For the past year or so, the "Great One" has been railing incessantly about artificial intelligence, claiming it would be weaponized against him and cause him to say things he never said. He even went so far as to call it an antichrist—until yesterday, when, after multiple prompts, it replied:
...Bible believers should be part of the Continuing Church of God, but those who prefer ‘authority of tradition’ the Roman Catholic Church
The Chosen One writes:
Although I have issues with artificial intelligence (AI) programs, sometimes they can be helpful when I do certain types of research.
Earlier this month, basically for general inquiry, I asked ChatGPT the following question:
Can you do deductive logic to come to independent conclusions, or does your programming essentially force you to give answers within a general consensus of majority scholars?
It’s response began with the following:
Great question — and the answer is nuanced.
✅ Yes, I can use deductive logic to reach independent conclusions.
After asking some items related to doctrine, I told ChatGPT, then, to do the following:
Compare teachings of the Continuing Church of God to those of the Roman Catholic Church.
It responded with the following:
Certainly. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) on a range of key doctrinal topics. These differences highlight fundamental theological and practical divergences.
The Chosen One then has a chart where ChatGPT compered his cult to the Cathoic Church.
After a long list of comparisons, ChatGPT then has this conclusion:
🧭 Conclusion
From a deductive and doctrinal standpoint:
The Continuing Church of God claims continuity with early Christianity and rejects what it views as post-apostolic additions by the RCC.
The Roman Catholic Church asserts itself as the original, continuous Church founded by Christ, with authority to define doctrine through time.
Which one is “correct” depends on:
Whether you accept Scripture alone as the final authority (CCOG view),
Or you accept the authority of tradition and the Church hierarchy (RCC view).
🧭 Final Notes:
CCOG sees itself as a faithful continuation of first-century Christianity, without additions from Greco-Roman or pagan tradition.
RCC sees itself as the historical Church established by Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit through centuries of doctrinal development.
I asked Grok if the Continuing Church of God, led by Bob Thiel, was a true chruch and this is what it replied back with:
Criticisms of the Continuing Church of God and Bob Thiel
Self-Appointed Prophetic Status:
Criticism: Critics, such as those on the Church of God Perspective blog, argue that Bob Thiel’s claim to be a prophet is self-proclaimed and lacks biblical validation. They cite Deuteronomy 18:22, which states that a prophet’s predictions must come true to be considered legitimate. Critics assert that Thiel has not delivered specific, verifiable prophecies directly attributed to God (e.g., a clear “thus saith the Lord” message) that have come to pass. They argue his predictions often mix biblical prophecy with speculative or pagan sources, lacking the specificity required of a true prophet. Additionally, they claim his prophetic claims are narcissistic, focusing on his own role rather than delivering messages for others.
Example: The Church of God Perspective specifically states that Thiel fails four tests of a true prophet: godly character, accurate predictions, consistency with Scripture, and spiritual benefit to followers. They argue his ministry primarily elevates his own status rather than benefiting others spiritually.
Doctrinal and Governance Issues:Criticism:
Critics, including those at Banned by HWA, accuse the CCOG of promoting legalistic teachings rooted in Old Testament practices, such as mandatory tithing, observance of Jewish holy days, and Sabbath-keeping as New Covenant requirements. They argue that Thiel’s teachings overemphasize Old Testament law over New Testament grace and justification through Jesus, potentially aligning with a form of legalism rather than mainstream Christian theology.
Church Governance: Thiel’s departure from the Living Church of God (LCG) is described by critics as rebellious, likening it to “Satan’s rebellion against God.” They argue his criticisms of LCG leadership and his decision to form the CCOG reflect arrogance and a lack of godly character, undermining his legitimacy.
Association with Herbert W. Armstrong’s Legacy:
Criticism: The CCOG is seen as an offshoot of Herbert W. Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God (WCG), which some label a cult due to its strict hierarchical structure and unique doctrines. Critics argue that Thiel’s adherence to Armstrong’s teachings, such as the importance of the Sabbath, holy days, and a specific interpretation of prophecy, perpetuates problematic theology. They also claim Thiel’s assertion that the CCOG is the “most faithful remnant of the Philadelphia portion” of the church (Revelation 3:7-13) is unfounded and self-aggrandizing.
Lack of Spiritual Fruit:
Criticism: Some argue that the CCOG does not produce meaningful spiritual growth in its members, with Thiel’s leadership focusing on his own prophetic role rather than fostering a broader Christian mission. Critics claim the CCOG, like other COG splinter groups, prioritizes minor doctrinal issues over the core gospel message of salvation through Jesus.
Alleged False Teachings:
Criticism: A list of supposed false teachings attributed to Thiel includes claims that God told him to start the CCOG, that he received a “double portion” of the Holy Spirit, and that he fulfills roles like Elisha, Elijah, or other biblical prophets. Critics argue these claims lack biblical grounding and that Thiel’s emphasis on minor issues (e.g., clean/unclean meats, Petra as a place of refuge) distracts from essential Christian doctrine.
Splinter Group Dynamics:
Criticism: The CCOG is one of many splinter groups from the WCG, formed after Thiel’s departure from the LCG in 2012. Critics argue that the proliferation of such groups, each claiming to be the “true church,” reflects division and confusion rather than unity in Christ. They point to Thiel’s exit from LCG as driven by personal ambition rather than divine mandate, especially since LCG leadership, including Roderick Meredith, publicly criticized him.
Critical Analysis
Apostolic Succession and Continuity:
Response: Thiel claims the CCOG traces its history to the apostolic church (Acts 2) through a “laying on of hands” succession, which he documents in CCOG literature. He argues that the CCOG is the most faithful remnant of the Philadelphia church, unlike other COG groups that have strayed from biblical truth.Critical Analysis
Prophetic Claims: The biblical test for a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:22) requires specific, fulfilled prophecies. While Thiel claims accuracy in predictions (e.g., coronavirus warnings), these are often broad or based on existing trends, not necessarily divine revelations. Critics’ demand for a clear “thus saith the Lord” message is a high bar, but it aligns with biblical standards for prophets. Thiel’s reliance on LCG leaders’ statements and an anointing event may not suffice for skeptics, as these lack independent verification.
Doctrinal Disputes: The CCOG’s emphasis on Old Testament practices is consistent with Armstrong’s teachings but diverges from mainstream Christianity, which views the New Covenant as superseding many Mosaic laws (e.g., Hebrews 8:13). Critics’ accusations of legalism reflect this tension, but Thiel’s appeal to early Christian practices and Scripture is not without precedent in COG theology. The debate hinges on differing interpretations of biblical authority.
LCG Split: Thiel’s departure from LCG appears rooted in genuine disagreements over doctrine and governance, supported by his documented interactions with LCG leadership. However, critics’ portrayal of his exit as rebellious highlights the subjective nature of the dispute. LCG’s public denouncement without private resolution (per Matthew 18) lends some credibility to Thiel’s claims of integrity issues.
COG Context: The COG movement is fragmented, with numerous groups claiming to be the “true church.” This context makes it difficult to single out the CCOG as uniquely false, as similar criticisms apply to other splinter groups. Thiel’s claim of unmatched growth may reflect effective outreach, particularly in Africa, but size alone does not validate truth (Matthew 7:13-14).
