Today, I want to focus on an aspect of the Church of God splinters - particularly one splinter - that is so evident, so blatant, so strong - but one they seem to completely ignore, explain away - or simply do not care.
That subject is idolatry.
Here's the definition for idolatry as is in the dictionary: (source: Google)
"nounnoun: idolatry; plural noun: idolatriesworship of idols.
synonyms:
Over the past few years, we've seen many of the leaders of the Splinter groups of the Armstrong Churches of God go practically nuts over created objects or people. Consider the following objects that have turned into or have been idols in the Armstrong Churches of God over the years.extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone."
- Ambassador Auditorium
- The Ambassador Campus
- Objects in the Ambassador Auditorium
- Objects that have been a part of the Ambassador Campus
- Church-owned fountains
- Church-owned sculptures
- Herbert-owned items of any type
- The College Seal (or variations thereof)
- Items that have been associated with Herbert Armstrong
- Items that have been rumored to have been associated with Herbert Armstrong
- Church literature (Plain Truth, Good News, Youth, Envoys, Booklets, Bulletins, Etc.)
Prophecies, doctrines, and dogmas of Herbert Armstrong that have overwhelmingly and conclusively been proved wrong.
What is the evidence that these have become idols?
- Obsessive desires to own such materials, and pay exorbitant prices to obtain such materials
- Extreme emotional attachment and expression on seeing, using, or owning such items or materials
- Excessive desire to emulate as closely as possible either items or individuals
- The belief that such materials are closely related or somehow linked to God's blessings
- The idea that even though false they somehow have to be true, because they came from the mouth of the idol.
- The complete absorption of delusions and falsehoods believed in the name of Jesus
- The complete extortion of finances in the name of God for the purchase of items, or the dissemination of falsehoods.
- The detachment of emotions and personal responsibility while funding the idolatrous behavior of their ministers.
- The absolute obedience of the ministry, dismissing common sense, rationality, and reason for the belief that their commands come from God, even though the evidence refutes the supposition.
- The loss of friends, family, relatives for thinking such associations are false, worldly, and contaminating.
- The ongoing belief that a short study by their founding leader started a wholly Godly and truthful ministry.
What is it that allows them to continue to enable an idolatrous and wicked religion?
It is their belief that the core elements of their religion - Armstrongism - are what defines the True Church. Namely, Sabbath keeping, Holy Day keeping, and the name of the Church. Since they are hard pressed to find other groups that practice these doctrines, believe mainstream Christianity is a false Babylonian and pagan religion, and are very hesitant to go elsewhere - and because their entire social and family life is wrapped up there - any movement could crumble their whole life's house of cards. To them, for many, leaving is not an option. It is better to continue in the support of an idolatrous and oppressive religion, then to step out into the great unknown - where they have been convinced the demon world is ready to pounce on them once out of the boundaries of HerbertLand.
You will find the same things happening in other mainstream churches, too. Idolatry is rampant in other religions - in many forms, styles, and manners. Cover-ups, as well. Fear? Happens all the time. Immorality? Surely you can remember a few high-profile stories about this. Church splits? Even with the big ones. Charles Stanley, Robert Schuller - and many others have had their share of issues. In fact, the reality is, sometimes if you step into a mainstream church, you will find it in some areas no different than Armstrongism!
What's the common denominator in all of this? Two words.
Corporate Christianity.
Whenever one begins to believe the Church is a physical organization - you've already submitted yourself to the world. Business is entrenched in the methods of the world from top to bottom. Money at the top, to pay for insurance, buildings, salaries, executive expenses, and so on and so forth. Yes, in corporate Christianity, the proper use can be beneficial - pooled money used the right way can go far for the right reasons. But this isn't the Church. The Church as Jesus defines it.
The Church has always been from it's inception spiritual. Because it was the Holy Spirit that founded the Church. The Church is comprised of people who have the indwelling of God's Spirit. And though this may cause shackles to rise throughout many people when I say this - God's Spirit can be in anyone. Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Anglican, and the non-churchgoers. You can not limit the Spirit of God within physical walls and physical limitations. Actually, you can not limit the Spirit of God - period.
Yet, many in the splinters continually quench God's Spirit by focusing on the physical far and away above anything spiritual.
What is important is what is in your heart and your soul - loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind - and loving your neighbor as yourself. Doing everything you can to help others in the spirit of Matthew 25. Being a light shining to the world. Being in the world - but not subjecting yourself to the sins of the world like debauchery, idolatry, immorality, hatefulness, lying, deception, or greed - but showing the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, longsuffering, self-control, gentleness, kindness, and mercy - not just to those who subscribe to Armstrongism - but to everyone and anyone you encounter in all walks and situations of life. Armstrongism stifled and shackled their members against so many opportunities to do just that under the excuse of "paganism".
Have not they read that against the fruits of God in love there is no law? That love is the fulfilment of the Law? That nothing you do in love - regardless of time, date, or season - with full regard to your neighbor - will be held against you no matter what time, day, or season?
It's time for the splinters to begin to focus on the Spiritual and see how steeped in wickedness it is when one focuses so greatly on the physical. Once that happens, they will then see Jesus for all He is and can be in their lives. There is more to Christianity then Armstrongism, Protestantism, Catholicism, or any other physical organization you can name.
Because God is Spirit. And His worshippers must worship in Spirit - And in TRUTH. And Jesus said HE is the way, and the Truth, and the Life.
Not the idolatry of the things of the past and of the physical, or of any man.. "Here today, and gone tomorrow." It is all about who He is, and what He has done, And who we are - in Him.
This post is an Opinion Editorial. The Views expressed are solely and exclusively that of the author...SHT
9 comments:
Next you will be telling me that PCG's prayer rock is an idol!
You have to admit it is pretty unique worshiping a plain rock.
The COGs seem to have settled on keeping the parts of the Bible rarely kept by others and ignoring the rest.
I would like to see a study project that looks at what in the Bible they are not doing and is there any justification for not doing it (like animal sacrifices - not doing; giving to the poor - doing).
"In fact, the reality is, sometimes if you step into a mainstream church, you will find it in some areas no different than Armstrongism!"
That's the first thing I noticed the first time I went to a mainstream church after I left the splinters.
I have this nagging FEAR: what IF HWA's UNIQUE doctrines especially the Plan of God as pictures so beautifully by the weekly Sabbath and the Holy Days is correct??!
I would have blown my one and only chance.
This article is a good start if my fear of the lake of fire can be erased just by thinking hard over the main points.
One of the previous posts points out there is no third resurrection in Revelation - we just assumed it.
There is a first resurrection and then the rest of the dead are raised later and judged - based on Isaiah it looks like they get to live with Christ in charge and no Satan.
God does not want anyone to perish.
Some of the other churches want to consign all non-believers to eternal hell fire.
God fortunately for all of us has mercy.
They are brainwashed by all the fake mainstream news, fake mainstream academics, fake scriptures, fake journalism, and fake analysis.
Well, 6:42, if HWA was right, and Armstrongism is a foretaste of what all eternity is going to be like, then the Lake of Fire is our friend. It is a way of setting everything right, of opting out of an eternity of misery. We don't know a lot about the Lake of Fire because the Bible is sparse in its verbiage. As an example, we don't even know if the incorrigibles are going to be burned alive, or if they'll be sentenced, die, and the bodies burned. Even if pain is involved, after a few moments, there won't be any memory.
There is also the possibility that it's a metaphor or allegory. God uses fire as a purification process, as in fiery trials, but if it is literal, it seems as if those who make it into the kingdom and loved us would be the ones suffering mental anguish over our plight, and for all eternity. Armstrongism relied a lot on single-perspective (first person) fear. The fact is that nothing is isolated, and none are insulated. Anything that happens to any one of us affects everyone around us. One death sets off a shattering chain in the lives of friends, neighbors, co-workers, loved ones, and family members.
Prior to our awakenings, many of us who believed that Armstrongism provided satisfying answers to the deep philosophical questions of life were either thinking simplistically, or practicing denial, or a combination of both. They speak of milk and meat, but frankly we were being given whatever falls below milk in the food chain. The poorest of the Haitians have old traditional recipes for "dirt cookies". That's pretty much the extent of the nutrition we received in WCG and the splinters.
Anonymous 6:42 said: “This article is a good start if my fear of the lake of fire can be erased just by thinking hard over the main points.”
Fear not my friend. For where there is love there is no fear. As Paul wrote:
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
And John wrote:
1 John 4:18 (KJV)
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.”
Tbh as others have rightly noted in other blog posts (e.g. Anonymous, Kevin McMillen, Yes & No to HWA, TLA) there is no third resurrection, just two resurrections. And I’ve wondered sometimes if God, who is all-powerful and all-love and with whom nothing is impossible, would save everyone that’s ever been conceived and died “in Adam.” I know it’s a doctrine of universalism and probably not true, but I can still hope and pray and dream that God will save ALL mankind! How awesome and just would that be to know that Satan’s wicked efforts to thwart God and His eternal relationship with mankind would come to nothing! And of course John doesn’t say in Revelation that any men or women are cast into the lake of fire. So anyway I still hope! :-)
I've red many books on abusive Christianity, and I too was struck by how the abuses in Armstrongism are common in other churches. They all use similar ploys, which means that there's a informal manual on how to take advantage of members.
Does the PCG grow dichondra grass on its Oklahoma campus? If not... WHY NOT!
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