Crack's in the Defense of Herbert Armstrong and Ellen G White's Prophet Status

Below is an article that appeared on an ex-SDA Facebook page.  It is about Ellen G White and the belief that she was a prophet.  If you substitute her name with Herbert Armstrong's you get the exact same scenario on how HWA claimed to not be a prophet yet deep down thought he was.

"A Crack in the Defense of EGW" (and HWA)

One of the many defenses that the SDA (COG) use for EGW (HWA) is that she (he) "never claimed to be a prophetess (prophet)". But what is a prophet? What are the marks of a prophet? First let's look at what EGW (HWA); the SDA Church (COG) said.

"One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White (HWA). As the Lord's messenger, her (his) writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested."—Fundamental Beliefs, 17

Ellen White (HWA) never assumed the title of prophetess, but she (he) did not object when others called her (him) by that title. (What follows is a quote from EGW, though HWA said the exact same thing) She explained, "Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have ever responded, I am the Lord's messenger. I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title. . . . Why have I not claimed to be a prophet?—Because in these days many who boldly claim that they are prophets are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and because my work includes much more than the word 'prophet' signifies. . . . To claim to be a prophetess is something that I have never done. If others call me by that name, I have no controversy with them. But my work has covered so many lines that I can not call myself other than a messenger." - White, "A Messenger," Review and Herald, July 26, 1906, p. 8. The title "the Lord's messenger" was given by inspiration (ibid.).

And just what did her  'work' entail?

EGW - "Little heed is given to the Bible," she said, therefore "the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light." - White, "An Open Letter," Review and Herald, Jan. 20, 1903, p. 15 in White, Colporteur Ministry (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1953), p. 125.

EGW - "'I took the precious Bible and surrounded it with the several Testimonies for the Church, given for the people of God. . . . .You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God's word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies. It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourselves with God's inspired Book that He has sought to reach you by simple, direct testimonies, calling your attention to the words of inspiration which you had neglected to obey, and urging you to fashion your lives in accordance with its pure and elevated teachings.'" - White, Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 664, 665.


Prophet (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary) - a member of some religions (such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) who delivers messages that are believed to have come from God

1 : one who utters divinely inspired revelations: as

a) often capitalized : the writer of one of the prophetic books of the Bible
b) capitalized : one regarded by a group of followers as the final authoritative revealer of God's will (Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah)

2 : one gifted with more than ordinary spiritual and moral insight; especially  an inspired poet
3 : one who foretells future events : predictor
4 : an effective or leading spokesman for a cause, doctrine, or group
5 Christian Science

a : a spiritual seer
b : disappearance of material sense before the conscious facts of spiritual Truth

Prophet (Smith's Bible Dictionary)- The ordinary Hebrew word for prophet is nabi, derived from a verb signifying "to bubble forth" like a fountain; hence the word means one who announces or pours forth the declarations of God. The English word comes from the Greek prophetes (profetes), which signifies in classical Greek one who speaks for another, especially one who speaks for a god, and so interprets his will to man; hence its essential meaning is "an interpreter." The use of the word in its modern sense as "one who predicts" is post-classical. The larger sense of interpretation has not, however, been lost. In fact the English word ways been used in a closer sense. The different meanings or shades of meanings in which the abstract noun is employed in Scripture have been drawn out by Locke as follows: "Prophecy comprehends three things: prediction; singing by the dictate of the Spirit; and understanding and explaining the mysterious, hidden sense of Scripture by an immediate illumination and motion of the Spirit."

So, we can see by definition, a 'prophet' is a messenger who gives or speaks the message from God. EGW (HWA) did claim to be "the Lord's messenger", so in fact she (he) did claim to be a prophet, by deed, even if not by title. And as such she (he) must be pass the Biblical test of a prophet, and it is in this area that she (he) fails. By God's own word, she (he) is therefor NOT A PROPHET(messenger) SENT BY HIM!!!

Fred Dattalo Opens His Home So Seniors Can Experience What Being A Privileged PCG Minister Is Like

Fred Dattalo has been struggling to recover his damaged image after contributing to the suicide of Janet De Generro.  Dattalo, Culpepper and Flurry all contributed to this woman's mental breakdown because of PCG's abominable and abusive "no contact" polices and then covered up that she had committed suicide.

See: How Fred Dattalo, Cal Culpepper and Gerald Flurry Caused The Suicide of Janet De Gennaro

Fred has a long history in the Church of God in trying to be seen as a relevant person in the hierarchy.  He was employed in Pasadena for many years in Accounting and then jumped ship to be with Rod Meredith when the Global Church of God was started.  Then when Global imploded and Meredith took all of its money, Dattalo jumped ship to Living Church of God.  Then when Meredith did not pander to Dattalo's magnificence he jumped ship to Gerald Flurry's personalty cult.  There Dattalo quickly rose up the ranks.  By this time Dattalo knew what to say and what not to say in order to advance.

In his new found position of power in the Philadelphia Church of God, Dattalo has had a heavy hand in making the lives of PCG members as miserable as possible.

See:    Fred Dattolo Goes Up High in PCG
See:    Disfellowshipping

Now Dattlo is in charge of all the financial records of the Canadian PCG members.  He closely monitors who is giving and how much.

Now PCG is trotting Dattalo out as a warm and welcoming man who opened his backyard for the senior PCG members in his area.  From the picture taken in  Dattalo's backyard it is very apparent that he does NOT live in a small house considering the size of his backyard.  Being high up in the PCG certainly has its rewards!

See:  Seventeen Seniors Share Food and Games

Joel Hilliker Thankful for His Life of Privilege

Joel's home on the PCG compound.

The Philadelphia Church of God recently ran the following article on its web site as if it was something of importance:  Thankful   Its a story by Joel Hilliker on how much he appreciates  his two decades of privileged lifestyle in the Philadelphia Church of God.

He starts of with a rather odd comment on how God pays close attention to anniversaries, memorials and reminders...though birthdays are not part of that scenario.  Joel apparently does not see the hypocrisy in his comment.  God loves anniversaries but hates birthdays. That's why Joel's god apparently is well pleased that Joel joined Gerald Flurry's cult in 1994 though.

God pays close attention to many anniversaries, memorials and annual reminders. The Sabbath after Thanksgiving is one date I remember each year. It was on this day in 1994 that my family attended services with the Philadelphia Church of God for the first time.

 He then goes on about all of HIS accomplishments:

I can survey more than 19 years of being baptized—possessing and growing in the Holy Spirit, the source of spiritual understanding, power, love. Over 17 years of working at headquarters in Edmond, directly contributing to God’s Work. Nearly 16 years of marriage, building memories and absorbing all the lessons it offers. Over 14 years in God’s ministry, and 14 years teaching at God’s college, helping others’ spiritual growth. Over 13 years as a father, and seven as a father of three, working in partnership with God and my wife at shaping future God beings.

There's one common thread in all Armstrongite splinter cults.  Its always about THEM instead of Jesus.  They never can seem to mention the guy.

Then Joel writes:

What a marvelous education. When God begets someone with His Spirit and brings him into His Family, He is so generous with opportunities to learn and grow.

Joel has apparently been elevated above the lowly church members who have never experienced generosity or received numerous opportunities to learn and grow at church expenses.  While they suffer and are forced to kick their children to the curb and are forced to send in more and more money, Joel  lives a life of privileged luxury with all of the ministerial perks that go with his job.  Free travel to Feast sites, free lodging, free (or highly discounted) schooling for his children, meals payed for, many personal expenses paid for, a fancy home, corporate cars, access to the upper leadership of the cult and much much more.

He then writes this:

Developing a relationship with Him through daily prayer, continually striving to make it more Spirit-minded, godlier, more vigorous and robust. Learning the skills, the workmanship, of productive Bible study; coming to accept the piercing of God’s spiritual sword into the joints and marrow; learning to convert words, stories, abstractions, into redirected thoughts, words and deeds; seeking biblical guidance to answer life’s questions, to speak to one’s own needs and the needs of the family. Building relationships within the body of Christ, being sharpened by the iron of Christian fellowship, learning to serve and sacrifice and love. Developing a relationship with Christ’s ministry, recognizing direction, seeking counsel, accepting correction. These are the courses of a character-building curriculum. These are true blessings.

Armstrongism thrives on the warrior god that is constantly battling the world around them.  They cannot focus up on the grace filled message of Jesus, but sure do love the swords and mayhem of their Old Testament god they follow.

All credit to the Husbandman. He truly is relentless in His effort to produce fruit within His children. Within the heart of every last begotten son who will yield to Him, He never ceases to work away—pressing, prodding, softening, molding, toiling, hammering, healing. And because of His pity, persistence, perseverance and unending patience, over time—over decades—His efforts repay. He keeps incrementally gaining ground in His supreme feat of creative accomplishment.

If they actually knew the Jesus they claim to follow then they would not feel the need to be ceaselessly prodded, constantly being remolded, toiling away, being hammered at, or following a god that is only incrementally is able to gain ground in its creatures.  Jesus says his yoke is Easy, His burden is light.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For my yoke is pleasant and my burden is light.

There's nothing pleasant about being constantly prodded, being hammered and toiling away hoping that somehow you have appeased the deity into granting you a few crumbs at the table.

The decades of abuse that Gerald Flurry has abused his members with stains the very hands of privileged Joel.  He is part of the problem and is culpable for all the misdeeds of the Philadelphia Church of God due to his status as a minister.  That's noting to be thankful for.

You can also read Redfox's take on this article here: Joel Hilliker's Rise in the Ranks of PCG's Leadership