The Painful Truth Asks About Church of God Leaders: : "Just How Can We Trust Them?"

The Painful Truth Blog has an entry today on "Just How Can We Trust Them?".  Credibility seems to have always been a big issue in the Churches of God down through the decades.  We claimed to have the only revealed truth on earth.  Yet myriads of pastors and evangelists have lied and blasphemed over the decades with one stupid utterance after another.  Thousands of failed prophecies, abhorrent biblical interpretations, and despicable treatment of members, all done by "great" shepherds of the chruch.  Today the Churches of God are filled with countless official Apostles and prophets, all claiming they are the final truth.  Why after decades of this silliness do members still sit there week after week soaking up the drivel from Pack, Weinland, Flurry and others?  Check out this inquiring post on the Painful Truth blog and join in the discussion!

Good question. How do you place your trust in men who seem to never do what is right? Men who serve the interest of themselves first and the interests of the member last?


Adrian from Australia wrote with these questions in mind.

•        The church claimed to be the church of brotherly love. My wife often said to me that if that’s what the church people are like then she didn’t want to be a part of the 1000 year reign with them. I agreed. I wondered how come my own family who I was told to reject as worldly, were always kind to us despite us not giving birthday presents to them and having Christmas etc. Despite the bible saying that if you see your brother in need and you do nothing about it how can God’s love dwell in a person. My physical family always helped us materially, church members didn’t ever.  Of course I forgot about all that free advice about how bad you were from members,  but I don’t think that qualifies as helpful. The bible says by their fruit you shall know them. It bothered me that they claimed to have brotherly love.

Byker Bob on "Bogus Authority"

Today's apparent theme of postings has centered around of bogus teachings and false authority of the Churches of God through the decades. Here is a comment from Byker Bob from a thread on an earlier post:

When Jesus didn't return as was vigorously promised and then furiously backpedalled upon back in 1975, I dumped the whole sorry mess of garbage. However, having been taught so much as fact, I still thought that much of the ancient history we were taught about paganism, pagan figures, and the infection of Christianity by these influences was basically true.

I had shelved a lot of this stuff, but when I began to revisit it due to many of the questions and actually accurate information presented on the internet, I was totally blown away by the nearly complete bogussness of the supporting materials with which we were presented. When you do your own due diligence, attempt to "prove all things", and carefully check history, you become aware that we were presented with a lying testimony, which is yet another huge reason why Armstrongism is totally NOT "God's true church"

People in the ACOG congregations would probably be disfellowshipped for presenting real facts that contradict the ACOG version, which is why ignorant people like David Pack continue to get away with teaching blatant inaccuracies and outright lies. It's seen as being an act of rebelliousness to even want to research all of this material on one's own, let alone to have a "voice" to set the facts straight. Basically, to do so is to doubt or want to contadict "God's Apostle". So, the wall is indeed quite thick and very high!

Purely and simply, Armstrongism is "religion". It's most certainly not an enlightened path leading to a personal relationship with God.

BB

Van Robison on "Insurance Against Church Deception"

Insurance Against Church Deception

Basically the only real insurance anyone has against deception in the church world, is to not go to church.  If you do go to church then you are most likely going to be persuaded by the speaker or speakers in the pulpits. Public speakers are quite often very convincing.  Whatever flavor of religious persuasion they spew forth, varies considerably depending on the church.  Most likely all pulpit speakers will quote some "Bible", which will vary considerably from the King James Version, the "New World Translation" (Jehovah Witnesses),  the Mormon Bible, or any one of hundreds of different Bibles, all purporting "truth", while very different from one another.

Many groups have their own personalized Bibles, such as the Jehovah Witnesses, the Mormons, the Roman Catholics and the Protestants.  Many defend the KJV as if God Himself penned it.  He didn't!  I have personally sat in the pews of different churches, including the Worldwide Church of God and soaked in hundreds of sermons, by many different preachers over a lifetime.  Maybe it was thousands of sermons.  The pastor was always looked upon as "royalty", "chosen", "above common people", "all knowing", "having all understanding", "understanding all the mysteries of the Bible", "having all wisdom", "knowing the mind of God", "infallible and inerrant", "having authority over the sheep", "having a right to your bank account for 10% plus", "having a right to tell you what to think and what to believe", "anointed by God" and the list of nonsense is endless.

The human mind is easily deceived by public, charismatic, authoritarian, self-righteous preachers, who pretend that they are more moral than all others.  They are not!  All preachers and those who assume the posture of religious false authority over others are no different than any other human being.  They all have human nature and you would most likely be appalled if you really knew what goes on behind the scenes, in the personal lives of the "pastors" and those you think are "holy" men or "holy" women.    Truth is, we are all human and we all have human nature.  We can pretend that we are "Holy" all day long, but who is really Holy other than God Himself?

There is no greater means of deception, than listening to those who want to control you, have authority over you and who insist that you need to send them money.  That sounds a whole like like politicians, governments and preachers of churches and religions of all kinds.  That millions think the Bible itself is an "exception to deception" and that you cannot be deceived by the Bible, is among the greatest fallacies on earth.  INK on PAPER is no guarantee that you will not be deceived.  Does it seem strange that Jesus warned repeatedly to BEWARE, because MANY would come in His name and DECEIVE people?  Why then is it that so many gullible human beings will flock into the churches, like they do to the Ice Cream Parlor and devour the goodies?

If you really want INSURANCE against church deception, life-long false fear of fake rulers and freedom from being financially looted and true peace of mind, then consider that Jesus Christ alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life and NOT your local church, national church or world church, nor the frauds who stand in pulpits and warp your thinking with endless FEAR about your salvation.


Van Robison

Dave Pack: Armstrongism's Least Educated Apostle?

Dave Pack has been trying for years now to let the world know what a highly intelligent man he is.  He is constantly being inspired by god with all kinds of revealed knowledge.  He runs the worlds largest church related internet site.  He produces more booklets and materials than any other Church of God.  On and on the list could go.  But just how "educated" is Dave Pack?  At least when it comes to chruch history.

Dave has been spending a lot of time lately spouting off about the Nicolaitanes.  There is the traditional educated view on who these people were and what they did and then there is the Dave Pack version.

Traditional views on the Nicolaitanes are:

Hippolytus of Rome states that the deacon Nicolas was the author of the heresy and the sect.^[2] Several of the early church fathers, including Irenaeus, Epiphanius, and Theodoret mentioned this group. Irenaeus discusses them but adds nothing to the Apocalypse except that "they lead lives of unrestrained indulgence."^[3] Victorinus of Pettau states that they ate things offered to idols.^[4] Bede states that Nicolas allowed other men to marry his wife^[5] and Thomas Aquinas believed that Nicholas supported either polygamy or the holding of wives in common.^[6] Eusebius said that the sect was short-lived.^[7]

The biggest strike against them is that the were believers in antinomianism:

Antinomianism (a term coined by Martin Luther, from the Greek ἀντί, "against" + νόμος, "law") is defined as holding that, under the gospel dispensation of grace, moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.^[1]
Although the concept is related to the foundational Protestant belief of Sola Fide where justification is through faith alone in Christ, it is taken to an extreme in antinomianism. It is seen by some as the opposite of the notion that obedience to a code of religious law earns salvation: legalism or works righteousness.

This is what many Armstrongite splinter cults claim that is wrong with those that do not follow the law. 

That is, until Dave Pack enters scene.  While he may still hold to part of that belief, he has added to it with his own interpretation. This is what Dave Pack claims Nicolaitanism is:

“In the New Testament, the followers of “Saint Nicolas” were referred to as Nicolaitanes. These people—falsely calling themselves Christians—honored Nimrod during the apostle John’s time—much as people do today!”.

Say what?

St Nicholas?

Nicolaitans are Santa Claus followers?

Can Dave really be serious?

Saint Nicolas was not even around during the time of the Nicolaitans!  But wait, good old Nimrod was, so that is how he connects Nicolaitans to Santa Claus or St. Nick.  Can the man truly be this stupid?

The All Knowing One writes:

Nicolaitane means “a follower of Nicolas.” It originates from the Greek words, nikos meaning “conquerer” or “destroyer,” and laos, meaning “people.” The original Nicolas—Nimrod (Gen. 10:8)—was a destroyer of the people. Nicolas is merely the Greek word for Nimrod. Within two centuries after the Flood, Nimrod had conquered the people and founded man-made civilization.

 While alive, Nimrod commanded his subjects to worship him in place of God. Even after his death, his followers continued to worship him as a divine heroic leader. He was called “Baal.” This name means “master” and “lord,” and is found many times in the Old Testament. This name describes the positions that Nimrod took to himself—to be considered Lord and Master of creation.

 But “Baal” was only one of Nimrod’s many names. Another one of his names, commonly used throughout Asia Minor, was “Santa.” Langer’s An Encyclopedia of World History explains further that “Santa Claus” is a shortened form of “Saint Nicolas” or “Santa Nicolas.”

In the New Testament, the followers of “Saint Nicolas” were referred to as Nicolaitanes. These people—falsely calling themselves Christians—honored Nimrod during the apostle John’s time—much as people do today!

The sad part in all of this is that the sheeple in his cult will actually believe this without ever researching it.  He knows it too.  As long as he claims God revealed that to him they will swallow it.

I am glad to see that Ambassador education has finally paid off!  Way to go big guy!

Are You A Half Baked Prostitute?

Apostle Malm has more words of wisdom today for the faithful flock:

1 Cor 3:16   ¹⁶Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? ¹⁷If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.  ¹¹Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Brethren, it is because we have not obeyed the commandments of our God to avoid polluting the congregation with the infidel, that we are now half baked and have become a mixed people; mixing the holy with the profane, the holy having become polluted and lukewarm for the commandments of God!
And why?  We have prostituted our loyalty to the doctrine of our Husband Jesus Christ; for supposed gain of numbers and mammon.

 The Mosaic Covenant ended with the death of the Husband Jesus Christ; Who is the House of the Lord today?  Are not those called out to be a spiritual Israel the Temple and House of the Lord today?  And who shall the Lord send his correction upon, but his House, his people?

Neither our COG Groups nor our national defenses will save us from the wrath of a jealous Husband over his adulterous bride.  You will not be saved because you belong ot some group and consider yourself the temple of God.  Your deliverance comes through your repentant ZEAL for God and his commandments!

These guy gets creepier by the minute!

Knockers Church of God Tells You EXACTLY How Things Were When The Israelites Fled Egypt

The Knockers Church of God wants you to know that they know EXACTLY how things went down when the Israelites fled from Egypt.  This is from their latest article THE REAL ACCOUNT and ROUTE OF ISRAEL COMING OUT OF EGYPT

"Moses married one of Jethro’s daughters, Zipporah. Many claim Moses married an Ethiopian woman which is false. We can be sure that Moses never married a Negro or a Nuba. It’s true, he had married a non-Israelite, but she was a descendant of Abraham, therefore was white, and closely related (Acts 7:29)."

God forbid if Moses had married a black woman! 

"Please take note of Psalms 105:37 There was not one feeble to be found amongst the 12 tribes of Israel fleeing Egypt. Also they tended to live longer in those days, e.g. Moses was 120 years old.

Imagine being slaves for over 400 years with generations being born and dying.  Yet, through it all there are absolutely NO feeble men and women.  No elderly that need assistance.  No small children who cannot walk for miles on end every day.  All strong, healthy, virile macho men and amazon women.

At his death his sight had not dimmed Deut. 34:7. Remember this was just 900 years after Noah’s Great Flood. The Israelites were very fit, and marched, having greater vitality and strength. Wish I could say that of Israel’s descendants today."

"Exodus13:18—“. . . the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.”
The term harnessed indicates that they went out, not as an unruly mob of fleeing fugitives, but as a well organised body. The Hebrew word “Chamushim” is translated “harnessed” and means “in ranks.” Therefore Israel marched with military precision in ranks of five.

Have they ever wondered how 3,000,000 people could be gathered together on short notice, load up all their belongings, gather their spoils of  the Egyptians, march out of Egypt with all their animals, elderly, and children in a matter of hours so they can set up camp to keep the first  day of Unleavened Bread?  They seem to assume that the second the first person started walking away from Egypt that every single other person started moving at the same time.  That is an impossibility.  Most Armstrongites never think about that.

"The Egyptians had watch posts all through the Sinai Peninsula. It is documented that they flashed messages from tower to tower by day and night, using reflected light. Perhaps this is how Pharaoh knew exactly where the escaped slaves had gone."

"The crossing site is 12 miles long, and miraculously, by the Great God’s design, has an underwater bridge dividing the two deeps. The crossing site is 800–900 metres or 866-975 yards wide, and it descends and ascends on the Saudi side with a 6-7 degree slope. One km further along the coast, the descending approaches 40 degrees. British hydrographic maps illustrate this.
The British Admiralty charts show that the Gulf of Aqaba is like a deep trench, and across that deep trench is a raised area—at the very place the remains"

Did you know that the Red Sea Gulf of Aqaba actually FROZE solid on both sides of the Israelites?

"I have been soundly ridiculed by ministers in God’s Church in the past, for suggesting that Almighty God actually froze the waters of the Red Sea. The evidence is there; for God plainly says, He congealed the waters. Now how does one congeal water? What happens? How could you congeal water (salt water at that)?
The Dictionary defines CONGEALED as “to change from a fluid to a solid or rigid state.”
Strongs Concordance says CONGEAL “to shrink, thicken as in curdled milk or frozen water.”
When the waters were parted by a wind from the East; the Bible says that they were congealed. This word congealed"

"4. These walls of water (ice) stood firm for hours until every Hebrew was safely on the opposite shore, and then crashed down when every Egyptian pursuer was on the sea bed.
5. The sand was also frozen hard to assist wheels of heavily laden, Israelite carts to move along the sea floor. It must have been like concrete. Pharaoh started his pursuit in the morning watch (6-9 am). By 10 am the hot sun was melting the walls and sand on the sea floor; so that the Egyptian chariot wheels would break through the melting, sand floor into ruts and fall off, slowing them down."

"On the sea floor there are two lines of stones with a wide, stone-cleared pathway between them, extending into the crystal clear water! They were dead straight along the edge on both sides. Could it be that Moses had a large team of strong, tough ex-slaves (his “rock group”) going on ahead, tossing the stones out of the way to smooth the pathway for the multitude?"

What this Knockers minister is doing is quoting the material from Seventh Day Adventist Ron Wyatt.  Wyatt was a wanna-be archaeologist that claimed to have found Noah's Ark, the Ark of the Covenant and the remains of the Egyptians  that pursued the Israelites out of Egypt and more.   If I have the correct person, he even came and spoke in the Auditorium in Pasadena and brought wood that he claimed was from the ark   Armstrongism bought into his lunacy lock stock and barrel. His so called research had been debunked for decades.

His work has been debunked thoroughly by professional archaeologists and respected biblical scholars. On August 8, 1996, Joe Zias, Curator of Anthropology/Archaeology with the Israel Antiquities Authority (Jerusalem), issued the following statement:

“Mr. Ron Wyatt is neither an archaeologist nor has he ever carried out a legally licensed excavation in Israel or Jerusalem. In order to excavate one must have at least a BA in archaeology which he does not possess despite his claims to the contrary. We are aware of his claims which border on the absurd as they have no scientific basis whatsoever nor have they ever been published in a professional journal. They fall into the category of trash which one finds in tabloids such as the National Enquirer, Sun, etc. It’s amazing that anyone would believe them…” (http://www.tentmaker.org/WAR/Zias.html).

 Ron Wyatt, the “Indiana Jones” of the SDA Church

Ron Wyatt: Colossal Fraud

A Great Christian Scam

ARCHEOLOGY WITH RON WYATT: a personal account

Amateur archeologist Ron Wyatt is known for making sensational claims regarding alleged discoveries of Biblical sites and artifacts.

Here are just a few of his most amazing discoveries: The true site of the crucifixion; the Ark of the Covenant; the true Mount Sinai (with a plaque announcing it as such); the site of Korah's earthquake; the true site of the Israelites' Red Sea crossing also with a marker 'built by King Solomon' as a memorial; Chariot wheels from Pharaoh's drowned army; the actual rock Moses struck to release water; the ashen remains of Sodom and Gomorrah; Noah's Ark; Noah's grave; Noah's house; Mrs. Noah's grave; Moses' stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, held together with golden hinges.

Wyatt claims were so fanciful and plentiful, it would seem logical to ask Ron if he had yet unearthed Jesus' High School diploma. Wyatt most bizarre discovery has to be when he claimed to have found the blood of Christ, and a DNA analysis of that blood indicates Christ was born of a virgin.

Although it took several years for reality to set in, most Christian ministries have finally come to disavow Wyatt's work. About the only true believers remaining are ones that continue to financially benefit from promoting his videos.

Ron was either a fabricator or he was delusional, but whatever the case may be, he was clearly one of the greatest frauds the field of Bible prophecy has ever seen. Wyatt's years of research may amount to nothing more than garbage, however, he did help prove that some Christians are limitless in their gullibility. Ron Wyatt

Apostle Malm: Today's Topic - Whores and Sexy Trees

Apostle Malm wants you to know what a whore is.  Apparently the Churches of God are filled to the brim with whores and whore mongers who are out cavorting under the groves of trees.

What is a whore?

What is a Whore?  Let us look beyond the sexual and we shall see that a whore is a mercenary who has NO loyalties and will sell herself to whoever will pay her price.  A whore is a woman who’s loyalty of for sale!

While whoredoms is the act of selling that loyalty.

We espoused ourselves to a Husband at our baptism; we committed ourselves to be ONE with him!  To be of the same mind and spirit, to live by the same principles and laws, to internalize the very mind of our Lord and to become completely ONE mind and spirit with HIM!

If we then follow any other, we have betrayed the loyalty we vowed to our Husband!  In the emotional and spiritual sense we have become Adulterers and have committed whoredom!

If we idolize anyone or anything above the law of our God and above his will; we are apostates and rebellious adulterous wives UNFIT for entering the marriage of the lamb as his bride!

 What are sexy trees?

In ancient Israel it was common to sacrifice to strange gods at high places [hill tops], and in the shadows of trees;  this is because like today these false religions were covertly if not overtly sexual; and the trees had their sexual meaning, while the idea of a high place was to be closer to the gods [stars] of the heavens.

Mr. and Mrs. Weinerdude Cannot Die!

The Two Witless Witnesses

Armstrongisms' biggest fool has opened his mouth and made an ass of himself yet again.  According to Mike (Don't Drink the Flavor Aid) Weinerdude claims that the two witnesses cannot die.

Apparently the two witless witnesses have been living through great persecution over the last 3 1/2 years.  With the coming of Christ at the end of May this year, the two witless witnesses will have fulfilled their commission.  Mr and Mrs. Weinerdude will be come god like God is now.

Weineerdude writes:

The two witnesses will not be killed in the literal city of Jerusalem.  And their dead bodies will not lie in the streets for 3 1/2 days.  God’s two witnesses will live right up to the coming of Jesus Christ, coming to this earth as the king of kings.  This 3 1/2 days spoken of here about the two witnesses is fully about the past nearly 3 1/2 years, what we have been living.

That kind of flies in the face of what Weinerdude wrote in his comedic book on prophecy 2008 God's Final Witness.

It is now with boldness, confidence and great clarity that I give to you what God has given me. I am to announce, through God's direct revelation, that I am one of those two witnesses. The other witness will be revealed to the world during the time of the great tribulation—within the final three and one-half years of man’s era. During that period of time, we will, together, completely fulfill all that God has given us to witness to this whole earth. Then, at the end, we will die in the streets of Jeruslaem; and finally, exactly three and one-half days later, we will be resurrected (Revelation 11). The world will see this resurrection via television. At this same time Jesus Christ will appear in the heavens above the earth as He is returning to take the reigns of man’s government on earth. (Weinland R. 2008: God’s Final Witness, p. 16)

Weinerdude later names Mrs. Weinerdude as the second witless witness. Do they die or not die, that is the question.  With any luck Weinderdude will be imprisoned by the IRS before that time.

Dave Pack Names His Persecutors

Mike (Don't Drink The Flavor Aid) did what I had no desire to do; he listened to Dave Pack's mind boggling sermon that was posted today on where Dave reveals who the "synagogue of Satan" is.

Dave writes (in the first person):

What is the Synagogue of Satan? Who are they? Do its members meet as a group? Is it a particular organization? Was it the WCG apostates? Is it false Christianity? Or something else? Can we know—conclusively? How do its members “blaspheme”? What does it mean “say they are Jews”?—and how do they “lie”? These imposters are shown to persecute Philadelphia at the end. How do they do this? And how do their actions relate to you?

Mr. Pack states, “I cannot think of a more important sermon for God’s people at the end of the age. Every member in LCG, UCG, COGwa, PCG and COGaic—but also those in every splinter and sliver!—should hear it, and probably more than once. The listener will almost certainly want to do this.”

 So who did Davey name as those vile, filthy, apostate tools of Satan?

Mike writes:

Clarion Call Dave posted his latest sermon, naming those in the Synagogue of Satan. (Starting around 1:55 into the file) Named Meredith, Flurry, & a bunch of Misters in UCG/CoGWA. And a couple of bloggers. But none of us made the cut -- he named Thielogical Bob and Pharisee James. We'll have to try harder :-D

I find it funny that those named are the COGgers who think they know all, and not those of us that mock and ridicule Dave's stupid teachings. We are getting the opportunity to sit back and watch the COG's devour their own.

Vidal: Big Bad Meanies Are Persecuting The Restored Church of God

Brother Vidal is back from Dave Packs reeducation camp with more tales of woe and persecution.  The persecution of the Restored Church of God seems to be particularly horrendous at this point in time.  Even though they live in nice homes, have plenty of food on their tables, travel freely around the country in the latest model of car, have tens of thousands of dollars in the bank, they are being persecuted for their beliefs. Really!  I have not read about their Masonic Lodges getting blown up for having church there, or the Elks Lodges, or the high school gyms. I haven't read about any car bombs going off in front of RCG's church services or gunmen  storming their meeting halls and killing their members.

I've got news for Vidal and Davey; THIS is what religious persecution looks like for REAL Christians:

So what kind of terrible persecution is Vidal and his cronies going through at the Restored Church of God at this time?

 This is the big bad meanie persecution they are suffering from:

It is not surprising that after this website was launched, haters of God started attacking every minister posting here. The spate of attacks vividly brought to my remembrance a foundational scripture: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death” (Phil. 4:10). This verse has truly come alive!

This is particularly galling to hear coming from Vidal when he comes from Africa where Christians are being killed at a horrendous rates in some nations. But then COG logic dictates that these "so-called Christans" are not real Christians because they are not sabbath keepers, followers of Dave Pack or Herbert Armstrong.  It is disgusting for this moron to even assume he is being persecuted!

He continues:

But contrary to what these enemies of God may be thinking, we are utterly grateful to God for giving us the wonderful and exceptional opportunity to share in a tiny fraction of Jesus’ sufferings. For us, it is a great pleasure to gladly submit ourselves to this situation rather than receive the vain attention and praises or commendations of men. 

I can guarantee that if real persecution came to the Restored Church of God, Dave Pack would be the first one high-tailing it down the freeway as he leaves his staff to bear the brunt of the persecution.  HWA did it when he fled to Tuscon and Dave will do it too.


These are what Vidal and Davey see as great persecutors of the Restored Church of God:

If Vidal and Davey think that this blog and others are agents of persecution then they certainly follow a weak, impotent little god.

Blogs and web sites filled with snarky little comments is persecution!  Who knew!

By all of us being snarky and making fun of their stupid assumptions; they see this as PROOF they are God's greatest gift to the universe.

...the evil reports that have been circulated about us since we started this site validate us. If haters had commended or agreed with us, then something would have been wrong. Christ has made it clear that any such commendation would be to our shame. But the fact that they do not speak well of us is as it should be. Again, it is such evil reports that validate true ministers! “Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake” (Luke 6:22).

That we are detested gives us comfort that we are doing the right thing and are in the right place. In reality, we are better off when they defame, rail at, chide, taunt and try to represent us as evil.

Then Vidal take a giant leap into absurdness.  He equates their persecution with Jesus being tortured an killed:

Being offered the opportunity to taste a tiny sliver of what Christ went through, what His apostles and true servants have gone through over the millennia, what Mr. Armstrong went through in His 52-year ministry, what His 21^st century apostle has been going through, and what other faithful ministers of His are currently passing through is a unique privilege, and we are thankful to the Father for having us go through this process, and making it possible for us to truly count it all joy (I Pet. 4:13).

Their own words damn them.  Stupid little people.

You can read Vidal's silliness here:  Evil Reports Validate True Ministers

Nathan Albright on the "20th and 21st Century Experience Church of God

Nathan has another great article up about the experience of the 20th and 21st century Church of God member and they way we think/thought. And how that thinking has made the COG so dysfunctional. He goes through some of the conditions that caused the church to form some of the rigid ideas it had and still has in various splinter groups.

It is encouraging to read Nathan's articles which give cause for celebration because he has some various honest insights from an insiders point of view  into the Church of God than many refuse to even look at today.  There are plenty of us now on the outside looking it, but rarely do you have present members questioning things so sincerely.  It is more comfortable to go with the flow than to rock the critical thinking boat.  Nathan does not shy away from it.

In his a article today he asked these questions:

The question is: what came first, dysfunctional people or a dysfunctional culture and system within the Church of God? Or, to put this another way, were people screwed up by the systems of the Church of God or did they come this way, attracted by some weirdness within the existing culture....given such evidence as is available we can at least find areas for future investigation that are likely to lead to more definitive solutions, and at least rough proportions of where the responsibility and blame for the dysfunctionality of the Church of God culture belongs.

It is customary for the Church of God to think itself separate from the world, but even a very basic understanding of the larger generational and political patterns that the Church of God has experienced will show that the Church of God has been greatly influenced by the greater society it has operated it, whatever its claims to the contrary.

Most COG members never stop and consider this reasoning at all.  Nathan is right that Armstrongism has always considered it's self separate from the world.  Yet, it was deeply entrenched in it.  The world invaded every aspect of the church.  From our literature and television programs.  Our ministerial training tactics.  Our architecture in our buildings which was meant to awe and astound people. Our worship of money reigned supreme.  Our scandals mirrored the scandals going on in most televangelist organizations but many times to an even darker level. Our addictions to alcohol, sex, drugs, food, money, possessions mirror the world around us.

Nathan continues with these brilliant observations:

"There are really two fundamental outside influences here. First, early experiences (and dissatisfaction) with loose organization, along with the influence of isolationist and pro-fascist 1930′s culture, seems to have encouraged the early Radio Church of God to take a much more authoritarian stance, as right-wing thought was moving in a more authoritarian direction during the 1930′s. The period of greatest growth for the Church of God was during the beginning of the Culture Wars of the West, where a large group of conservative, traditional-minded people came into the Radio/Worldwide Church of God, seemingly looking to escape the doctrinal and especially cultural liberalism of the age. As right-wing political culture moved more in a libertarian direction and as authoritarianism was discredited in the post-Cold War period, it is little surprise that the Church of God as a whole has been in a permanent state of crisis at this time, given its tension between the influence of right-wing political worldviews and expectations from outside society and its generally traditionalist mindset, which fiercely defends traditions that are only a few generations old."

"It is the hallmark of co-dependent institutions that they show immense rigidity. And that has been the experience of anyone who has spent a great deal of time within a vast majority of the Church of God culture (including Worldwide). If we are to assume that the Church of God is supposed to be a model of a godly family, we would recognize that a godly family is to nourish and support the well-being and gifts and abilities of its members. In addition, it would recognize that growing maturity and capability would change an initially very unequal parent and child relationship into a relationship of mutual respect. Dysfunctional institutions and families show no such flexibility. Instead there are rigid roles that have to be followed, with little or no tolerance of deviation or even the slightest bit of independent-mindedness. Even if leaders are given great latitude for their own laziness or health issues, everyone else must work without rest or release, as meaning is only found in doing and not in being or relationships (which may be actively discouraged except among elites). In addition, a dysfunctional family does not show any change in its views. There is never any way to lower the gap between leaders and followers, no flexibility in recognizing changes in what roles or places a person would be best served, and often no interest in helping people find a best fit between their own talents and abilities and the places they serve, unless that person has reached sufficiently elite status to merit such (rare) personal attention and consideration."

There is a cornucopia of other great observations in his article, so please check out Nathan's article here:  On The Bi-Directional Feedback of Culture And Membership In The 20th and 21st Century Experience Of The Church Of God

"Hey Kid!!" How Armstrongism Looks At Suffering

"Hey Kid!!  If you just do your YES Lessons, get

your folks to send in their tithes  so we can do God's work,

and pray for the kingdom to come, you'll be fine!

Hey Kid!!  Are you listening to me?  Look at me!

Jeez, you sure eat sloppy. I don't think you are ready for God's

Church at this time.  Keep reading...."

 

"Permit the little children to come unto me...for of such is

the Kingdom of God...jerks"

Andrew on Apostle Malm "Once again, out of his own mouth the Apostle contradicts and condemns himself."

Yesterday, the Apostle Malm blogged:

"Today we can be zealous for our God by keeping all of his commandments THAT ARE APPLICABLE TO US and by rejecting the wicked from our assemblies … Today we are to reject the wicked from our assemblies for God to deal with." (Emphasis mine.)

Yes, even the Apostle agrees, some of god's commandments are applicable to us, and, some of them aren't! Let's have a brief look at several examples.

1) Ex 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

These 8 words have more impact upon how a "true," "zealous," "christian" lives his life than any other. There is no length too extreme to make sure one never tramples holy time with his sandals on. The annual holy days in Leviticus 23 amplify this commandment by adding 7 extra sabbaths. Breaking a sabbath in even the tiniest of ways is sure to get your ass deep-fried in the Lake of Fire. Status: Applicable.

2) Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

Yep, new moons are basically 12 more sabbaths per year. It's not strictly commanded not to work on new moons, but if you're not too busy doing bible study to get nothing else done, it’s possible that could be a sin. "Zealous" "christians" always err on the side of caution in these matters. Status: Applicable.

3) Numbers 10:10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.

Yep, on every sabbath, you are supposed to toot your own horn. If you don't do that, you are NOT keeping the sabbath, and your ass WILL be fried, no question. Status: Applicable.

Now, here's a few commandments that are not applicable:

1) Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Haha, no need to look out for those "weightier matters," because everyone knows that keeping the sabbath is the weightiest matter of the law. Tithing, sure, but mercy? Puh-leez! Good one, Jesus! Status: Not Applicable.

2) Matthew 25:34-46 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me...

If you're hungry and naked, this is probably because god is not blessing you, and what's the number one reason why god might withhold his blessings from you? That's right, sabbathbreaking. [Why is the Apostle living below the poverty line?] In the words of the Apostle, we are to "reject" these "wicked" people. Like the Hell’s Angels say, “Kill 'em all and let god sort 'em out.” Better not trample the sabbath with your sandals on, but if you want to trample your fellow man with cleat boots, no problem. Status: Not Applicable. Next!

3) James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and to keep himself unspotted from the world.]

This is a tricky one. The first half of the verse is not applicable, the second half is! And how do we keep ourselves from being spotted by the world? Stay inside writing your blog (about how everyone who doesn't live exactly like you do will receive eternal damnation) where no one in the world can “spot” you. The "zealous" "christian" treats every day he can like the sabbath, just to be safe. The sabbath: a day of rest, condemnation, and gnashing of teeth. Ahh. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Visiting people in affliction? Eh, not so much. Status: Not Applicable.

Bonus) Matt 22:36-39 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, [Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Another tricky one. Some parts are applicable and some parts aren’t. Can you tell which is which? The first great commandment is all good, but love your neighbor? Never heard that one before! Besides, everyone knows the second great commandment is Ex 20:8! Haha. Another good one by Jesus! Status: Not Applicable.

UH OH! Today the Apostle went on a tear about NOT CHERRY-PICKING from scripture! Something the Apostle would NEVER be guilty of! Look at what he blogged today:

"To reject any part of God’s word as NOT APPLICABLE TO US, is to reject the Word of God; which is to reject Jesus Christ! And to reject Christ and God’s Word is the spirit of Antichrist!" (Emphasis mine.)

Once again, out of his own mouth the Apostle contradicts and condemns himself.

Andrew