I, Dr Bob Thiel - Am The Greatest - blah, blah, blah...

The worlds greatest theologian and the only Church of God leader carrying on Herbert Armstrong's message in this dark and dying world, is back once again tooting his little horn about how magnificent he is. 

We are not worthy!

Consider also the following from Herbert W. Armstrong’s last letter before he died:

It may be that the Work that God has given me to do is complete, but not the Work of God’s Church, which will be faithfully doing God’s Work till Christ, the True Head of this Church, returns…Remember brethren, this is not the work of Herbert W. Armstrong…The greatest work lies ahead…Never before in the history of the Church has it been possible to reap so great a harvest. It has only been made possible through modern technology, beginning with the printing press, radio, television...Each of you must commit yourself to support God’s Work…God’s work must push ahead as never before. God is opening up new doors in television (Letter, 1/10/86).

Actually, those new doors for television have included the internet, which allows videos as well as online radio.

Another new door has been being a radio guest.

As long-term readers are aware, I, Dr. Bob Thiel a.k.a. COGwriter, have frequently been a radio guest. After being so over 230 times, the time seemed right for the CCOG to sponsor our own programs.

Prior to that, CCOG Overseer Samuel Ofosu from Ghana had already doing a COG-sponsored radio program. We also have CCOG radio presenters in Kenya.

Plus, in New Zealand, Shirley Gestro helped handling our Bible News Prophecy online radio channel. Various men in CCOG have been on it. This is another way we reach people.

We also have a Bible News Prophecy International radio platform. This has links to our non-English language online radio station as well as materials in multiple languages. Kristy Gorman oversees this.

We reach people all around the world from the online radio program.

But we are also on commercial broadcast stations in North America, Africa, and Europe. Plus, we are on shortwave broadcasters that are based in the USA and Europe which, together, cover much of the entire world.

Another “new door” in television has been my appearing 33 times this year as a guest on a podcast program, almost all of which had video as well as audio).

Radio and the internet are two mass-media “doors” we are using to work to fulfill Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:19-20, while also working towards part of the fulfillment of Romans 11:25.

And we in the CCOG have been greatly reaching Gentiles–around the world, but mainly in Africa, Latin America (in person, but also with online sermons and sermonette videos), and Asia, but also in Europe and elsewhere.

Because of our high percentage of Gentile brethren in poorer regions of the world, we have much lower income than groups with as many congregants as we have.

Yet, we still seem to have a greater radio presence than any other true Church of God Christian group at this time.

Does that make sense to you?

If you are a Philadelphian Christian, it should. 

Consider that most, even in the Church of God, will not believe the message of the work, even though they were told and could see the truth if they were willing. 

Thanks to Rod Meredith and the Living Church of God members publicly denouncing you as a false prophet, fraud, and a narcissist, it is no wonder the entire Church of God movement has turned its back on you and laughs at your endless foibles. 

 

Crackpot Prophet Now Being Persecuted In Canada! Oh Noes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Poor Bwana Bob, he has worked tirelessly spreading himself thin around the world as the world's most important Church of God to ever exist, and now, some nare-do-well is taking funds from him! The Great Bwana's ministry is one big hot mess.

Fake in Canada
We have long warned about various fakes on the internet pretending to be related to the Continuing Church of God and/or some of its leadership. 

 

Well, the latest fake we became aware of was from a website in Canada. The website is part of https://mycharityfund.ca. While the mycharityfund.ca is a legitimate company, someone pretended to be the Continuing Church of God there. It listed the late Herb Haddon as a contact along with his last valid address. However, it listed a website in Canada that does not exist, nor has mycharityfund.ca ever given the Continuing Church of God any funds.

Bob Thiel's African Mess - Lies, Lies, and More Lies

 

Sadly, Bob Thiel is completely in the dark when it comes to Charms and Witchcraft practiced by his top clergy in Africa. It's hypocrisy for him to write such articles and ignore his own Den of Demons. 

BOB I KNOW YOU READ THIS BLOG. LISTEN AND LISTEN WELL. 

All that you believe about Africa is a lie and a scam. An example, today I received a call from Forester in Malawi. Radson had called John Machemba and was questioning him about certain things, and saying BOB is putting pressure on me with questions. Radson is worried he will be found out, but Bob, the truth is right in front of you, but you refuse to believe, because you can't accept the truth that your whole African Church is not what you think. 

An example of your gullibility or don't-care attitude. Forester has obtained your Facebook messages from Radson's ex-wife, where she's telling you the truth about Radson and his current wife, and you don't even believe it's Priscilla you're talking to. You believed Radson when he supposedly had you talk to Priscilla. Why didn't you verify it was Priscilla through a Video Call? 

The Woman you talked to wasn't Priscilla. I've seen Priscilla many times- she can't hardly speak English, but I can tell what her voice sounds like because I know her well, can you? You should have video verified it, but you didn't. 

Another big lie Radson told you was about Louis Wahela. You think he's been with the CCOG since you published that article in December 2023 in the letter to the Brethren, and you believe he wrote that letter to you. He can't even speak or write English in the manner that you received. RADSON WROTE IT!!! 

THAT picture you saw was obtained because Radson gave Wahela some small funds and fanta, that's all. 

Louis Wahela never left Hope of Israel, nor did Chipangwa. We have proof on all this and so much more. 

Another example you got scammed on is believing Evans' story about John Machemba. John was bribed by Evans and Radson that day to tell lies about Forester and the number of Feast attendees in Hope. John has already given his testimony to our lawyers and the court about what happened, and also the video that was taken. John wasn't aware of it, and that's a crime according to our lawyers. We are considering taking legal action against Evans and Radson for this alone, if you keep having Evans and Radson bribing our people!!!! 

Also, Evans gave money to John the last time he saw him. John denies that letter you published not too long ago. All you're getting from Evans and Radson are lies, period!!!!! Radson spoke to Forster today and was bad-mouthing Sosten to him. Radson even asked Forster to join him; however, Forster flatly refused, as he knew the treachery of Radson. I'm sorry things had to work out this way, but I couldn't be part of the CCOG and know what I know, and you not caring to defend the truth. My family and couldn't stomach that garbage. If you want proof, I can give you Forester's app number. MAY GOD OPEN YOUR EYES. Terry Nelson

Should YouTrust The Words Of Your Leadership Just As Much As You Trust God? UCG Thinks You Should.

Nathan Albright has posted another letter addressing an issue in the United Church of God. UCG recently sent out a letter to its members telling them that they need to trust God, but also to trust the authority figures of the church, regarding them as reliable sources of information, while mistrusting unreliable sources such as AI.

A church-wide message was distributed across all congregations, framed around the theme of trusting God. While the primary message appeared routine and uncontroversial, the inclusion of offhand remarks about trusting authority figures, regarding them as reliable sources of information, and mistrusting artificial intelligence (AI) has puzzled many members. This paper examines the likely purposes behind such a coordinated message, the possible institutional concerns it signals, and the range of congregational responses to its delivery.

It is all well and good that UCG tells its followers to trust in God. As a church, that should be its mission. The problem is, and this is not unique just to UCG, they also ask members to trust authority figures as if they can do no wrong, after all, ministers are the earthly appointed spokespersons for God here on earth and can make no mistakes. Even if they did, on the rare occasion, make a "mistake," you are bound to heed what they say because you are under church government. Even if they are grossly wrong, you must do what they say, and God will bless you later for doing so. That perverse reasoning was preached too long in the COG movement.

Albright continues:

The subtle encouragement to “trust authority” suggests an institutional aim beyond spiritual exhortation. Such phrasing may be an attempt to counteract growing skepticism of leadership or outside information sources. In a time when many members receive news and perspectives from digital media—including AI-generated material—church leaders may feel the need to reestablish themselves as the authoritative interpreters of truth.

UCG's fear of AI is also interesting:

The warning about AI indicates institutional anxiety about its influence. AI tools can produce sermons, generate theological interpretations, and aggregate information more quickly and diversely than traditional church channels. By framing AI as untrustworthy, leadership may be attempting to limit competing sources of authority, guarding against members substituting algorithmic outputs for pastoral or organizational guidance. 

 

It is pretty telling that members can search AI for all kinds of religious perspectives, and it generally lays out a lot of good information that many times refutes the Old Covenant ways of UCG—and THAT is something they cannot stand.

Albright also questions if this might be a preemptive strike about upcoming issues the church may be facing.

A preemptive, broad message might also be designed to manage potential crises. If there are internal disputes, rumors, or controversies circulating—perhaps amplified online—the uniform call to “trust” leadership and dismiss external information channels functions as a stabilizing signal. It tells members where loyalty and interpretive reliance should lie.

 Albright lists these congregational responses:

3. Likely Range of Congregational Responses 

3.1 Acceptance
Some members will take the message at face value, finding it a harmless or helpful reminder about trust in God. The comments on authority may blend seamlessly into their preexisting trust in church leadership. 

 

3.2 Confusion
A significant group, as you noted, is puzzled. They may interpret the authority and AI comments as tangential, odd, or unnecessary, and question why this was considered important enough to broadcast universally. 

 

3.3 Suspicion
Some may interpret the message as a defensive maneuver—signaling insecurity within leadership or anticipating a challenge to authority. To them, the remarks may seem like a subtle attempt at conditioning or controlling interpretation. 

 

3.4 Resistance
A minority may respond critically, resisting what they perceive as overreach. They may reject the implied directive to mistrust AI or may bristle at the suggestion that leadership should be automatically trusted without accountability.

These four responses are how the Church of God members have reacted to all kinds of things over the decades—from procedural matters, doctrines, church leadership, and more. Members continue to react this way.

Albright ends with this:

4. Implications for Institutional-Individual Dynamics 

 

The message highlights a tension common in religious organizations:
Institutional need: Leaders seek loyalty, cohesion, and protection against external interpretive rivals. Individual perception: Members expect clear spiritual nourishment and may resist or resent what feels like manipulation or unnecessary control. 

 

When side comments appear to carry hidden motives, trust can be undermined rather than strengthened. Ironically, a message about trust risks producing doubt if its purpose seems less about God and more about protecting institutional authority. 

 

5. Conclusion 

 

The coordinated message serves as both a spiritual exhortation and an institutional signal. While its declared theme—trusting God—is broadly accepted, its subtext—trusting authority and mistrusting AI—reveals leadership concerns about maintaining interpretive control in a rapidly shifting information environment. Congregational responses range from acceptance to suspicion, with puzzlement being the most common. For long-term stability, leadership must balance the need to reinforce authority with transparency and genuine spiritual teaching, lest attempts at message control backfire and erode the very trust they seek to build.

Read the entire article here:  White Paper: Institutional Messaging, Trust, and Congregational Response

 

ht: Lee Walker