"Taking Responsibility for My Own Choices"

Taking Responsibility for My Own Choices

In the course of this blog's existence, I have been sharply critical of the leadership and theology of the Armstrong Churches of God. Now, I still believe that all of those criticism were valid and deserved. Nevertheless, in the discussions that have been generated here and on other blogs in which I have participated, the question of my own culpability in my entrapment in this cult has arisen a number of times.

First, I want to say that I embrace that as a valid question, and one that a person of real integrity is bound to consider and to offer some response. Having accepted the question, I want to acknowledge immediately that I do accept a large share of the responsibility for my involvement in Armstrongism. If that surprises any of my fellow survivors, it might warrant a little introspection on your own part!

The PLAIN TRUTH is that I was intellectually lazy and did NOT do my due diligence! In short, taking a so-called college level Bible Correspondence Course, reading the Bible and a bundle of booklets and articles on various doctrinal issues did NOT constitute a comprehensive, objective, or critical review of the information available to me. I allowed someone to feed me a pre-packaged, highly subjective interpretation of the Bible. Looking back, it is clear that I accepted the inferior research of others simply because it sounded superficially plausible in explaining a very complicated reality. In other words, while I was definitely interested and looking for answers, I was not willing to do the deep dive necessary to arrive at an informed conclusion.

Sure, it is easier for folks now than it was back in the day. We didn't have the internet at our fingertips, and it is a tremendous resource in the right hands for ferreting out truth. Even so, I cannot escape that realization in the back of my mind that tells me I should have known better. I also have to admit to myself that it did feel good to think that I was privy to inside information that wasn't available to everyone. The allure of being in on the big secret exerted a powerful influence on my ego/vanity!

Over time, I also allowed those master manipulators to place me in a mental straitjacket. I stopped thinking for myself. I stopped asking questions, researching, and seeking answers to the big questions. I allowed myself to be convinced that such curiosity would lead me to the Dark Side of the Force - that I would make myself vulnerable to losing the "truth" and salvation which I thought that I had found! Looking back, it is clear that I also ignored a great deal of evidence over the years which contradicted the interpretations that I had accepted so enthusiastically!

Yes, there were plenty of occasions for me to reject Armstrongism over the years, but I continued to dismiss or ignore the warning signs that things were amiss. I knew that racism was wrong, and I majored in the history of the United States and Britain in college. The evidence was right in front of me that Anglo-Israelism was completely absurd - that what I had already learned had completely and thoroughly discredited the heresy. Looking back now, I have to say that my excuses for taking as long as I did to emerge from the delusion of Armstrongism look pretty weak and pathetic in hindsight!

The point of this post? NEVER allow yourself to be satisfied. Continue to look, explore, question, research, and learn. Also, listen to your own conscience and invite the Holy Spirit to help you in your search for answers and understanding. Do NOT go and dig in the earth and bury the "treasure" which you believe has been entrusted to you. Jesus Christ, your Savior and mine, made it very clear that he expected his disciples to increase/multiply what he had entrusted to them!

Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix

Crackpot Prophet Brags About Deceiving "So-Called" Christians Who Invite Him On Their Programs

 

Don't you just love it when various COG leaders and ministers who speak on their various podcasts and video programs claim they proclaim God's word proudly, without reservation, and forcefully?

Do they really? 

Have they ever?

Even Herbert couldn't speak about Jesus or God in public and would instead talk about a "strong hand from someplace," What the flying "f" is that? The Flying Spaghetti Monster?

Almost all COG leaders, to this very day, couch their words so not to draw too much attention to their amazing God. Being martyrs for the truth is not included on their bingo cards.

This brings us today to our most highly favored Elijah/Elisha/Joshua of God, dreamed into being as the foundations of the world were being laid, to come forth in all glory in the perilous end times, to spread the truth of God, delivered through dreams, to a lost and hurting world. Never has a messenger of God been so doubly blessed to be God's own personal mouthpiece.

Hold on!!!!!!!!!!!

Wait a minute! Put those brakes on! Things are not as they are supposed to be!

The Great Bwana turns out to be a wimpy coward just like Herbert. The Great Bwana admits he has to guard his words when speaking to other Christian podcasters and interviewers. So much for forcefully proclaiming his god! The church is sure filled with a lot of impotent wusses anymore. Plus, why is he seeking interviews with so-called/fake insincere Christians as he constantly calls them?

Anyway, after more backslapping, here is what he said in his latest letter to his faithful 100 Caucasians:

Last Thursday, I was on Michael Klassen’s 5 AM Podcast.

Last Friday, I was on with Monica Hansen, The Graceful Warrior podcast. Monica told me that she had been thinking of contacting me before our podcast team contacted her. So, she was glad we were able to do one together.

On Tuesday, I was on Dr. Rosemarie Downer’s All Things Faith Walk podcast. We discussed the first portion of our booklet: Is God’s Existence Logical?

Then, being the duplicitous slug that he is, he mentions how he needs to be tricky with his hosts: 

Let me add that being a guest on Protestant podcast channels is tricky as we do want to get God’s truth to all we can, but also by trying to minimize offense to the podcast hosts. 

After he leaves his host's presence, he then puts up links to his poorly researched and heretical booklets, articles, and videos. 

That said, it is my intent to put up links to many of the podcasts after the hosts upload them. 

 

Being a podcast guest looks like another door that Jesus opened for His Philadelphian remnant (Revelation 3:7-8; cf. Hebrews 13:1, literal)–and we in the CCOG are utilizing this door. We are reaching people that we otherwise would often not be able to reach.

Reaching them through deception and deceit. Typical Armstrongite methods of spreading their so-called gospel. 

World's Foremost Authority On Solar Flares Claims One Will Be The Cause Of Great Earth Leveling Earthquake Sometime After 2028

Our resident Mr. Know-it-all is back once again regaling us with more of the important wisdom that he has gained as a true prophet of this thing he calls "god". Never in the entire arc of civilization has such a great man emerged in the Churches of God. No one has ever had the wisdom this man has; personally spoon-fed by god into his brain so that he could be a force to be reckoned with in these perilous end times. The heavens and earth bow at his mighty presence. Heck, even Satan is in on it!

The Great Bwana to Africa and the occasional Caucasian is back with yet ANOTHER backslapping, "hey, look at me" article. He states that 

Last Summer, I warned about the connection between solar flares and earthquakes (see Solar flares, earthquakes, and electrical disturbances). Now in March 2025, Michael Snyder is pointing to a new study that confirms that:

Scientists Discover A Link Between Solar Activity And Earthquakes, And That Has Huge Implications For The Apocalyptic Times We Are Living In

Oh noes!!!!!!!! Scary times!!!!!! Always living in fear mode, that's the Church of God way.

Then to whip up the frenzy further, the Great Bwana says that the Earth's core will be changing in the next few years:

"Jesus warned:

8 … And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

Let me add that in addition to solar activity, changes in the inner core of the earth would also seem to be a factor in the production of earthquakes and troubles.

As far as earthquakes go, the really big earthquake in biblical prophecy is the following one:

18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:18-20)

Notice that the above earthquake is so big that the cities of the nations will fall. Mountains will be leveled and islands “fled away".  This seems to be the biggest earthquake that will ever hit the planet with humans on it. Despite the view of ‘preterists’ that this already happened, that is nonsense.

The earthquake of Revelation 16 will be bigger than what the usual “experts” have believed was possible. It will change the planet and humble parts of humanity."

 

"Solar flares as well as changes to the earth’s core can also affect electrical matters."

He even has a video up about this nonsense:

Earth’s Core and Earthquakes
There have been reports that the earth’s inner core is slowing down and even going backward. Why? Could this be dangerous? Are scientists concerned? Could this be related to the earthquakes and troubles Jesus prophesied during the beginning of sorrows? Could electricity be affected? What about the volcano or Revelation 8? What about the biggest earthquake ever that is prophesied in the 16th chapter of Revelation? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie go over these matters.

There you have it, boys and girls! From the mouth of God's greatest prophet ever to walk this earth. 

 

 

Satan: Real? A Metaphor for Evil or Something Else?

Alexandre Cabanel, Fallen Angel, ca. 1847, Musée Fabre, Montpellier, France. Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

 

Here is an interesting viewpoint by Greg Albrecht about Satan, the devil and evil. Let the pitchforks start flying...

Q & R: GREG ALBRECHT – “DOES SATAN EXIST?”

QUESTION: 

I just listened to one of your sermons broadcast and after being with Plain Truth ministries for a LONG time, I was quite surprised when you said you didn’t know if Satan exists? The Bible says that God created the devil as the most perfect beautiful angel he could make, but because of his beauty he turned against God and persuaded 1/3 of the angels to go with him, he was thrown down to Earth. 

 

I don’t know why I’m writing this. You’re more knowledgeable than I am, or at least I thought you were. I’ve settled in my mind that Satan exists as an evil influence, and that as humans, we’re capable of evil but Satan with his influence makes things worse. That’s how I see it. I have read the Bible several times and I have seen numerous mentions of Satan in his different ways… I don’t want to start doubting Plain Truth Ministries!

RESPONSE: 

We are delighted that PTM has been able to serve you for a LONG time – thank you for allowing us this privilege. You say you were surprised to hear me say I don’t know if Satan exists. 

 

Before answering your question I have listened to the audiotape and reviewed the manuscript of that sermon to which you have referenced – with due respect, it is misleading to assert that I said I do not know if Satan exists. I said I did not know if the devil spoken of in Scripture is “real” or if that term/word (Satan, Lucifer, etc) is a symbol or metaphor of evil/unseen powers of this dark world/spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Based on my reading of all passages in the Bible (as noted in the sermon) I do not believe that anyone can know such a thing, though I am aware that many dogmatically will proclaim they do (and castigate any who might disagree). 

 

“Real” as understood by an overtly literal reading of the Bible would have us believe that God has arms and wings and that he is a rock. “Real” would have us required to greet fellow Christians with a holy kiss and to gouge out our right eye or cut off our right hand if they offend us. The Bible is not a collection of flat-lined instructions – it is inspired for us within literary genres and cultural/historical settings – and there are many from Genesis to Revelation. For example, many Christians realize that the parables of Jesus are not “real” in that there was no historical person specifically known as the prodigal son – indeed there have been and are tens of millions of prodigal sons. The fact that we may not unearth the actual identify of a specific/”real” person named “the prodigal son” in an archaeological dig does not make Jesus’ teaching false or less significant.

 

I could continue with many other examples – because of its first chapter that paints a picture of the angels presenting themselves before the Lord, joined by Satan, I made a similar point in terms of the book of Job and what it teaches us in the sermon — but time fails me to cover all the many examples of how the Bible shares its message. 

 

The sermon in question also provides a brief exegetical look at 1 Peter 5:8 which was our keynote passage, which again broadens the conversation about the topic you query. 

 

Again, your assumption that I do not believe in evil/darkness or diabolical evil is erroneous – I did say in this sermon that I find the popular depiction of a literal, “real” Satan as a red devil-like figure wearing red leotards/tights, brandishing a flaming pitchfork, with a fiendish grin on his face to be superfluous to the discussion of evil/depravity and dark forces. Within the time limits of that message, I attempted to supply some background for what the Bible is affirming and what it does not specifically address, in terms of the devil/Satan/Lucifer. 

 

Hope this helps,
In Christ,
Greg Albrecht

What are your thoughts? Do you envision Satan as the big bogeyman of Armstrongism who is always out making life difficult for splinter group leaders who are the most persecuted men on earth today? After all, he is the most powerful entity of Armstrongism. Spoken more about than Jesus. 

Is the concept a metaphor for evil or something else? 

St. Michael Vanquishing Satan – Raphael

Miserere mei, Deus

 

David Hurd's Psalm 51

If someone had told me twenty years ago that I would be smearing ashes on the foreheads of people tonight, I would never have believed them. Tonight was Ash Wednesday at the church I attend. A night that signifies the start of forty days of self-examination. An examination of our fallibility, our mortality, our participation in oppression and injustice to others. At this time we are particularly drawn to Jesus' call for justice: freedom for the oppressed, release of the captives, good news to the poor and recovery of sight to the blind. It's about confronting the power of death in all its forms, terror and tyranny, corruption and greed, disregard for creation and all the forces that prevent people from living life in its fullest.

It's not about giving up chocolate, sweets, meat, dropping a dollar in the swear jar, or other things. It's about being authentic to yourself and to God, while you get off your rear end and make a difference in the world around you.

Growing up in Armstrongism I listened to endless sermons by ministers and evangelists mocking and deriding those that kept this day as insincere and a total waste of time. Meredith came up with some of the most absurd and inaccurate comments that anyone could dream up. Actually what he said was and still is, a blatant lie!

Seeing the wide eyes of little kids kneeling in front of you with tears in their eyes, or huge smiles as they experience something that only a child can through untarnished minds. They look into your eyes with a look of awe. And then they turn to their parents and look them in their eyes with a deep connection only a parent can ever see. Probably like the kind of look we should be having with God. Totally free with no baggage. Oh, to be a child again!

I saw a blind young man tonight who is wheelchair bound with a body that is wracked by cerebral palsy, rhythmically moving in slow motion due to the muscles in his body twisting and writhing about, sit there with tears streaming down his cheeks as he attempts to stop his body from moving when the ashes are placed on his forehead, clearly and distinctly saying 'amen' afterwords. He does the same thing when the Eucharist is brought to him. His body stops moving as he takes the wafer in his distorted hands and places it in his mouth and sips the wine. He understands something that I probably never will. Something deeper and more meaningful than any HWA sermon, booklet or book ever did. Something deeper about the mystery that surrounds us, the mystery of the unknown yet knowable, the grain of the universe that calls to us into something we cannot fathom, something so foreign to us that we let it slip past us the minute we walk out the doors of the church into the real world.

I saw people in attendance tonight that I know are agnostic and a couple of atheists who have no idea what or who God is. Yet, they admit something draws them back, week after week. Something they cannot understand but want to be a part of. They are involved in feeding the homeless, knitting prayer shawls for the sick and dying, caring for those with AIDS, working in hospice or visiting the sick and homebound. They too have the opportunity to delve into something deeper and more mysterious with new ways of looking and understanding that I can never have. It is a delight to be around them

I am grateful for my journey out of Armstrongism. I regret many opportunities lost because of its aberrant, absurd, and irrelevant teachings, yet there was a lot I treasure. How I came out halfway sane is a miracle! :-) I am grateful for Gavin's web sites and blogs over the years and for Dennis's unwavering self examination and willingness to question without apology. What a ride it has been and continues to be!

Gary, 2011

Addendum 2025

Who would have imagined I would still be serving at an Ash Wednesday service as I did at noon today so many years later. In fact, this is now year 25 doing this.

I was reminded of the original post that I did in 2011 (above) after reading Bob Thiel's sophomoric understanding of Ash Wednesday and Lent that he posted the other day. His thinking was inherented from equally sophomoric men from the Worldwide Church of God and Ambassador College.

This explanation that I saw on X today establishes the Christian thought behind the season of Lent.

Lent was never meant to be easy. It was meant to break you. 

 

For centuries, Lent has been seen as a time of mild sacrifice—giving up chocolate, social media, or coffee.

But the truth? The origins of Lent are far more brutal, far more raw. It wasn’t about self-improvement. It was about spiritual survival. 

 

In the earliest days of Christianity, when faith was a crime punishable by death, Lent was a preparation for war.

It was a time of fasting so intense that bodies weakened, a period of prayer so fervent that the line between heaven and earth seemed to blur.

Those who took part weren’t just giving up luxuries—they were stripping themselves down to nothing, purging everything but faith, because they knew what was coming.

Baptism on Easter was not a ceremony. It was an initiation into a life that could lead to the arena, the stake, or the sword. 

 

The forty days of Lent mirror Christ’s own forty days in the wilderness, where He faced the devil as a starving, vulnerable man.

And yet, He endured. That’s what Lent was always meant to be: a confrontation with the darkest parts of ourselves. A reckoning. A test. 

 

But over time, the world softened it. It became a season of small sacrifices rather than total surrender.

We made it comfortable.

Yet true Lent, real Lent, was always meant to cut deep. To leave scars. To change you. 

 

So, the question isn’t what will you give up?

A couple of todays readings:

A reading from Joel (2:1–2, 12–17)

Blow the shofar in Zion! Sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the people of the land tremble! For the Day of our God is coming — it is near — a day of bleakness and gloom, a day of fog and dense clouds. A vast and countless horde appears like soot spread over the hills; it is like something never known before, nor will be seen in ages to come. “But know this,” says our God: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning. Tear open your heart, not your clothes!” Return to your God who is gracious and deeply loving as a mother quick to forgive, abundantly tenderhearted — and relents from inflicting disaster. Who knows? God may come back, relent, and leave a blessing behind — grain and drink offerings for your God. Sound the shofar in Zion! Order a fast! Proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the people! Purify the community! Assemble the elders! Gather the children — even infants at the breast! Let the bridegroom leave his bedroom and the bride her canopied bed! Let the priests, the ministers of God, stand weeping between the portico and the altar and say, “Spare your people, O God! Do not let your heritage become an object of ridicule, a byword for the Nations! Do not let the peoples say, ‘Where is their god?’”

A reading from Isaiah (58:1–12)

“Shout for all you are worth, raise your voice like a trumpet! Proclaim to the people their faults; tell the house of Leah and Rachel and Jacob their sins! They seek me daily, they long to know my ways, like a nation that wants to act with integrity and not ignore the law of its God. They ask me for laws that are just, they long for God to draw near. Yet they say, ‘Why should we fast if you never see it? Why do penance if you never notice?’ Because when you fast it is business as usual, and you oppress all your workers! Because when you fast, you quarrel and fight and strike the poor with your fist! Fasting like yours today will never make your voice heard on high! Is that the sort of fast that pleases me — a day when people humiliate themselves, hanging their heads like a reed, lying down on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call fasting, a day acceptable to God? On the contrary! This is the sort of fast that pleases me: Remove the chains of injustice! Undo the ropes of the yoke! Let those who are oppressed go free, and break every yoke you encounter! Share your bread with those who are hungry, and shelter homeless poor people! Clothe those who are naked, and do not hide from the needs of your own flesh and blood! Do this, and your light will shine like the dawn — and your healing will break forth like lightening! Your integrity will go before you, and the glory of God will be your rearguard. Cry, and God will answer; call and God will say ‘I am here—provided you remove from your midst all oppression, finger-pointing, and malicious talk! If you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your shadows will become like noon. God will always guide you, giving relief in desert places. God will give you strength to your bones and you will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never run dry. You will rebuild the ancient ruins and build upon age-old foundations. You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, and Restorer of Ruined Neighborhoods.’”

God, Jesus, and HWA - Eliminate Any One And You Eliminate Yourself From The Kingdom!

 

The Church of God version of the Holy Trinity. Armstrongism gets dumber by the day.

The Body of Jesus Christ is connected to Jesus Christ. God the Father sent His Son. His son, Jesus Christ sent Herbert W Armstrong! Jesus Christ THROUGH Herbert W Armstrong sent the ministry! It was God the Father that sent them through Jesus Christ and Herbert W Armstrong! Eliminate any one of them, and you erase yourself from God's Church and Coming Kingdom, and from the book of Life! There is Government in His Body, and you break that chain in that Governmental line, whom God and Jesus Christ placed, you're not in it. Hirelings, and wolves look to draw away members of God's Church, unto themselves, unto their organization and corporate Church. If they cannot pull the Father of the family, they go after the wife. And if the wife cannot be pulled away, they will go After the Children. I have witnessed this very thing! I have lived through it, and God shows me instantly when it happens, by the power of His Holy Spirit. Because without it, I would be blind to it. I wouldn't see it. But I do. That's God through and through, and the Glory goes to God. I have come across many wolves, who seek to steal and destroy, JUST AS JESUS CHRIST SAYS! They, the hirelings and wolves, say the sheep have a path of destruction behind them, because many have clung to them with vain flatteries, or false pretenses! With ulterior motives! And their plans fell through and came to nothing! God's Word is true every time! Some were trying to take the children , literally. Some sought more members for their corporate Churches. All with lies and deception, false pretenses, of their father the Devil! Judge the fruits! What does God say He will do? The fire of God is coming up on the disobedient and rebellious! God come quickly and RIP your sheep from their claws and deliver what they have delivered to us!

Courtesy of WCGArchives (Kitchen Bros) 

Is the Doctrine of the Trinity Suspect?

 

Is the Doctrine of the Trinity Suspect?

 

In the commentary thread for my last post (Should the Feast Days Be Kept?), the issue of the Trinity was raised and offered as evidence that Christians should be observing the Feasts and Sabbaths of Torah. “WHAT?” some of you will ask. It was asserted that Jesus of Nazareth was the God of the Old Testament – that Christ was the one who gave the Law to Moses. Hence, for them, the Law of Moses = the Law of Christ. And, of course, everyone knows that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Now, admittedly, in the realm of human reasoning there is a superficial kind of logic to this assertion. However, as usual, if we dig a little deeper, the logic falls apart (because it relies on the Armstrongist binitarianism). In other words, a heresy built on the foundation of yet another heresy!

In response to one of the comments, I wrote: “The fourteenth chapter of John is critical to understanding this phenomenon. We read there: "6 Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.' 8 Philip said to him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.' 9 Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.'" (John 14:6-11) Jesus had already told them that he and the Father were ONE (John 10:30).

Likewise, Christ alluded to another part of the Godhead in that same chapter (14) of the Gospel of John. He said: "15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.' 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, 'Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?' 23 Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me." (John 14:15-24) Did you get that? Jesus promised that all three parts (Father, Son, Helper/Holy Spirit) would make their home with true Christians - God with and in us!”

In response, the commentator who relied on binitarianism quoted the following passages:

1 Jn 2:1 But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate [parakleton] before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. (BSB).

Jn 14:16) And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate [parakleton] to be with you forever— (BSB).

Rom 8:9 if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you

Gal 4:4) God sent forth [exapostello] his Son

Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth [exapostello] the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Now, the commentator obviously believed that these passages supported his/her binitarianism; but if we take a closer look, we see Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in these passages, and they appear as ONE and a part of each other.

Likewise, the same commentator cited a number of other passages that he/she believed would support his/her binitarianism. As one example, the commentator quoted John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He/she then asked: “Why isn’t <it> ‘and the Word was with God and the HS’?” He/she, however, fails to acknowledge that later (in this same chapter) we read: “32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.” (John 1:32-34)

In similar fashion, the commentator quoted: “1Jn 1:3b and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” Then asked: “Why isn’t our fellowship with the Father, Jesus Christ and the HS?” As is usually the case with proof texting, the commentator completely ignored what followed. In the second chapter of this same epistle, we read: “20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. 21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. 22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. 23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 

24 So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. 25 And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us. 26 I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” (I John 2:20-27) 

I don’t know about you, but that sure sounds to me like John believed that the Holy Spirit was essential to maintaining our fellowship with the Father and the Son!

The commentator then went on to list “Well-wishes with two divine sources.” In this instance, the commentator pointed to the greetings in several epistles (mostly Paul’s):

Rom 1:7b Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

1 Cor 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Cor 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Gal 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Eph 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Phil 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Thess 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

1 Tim 1:2b Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Tim 1:2b Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Titus 1:4b Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Philemon 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Pet 1:2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord

2 John 3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love

--David E. Aune, Revelation 1-5, WBC, p.27.

Then, he/she went on to quote from Bullinger’s commentary on Revelation: “Nowhere do we find the Holy Spirit associated with the Father and the Son in any salutation. Not even in the Pauline Epistles”

REALLY? Please notice the rest of Paul’s salutation in his epistle to the Romans:

Romans 1: 1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. 6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.” (Romans 1:1-7a)

Likewise, in his first epistle to the saints at Corinth, we read: 

“6 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. 7 No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. 8 But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. 9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard,  and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” (I Corinthians 2:6-12)

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit may not be mentioned in all of the salutations; but this trio is woven into the very fabric of the New Testament (and the Hebrew Scriptures). Indeed, some of the very passages which Armstrongists use to disprove the Trinity actually demonstrate the unity of the Godhead! In the first chapter of Genesis, we read that “the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” While in the New Testament, we read that God created all things by Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:9). So, who did the creating? Was it God, the Word, or the Holy Spirit? The answer is YES! In the Gospel of Matthew, we read that Mary “became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Moreover, the angel told Joseph that “the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:18-20) Was the Holy Spirit involved or was the Father involved? Once again, the answer is YES! No, sorry folks, the Trinity is demonstrated in a few proof texts – it is in almost every page of the Greek New Testament!

Lonnie Hendrix/Miller Jones

Has Gerald Flurry Been Vindicated, Proven Right, And Restored As A Prophet Of God?

 

Petulant Narcissistic Man-Child Dares To Lecture Us About Anger and Rebellion

 

Never in the history of the Church of God has it been filled with so many narcissistic self-appointed prophets of truth that have been sent by God to lead the church. Where would we be without all of these vainglorious blowhards? Gerald Flurry and Dave Pack, in all of their narcissistic bombastic chest thumping, pale in comparison to our petulant narcissistic man-child who is constantly whipped into a state of prissiness.

He started down that slippery road when he took a class at Fuller and tried to tell them how things should be. They ignored him. Then he tried it in the Worldwide Church of God in hopes of being ordained for his amazing insights. They ignored him. In an act of rebellion, he left to join up with Rod Meredith when the Global Church of God started. He tried to educate McNair and others on how things should be. They ignored him. Then, in another fit of rebellion he left to join up with Rod Merdith when Living Church of God started. He attempted to educate the Council of Elders and other men in the LCG as to how things are to be. They ignored him. More years went by as a non-ordained man of God and he got sick of being ignored. After all, he is God's special gift to the church and they all should be thanking him for his great wisdom. Yet, he was ignored over and over. Ordinations flew by like flies on a rotting carcass.

The anger was too much. Rebellion erupted in his veins once again. This time he would do what HE wanted and no one could stop him. So out the door he went in a fit of rebellion against his spiritual daddy, Rod Meredith. The constant public rebukes by him were too much to endure.

Thus, another rebellious Church of God was formed, all thanks to anger and rebellion. Yet, blind to his own foibles, he is trying to lecture us about anger and rebellion!

Anger and Rebellion
Anger and rebellion have been issues throughout history. Do scientific studies point to venting one’s anger has the answer or something else? What does the Bible say about anger? Is anger ever a sin? Can people repent of rebellion? Do those that harden their hearts risk a root of bitterness? Does the company you keep affect you? Can relaxation and meditation help with anger? Did Jesus teach that we are to to love and do good even to those that hate us? Steve Dupuie and Dr. Thiel discuss these matters and more.

 He also has this to say about anger and rebellion:

29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,

But he who is impulsive exalts folly. (Proverbs 14:29)

1 A soft answer turns away wrath,

But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. (Proverbs 15:1-2)

18 A wrathful man stirs up strife,

But he who is slow to anger allays contention. (Proverbs 15:18) 

 

The Bible also teaches self-control:

9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,

For anger rests in the bosom of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

5 give yourselves to fasting and prayer; … so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (1 Corinthians 7:5) 

 

While Paul did not write that specifically for uncontrolled anger, the principle is still applicable.

He ends with this gem:

Despite our personal flaws, we all need to be striving for perfection–which includes controlling anger.

UCG: We Love Ya Rick, But...Goodbye...

UCG Council of Elders on removal of Rick Shabi as President:

Dear brethren,

As a follow-up to my video message to you on Friday, I’m writing to share an update from our February meeting of the Council of Elders related to our process for reaffirming a president.

As you know, the president is appointed by the Council to serve the Church for three years and this term is ending. It is now time to determine whether to reaffirm our president or select a new president, a process required by our governing documents.

Some might ask, what goes into the decision to reaffirm the president of the United Church of God, an International Association? To be clear, Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. After seeking God’s direction, past Councils have chosen seven men to serve as president during our 30-year history, each with different approaches and talents.

The process of reaffirmation allows for either planned continuation of current talents or a transition to another set of talents to further God’s Work. Through this model, we benefit from having emeritus presidents who continue to contribute their skills on an ongoing basis in different capacities.

After seeking God’s direction through prayer and fasting, through thoughtful deliberations, and in accordance with processes outlined in our Bylaws, the Council has decided to transition to a new president. With this decision, we now turn our attention to beginning the selection process for the next president. I will share more information about this in the coming weeks.

We are deeply appreciative of Rick Shabi’s service as president. He traveled extensively to international areas, bringing to light important needs outside of the United States. He also brought a fresh approach to preaching the gospel with the Biblical Worldview video program. Having worked with him since May, I know he put in many hours and late nights fulfilling his duties. He previously served in many other ways, including as a pastor and treasurer.

Thank you for your prayers and support of this process and please join me in thanking Mr. Shabi for his service over the past three years. We look forward to his continued service.

In Christ’s service,

Tim Pebworth

United Church of God: Shabi Out? Already?

 

A reader here made this comment today:

I just recently watched UCGs "The Red Heifer and the Third Temple" short video from Mr. Shabi. I thought it was average or decent. But what he fails to do is mention that Christians have the temple within them through the Holy Spirit, and that Christ is ultimate sacrifice and our High Priest. Making a distinction between what is Christian and the practice of Judaism which has not accepted Christ. 

 

Instead the focus is on fulfilled prophecy. I am so glad that the bible gives us Paul's writings, which shows a man who was steeped in Judaism and we can see "somewhat" of his transformation into Christianity. The video just wants to show prophecy and doesn't make effort into or emphasis on Christ and His role now. Or how that old system/covenant is gone.
Tank

This was one of the comments to the above comment: 

"That may be Rick Shabi's last video. UCG Council of Elders scuttled him as President this past week."

If this is true, this sure didn't take long! He was named President in May of 2022, he succeeded Vic Kubik's oligarchy.

It might not be hard to see why, based on his comments from last December's Council of Elders meeting, 

Shabi and so many other COG leaders act like they are just now discovering that things are not healthy in their church. Seriously guys, you have had since 1995 to get your act together and you still can't.

Milford, Ohio

Monday, December 9, 2024

Chairman Tim Pebworth called the morning session to order at 9 a.m. Eastern. Paul Wasilkoff opened the meeting with a prayer. Eleven council members were present, and John Elliott joined via Zoom.

Mr. Pebworth began with a few personal opening comments. He then presented the August meeting minutes for approval, which were unanimously approved. He then reviewed the week’s agenda, which was also unanimously approved. Mr. Pebworth then turned the floor over to Rick Shabi for the President’s report.

President’s Report: Rick Shabi

Mr. Shabi opened his report by sharing some personal thoughts and several scriptures that he felt perfectly framed his experiences over the last two years in his current position and what he will discuss in his presentation.

Attend your herds! Members get called a lot of things by leaders and ministers, but this is a new one. 

• Proverbs 27:23, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.”
• Proverbs 24:27, “Prepare your outside work… and afterward build your house.”
• Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it…”
• Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…”
• Ephesians 4:16, “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
• Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
• Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”

As Mr. Shabi read each scripture, he commented on the value these biblical principles bring to the Church and the time it takes to implement them as God desires. He said there is much to learn; even though we are a small Church we have a significant, worldwide work. He mentioned that he has learned much from the travels that he, Steve Myers, and Darris McNeely have made through the many different environments worldwide, seeing firsthand where the brethren live, their needs, strengths, and challenges.

Thirty years of wandering around slapping each other on the back as if they were doing some mighty work. Division and discontent are their hallmarks. Just ask COGWA. Never mind though, they are still learning. They are learning to be humble and submissive.

Mr. Shabi mentioned that many things have already been accomplished, but in these travels, they have learned that there are many more areas of concern that we need to address. He noted that it’s apparent that we are still learning, but we know that God will teach and guide us in how He wants this work done. He commented that the only way to know where God wants us to focus our efforts is to let Him lead. In return, we must keep that humble spirit, submit to His will, and always trust Him.