Creating God in the Image of Herbert W. Armstrong
Years ago as a member of the original Worldwide Church of God, and as an employee for twelve years at Ambassador College in Pasadena, I can well remember Herbert W. stating that "I think I have the mind of God."
Human vanity in some human beings is enormous. Herbert thinking he had the mind of God, naturally was implying that only he had the mind of God. This was to imply that Herbert and God were on the same level,
same playing field and thought alike. Whatever Herbert did then, was God doing it, because God and Herbert were pals. Spending millions of dollars of tithe payers money on college buildings, jet airplanes, homes, mansions (for the ruling elite), traveling around the world and presenting $20,000 pieces of Steuben Crystal to "Royalty", was then an "act" of God, because God thought the "same" as Herbert W. Armstrong.
"I have the mind of God", so then no matter what Herbert W. Armstrong did, it was the mind of God. The world is overrun with religious groups founded by individuals with very colorful personalities, who see themselves as equal to God, and as representing God on earth to mankind. What is overwhelming is how the sheeple can be so hoodwinked into following these individuals. I also am guilty. I did it in my youth and in my lack of knowing.
I well remember how paranoid we were in the Worldwide Church of God, and any opposition was considered "persecution." I use to be one of the individuals who walked about the Ambassador College campus in Pasadena during the Sabbath church services with walkie talkie and watched the grounds. If anyone just innocently walked across the campus, he or she was viewed with suspicion, as if someone is "out to get us." Since there was more than one of us doing this, we would communicate via walkie talkie and tell each other "keep a look out, there is someone walking across the grounds at such and such a location" as if they were out to "get us." This is typical of the mind and mentality of cults.
Herbert W. Armstrong created God in his own image. I learned long ago that God IS NOT a member of the Worldwide Church of God, or any of its splinter groups. And for everyone else, God IS NOT a member of the Southern Baptist organization, the Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormon empire, the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Greek Orthodox, the Russian Orthodox, the Mennonite group, the Amish, the Seventh Day Adventist, the "Sacred" Name groups, nor a member of any other man-made religious group on earth. God IS NOT even an atheist or agnostic. What Herbert W. Armstrong did in his religious career, is to create God in his own image. So then, the followers of Herbert W., were following the mind of a man whose personal opinions persuaded a multitude of people that Herbert W. Armstrong had "the mind of God." And the millions of dollars flowed into his bank account like a river.
Van Robison
The god of HWA was a "god of quality". This meant you couldn't expect the end time prophet to get by on cheap clothing, or on cheap wine for that matter. No, it had to be the best of everything.
ReplyDeleteHWA was an advertising man in the beginning of the 20th century. He had determination, flash, some bluster, and finally a good amount of con man in him.
I'm thinking all gods have originated in the image of men historically. Only the culture and the men change which usually changes the nature of the god.
ReplyDeleteClearly, in the Old Testament texts, the god El, originally a Canaanite Deity, is adopted by Israelites. El is the chief God over the Council of the Gods (El-ohim/ "Let us.." "be like us,") in the first chapters of Genesis.
The original command not to have "any other gods before me," meant what it said. A more accurate translation is "You shall not bring any other gods into my presense, for I am a jealous God." There was no doubt about the reality of other gods in Israel, it is just that the Chief one was not happy to have them brought into his presense due to his abiding jealous nature. Sounds rather human to me.
We won't even mention the orginal consort of El...Asherah. She was written out of the text rather quickly only to pop up occasionally in scripture.
M.T.Temples
Just think of the theological confusion if the COG's had to come to grips with the FACT that "Elohim" was a word for multiple god's in a council subservient to EL, an adopted pagan Deity? And what to make of the "Let US" which in no way refers to some 3500 years in the future Christian Jesus?
ReplyDeleteAnd what whould they think if they understood that the infamous "Two Trees' of HWA were not the way of give and get but rather God food trees and that the Knowledge of Good and Evil as well as The Tree of Life were Godfood trees and NOT for humans. In other words, in the story, humans, the worker bees for the gods, were not to know the difference between good and evil and certainly were not to be given the knowledge of Eternal life.
Yikes!
M.T.Pews
HWA and God were two of a kind, all right.
ReplyDeleteGod was a jealous god who forbade Israelites to bring any other gods into his presence; HWA told his followers to pay no attention to any other preacher (or historian, or counselor, or scientist) except him.
God had a habit of flying into a rage and banishing people from his sight: Sodom and Gomorrah, Jericho, the Egyptian army, the entire earthly population except Noah's family, and on and on. HWA frequently flew into a rage and disfellowshipped his erstwhile followers, claiming to consign them to the lake of fire.
In a cruel practical joke, God ordered Abraham to sacrifice Isaac and then at the last minute canceled the command. HWA demanded sacrifices from his followers with the promise that after 1975 he would lead them to a place of safety. Then when the dreaded day approached, he said, "Actually, I never set a date. I meant some time later."
I can't say about the physical resemblance, because I've never been able to form a clear image of God. Herbert W Armstrong, though, I remember clearly. In front of a nearby store the other day where local Amish farmers come to shop I saw something that flashed an instant reminder of him. It was directly in front of a buggy.
Everything that I know about HWA now im thinking how could I have been so gullible to follow this man. I must have looked like a fool in the eyes of my family, and co-workers on my job. How could I not see what so many people around me seen? Maybe the answer is that HWA made himself into a larger than life hero-savior person that gave people a sense of false hope.
ReplyDeleteI've faulted Armstrongism for years for presenting a very bad image of God, as HWA on steroids.
ReplyDeleteThe WCG "god" was a legalist tyrant and harsh judge who hates sin and disobedience more than He loves His children, just waiting to punish or impose a curse. Yet, even the Jews, still mired in the Old Covenant, recognize God's love and mercy.
This is perhaps the main factor which limits Armstrongism to cultic status and behavior. Those of us who were raised in WCG also got a horrible embodiment of our spiritual parent through our physical parents, who were often anal about legalism, and would punish at the drop of the hat rather than lovingly mentor.
BB
well, as far as security detail, I would guess it mattered what time a 'someone' was walking on the campus. Was it at night? Why would someone walk across the campus at night, at least one would have to think? There were thefts, assaults and even a rape or two on campus during certain time periods. Orange Grove was a drug traffic way between some parts of Pasadena and some parts of Los Angeles. There is a due diligence required for any property where people live. Unless you Van thought you were in the kingdom already. Security detail and being out to get you are really two different things. Gilver
ReplyDeleteThe church security department was considered by many local neighbors to be one step below the Gestapo. The public was not allowed to walk around the campus without getting official permission. Security would trail them around the campus or kick them off. Many neighbors wanted to walk around and enjoy the property but the higher ups did not want the pagans on the property. The Unclean were not worthy to be in the presence of such godly human beings. It wasn't till Tkach came along that the neighbors could walk around without being harassed.
ReplyDelete