I remembered them when I read your post,& I remembered several years ago Hank had said that they had renounced error & were headed in the direction of orthodoxy. Here is something I found on Rapidnet

What is Happening With the Worldwide Church of God?**

Many well-known evangelical leaders and cult watch organizations have accepted the leadership of the new Worldwide Church of God as brothers in Christ and have called for acceptance of the organization. Hank Hanegraaff, President of the Christian Research Institute, has been glowing in his praise of the changes which have occurred in the WCG. An article in the 10/2/95 Christianity Today was very positive toward the "post-Armstrong Worldwide Church of God." The article noted that the reformed WCG has been accepted by faculty from Regent College, Fuller Seminary, and Azusa Pacific University [all liberal institutions]. David Neff, an editor of Christianity Today, bewailed the fact that many Christians have been slow to receive the WCG with open arms: "Sadly, Christians outside the WCG have been suspicious and slow to extend the right hand of fellowship." [The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) has also accepted the new WCG with full membership status.]

Though the leadership of the WCG has officially restated their doctrine in a more Biblical fashion, it is impossible to know how many of its members still cling to Armstrongism. A 1995 report by Phillip Arnn in The Watchman Expositor noted that Tkach's call for WCG ministers to preach the new doctrinal position on the Trinity has been met by hostility: "One of those changes was a bombshell dropped in July of 1993 with the adoption of 'a form of the Trinity' as the official statement on the nature of God. Although the change has been in effect for over a year, many field ministers have failed to explain the new position to their church members. ... Armstrong taught that the Trinity doctrine was false, and God was a family. Ministers and members were taught that God was reproducing Himself and they had the potential to become Gods themselves. THE CHANGE HAS BEEN MET WITH HOSTILITY FROM MINISTERS AND MEMBERS ALIKE. ... Many are unwilling to give up the 'Truth' they received from Armstrong. Watchman has received numerous reports from members and ministers who are saying that they can not understand the New Covenant being preached by Tkach."

The url for the whole article is Worldwide Church of God - Christian or Cult?

There is a page at CRI also.The url for that is The Worldwide Church of God: Resurrected into Orthodoxy

Although at the time I listened to Hank I absolutely heard the truth taught there,& at that time I never heard a cross word out of Hank,there has been controversy bout Hank since then.I do not know one way or the other about the controversy,but I know that sadly Satan attacks God's people however he can.God bless you & I hope this helps

 

[DesertJoe]

Dean...you also asked all the how comes...How come people would follow so many contradictions & outright un Biblical teachings.I have wondered that myself...There are sheeple who will swallow spiritual poison (As well as physical poison as was the case with Jim Jones) If the package is slick & appealing enough.Why let the facts get in the way,right?Again,God bless you

 

[sealacamp]

The apostle Paul knew why and how.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

From what I have seen again and again he was dead on. How can this be changed or refuted so that people follow the truth? That would be the question with no answer now wouldn't it?

Sealacamp

 

[DesertJoe]

The apostle Paul knew why and how.



From what I have seen again and again he was dead on. How can this be changed or refuted so that people follow the truth? That would be the question with no answer now wouldn't it?

Sealacamp

Amen

 

[Trupurpose]

I've been reading some of Herbert Armstrongs books. I'm reading 'Mystery of the Ages' for the second time. I'm not sure if I believe all of it, but there is quite a lot that made sense to me, where confusion was before.

I'm not going to get long winded, but here is a link to a site called 'the trumpet'. It is a Christian news site by the Philidelphia church of God.

Front Page | theTrumpet.com by the Philadelphia Church of God

You can also request literature that will be sent to you for free, or DL PDF, and just read from site. They have Herbert Armstrongs books, and I myself haven't discounted it as false teaching.

Literature | theTrumpet.com by the Philadelphia Church of God

Where does it say in the Word, revelation I think, that in the end times all the world will be decieved?

 

[th1bill]

Hank Hanagraph of the Christian Research Institute, aka. The Bible Answer Man found at equip.org has been working with these folks and the SDA Church to help them back to the basics. That web site will have the information you seek, I believe.

 

[Phileoeklogos]

I've been reading some of Herbert Armstrongs books. I'm reading 'Mystery of the Ages' for the second time. I'm not sure if I believe all of it, but there is quite a lot that made sense to me, where confusion was before.

I'm not going to get long winded, but here is a link to a site called 'the trumpet'. It is a Christian news site by the Philidelphia church of God.

Front Page | theTrumpet.com by the Philadelphia Church of God

You can also request literature that will be sent to you for free, or DL PDF, and just read from site. They have Herbert Armstrongs books, and I myself haven't discounted it as false teaching.

Literature | theTrumpet.com by the Philadelphia Church of God

Where does it say in the Word, revelation I think, that in the end times all the world will be decieved?

Herbert Armstrong came from an advertising background, he was a great saleman and Satan used him well, don't waste your time reading his clap trap, he with his son Ted Garner and Gerald Flurry and all the little splinter groups that spun off from the WWCG when it started moving to an orthodox theology, don't have a clue, never had a clue, and wouldn't know a clue when formally introduced.

Do yourself a favor, read your Bible, find a local church that teaches the Bible, I have found over the years that folks that aren't fellowshipping in a local church, that have little or no exposure to biblical teaching and preaching fall into wolf traps quite often.

 

[SwordoftheLord]

Wait..I gotta learn more about this Trinity thing...


HE says it was made by Satan, and Simon Magnus got it into the church? Info please?

 

[FreeinChrist]

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The Statement of Faith is Trinitarian. As Baptists, we believe that Jesus is the Second Person of a Triune God.

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[DeaconDean]

MOD HAT​

This thread has been cleaned up to remove any posts that had rule violations or posts that have quoted and responded to deleted posts. If you see that your post is missing, please understand that this is why.​

The site rules include this:​

​

Congregational Forum Restrictions, Christian Only Forums, and Off-Topic posts

Do not teach or debate in any Congregational Forum unless you are truly a member and share its core beliefs and teachings. Questions and fellowship are allowed, proselytizing is not.​

and​

● Do not promote or proselytize religious beliefs or religions (including Satanism or Occultism) other than Christianity. For the purpose of these rules, Christianity is defined by Christian Forums' Statement of Faith.​

​

The Statement of Faith is Trinitarian. As Baptists, we believe that Jesus is the Second Person of a Triune God.

This thread will now be re-opened. Thanks for your patience!​

Sister, since I posted this thread two years ago, you may close it with my permission.

God Bless

Till all are one.