When the so-called great apostasy and implosion of the mother church, the Worldwide Church of God, happened in the mid-1990s, everyone was hoping that the church would start fresh and do things differently. Alas, that thought quickly faded into oblivion as hundreds of splinter groups continued on with the same old, worn out, and poorly researched literature and with the same appalling abuse that the mother church practiced for decades. Almost all of the splinter groups were set up by self-important men who thought they were God's gift to the church, though not a single one has ever proven to be so.
Here we are in 2025 and not a single Church of God group has ever come up with anything original. Almost all plagiarized or rewrote Herbert Armstrong's literature to make it look like they said it. The biggest abuser of this mentality is the Great Bwana Bob Mzungu Thiel and his apostate '"continuing" Church of "god'. Even he knows he blabs too much about Herbert in his articles. Felling guilty and tired of being called on the carpet for his blatant overuse, the Great Bwana had this to say the other day.
The Great Bwana starts off by making excuses for the flaws of Herbert:
Received the following in an email:
Herbert Armstrong. I notice you quote him a lot at COGwriter.com Sometimes i wonder why COG people do this? I ask this because i have noticed as i try to share the truths of God with people online anytime someone connects a COG to WWCOG, they will bring up how the WWCOG and Armstrong had false prophesied multiple times.
Let me add that I also quote from government officials, mainstream news sources, etc. and do not agree with all they say.
That said, there are several reasons that Herbert W. Armstrong or materials from the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God, of which he was Pastor General, are cited here.
But first, consider that all humans are flawed:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
Given the certain peccadillos of Herbert and many in the ministry, including the grievous sinners leading the various groups of Thielism in Africa, the Great Bwana has to make excuses to cover up the sins of Herb and in his own ministry. The David Defense has long been practiced in the Churches of God to cover up the appalling abuses of the leadership and ministry.
The Bible makes that clear and even mentions serious sins that some of God’s servants have had (such as King David’s adultery & murdering, plus a wrong prediction by the Apostle Paul come to mind).
As far as false prophecies go, Herbert W. Armstrong had misunderstandings related to WWII and sometimes pointed to dates that he should not have–and we do not attempt to defend his errors. To his credit, however, he asserted that he was not a prophet. And as far as the internet goes, I have addressed many of the accusations against him in article titled: 17 Accusations and Truthful Responses About Herbert W. Armstrong. Plus also in another article titled: What is Armstrongism? Are Some Dismissive of Original Christianity?
People can choose to believe the truth or lies.
The Great Bwana also says this:
The Continuing [sic] Church of God believes that we best represent the continuation of the Philadelphian part of the Church of God. Herbert W. Armstrong is one in the list of successors we trace our history through.
So, Herbert W. Armstrong and other Radio/Worldwide COG writers are quoted to show that we continued the basic teachings that were held in the Philadelphian era of the Church. Plus, we also do this to show that much of what we teach was taught by an earlier COG (which is also why we quote early 2nd century COG writers, like Polycarp of Smyrna). Many people, including those with a COG background, often do not realize what was taught on various matters–hence quoting those sources helps demonstrate that we in the CCOG are continuing with those teachings.
We have also restored more details and truth as would be expected in these last days.
Well, we all know that this is NOT true! Justified lying is another thing the COG was good at.
The Great BWana then talks about his apsotolic succession:
We strive not to teach error and do not teach that what Herbert W. Armstrong wrote is not subject to correction. The Bible, not Herbert W. Armstrong, is the standard that we go by.
Despite organization changes, successively and doctrinally we are NOT a new church. We teach Laying on of Hands succession from the apostles. We clearly trace our history from the Book of Acts to present.
The Great Bwana's "succession" is thought the Baptist church and not some mythical Church of God lineage.
The Great Bwana Bob then weasels his way out of being held accountable for the unadulterated crap he says and his failed prophecies.
And I will take it one step further. Irrespective of how any may view the role that God has for me, unless I am directly quoting the Bible, or preface a statement to something of the effect of “thus saith the Lord,” I am NOT necessarily stating anything that is not subject to later correction. We who are truly part of the Church of God only accept as inspired the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament and no other document. Therefore, although other current and historical documents/articles/books/booklet/posts by various Church of God leaders throughout history often have value, as they generally also tend to contain personal opinion, we do not consider that any of them are on the same level as sacred scripture, and hence believe that they can contain error.
He ends with this:
Many do not understand true, original Christianity, so they bash/misrepresent Herbert W. Armstrong and/or teachings that he had.
In the CCOG we have never taught that Herbert W. Armstrong nor any COG leader was the standard, the truth in the word of God is.
Herbert W. Armstrong changed his position on various matters and never claimed infallibility. Nor do we.
But, as a continuation of the true apostolic Church of God, we in the Continuing [sic] Church of God believe it is helpful to quote recent, as well as ancient, COG writers for their perspective and insight, as well as to show continuity.
All who profess Christ should, “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
