Living Church of God has now decided that it is not always wrong to get an education in so-called "worldly" colleges and institutions of higher learning. Now that LCG's so-called university has had to be shut down, like most of the other COG's so-called college/universities, it now admits that God just might be using "worldly" educators for a higher purpose instead of them all being agents of Satan.
But, like any good COG out there, there is an ulterior motive behind this new direction in thinking...the better the education the better the money, thus more tithes can be sent into HQ to keep the Meredith and McNair boys supported in their expected lifestyles.
The Value of Education
Over the years, some have concluded that worldly education is of little value for true Christians. Since Satan is the god of this age, and Christians are to come out of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4; 6:14–18), some have assumed that getting an education in this world is ungodly, a matter of vanity and/or a waste of time. Such ideas overlook the fact that God used individuals who were schooled in this world in powerful ways. Moses was raised as a prince in Egypt and was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Solomon was knowledgeable in many fields—including botany, zoology, and human relations—and he collected wise sayings in the book of Proverbs (1 Kings 4:32–34). Daniel was one of a group of intelligent young Jewish captives who were educated in Babylon before they were used by God (Daniel 1:3–4). Paul studied at the feet of Gamaliel, the leading rabbi of his day, before being used by God to write 14 books in the New Testament. Numerous studies show that more education can result in higher incomes that can enable Christians to provide better for their families. In today’s world, in pursuing an education, we must also be alert to the social, moral and intellectual pitfalls that are also part of academic environments. Christians who understand the Truth of God and the Plan of God should wisely take advantage of the opportunities to gain an education—whether academic or vocational—that will help them prepare to serve others now and in the Kingdom of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
16 comments:
If you are a parent, which of the following would you want for your son or daughter?
1. The study of engineering or mathematics or business, taught by men and women who profess Christ and who because of their profession do their best to avoid sinful conduct, with classmates who strive to do the same.
2. The study of theology, taught by men who work alongside child molesters and homosexuals, liars, fornicators, thieves and idolaters (as covetousness is idolatry), with classmates who abuse drugs and have sex outside of marriage.
Choice 2, of course, is Living Education, just like Living University. Many colleges are far less worldly than LCG HQ.
Choice 1, however, can be found in any number of colleges run by professing Christians who take their faith seriously.
Winnail, however, is obviously playing "sour grapes" with LCG's new educational Grand Poobah, Jonathan McNair. If Winnail can't have the kids for Living University, which was his recommendation for the last 10 years, then it's better that they go out and get a non-LCG education. Transparent of him, and sad.
Does Winnail not understand the difference between "worldly" and "secular"? He is a very educated man, himself, so I have to assume that he knows, so it is actually rather shocking that he is now recommending "worldly" education rather than a merely "secular" education.
There are many subjects that can be studied without regard to religion. That kind of study is secular.
"Worldliness," however, can be found wherever sin is allowed to flourish. That includes LCG HQ, where students of Living Education (as with LU before them) can work alongside at least one child molester, a homosexual or two, a couple of sociopathic compulsive liars, and a fair amount of plain old idolatry (as covetousness is idolatry). Many "Christian" colleges are far, far less worldly than LCG HQ, so it's no surprise that Winnail is promoting "worldly" education rather than the secular.
The only things you need to know to succeed in life is the three R's, reading, writing & arithmetic. :)
"Have a PROFITABLE Sabbath" he says at the end.
Herb was involved in some kind of worldly politics with world leaders. Why the heck did they bother to talk to him? So they could hear the gospel? That's pretty far fetched. That's just a cover story that Herb told the church, but that's not why any world leader ever talked to him.
They would not permit pursuing further education at, say, Liberty University,
FALSE. LCG paid to have at least one of their ministers obtain his M.A. at Liberty University:
Bio of W. Wyatt Ciesielka
When I was attending LCG I was in a two year community college and after graduation I attended university for four years and not once did any of the church members say anything negative to me, actually, most at the congregation gave nothing but a positive attitude about the whole thing.
When I first started attending the WCG, I was a college student. And, of course, the end of the age was imminent. I felt like I should drop out of college and get a job to support The Work. So I met with a WCG minister about this plan. He was a local church elder, late middle aged at the time, high school education, western Kansas farmer and very plain of speech. Very little polish.
He told me to stay in college and get as much education as possible. He said that the little speck of money I would earn if I dropped out wasn't going to make that much difference to The Work. In retrospect, it was really good advice. And I have appreciated this advice. But I always felt that he was probably and outlier in this viewpoint and that an AC educated minister might have said something quite different.
This seems to be the Armstrongist view of education as I have seen it happen. Some of these views are current and some historical:
1. No education is as good as and Ambassador College education.
2. People who attend a college in The World know how to make a living but do not know how to live.
3. The Gentile mind cannot really profit from an Ambassador College education and it is better to exclude Gentiles.
4. An Ambassador College education is really for the sons and daughters of ministers.
5. When ministers talk about "Church Youth" they generally are referring to Ambassador College Students. Other young people are around just to be working drudges who support the work.
6. HWA stated from the pulpit in Big Sandy in the Field House that it was "a shame" for an AC Student to work with his hands. He disparaged some ministers who had left the church and had to get jobs "working with their hands." Presumably, he had a low opinion of Christ.
7. The most important understanding to acquire at AC is that there is a caste system in the church that should never be violated. (This is the learning "how to live" part.)
The Seven Points of a True Ambassador College Education. (If you don't believe the above, just think about some of your past ministers.)
NEO
I remember reading a article where he criticised the looking down on working with your hands attitude in society. He pointed to well paid plumbing as a example. Maybe one of his ghost writers wrote the article to cover up his earlier mistake.
AC teaching people 'how to live' is laughable. The claim is pure marketing. Church culture had and has the policy of not explaining the everyday application of Gods laws. Self help books that do, are looked down upon. The sheep must be kept ignorant and controllable.
aside from the conventional public school education, i received much exposure to the world through my mother teaching me to read, through television and print news, public radio and public tv, music ranging from r & b to european classical music (including chamber and baroque); and, of course, i had a steady diet of religious study and religious music...
so by the time i went back to school as an adult in my late 30s i was already well versed and well spoken, as it were...
as a practical matter i gleaned little from a college education: i was so disappointed that i didnt even attend the commencement...
i found college to be at once racially discriminatory, vain, hypocritical, political, greedy, all while claiming liberalism...i lasted exactly one semester of grad school before i was drummed out...
the most significant aspect of my college experience has been student debt, period...all the rest of my experience was so much brain washing, discrimination, mind f#ck@ng, vain science, and poorly funded computer lab programs...
the education i value most is the spiritual one i received from the cogs, and the exposure to the world through television news and public radio...
c f ben yochanan
Doug wrote: "...some have assumed that getting an education in this world is ungodly, a matter of vanity and/or a waste of time..."
"Some" is so vague. Who is "some?" Why not just say: "we have assumed...?"
I am not 100% sure, but I believe Doug has already tasted some of that "education in this world," and it has allowed him to be $profitable$...and not just on God's Sabbath. When Doug writes he reminds all of his readers of the word "profitable," (my mind automatically goes to $$$Profitable$$$). Why use that word? Look it up in the dictionary and see what it has to do with mammon, b/e isn't it "God or mammon?" Profitable has to do with making money. A full definition says affording profits. Synonyms may include economic, fat, gainful, juicy, lucrative, moneymaking, money-spinning, etc. And yes, on the other side of the coin, profitable may mean yielding advantageous returns or results (advantageous to whom?), producing good or helpful results or effects, etc., but again, my mind just automatically thinks $$$$$$$$ when I see the word profitable.
Doug may want to consider replacing that word "profitable" with a word like "delightful," which is pregnant with meaning, but should we use those words: "God forbid?"
Again, what did Doug focus our minds on back there in the beginning of his message? Doug said: "...some have assumed that getting an education in this world is...a matter of vanity..."
Well, might that be true? It is a matter of vanity, but so what? God inspired the following "profitable" words:
"For the creature was MADE SUBJECT TO vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope," Romans 8::20
"The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity." Psalm 94:11
But I will close with a thought about why God might focus on hope:
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19
Doug (and all of the xcog hirelings), why don't you focus on that hope for the world and less on that "profitable" mammon? I know you find it difficult to do that. Could God really be that involved somehow...even magically, as some may think? Is God going to do that, or did somebody catch God lying again to us?
Time will tell...
Like a P.S., Doug also mentioned: "..Moses was raised as a prince in Egypt and was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians”...."
Well, what other education would you expect Moses to receive? God wanted Moses to have the beast education he could get. Why not? After all, Egypt was the first head of the beast, was it not?
Heads of Beast:
1. Egyptian
2. Assyrian
3. Babylonian-Chaldean
4. Medeo-Persian
5. Greco-Macedonian (the five ARE fallen)
6. Roman (the "one IS" of Revelation 17:10)
7. Gog (which isn't evident until after your mythical MMM (Mickey Mouse Millennium) occurs
8. Keep reading Revelation for more Beast Education...time will tell.
Moses received the education God wanted him to have during his lifetime: the Beast Education. Nothing wrong with some Beast Education once in awhile.
Anyway, may Doug and y'all have a DELIGHTFUL Sabbath!
John
P.S. And for those not into Sabbath observance, make it a delightful day!
Doug Winnail should remember that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a PROFITABLE man to enter the Kingdom of God.
Very well said anon 5:42.
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