Exposing the underbelly of Armstrongism in all of its wacky glory! Nothing you read here is made up. What you read here is the up to date face of Herbert W Armstrong's legacy. It's the gritty and dirty behind the scenes look at Armstrongism as you have never seen it before!
With all the new crazy self-appointed Chief Overseers, Apostles, Prophets, Pharisees, legalists, and outright liars leading various Churches of God today, it is important to hold these agents of deception accountable.
Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders
Paul's 'I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me' implies that he had not individuated as a person. That is, Paul hadn't learnt to fully live through himself. His history of lording it over peoples faith by persecuting Christians, also implies this. People who fully live through themselves basically don't care what others believe.
One time when I was young and alone, I tried to open a home-canned jar of applesauce whose lid had rusted. I did everything I could think of to open that jar and it would not budge. Finally I prayed and asked God to open it for me. Then I tried the lid and with hardly any pressure at all, it spun right off. I said another prayer of thanks.
Anonymous said... Paul's 'I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me' implies that he had not individuated as a person. That is, Paul hadn't learnt to fully live through himself. His history of lording it over peoples faith by persecuting Christians, also implies this. People who fully live through themselves basically don't care what others believe. November 9, 2018 at 11:22 AM"
Well that's about as honest and straightforward understanding of how the individual gives up their autonomy to religious belief and practice. Excellent and thank you for your honest and realistic view of the mistake of imitating religious types who are believed to be superior, better informed and more spiritually mature or in the know than oneself could ever be without imitation of "the other".
The Apostle Paul was a deeply conflicted male, full of both his own inferiorities masked in bluster and threats and willing to dismiss the perspectives of others in a heartbeat if it did not conform to "the Gospel which he approved of, namely his own version. (Galatians 1) Herbert Armstrong use the "I did not learn the Gospel from any man" schtick to justify his basic attitude of "no one tells me what to do or how it all is."
The bible says, "judge not, for you shall be judged." If we look beyond the weaknesses of those among us we call feeble, we may find surprising power buried within.
Spot on for an atheist like Dennis who does not believe in the power of Jesus and who conflates Jesus with the religious establishment and people like HWA.
One thing I have learned through all of my life's experiences that can only be explained as divine intervention and providence:
Never, ever, ever place humanly devised limits on the power of God, in the smallest things, or the largest things. He may surprise you with the smallest of miracles or the largest of interventions.
Dennis Since you liked my comment, I'II add two other examples. Paul would point out his accomplishments as a apostle, then give the credit to God. This conflicts with Christ's "well done good and faithful servant." So again he fails to individuate and see himself separate from God. And lastly the whopper, where in Acts Paul says that He is torn between doing his job and dying so he can be with Christ. At the end of the day, a relationship with God is still a relationship. It's purpose is certain benefits but, but, the core of life is living through one self. Paul is like some people who can't stand to be by themselves in a room. Enjoying their own company by eg, reading a book, is foreign to them.
Personally, I'm not disturbed by this since a Christian is one who follows Christ rather than flawed men. I also believe that Paul still built the character to qualify for the kingdom. Non of the servants that Christ praised in the parable of the talents were perfect. The best one acquired 10 talents rather than a thousand or more.
Many of the top ACOG ministers know by now that they were conned by HWA, but they have convinced themselves that they can do more good and help more people by staying in the ministry than by admitting the fraud and going to work as Walmart greeters or retail salesmen or whatever other entry-level job they could qualify for in their old age.
I hope Jeffrey Ambrose comes to realize how much good he could do by speaking openly about the con. I hope Dennis Leap comes to realize how much he could do by speaking openly about the con. I hope the same about Michael Germano, Doug Winnail, Dick Ames, Clyde Kilough, Robin Webber, Larry Salyer, Vic Kubik and any other top men who might wake up a few thousand ACOG members with their frank testimony.
Will any of these men have the courage to give up a comfortable paycheck or retirement? I doubt it, but I can hope.
What is the context of the passage? In what way can we do all things? Does this mean that a 5 foot 2 tall basketball player can become a member of the Celtics? Isn't Paul speaking of learning to be content with his life? Should we add to what the Word says by overgeneralizing this statement?
Paul's 'I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me' implies that he had not individuated as a person. That is, Paul hadn't learnt to fully live through himself. His history of lording it over peoples faith by persecuting Christians, also implies this. People who fully live through themselves basically don't care what others believe.
ReplyDeleteOne time when I was young and alone, I tried to open a home-canned jar of applesauce whose lid had rusted. I did everything I could think of to open that jar and it would not budge. Finally I prayed and asked God to open it for me. Then I tried the lid and with hardly any pressure at all, it spun right off. I said another prayer of thanks.
ReplyDeleteoh me...you're projecting again.
ReplyDeleteWhy do comics always make the men look stupid and the women look smart? Isn't that sexist hate speech?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeletePaul's 'I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me' implies that he had not individuated as a person. That is, Paul hadn't learnt to fully live through himself. His history of lording it over peoples faith by persecuting Christians, also implies this. People who fully live through themselves basically don't care what others believe.
November 9, 2018 at 11:22 AM"
Well that's about as honest and straightforward understanding of how the individual gives up their autonomy to religious belief and practice. Excellent and thank you for your honest and realistic view of the mistake of imitating religious types who are believed to be superior, better informed and more spiritually mature or in the know than oneself could ever be without imitation of "the other".
The Apostle Paul was a deeply conflicted male, full of both his own inferiorities masked in bluster and threats and willing to dismiss the perspectives of others in a heartbeat if it did not conform to "the Gospel which he approved of, namely his own version. (Galatians 1) Herbert Armstrong use the "I did not learn the Gospel from any man" schtick to justify his basic attitude of "no one tells me what to do or how it all is."
At any rate, nice comment 11:22 and spot on.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe bible says, "judge not, for you shall be judged." If we look beyond the weaknesses of those among us we call feeble, we may find surprising power buried within.
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, nice comment 11:22 and spot on.
ReplyDeleteSpot on for an atheist like Dennis who does not believe in the power of Jesus and who conflates Jesus with the religious establishment and people like HWA.
This cartoon will not resonate with COG leaders because Jesus is not part of the COG movement.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I have learned through all of my life's experiences that can only be explained as divine intervention and providence:
ReplyDeleteNever, ever, ever place humanly devised limits on the power of God, in the smallest things, or the largest things. He may surprise you with the smallest of miracles or the largest of interventions.
Dennis
ReplyDeleteSince you liked my comment, I'II add two other examples. Paul would point out his accomplishments as a apostle, then give the credit to God. This conflicts with Christ's "well done good and faithful servant." So again he fails to individuate and see himself separate from God. And lastly the whopper, where in Acts Paul says that He is torn between doing his job and dying so he can be with Christ. At the end of the day, a relationship with God is still a relationship. It's purpose is certain benefits but, but, the core of life is living through one self. Paul is like some people who can't stand to be by themselves in a room. Enjoying their own company by eg, reading a book, is foreign to them.
Personally, I'm not disturbed by this since a Christian is one who follows Christ rather than flawed men. I also believe that Paul still built the character to qualify for the kingdom. Non of the servants that Christ praised in the parable of the talents were perfect. The best one acquired 10 talents rather than a thousand or more.
Many of the top ACOG ministers know by now that they were conned by HWA, but they have convinced themselves that they can do more good and help more people by staying in the ministry than by admitting the fraud and going to work as Walmart greeters or retail salesmen or whatever other entry-level job they could qualify for in their old age.
ReplyDeleteI hope Jeffrey Ambrose comes to realize how much good he could do by speaking openly about the con. I hope Dennis Leap comes to realize how much he could do by speaking openly about the con. I hope the same about Michael Germano, Doug Winnail, Dick Ames, Clyde Kilough, Robin Webber, Larry Salyer, Vic Kubik and any other top men who might wake up a few thousand ACOG members with their frank testimony.
Will any of these men have the courage to give up a comfortable paycheck or retirement? I doubt it, but I can hope.
What is the context of the passage? In what way can we do all things? Does this mean that a 5 foot 2 tall basketball player can become a member of the Celtics? Isn't Paul speaking of learning to be content with his life? Should we add to what the Word says by overgeneralizing this statement?
ReplyDeleteIndoctrination shuts out and prevents learning. Armstrongism is so oxymoronic by nature!
ReplyDeleteA sage once quipped: “A wise man saves up for times of need. But only a fool would ride his bicycle in the shower!”
BB