UCG: Turmoil In Italy and Those So-called Christians In Hong King

 

2024 got off to a great start in the United Church of God. It took a typical broad swipe at Christians in Hong Kong and kicked out a pastor in Italy.

Rick Shabi said this about "Christians" in Hong Kong:

Visit to Hong Kong
As Debbie and I left the Philippines, it was just a two-hour flight to Hong Kong. The congregation there is small—there were 12 people in attendance that Sabbath, plus six online. But they are dedicated, warm and friendly. Following Sabbath services, we spent the rest of the day with all the members of the congregation, getting to know each other better and listening to their questions and ideas. 

Notice he just has to put Christian in quotes. It's just like our lovable buffoon Bwana Bob Thiel who has to call Christians "so-called". How can we be so silly to forget that there are no REAL Christians outside of Armstrongism? 

Hong Kong is a vibrant and modern city, and very much “Christian,” as there are Catholic and Protestant churches everywhere. There are opportunities in this city to spread the gospel. Terry Franke, an elder from Alaska who pastors the Hong Kong congregation, has been working on a new website. We discussed how the gospel could be preached in this area, using ads and short social media posts that would get the public’s attention and strike to the core of their errant beliefs.

7.5 million people dwell in the Hong King territory and there are only around 20 members? How can UCG expect to spread its gospel of the law when its focus is hardly ever on Jesus? They have had 29 years of opportunities to "grow" their church in Hong Kong and it has never chosen to do so. 

Shabi then goes on to talk about the recent UCG turmoil in Italy where another rebellious UCG preacher rebelled against proper church government (just like the leaders of UCG did when they apostatized from the Worldwide Church of God in a fit of rebellion). 

From Hong Kong we traveled on to Milan, Italy. As you know, the Church in Italy has seen some difficult times in the past month. Based on his behavior, actions and words, the Council of Elders had no choice but to revoke the ministerial credentials of Angelo Di Vita, who was the pastor there. Sadly, he no longer attends with us and has declared himself “independent and autonomous” from UCGIA.

UCG is under the fantasy that they can recruit new members from the Catholic Church, much like our lovable buffoon Bwana Bob thinks he can. 

We had the opportunity to spend a considerable amount of time with the brethren, not only at Sabbath services, but also in the days leading up to the Sabbath. What a wonderful, committed group of people! There was joy in the congregation and a sense of looking to the future to what can now be accomplished in Italy, as part of our commission to preach the gospel to all nations. In a country that has long been Catholic and with the Pope’s recent ruling to bless same-sex couples, people may be looking for answers, realizing the Catholic Church has failed them. We believe God will call new people in Italy and the Church there is now ready to welcome them as part of God’s Body.

99.99999% of the people in Italy have no idea who or what the United Church of God is or what its gospel message is. 

 

Philadelphia Church of God Idolatry

 

This picture tells you everything you need to know about where the focus of 

the Philadelphia Church of God is. 

Imagine baking a Mystery of the Ages and Malachi's Message cake. 

Jesus is appalled.

From PCG's X (Twitter) account

Another cake celebrating the 34 years of the existence of the cult.

1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture

 

COGNews recently posted this:

1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture 

 

This film documentary claims to shed light on the mistranslation of the word “homosexual” in the Bible – which first appeared (in the RSV) in 1946. (The word “homosexual” was first coined in the late 19th century.) The film makers are hoping it will make the short list of nominations for the Oscars, which would substantially increase publicity of this issue.

In an interview on Forgeonline, Ed Oxford points out that Martin Luther used the word knabenschander – boy molester – in his 1534 bible version, and that 19th century German bibles say that man shall not lie with “young boys” in Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13, and in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that “boy molesters will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

These bible verses condemn pederasty only, he argues, not homosexuality.

Why should Martin Luther use the term “boy molester”? Possibly because in his time this practice was rife within the Catholic church. Leo X (who ex-communicated Luther when the latter refused to retract his 95 theses) vetoed a motion to enact a papal bull which would have limited the number of boy lovers that the cardinals could have.

See:  Forge  Has “Homosexual” always been in the Bible?