Ever wonder why more and more people are leaving Armstrongism day by day? Here is a good reason. This kind of stupid thinking showcases what is wrong with Armstrongism.
If these people would get off their lazy asses and read some books, educate themselves, and start questioning the so called "revealed knowledge" they might see that HWA did not know what he was talking about.Mr Armstrong, was sent by God and therefore was an Apostle. We received all we know about what Christ and the Apostles taught via what God gave Him to give us...
8 comments:
What can you expect from an eighth grader on the lower edge of adolescence, from the late 1800s?
It's funny. I don't believe I ever bought into the concept of HWA as an "apostle" while I was a WCG member. For about 20 years of my early life, I believed most of his teachings, but also felt that there was something wrong with me because of the deep and often negative emotions which these teachings often stirred in my psyche. Long about the fiasco of 1975, I realized that those feelings were God's way of showing me that there was something wrong with the teachings themselves.
My parents would have done well to have honored the long cherished concept of the "second opinion" before plunging us into the falsehoods of Armstrongism. Unfortunately, HWA had done a pretty good job of equating himself with Jesus Christ, and that posturing certainly discouraged second opinions. I think that's what some of these folks are up against today. They have conditioned themselves to believe that questioning HWA is tantamount to questioning JC. And, they have the gaul to poke fun at Catholics and the Pope!
BB
So, wait, let me see if understand this logic.
1) Given: Mr. Armstrong was sent by God.
2) Therefore: Mr. Armstrong was an Apostle.
3) Conclusion: God gave to Mr. Armstrong directly, all over again, all the same knowledge that the first century apostles had, and that even Jesus Christ taught, because that's what always happens when you are an "Apostle."
1) Wrong.
2) Wrong.
3) Wrong.
If Herbert W. Armstrong was an apostle then what about Ellen G. White? Or Joseph Smith? Or Charles T. Russell? Or for that matter the Pope? All of these self-appointed "apostles" and "prophets" or "prophetesses" have promoted the idea among their followers that they are more than just a man (or woman). Yet, what was the manner of John the Baptist (the true "Eljiah to come") when he was asked if he was sent from God in John 1:21? He was humble and brought no more attention to himself by pointing them to Christ. Unlike the "wannabe anointed" mere men and women of the above who believe they are "God's mouthpiece."
This idea strongly influenced COGWA's departure from UCG. COGWA still holds that all knowledge and understanding comes via the ministry. UCG believes in a teaching ministry, but encourages open forum Bible studies and chats, with the understanding that the ministry does not have a monopoly on understanding gained via the holy spirit.
"This idea strongly influenced COGWA's departure from UCG. COGWA still holds that all knowledge and understanding comes via the ministry."
Heresy, heresy, heresy!
HWA taught that all doctrines were put into the WCG thru Christ's own apostle, HWA himself.
Understanding does NOT come through the ministry.
The fact is that much misunderstanding, heresy, error, and division is what has come through the ministry. Look at the mess of confusion the church is in today now that HWA is gone and the ministry has taken to itself the authority to set doctrine.
I am not sure what COGWA believes, but my experience with UCG doesn't agree with what you're saying anon43.
UCG maintains the Catholic doctrine that the elected leaders (regardless of whether they rigged the vote or not) have a blank check from Jesus, such that He will bind in heaven whatever they bind on earth. Like good Armstrongists, they also teach that the elected officials of UCG are the "government of God" and that all knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and authority comes down from God to them, and NOT to anyone else, not even an unelected minister. This is what the split was all about.
When push comes to shove, they absolutely teach that the elected leaders have a monopoly over the knowledge of God, even if they have a democratic style of dealing with their subordinates when nobody is pushing.
UCG believes in a teaching ministry, but encourages open forum Bible studies and chats, with the understanding that the ministry does not have a monopoly on understanding gained via the holy spirit
I highly doubt that! My experience for one tells a different story. If you subscribe to an alternative view on an issue that conflicts with the official position of the UCG then they'll either get defensive, even antagonistic, about it and assert their own view as correct or else avoid you and look upon you as if you're a heretic. Worse still if you're unbaptized or "unconverted" in their speak. So how can you even entertain associating with smug attitudes like that?! And all you want is to share your understanding and learn with others. But, I guess some within UCG and the ACOGs think they know it all and all there is to know about any given topic and any deviation from Armstrongist orthodoxy is of the Devil.
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