The Philadelphia Church of God has spent over two decades deifying Herbert Armstrong. They now are attempting to deify Richard Armstrong, by calling him the first martyr of the end times.
“God called on Abraham to be willing to sacrifice his son. God was willing to sacrifice His Son for you and me. I have had to give up my son. Richard David Armstrong died Wednesday morning, July 30, as the first real martyr for God’s cause in these latter days just before the return of Christ in all power and glory” (Herbert W. Armstrong, co-worker letter, Aug. 5, 1958).One thing that stands out in the article is the attitude of Herbert Armstrong. Never one to miss an opportunity to gather in money, he used Richard Armstrong's terrible accident to guilt trip members into sending in as much money as they could. HWA would later use this same tactic when his wife was dying from a blocked colon.
Another co-worker letter, dated August 28 of the same year, states, “Some had thought God would never let such a thing happen …. But nothing would please Satan more than to see us now lose faith.”
It’s no wonder why God, in the same chapter known as the “faith chapter,” goes into detail about the martyrdom of so many of His saints. The Church and its co-workers received perhaps the biggest lesson in faith it had ever received! In a co-worker letter written after the accident, before Richard died (on July 27), Mr. Armstrong scolded many of them for letting down in their prayers and offerings. “Co-workers, will you not only pray for my son’s miraculous and speedy recovery—but also for the financial salvation of the Work of God?” Throughout the letter, with the call for more believing prayers, Mr. Armstrong called for more faithful offerings. He said Satan had struck one of God’s “very chiefest laborers,” but that God’s Work needed more co-worker laborers “who help with their urgent heart-rending prayers, and with their tithes and generous offerings, regularly every month, or even every week.”The financial salvation of the work? Seriously? How sick can the manipulative man get? This request was all about manipulation. Make the members feel that because THEY had slacked off on prayers and in giving that it was their fault Richard had this terrible accident.
"Disgusting sinners! If you had been praying more my son would not have been injured and the work would be increasing! Get on your knees and beg God to heal my son and to correct your sinful attitudes as you give more money!"
