Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders

Friday, October 25, 2024

Is Your Faith So Shallow You Will Let Others Steal Your Crown?



Is Someone Trying to Steal Your Crown?


Over at Banned by HWA, in reaction to Dennis Diehl's post about the dangers inherent to trying to live one's life in accordance with a Divine purpose, a conversation was inaugurated about whether or not Dennis was trying to steal a Christian's metaphorical crown. Now, this is not the first time this charge has been leveled against the various authors of the posts which appear on that blog. Of course, we must first understand that the entire blog is devoted to holding Armstrongist "agents of deception accountable." In other words, everything which appears there is meant to expose the inconsistencies and errors inherent to the theology of the Armstrong Churches of God - to prevent THEM from "stealing your crown."

The concept of crown stealing is drawn from a passage in the book of Revelation. In the messages to the seven ekklesia of Asia, the congregation at Philadelphia was praised for its faithfulness to God's word and their perseverance in the face of opposition to their work (Revelation 3:7-10). Then, in the next verse, we read: "I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown." (Revelation 3:11, ESV) What did they have to hold on to? Wasn't it faithfulness to God's word and perseverance in the face of opposition? Are the Armstrong Churches of God faithful to God's word? OR Are they the agents of deception that we contend they are? In other words, if they aren't being faithful to God's word, then what do they have to hold on to?

In this connection, I have always thought that the message to the ekklesia at Laodicea was more appropriate for the Armstrong Churches of God. We read there: "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see." (Revelation 3:17-18, ESV) Indeed, they glory in the "truth" which they possess even as they completely misunderstand the nature of the "crown" they seek to protect and the kingdom which it represents!

The Greek word "stephanos" is translated into English as "crown." It is indicative of the wreath, garland, coronet which was worn by the Roman emperor or given as a prize to the victor in the public games of that time - a symbol of the honor due to a particular person. In his letter to the ekklesia at Corinth, Paul wrote: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (I Corinthians 9:24-27, ESV) Likewise, he called the saints at Philippi his "joy and crown" in the Lord (Philippians 4:1). Paul also wrote to Timothy that a "crown of righteousness" was waiting for him "which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." (II Timothy 4:8, ESV) For those who endure trials, James said that they would receive a "crown of life" someday (James 1:12, ESV). Moreover, Peter wrote to the leaders of the ekklesia to: "shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." (I Peter 5:1-4, ESV)

In short, even the use of the "crown" as a metaphor in the writings of the New Testament undermines the teachings of the Armstrong Churches of God about the Kingdom of God and the reward that Christian's are intended to receive from God! Finally, I would also point out that this context makes abundantly clear that YOU are responsible for protecting your crown - NO ONE can steal it from you if you are doing what you're supposed to be doing!

Posted by Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix

8 comments:

  1. Some of the commenters must believe that someone or ones around here are a lot more effective than it is possible to be!

    Heh! Herbie always told us that when you point your finger to accuse someone else, you have three pointing back at yourself. They're stealing their own crowns! Dennis isn't stealing them! "Crown Stealer" is just a nasty little kid's playground name for someone whose ideas they don't like.

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  2. "NO ONE can steal it from you if you are doing what you're supposed to be doing!"

    That's blaming the victim. The comment ignores that Christians sometimes weaken and the efficacy of evil. People wouldn't be attempting to crown steal unless success is a possibility.
    On several dates while I attended services, my female date exploded in narcissistic rage over some point of etiquette. This was a ploy to intimidate me to be their slave. This would have also robbed me of my crown. Their behavior of trying to "cash in their chips" after the event, removed any doubt about their motives. And not forgetting, my first minister insisted on a "counseling session" during which he tried to convince me to let him possess me. And he was a AC graduate. Yah nice! This would have stolen my crown as well.
    Making light of the greatest crime in the universe is a serious sin.

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  3. Iran has the right to defend itself--just like Hitler did--from lying Jewish cock suckers.

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  4. Adokimos (Greek) – disqualified (ESV)

    Paul is using a metaphor of running a race to explain that the Christian Way involves good works. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 may be easily misinterpreted to support the Armstrongist idea that we must qualify for salvation. The Doctrine of Qualification in Armstrongism is the belief that Jesus is not alone adequate for salvation but the believer’s works must also enter into the equation. This is heresy.

    First of all, the crown mentioned in this passage is not connected to kingship. It refers to the garland that an athlete who wins a race receives. In fact, the scriptures that say Christians will be “kings and priests” is a mistranslation. The phrase should be translated “a kingdom of priests.” Christians will be priests in a Kingdom ruled by Christ the King. Christians have no literal crown of kingship to be stolen. They do have rewards that may be lost.

    Christians do not “compete” for salvation. The fact that Paul’s metaphor uses the concept of competition indicates that he is not talking about salvation. Paul would be scandalized if he could have foreseen that some would misinterpret what he wrote in this way. Pauline theology asserts clearly the idea that salvation is a gift. Ones does not compete for it. One does not qualify for it.

    In fact, HWA himself always considered an attitude of competition to be a human flaw. (I am not sure what he thought of the competitive capitalism that many Armstrongists and right-wing Christians adulate.) Paul does state that we shall be rewarded according to our deeds in Romans 2:6-7. This is what I believe the metaphor in this passage is intended to illustrate.

    The Greek term adokimos is translated in the ESV as disqualified. It means not standing the test like some counterfeit coin that is made of a non-precious metal. One could construe it so as to fit with the Armstrongist Doctrine of Qualification but Pauline theology stands in clear opposition to such a doctrine.

    Scout

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  5. Well anon 3:57:52 AM PDT
    Thy comments have added nothing to the whole sum of human endeavour enlightenment and knowledge.
    Sounding more like the dying thoughts of a sexually frustrated former KKK member, quite possibly voting for the Democrats this Nov until thee discovered Kamala Harris was female.
    Surely your medications are not working.

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  6. Can't steal what someone doesn't have...

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  7. Accusations abound in 2024!
    Crown stealers versus agents of deception Crown stealers. What a time to be alive !

    Pick sides or we will hate and despise you. Freedom of choice...But make sure you pick our side...don't take any notice of those leaders...but you must obey us as the leaders....in every aspect of your life...

    As much as everything changes some people always stay the same. What a time to be a Christian! Such Christ like examples to follow.

    "One sign you've encountered God is you walk with a limp, not a strut".

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  8. If your faith is in Herbie and his teachings, it needs to be challenged and dismantled!

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