Friday, September 11, 2015

Self-Appointed Church of God Prophet Warns COG Members They Will Go Through Tribulation If They Watch Football This Fall


It's that time of year again as God's most highly favored, doubly blessed, self-appointed prophet/apostle/chief overseer is back proclaiming his perceived evils of football.  The NFL and collegiate games have all started which is raised the hackles of the self-appointed prophet.

Bob Thiel considers his words so prophetic that he has quotes scripture to warn those that find him foolish:
Later today, the National Football League (NFL) is scheduled to begin its official season for this violent sport. Many do not wish to seriously consider that American football is harmful, despite the facts, and would prefer that I not post about it.

The Bible suggests otherwise:
1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
Delusional Bob was not appointed by God.  He was not doubly blessed by God to be set apart to be a new splinter group leader.  Gaylyn Bonjour never even entertained the thought of such a thing happening when Theil asked for a blessing before going in to counsel with Meredith.  Thus, there is no concern to be had for anyone who disregards anything Theil says.  Quoting Isaiah as a threat does not mean God is going to back up that threat.

While there is an ongoing debate on the physical repercussions of tackle football, Thiel sets himself up as the FINAL authority on the matter. 

For some reason, he feels that his group is the true Philadelphian era and is filled with Philadelphia Christians.  For those that still believe the "era's" teachings, it is recognized by most that this would be considered the Laodicean era of the church.

He writes:
There is no doubt that American tackle football is dangerous to health. While some in the world consider watching it to be an ‘ethical uncertainty,’ true Philadelphia Christians (as well many who are not) realize that something about this sport is physically harmful and should not be encouraged.
Those who claim that encouraging American tackle football is fine are NOT Philadelphian Christians.  American tackle football causes real damage.  Damage that should not be encouraged.
These are some of the "proof's" Theil has for his nonsense:
Jesus taught not to intentionally hurt others, as it taught:
39… ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:39, NKJV)
The Apostle Paul also wrote:
29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it (Ephesians 5:29, NKJV)
Also, notice what John the Baptist taught soldiers:
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. (Luke 3:14, KJV)
Thiel cannot get past the cheerleaders either:

From the violence on the field, to the under-clothed cheerleaders, to some of the half-time antics, there is a lot wrong with American football.
Thiel also feels that the "gospel" prohibits football.  I can assure you that no writer of scripture ever entertained the thought of American football when writing out those verses.
Additionally, twice the New Testament refers to the good news message as “the gospel of peace”:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:14-15)
Is not taking a stand against encouraging sports violence consistent with the gospel of peace and love? Or should ministers tell people that violent sports like American tackle football are not “inherently evil” as at least one minister has done?
Then like any good Armstrongite has to do, Theil has to bring Herbert into the picture:
Unlike stories of violence in books or movies, American football involves actual violence and often physical injury–including brain damaging ones that are often not obvious for years.
The Bible forbids harming others or encouraging sin. Early professors of Christ would not watch violent games as they felt that watching was encouraging and participating in sin. Herbert W. Armstrong categorized American football as evil.
For someone who supposedly characterized football as "evil." Herbert watched football as well as basketball on Friday nights and Saturdays.

Thiel continues:
I do not watch American football. I consider that it is evil (also, no Christian can really defend how professional football cheerleading females are often publicly dressed and displayed). Others want to falsely act like there is nothing wrong with watching it.
Thiel's final warning is that you WILL go through the tribulation of you watch football this coming season.

 Be warned!  Your salvation is at stake!
Those Laodicean Christians who are fans of American tackle football are NOT Philadelphians and will be subject to violence themselves as they will have to go through the Great Tribulation if they do not repent (Revelation 3:14-22).

You can read his pile of malarkey here: NFL 2015: Should Christians Watch?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

If people suckle from the Thiel Boob's double dose of malarkey, they will be much worse off than if they watch football games.

Anonymous said...

Must be a Pittsburgh fan.

Anonymous said...

War, disease, religious extremism, hate, famine, drought, human slavery, injustice, earthquakes, unpredictable weather, racial tension . . . .

But, NO! The Great and Mighty Evil deserving your time and attention is football.

Oh, puh-leeze!

I'd laugh if the guy weren't so pathetic. Shut up, Bob. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!

Anonymous said...

But, isn't 'Boob T' so stupid that the NFL requires him to wear a helmet at all times in case he happens to bump into something that's actually true?

Unknown said...

Well thank goodness that ROLLER DERBY, MUD WRESTLING, or WWF was not spoken ill of by The Prophet Bob.

Anonymous said...

Herbert watched football as well as basketball on Friday nights and Saturdays

Just like HWA went dancing with Dorothy after sunset on Fridays, secure in the knowledge that his dumb sheep would never see them.

It reminds me of the trouble LCG's Little Jimmy Meredith got into earlier this year, when he recorded several rants about Hawaii Five O and its positive portrayal of gays.

All was well until someone pointed out that these pro-gay Hawaii Five O episodes had aired only on Friday night after sunset, and on Saturday night before sunset. Little Jimmy got EXPOSED for spending his Sabbath watching perverted TV programs he didn't want his members to watch!

How much football do you think Bitter Bobby watches as research to prove how much more righteous he is than those awful Laodiceans who don't watch football?

Anonymous said...

Bob Thiel says:

"...Those Laodicean Christians who are fans of American tackle football are NOT Philadelphians and will be subject to violence themselves as they will have to go through the Great Tribulation if they do not repent (Revelation 3:14-22)..."

Where does Bob Thiel get such whacky ideas saying that our salvation will be impacted if we watch football.

For Bob Thiel, have you ever considered some of Jesus Christ's following words?

"Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:" Mark 3:28

Consider Paul's words too:

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." 2 Corinthians 5:19

How nice! Anything in those verses about judging and blaming human beings for watching football? Even sinning, for that matter! God must be working some Plan of Salvation that Bob Thiel is blind to.

Meanwhile I am confident that Bob Thiel continues daily to have sin in his own personal life. Bob needs to "get real!" Bob, God has a way to impute righteousness that you are unaware of as you continue to compare yourSELF with others and blame/judge all except yourSELF!...

John

Anonymous said...

Your going to go through a lot of tribulation this year if you are a Bears fan.

Unknown said...

Maybe Thiel is mad because he has "Deflated Balls" !

Anonymous said...

You can severely injure or kill someone by driving an automobile. So STOP. Many people each year are electrocuted by having electricity in their home or workplace. So STOP. Some downhill skiers run into trees and die. So STOP.

Anonymous said...

according to this article, in 1904 alone 18 football players died and 159 were seriously injured in mostly prep school leagues:

http://www.history.com/news/how-teddy-roosevelt-saved-football?cmpid=Social_FBPAGE_HISTORY_20150910_233932815&linkId=16945395

Anonymous said...

I almost feel bad for Bobby - these are clearly the words of a man who got one too many locker room wedgies in high school.

Anonymous said...

the nice thing about dating an Eagles fan is that they don't mind if you cheat ;-)

Anonymous said...

Right, HWA wanted nothing to do with football, that's why AC students were so busy involving themselves in Rose Bowl events every year.

Being a prophet is easy when you get to make everything up as you go along.

Byker Bob said...

True prophets of Armstrongism generally do two things. They destroy everything a human could find that is pleasurable in life, and they reenforce that by putting you under penalty of a future that never seems to get around to happening.

I'd say keep watching football, and if your kids are so inclined, get them into Pop Warner, and into sports in their local high schools as well. Competition is a healthy learning experience that sets you up for success in life.

I'm just glad that Thiel never bashes NASCAR, NHRA drag racing, boxing, mixed martial arts, cage fighting, and the other sports that primarily interest me. He gets into everyone's face about football because that takes out the biggest cross section of sports fans. In some ways, football is the essence of Americana.

BB