Why YOU Should NOT Be a Member of an ACOG
Lonnie Hendrix
This blog is devoted to exposing everything that is wrong with the Armstrong Churches of God (United, Living, Worldwide, Restored, Philadelphia, International, Eternal, Continuing, etc.). In other words, all of the groups which emerged from the disintegration of the old Worldwide Church of God. And, although all of these groups claim to represent the “truth” promulgated by Herbert Armstrong in the Twentieth Century, they are simultaneously known for their differences on various doctrinal issues (both in content and emphasis), and their intense competition with each other for the aging and dwindling group of folks who were part of (or exposed to) the mother church.
Over the years, many of the folks who have perused our critiques of what we refer to as “Armstrongism” have asked: “Why are you obsessed with attacking our/their beliefs?” The answer, of course, is that most of the folks who have contributed to this blog are motivated by a desire to help others who have been ensnared by the same heretical beliefs which once ensnared us! In short, once upon a time, we too “drank the Kool-Aid” that Herbert Armstrong was serving.
We understand the appeal to ego/vanity and the reasoning behind the teachings. We have experienced the feeling of having special insight – of being superior to all of the “so-called” Christians of the world – of being one of the chosen and privileged few! But, more importantly, we have also experienced the abuse and cognitive dissonance inherent to this experience, and the realization that we were wrong about so many of the things which we had accepted because of our failure to fully explore the evidence available to us.
Let’s be clear, there are many sincere and good people who are (or have been) a part of Armstrongism. Indeed, more than a few of them have participated in this forum over the years! Most of the folks who are/were a part of Armstrongism are/were motivated by a desire to be within God’s will – to serve and obey him. Many of them have also exhibited the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit and have professed their faith in Jesus Christ, and what he has done for all of us. Likewise, some of them have even acknowledged that their own works will never earn them salvation or a place in God’s Kingdom.
Unfortunately, like many of the contributors to this blog, however, too many of them are afraid to reevaluate and/or abandon beliefs which they’ve “proven” to be true. They are fearful about losing the “truth,” their salvation, protection during the Great Tribulation, or their place in God’s Kingdom! As many of us here have experienced, the prospect of abandoning something to which you have devoted so much of your time, energy and affection is frightening!
Even so, we must also acknowledge that there are a great many individuals within the ACOGs who are motivated by self-interest, vanity, greed, and blind hatred. These folks seek to promote themselves, their own agenda, aggrandizement, or source of income. Indeed, many of the leaders of these various organizations use some of the same “hooks” and marketing techniques employed by the founder of the movement. Unfortunately, some of these leaders privately acknowledge that many of the beliefs which are widely accepted within their culture are wrong, but they continue to preach or tolerate them for fear of losing members and/or income! And there have always been folks who have been willing to use the threat of severing familial and friendly relationships as a cudgel to keep potentially problem members in check.
Which, incidentally, gets us to the point of this present post: Why would anyone want to be a part of something which has generated so much hurt and divisiveness? Is it really enough to acknowledge that mistakes were made in the past administration of the system? Do you really want to be a part of something which has divided families, alienated friends, and provoked vicious personal attacks on other people? Do you really want to be a part of something that controls and/or absorbs so much of your time and resources? Do you want to be a part of something that you KNOW promotes values and beliefs that are hateful and heretical? Do you really want to be a part of an organization which claims to be Christian and isn’t focused on Jesus of Nazareth and salvation through him?
Even so, some of my ACOG friends will say: “BUT we are commanded to fellowship with other believers, Lonnie!” “I am convinced that Christians should observe the Sabbath and eschew PAGAN holidays!” “I reject the Trinity and believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, water baptism, and the Christian Passover.” My suggestion: Try a Church of God Seventh Day congregation near you! (By the way, I am NOT a member of that organization – I am NOT affiliated with them in ANY way.) There are Seventh-Day Baptists, Seventh-Day Adventists, and a number of other Christian groups who observe the Sabbath. The bottom line: You have options! Can’t find a group who believes everything that you do? Welcome to the worldwide community of Christians! There are many Lutherans, Catholics, Episcopalians, Baptists, etc. who do NOT accept ALL of their church’s doctrines/teachings (and we’ve already established that there isn’t any uniformity of belief within the ACOGs either)!
If you are truly motivated by a desire to serve and obey God, then you will NOT settle for something which clearly does NOT represent him. God is not the author of confusion – Satan (and the people who have been deceived by him) is/are the author(s) of confusion! By any objective standard, the ACOGs are awash in confusion, division, and failure! I believe that this reality provides the most compelling reason why you should NOT be a member of an ACOG!
and accepted his authority without being destroyed. Despite being conquered and razed by Alexander the Great 240 years later,