Did Bob Thiel Rock the Boat at LCG HQ and Now Paying For It?

A reader below commented about the following posting by Bob Thiel on his page.  Apparently Bob had/has issues with the LCG's new stance on the "falling away" belief.  Bob thinks that LCG is changing it's stance and voiced his concern about a change in doctrine.  Bob wrote several papers on the topic and presented them to LCG HQ to correct them in their new stance.  LCG refused to take his black and white beliefs into consideration.    Several have told me that while Winnail was sympathetic to his disagreement and permitted the opportunity to disagree while still remaining an LCG member, others in Charlotte were not happy with Bob's questioning attitude.  While the Obama book may have been the tipping point to bring about the stinging rebuke from Meredith, there are other coals in the fire not being made public at the moment.

09/07/12 p.m. Some have asked me about my position on the "falling away" matter. At this stage, let me state that on May 13, 2012, when it looked like a change in formal position may be taking place, I contacted the HQ evangelists and urged them to reconsider certain points. Dr. Winnail ended up contacting me late the next month and discussed his idea to come out to see me. Before I played his "Falling Away" sermon, I was told in July 2012 by two LCG ministers that I would probably not have issues with that sermon, so I played it and watched it. After watching it, I contacted LCG and produced several documents stating my concerns which were sent in July and August 2012.

Today, Dr. Winnail informed me (orally and via email) that while one can disagree with the Council's primary current interpretation on the falling away matter, which I do, one can still be part of the Living Church of God while holding a different view.

08/20/12 a.m. Received a few emails related to the "falling away" matter. Be assured that I am trying to work this out with LCG's leadership.

07/14/2012 p.m. Saw the "must-play" DVD by Dr. D. Winnail today titled The Falling Away. It was quite different than I had been led to believe.

Meredith Letter on LCG Member Page

Partial screen capture of LCG member page

In addition to being read in all churches, the letter from Rod Meredith concerning Bob Thiel is now post online for all the world to see.

Apostle Malm: " Bob (Thiel) is seen as a kind of Absalom."

In outward appearance he is an impressive man. 

“From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him” (2 Sam 14:25). 

At his annual haircut, his sheared locks were sold for two hundred shekels (2 Sam 14:26)! 

 Looks, however, can be deceiving. Embittered by the mistreatment of his sister Tamar, he murdered his brother Ammon. He tries to take the reins of justice and authority out of rightful hands and into his own. 

Both the cause and the means are unjust. Despite the leniency David extended to Absalom after his treachery, Absalom sets out to undermine the authority of his father and king. 

He despises the fifth commandment. 

He does so by sowing discord among the Israelites and casting doubt on his father’s decision.

 The rebellious son sets himself up as an alternative ruler and judge. 

“So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Sam 15:6). 

Perhaps David was thinking of his rebellious son and his mob when he wrote in Psalm 35:12:  

"They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul."  

Absalom dies in disgrace, his swelled head with its flowing locks

caught in the branches of a terebinth tree (2 Sam 18:9, 14-15).

Character Studies-Absalom 

Even the apostle is hitting out at Bob Thiel.  Bob and James have a deep seated disgust with each other.  Both call each other false teachers and other kindly Christian things.

I think there are several threads converging on this.

1) Bob has made very many enemies in the general COG clergy including LCG; and COGWA may want him defanged. Larry Salyer may want to take note and keep his head down for a quid pro quo request from LCG.

2) The LCG leaders may think that Bob has too much influence among the brethren [not the elders who dislike him] and are moving to cut him down a few notches.

3) Enough of the LCG elders are finally so fed up with Bob’s presenting his personal speculations contrary to LCG teachings, as fact, and are pushing for action. Bob is seen as a kind of Absalom.

4) In his personal circle Rod has made it clear that he is not comfortable with Bob and his blog.

All these things are adding up, and Bob’s monumental conceit is preventing him from taking it and saying that most certainly people should prove all things. Bob just cannot take being questioned.

Please forgive me for laying this out openly but I have had long dealings with Bob in personal correspondance and in his wilfull bearing of false witness against me. I am well aware of the nature of this man and it is NOT godly by any stretch.

If he gets the boot from LCG no one else will likely take him [maybe Dave Pack].
It is my prayer and mny hope that Bob will repent and turn to God, and away from his fascination with catholicism and paganism. James