Prophet Thiel, the official spokesman for the Living Church of God, has jumped on the Gerald Flurry idolatry band wagon. Today, the Prophet is letting the world know that 120 years ago Herbert W Armstrong as born. However, the Prophet wants to make it very clear that he and the Living Church of God do NOT observe birthdays.
Herbert W. Armstrong was born 120 years ago, on July 31, 1892. And a lot has happened in the world since he was born. From automobiles to the space age, from paper to computers and the internet, from WWI to WWII to terrorism, from societal respect for biblical principles to abortion & homosexual marriage “rights.” There have been changes.
But “he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).
Even though we in the most faithful COGs actually do not celebrate (but do acknowledge) birthdays, nor do we celebrate his..., since many who come to this page know little about him that this would be a good time to tell a few things about him.
Of course the Living Church of God is the ONLY true church that holds fast to the message that HWA created.
We of the Philadelphia remnant of the Church of God believe that God used Herbert W. Armstrong to restore much truth to the true Church of God and to raise up the Philadelphia era of the Church of God. Over the decades that I have been associated with the Church of God, I have repeatedly found both biblical as well as historical proof that the truths that were restored were in fact true. And in fact, the early church did teach them.
Then the Prophet writes:
Furthermore, while Protestants like to point to leaders like Martin Luther and John Calvin, the truth is that unlike them, Herbert Armstrong was not involved in getting people killed–the true church does not do that (see Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare?). The same is true about many Roman Catholic Popes who instituted persecutions in forms such as the Inquisition. Some information on what those non-COG leaders have done to others throughout history may be found in the article Persecutions by Church and State.
Armstrong may not have let his followers go into military service where they might kill someone, but Armstrong killed in other ways. Scores of people have died in Armstrongism because of aberrant teachings on doctors and medicine. Hundreds have died from suicide over the years. Broken marriages, destroyed families, murders, rapes, stalkings, child molestations and financial ruin is the enduring legacy of Armstrong.
Prophet Thiel then adds this absurd comment:
Another difference between Martin Luther, John Calvin, Eastern Orthodox leaders, and Roman Catholic Popes vs. Herbert Armstrong is that HWA actually did teach sola Scriptura. He clearly taught what the Bible taught, yet the other churches have all demonstrated their preference for tradition over what the Bible actually teaches.
How delusional can the official spokesmen of the Living Church of God get? Armstrong and his minions, including Meredith, have added some much worthless fluff to biblical interpretations that it is appalling to claim otherwise. If you cut out all the proof-texting from Armstrongite literature you would have blank books.
Prophet Thiel states:
Furthermore, HWA did more to get the truth of God to the world as a witness than any did since biblical times.
Yes sir! That "strong hand from someplace" was surely a potent message! The world was forever changed because of that message! The hearts of the children were turned back to their fathers. Millennial peace flow to all corners of the earth.
