Profound wisdom continues pouring forth from the Living Church of God! In a stirring Weekly Message titled something along the lines of "The Importance of Character" (because nothing says "profitable Sabbath" like a gentle reminder that your entire nation is morally bankrupt), Dr. Douglas S. Winnail has graciously lectured the world—and especially its wayward members—on the urgent need for righteousness. After all, as Solomon so wisely observed, "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). And when the wicked rule, people groan (Proverbs 29:2). Deep stuff. Truly.
One can almost picture the scene: faithful brethren nodding solemnly in their living rooms, perhaps jotting notes about how the United States (or Britain, or whichever modern "Israelite" nation is currently failing to meet God's lofty standards) has become "sick from head to toe" just like ancient Israel in Isaiah 1. Leaders turning from God's ways? Consequences incoming! The people chosen to be a holy nation, a light to the world? Yep, that's us—er, them. We must develop righteous character so we can point nations toward the coming Kingdom of God. Inspiring. Uplifting. Utterly devoid of irony.
Because if there's one group perfectly positioned to lecture the rest of humanity on moral fiber and godly leadership, it's the heirs of Herbert W. Armstrong's legacy. Let's take a moment to appreciate the sheer consistency here.
Remember Herbert himself, the apostle who restored "true" Christianity after 1,900 years of apostasy? The man who taught strict obedience to God's laws—including sexual purity, financial integrity, and humility before the Almighty? Yet somehow his own household managed to produce headlines that would make a soap opera blush. His son Garner Ted, the golden-voiced broadcaster of The World Tomorrow, got the boot in 1978 after dear old Dad cited "personal misconduct" (code for repeated affairs, by most accounts). Before that, there were the 1970s-era allegations of financial shenanigans: millions in tithes allegedly funneled toward luxury jets, palatial homes, and a lifestyle that made third tithers wonder if "God's government" came with complimentary caviar.
And the incest accusations leveled against HWA himself? Well, those have been hotly denied by loyalists for decades, often with the helpful reminder that critics are just bitter ex-members influenced by Satan. Fair enough—nothing says "righteous character" like dismissing decades of sworn testimony as a vast conspiracy.
Fast-forward to the splinters, including the Living Church of God, founded by Roderick Meredith after yet another dramatic exit from yet another Armstrong offshoot. Meredith, a man known for fiery sermons on prophecy and obedience, presided over his own share of organizational drama, including the tragic 2005 shooting at LCG services in Wisconsin (where intense end-times teachings played a role in some analyses). But hey, every family has its quirks.
Now here comes Dr. Winnail, longtime evangelist and voice of calm authority, reminding us all that sin brings reproach, wicked rulers make people groan, and we must strive for righteousness so we can lead in the Kingdom. Because nothing builds credibility like a movement whose founding family tree looks like a flowchart of excommunications, lawsuits, and "restored truths" that somehow required multiple resets.
It's almost as if the very people most obsessed with spotting national character flaws have spent the last 90 years providing a masterclass in institutional ones. But don't worry—it's all part of God's plan. The splintering, the scandals, the endless cycle of "this is the one true church now"—just tests of faith. Or perhaps divine comedy. Either way, the next time some poor schlub in Cincinnati gets disfellowshipped for watching the wrong TV show on the Sabbath, at least he'll know the leadership is out there somewhere, solemnly warning America about its lack of moral fiber.
Truly, as the good book says: Physician, heal thyself.
The Importance of Character: Character refers to the sum of moral qualities that describe a person—or a nation. Solomon records that “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Solomon also observed that when the righteous rule, people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, “people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). Righteousness involves obeying the laws of God (Psalm 119:172). When the nation of Israel and their leaders turned away from God’s ways, they were referred to as a sinful, unrighteous nation, sick from head to toe, and told that the people and their leaders would reap serious consequences (Isaiah 1:1–9). The Israelites were chosen to be a holy nation of godly people and a light to the world (Exodus 19:5–6; Deuteronomy 4:1–9). We have the same mission today (1 Peter 2:9–10). As individuals, let’s strive to develop righteous character so we can point nations in that same direction in the coming Kingdom of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSin bring reproach? I wish it were true. It seems to me that plenty of people are sinning their way to the top.
ReplyDeleteYou mock scripture now? First paragraph mocking Proverbs?
ReplyDelete'Deep stuff.Truly.' you write in dead end mocking. Well it is thought provoking actually, as all scripture is.
When the wicked rule, people under their rule do groan. For wicked in rulership is nothing but a infliction on the people. Forever coming up with wicked sly things to do to others. Wicked rulers are never at peace, always excluding, always at war, always up to something, always running from one hurtful thing to another to inflict on people. Never at peace. Peace they do not really know. That's why scripture tells us the people groan.
For the wickedness they love to devise and throw on others is indication they are at war in themselves.
What's with all of these newbies popping on here and getting their delicate sensibilities ruffled and then lashing out? It's not like we haven't done any of this here over the last 10 years or so.
ReplyDeleteNot newbie but a battle hardy oldbie.
DeleteWho's lashing out ? Do the rebellious ministry only bully members when all the odds are in their favour in Church? On blog turf, in an open audience, they cannot control, they don't like it so much.
I think it's called being out snookered.
King Saul pooping in a cave unaware David had snook in and cut off the corner of his garment. Then later on waved the cloth in his face.
The message is loud and clear from me stop the bullying.
If ground has been covered before others would not know. . if seeing old issues disappoints perhaps all you need do is not read.
DeleteMost people are not objective at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded of what happened as 9/11 was unfolding. Every time there is major motion, people come out of the woodwork with strangeness. There is a lot of pent up desire for the end times that Armstrongites sacrificed their entire lives for to finally come about. As we speak, some are attempting to massage Iran around to validate HWA's prophesy, others are chiding the people who believe that, saying "You people weren't gifted to see this in advance! "
ReplyDeletePeople had various commentary as the great recession hit in 2008, and thought the disease epidemics were starting when Covid broke. So, since this is an Armstrong related site, we're going to see more of its delayed effects. Plus there's a bigger national mental disease than Armstrongism this time around, in play and taking precedence. Where it goes, nobody knows.
One thing remains as a constant. The manipulators are very much at work, indulging in their exploitation. Buckle up!
Don't know the source of your art, but the man in the lower left looks incredibly like UCG Pastor Randy Stiver. (He's retired now.)
ReplyDeleteIn a parallel universe somewhere, there is a copy of me that is in the LCG. I pray that my other self will escape!
ReplyDelete