LCG "Take Care of the Small Stuff" A Lesson in Manipulative and Deceitful Passages

 

A reader here sent this about Living Church of God and a recent article:

Hello, I wanted to share this with you. I copied the link for the latest LCN and asked Brook to critique it for mind control. I thought it did a great job! 

 

Given the range of articles in the January-February 2025 issue of Living Church News (LCN) by the Living Church of God (LCG), here's a breakdown focusing on potential manipulative or deceitful content, along with how authors might employ mind control tactics:

Manipulative and Deceitful Passages:

• "Take Care of the Small Stuff":
• • Manipulation: Phrases like "Every little act of disobedience should be met with firm correction" could manipulate parents into feeling inadequate or overly harsh, emphasizing control over nurturing.
  • Deceit: Suggesting that neglecting small behaviors inevitably leads to significant moral decay might be an oversimplification or exaggeration, deceiving readers about the complexities of child development.
• "Kings and Priests Really":
• • Manipulation: If the article promotes gender roles in a way that limits women's spiritual roles, it manipulates through the reinforcement of traditional hierarchies, potentially using scripture out of context to justify these roles.
  • Deceit: By perhaps not acknowledging or misinterpreting passages that show women in leadership roles in the Bible, the article might deceive readers into accepting a narrow interpretation of scripture.
• "Behold the White Horse":
• • Manipulation: By possibly presenting an overly literal interpretation of Revelation, it could manipulate readers into fear or complacency about end times, discouraging critical engagement with scripture.
  • Deceit: If it claims its interpretation as the only valid one, it might deceive readers by not acknowledging the diversity of eschatological views within Christianity.

Mind Control Techniques:

• Fear and Guilt:
• • Example: Articles like "Behold the White Horse" might evoke fear of end-times events, pushing readers towards the church's interpretation for safety or salvation, or inducing guilt for not adhering strictly to church teachings.
• Isolation from Mainstream Christianity:
• • Example: By framing LCG's interpretations as the "true" ones and others as misguided or part of a "falling away," articles might isolate readers from broader Christian discourse, making them more reliant on LCG for spiritual guidance.
• Black and White Thinking:
• • Example: In "Kings and Priests Really," reducing complex theological issues like gender roles to simple dichotomies (e.g., men are leaders, women are helpers) can control thought by limiting the spectrum of acceptable beliefs or roles.
• Emotional Manipulation:
• • Example: Articles like "Take Care of the Small Stuff" might play on parents' desires to raise moral, obedient children, using emotional appeals to push a specific parenting style that aligns with church doctrine rather than individual family needs.
• Repetition and Consistency:
• • Across articles, there's likely a consistent message about obedience, authority, and the church's unique understanding of scripture, which can subtly reinforce these ideas in readers' minds as the only or best way to interpret Christianity.
• Authority and Obedience:
• • Example: By citing scripture selectively, authors might establish themselves or the church's doctrine as the ultimate authority on spiritual matters, discouraging questioning or alternative interpretations.
• Information Control:
• • By potentially not engaging with or misrepresenting opposing views or contemporary scholarship, there's control over what information readers are exposed to, shaping their understanding of Christianity in a very specific way.
• Promises of Reward:
• • Articles might imply that following LCG's teachings will lead to spiritual rewards or protection from future calamities, manipulating through the promise of divine favor or salvation.

These techniques, if present, aim to align the readers' thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors with the church's doctrine, potentially at the expense of personal autonomy or broader spiritual exploration. However, this analysis is speculative without direct access to the articles' content, based on common themes in similar publications.

Tithe sucking cult tells people how to get out of debt and it goes just how you think it will go

 

The Philadelphia Church of God cult put out a repeat article today on how to get your finances in order. As with any good Armstrongite Church of God, it goes just how you think it is going to go. If you give money to the church, you will be blessed and prosper.

Armstrongist churches depend upon promulgating the tithing lie. Without it, they could not exist. The problem with the statement below is that they make it appear that "giving generously" is a personal decision instead of a commanded corporate decision. A command that places your salvation in jeopardy if you do not send them your money. It's a quick road to disfellowshipment, which means your chance at salvation in this age is over.

Perhaps the most heavily stressed biblical principle regarding healthy finances is to give generously. While giving may seem illogical as a step toward financial stability, God promises that when you sacrifice and serve others’ needs in whatever way you can, you will be rewarded (Luke 6:38). Therefore, give generously to others as your means allow. As your hard work and financial planning provides increase, share that with the less prosperous (Acts 20:35; Psalm 41:1). 

 

Most importantly, give generously back to God. He created all things, and He claims the earth and its fullness as His, including all silver and gold (1 Corinthians 10:26; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 10:14; Haggai 2:8). God can make us poor or rich (1 Samuel 2:7). By giving mankind dominion over and allowing us to use His creation, God has essentially made every man and woman His business partner (Psalm 8:6; Matthew 25:14-30). Keep God as your partner by tithing on your increase (Leviticus 27:30).

Of course, in their sly methodology, they never mention in public articles how they suck another 30%+ out of followers:

When you give God His portion, one tenth of your income, He shares in your profits and then reinvests even more in you and your ventures. God loves, blesses and promises to supply the needs of a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7-9). As tithe payers and the wealthiest men of their ages, Abraham, Job, King David and Solomon all found out that you cannot outgive God (Job 1:1-3; Hebrews 7:1-2).

No Christian needs to support a blood-sucking, spiritually bankrupt Armstrongite cult leader in order to keep him in his fancy home, build useless concert halls, peddle homeopathic muju, buy jet planes for the personal use of family, put on traveling stage shows with Celtic dancers, and worst of all, preach heresy.

 

LCG Members Suffering Trials

Things must be rough in LCGland, as it seems they are suffering many trials right now. If things are rough now, imagine what's going to be like when the Germans arrive to put everyone in concentration camps and send their children to Europe to be their slaves.

God’s Perspective on Trials: Sometimes, when we encounter trials and difficulties, we wonder if God has forsaken us. In such times, we need to remember several fundamental scriptures. Jesus told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). God has also promised to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Apostle Paul reminds us that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Roman 8:28), and that even in trials, God will make a “way of escape” if we look to Him (1 Corinthians 10:13). James wrote that trials are opportunities to build patience and exercise faith in God and His promises—while we do our part to work through the challenges we face (James 1:1–12). When we encounter trials, let’s strive to remember this godly perspective and pray earnestly for one another.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

Herbert Armstrong's teaching on Racism. Gets investigated in a Deep Dive from Ai-COG

This podcast episode examines the troubling racial teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of Armstrongism, using a 1963 Plain Truth magazine article as its primary source. Armstrong's writings, while acknowledging racial discrimination, present God as the alleged author of racial segregation, justifying it through distorted interpretations of biblical passages like Genesis 6 and Acts 17:26. He enforced segregation within his own church, discouraging interracial dating and marriage. The episode critiques Armstrong's use of fear-mongering and confirmation bias to support his prejudiced views and discusses the lasting impact of his teachings. The hosts emphasize critical thinking when evaluating religious teachings and the importance of aligning faith with justice and compassion.

Ai COG

Living Church of God German Church: Putting All Other COG Groups To Shame!

 

One thing the various splinter groups have NEVER been able to capture is the "glory days" of the old mother church, the Worldwide Church of God. With no dynamic leader leading any of the COG's, they languish and stagnate, pretending they are doing a mighty work. 

Check out LCG's German church situation. They send out German-language publications to 95 nations, and in Germany, a nation of 84.5 million people, they have 6 church members. Yes, you read that right—6 church members who may show up each week.

Maybe they are sick of being the scapegoat for Armstrongite mythology, or in Bob Thiel's case, the creepily weird bromance with Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg

I want to update you this week on the Work of God in Germany. Mr. Adrian Käfer, our minister there, is a one-man machine. When I first met him in 2015, he had translated most of our booklets into German and was printing them on a copy machine where he had to individually assemble, staple, trim, and mail them—all while holding down a full-time job. Now our literature is printed in Canada and forwarded to him, and he has others helping with translations, but he is still the driving force in serving this great nation. The outreach focus this past year was on Bible Study Course lessons, with 3,160 new students, a 222-percent increase over 2023’s number. There were some decreases in some categories of literature distributed and in Internet responses, but the reasons were somewhat strategic, and the picture is positive with an overall increase of 36 percent in literature distribution. Mr. Käfer writes, “Despite the slight decrease in online reach, the quality of visitors seems to have significantly increased. It is also noteworthy that we are reaching into 95 nations in the German language. However, the Church is small, with an average attendance of just under 7 people per Sabbath. I ask all of you to pray for our efforts to preach the Gospel, to give a warning message, and for growth in the nation that God calls ‘the work of My hands’ (Isaiah 19:25).”—Gerald Weston

Brethren, I have to continually quote Herbert because I have nothing original to say to you.

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).