White Paper: Proposals for Educating Young People in the United Church of God About Herbert W. Armstrong’s Importance to Church Beliefs and Practices

I will just leave this here in its entirety, without commentary, though I am highlighting some things. 

Crap, after highlighting things, I could find NO WHERE in this upcoming propaganda campaign any reference to teaching UCG youth about Jesus Christ and what it means to be a follower of him. Jesus gets the back burner once again.

What do you have to say about this?

White Paper: Proposals for Educating Young People in the United Church of God About Herbert W. Armstrong’s Importance to Church Beliefs and Practices

Posted on April 28, 2025 by nathanalbright

Authored by: Nathan Albright, Submitted for Consideration to Aaron Dean, Candidate for President of the United Church of God

Date: April 28, 2025

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Executive Summary

Herbert W. Armstrong, as the founder of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) and a pivotal figure in the Church of God movement, played a transformative role in shaping the doctrines, practices, and global outreach of the church. His teachings, including the identity of the Twelve Tribes of Israel in the modern world, seventh-day Sabbath observance, and the emphasis on biblical prophecy, remain foundational to the United Church of God (UCG), an offshoot of the WCG established in 1995 to preserve Armstrong’s core doctrines. To prevent the emergence of “a generation that did not know” Armstrong’s contributions, as warned in the cyclical forgetting described in Judges 2:10, it is critical to educate young members of the UCG about his legacy. This white paper proposes actionable strategies for Aaron Dean, a candidate for UCG President who worked closely with Armstrong, to engage younger generations. These proposals leverage Dean’s personal experiences, modern educational tools, and community-based initiatives to ensure Armstrong’s significance is understood and appreciated.

Introduction

Herbert W. Armstrong (1892–1986) founded the Radio Church of God (later the Worldwide Church of God) in 1934, growing it into a global ministry through his radio and television program The World Tomorrow, the magazine The Plain Truth, and the establishment of Ambassador College. His teachings emphasized the restoration of biblical truths, including the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, Old Testament Holy Days, and the belief that Western European nations, particularly the United States and Britain, are descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. These doctrines, collectively referred to by critics as “Armstrongism,” form the theological backbone of the UCG, which was founded to maintain Armstrong’s teachings after the WCG’s doctrinal shifts in the 1990s.

Aaron Dean, having worked closely with Armstrong during his youth, is uniquely positioned to convey the historical and spiritual significance of Armstrong’s work. The biblical warning in Judges 2:10–11, where a new generation “did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel” and “did what was evil,” underscores the urgency of educating young UCG members. This white paper outlines five key proposals to integrate Armstrong’s legacy into the education and spiritual development of UCG youth, ensuring his contributions remain a living part of the church’s identity.

Proposals for Educating Young People

1. Develop an Interactive Digital Curriculum: “Herbert W. Armstrong’s Legacy”
   • Objective: Create an engaging, age-appropriate online course to teach UCG youth (ages 10–25) about Armstrong’s life, teachings, and impact.
   • Implementation:
     • Partner with UCG’s Media and Communications Services to design a modular curriculum hosted on the UCG website or a dedicated app.
     • Include short videos featuring Aaron Dean sharing personal anecdotes about Armstrong’s dedication, work ethic, and vision for the church.
     • Cover key topics such as:
       • Armstrong’s early life and calling (e.g., his transition from advertising to ministry after intensive Bible study).
       • The growth of The World Tomorrow and The Plain Truth, which reached millions globally.
       • Core doctrines (Sabbath, Holy Days, identity of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and prophecy) and their biblical basis.
     • Use interactive elements like quizzes, virtual tours of Ambassador College’s history, and discussion prompts for youth groups.
     • Offer a certificate of completion to encourage participation, tied to youth camp or festival credits.
   • Rationale: Digital platforms are effective for engaging tech-savvy youth. Dean’s personal stories add authenticity, while interactive features foster retention. A 2023 Pew Research study noted that 80% of teens prefer multimedia learning, supporting this approach.
   • Timeline: Develop and launch within 12 months, with pilot testing at UCG youth camps in 2026.
   • Budget: $50,000 for content creation, platform development, and promotion.
2. Establish an Annual “Herbert W. Armstrong Heritage Day”
   • Objective: Create a church-wide event to celebrate Armstrong’s contributions, fostering community engagement and historical awareness.
   • Implementation:
     • Designate January 16 (the anniversary of Armstrong’s death in 1986) as Heritage Day, held during Sabbath services.
     • Organize activities such as:
       • A keynote sermon by Aaron Dean or other elders who knew Armstrong, highlighting his role in restoring biblical truths.
       • Youth-led skits or presentations reenacting key moments, like Armstrong’s first radio broadcast in 1934.
       • A “Legacy Fair” where youth explore exhibits on Armstrong’s writings, media, and global outreach (e.g., his meetings with world leaders).
     • Encourage congregations to host essay or video contests for teens, with themes like “How Armstrong’s Teachings Shape My Faith.”
     • Distribute a commemorative booklet summarizing Armstrong’s life and UCG’s commitment to his doctrines.
   • Rationale: Annual events create lasting traditions, and youth participation fosters ownership. The Philadelphia Church of God’s similar efforts to honor Armstrong have strengthened member loyalty.
   • Timeline: Plan for January 16, 2026, with preparatory materials distributed by Fall 2025.
   • Budget: $20,000 for materials, contest prizes, and congregational support.
3. Incorporate Armstrong’s Teachings into UCG Youth Camps and Bible Study Programs
   • Objective: Embed Armstrong’s legacy into existing youth programs to ensure consistent exposure.
   • Implementation:
     • Revise UCG youth camp curricula to include daily 15-minute sessions on Armstrong’s contributions, led by camp counselors trained by Aaron Dean.
     • Use Armstrong’s writings, such as The United States and Britain in Prophecy or Mystery of the Ages, as discussion starters, focusing on their relevance to modern prophecy.
     • Integrate Armstrong’s emphasis on biblical obedience (e.g., Sabbath-keeping, tithing) into practical workshops, showing how these practices stem from his teachings.
     • Develop a teen Bible study guide, “Following in Armstrong’s Footsteps,” with weekly lessons linking his doctrines to scripture.
   • Rationale: Youth camps and Bible studies are formative for UCG teens, with over 500 participants annually. Embedding Armstrong’s legacy here ensures broad reach and spiritual connection.
   • Timeline: Implement at 2026 summer camps and roll out study guides by Spring 2026.
   • Budget: $15,000 for curriculum development and counselor training.
4. Launch a Mentorship Program: “Ambassadors for Armstrong’s Vision”
   • Objective: Pair young members with elders who knew Armstrong to share firsthand insights and foster intergenerational bonds.
   • Implementation:
     • Create a voluntary program where teens (ages 14–18) are mentored by elders, including Aaron Dean and others who worked with Armstrong.
     • Mentors share personal stories, such as Armstrong’s commitment to preaching the gospel globally, and guide mentees in studying his key booklets.
     • Host quarterly virtual or in-person “Legacy Talks” where mentors and mentees discuss Armstrong’s impact on their faith.
     • Encourage mentees to lead a congregational project (e.g., a sermonette or community outreach) inspired by Armstrong’s example of service.
   • Rationale: Personal mentorship builds trust and makes history relatable. A 2024 study by Barna Group found that 65% of Gen Z values one-on-one spiritual guidance.
   • Timeline: Pilot in select congregations by Fall 2025, with full rollout by 2027.
   • Budget: $10,000 for program coordination and virtual platform costs.
5. Create a Multimedia Archive and Podcast Series: “Armstrong’s Enduring Voice”
   • Objective: Make Armstrong’s sermons, broadcasts, and writings accessible to youth through modern media.
   • Implementation:
     • Digitize and curate a UCG online archive of Armstrong’s The World Tomorrowepisodes, Plain Truth articles, and books, with youth-friendly summaries.
     • Launch a monthly podcast hosted by Aaron Dean, featuring discussions on Armstrong’s teachings, their biblical roots, and their relevance today (e.g., prophecy in 2025 geopolitics).
     • Include youth voices in the podcast, such as interviews with teens who apply Armstrong’s principles (e.g., Sabbath-keeping in school).
     • Promote the archive and podcast via UCG’s social media, targeting platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where 70% of teens are active (Pew Research, 2024).
   • Rationale: Multimedia archives preserve Armstrong’s voice, while podcasts engage youth in a popular format. The Restored Church of God’s similar efforts have boosted engagement among younger members.
   • Timeline: Launch archive by Summer 2026 and podcast by Fall 2026.
   • Budget: $30,000 for digitization, podcast production, and marketing.

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Addressing Potential Challenges

• Skepticism About Armstrong’s Legacy: Some youth may view Armstrong’s teachings, like British Israelism, as outdated or controversial due to modern genetic research debunking it. Emphasize the spiritual intent of his teachings (e.g., understanding prophecy) and Dean’s personal testimony to bridge generational gaps.
• Overemphasis on Armstrong: Critics within UCG argue that focusing on Armstrong risks venerating a man over scripture. Ensure all materials frame Armstrong as a servant of God, not the source of truth, with clear scriptural grounding.
• Resource Constraints: Limited budgets and volunteer time may hinder implementation. Prioritize low-cost initiatives like the mentorship program and leverage existing platforms like UCG’s website to minimize expenses.
• Engaging Diverse Youth: Urban and international youth may feel disconnected from Armstrong’s Western-focused teachings. Tailor content to highlight universal principles (e.g., Sabbath rest, God’s plan for humanity) and include diverse voices in podcasts and events.

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Expected Outcomes

• Increased Awareness: Within three years, 80% of UCG youth (ages 10–25) will demonstrate basic knowledge of Armstrong’s contributions, measured via surveys at youth camps.
• Stronger Identity: Youth will articulate how Armstrong’s teachings shape UCG’s distinct identity, fostering commitment to the church’s mission.
• Intergenerational Unity: Programs like mentorship and Heritage Day will bridge gaps between older members who knew Armstrong and younger ones, strengthening church cohesion.
• Preservation of Doctrine: By embedding Armstrong’s legacy in education, UCG ensures its core beliefs endure, countering the doctrinal drift seen in the WCG post-1986.

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Conclusion

Herbert W. Armstrong’s role in restoring biblical truths and building the Worldwide Church of God is central to the United Church of God’s identity. Aaron Dean, with his firsthand experience, can lead efforts to educate young members, ensuring Armstrong’s legacy inspires future generations. The proposed digital curriculum, Heritage Day, youth camp integration, mentorship program, and multimedia archive offer a comprehensive approach to engage youth meaningfully. By implementing these initiatives, UCG can avoid the cycle of forgetting described in Judges, raising a generation that knows and values Armstrong’s contributions to its faith and practices.

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Recommendations for Immediate Action

1. Form a task force by June 2025, including Aaron Dean, youth leaders, and media experts, to prioritize and pilot the digital curriculum and Heritage Day.
2. Allocate $125,000 in the 2026 UCG budget for these initiatives, with phased implementation to manage costs.
3. Engage youth feedback via focus groups at the 2025 Feast of Tabernacles to refine content and ensure relevance.

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References

• United Church of God. (2025). Official website and doctrinal statements.
• Pew Research Center. (2023). Teens and Technology.
• Barna Group. (2024). Gen Z and Faith.

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This white paper provides a roadmap for Aaron Dean to educate UCG youth about Herbert W. Armstrong, ensuring his legacy endures in a way that resonates with the next generation.

Is United Church of God A Radical Departure From WCG Culture?

The following was posted on a UCG-related website, Edge Induced Cohesion. This is the biggest case of gaslighting I have ever seen on how special the departure of the United Church of God was when they left WCG. 

This all stems from an effort underway in the United Church of God to educate its youth about Herbert Armstrong, who he was, and what he taught. This will be presented in a separate post.

Gearing up for the GCE this weekend, I designed a booklet that will be distributed to all the elders in attendance with several dozen comments submitted by elders who were there in 1995—for both the May Indianapolis conference + the December GCE in Cincinnati—reminiscing on those events and what happened, as well as advice they would want all to take forward from here. I came away all-together re-energized about UCG in light of reading those experiences. What they did was profound. It was not like the Anglican Church deciding “we don’t like the Pope,” and creating their own church in every way almost exactly like Catholicism, except with the King as Pope. It was a revolutionary leap to create something that by design attempts to foster mutual respect and mutual deference among elders, and a major, radical departure from the WCG culture that preceded it. There is no pastor general; there is no hierarchy of ministry who are discouraged from socializing with those beneath their station. The titles are all corporate, save the Council of Elders. The incentives of UCG’s structure are for collaboration and a spirit of working together in good faith. In his written remarks, one minister expressed an astute observation that’s been rolling around my mind ever since: Unlike every other splinter group, UCG was not formed by a minister taking his following and starting his own thing; it was a collaborative effort of men and women in humility wanting to work together in mutual deference. Denny Luker famously denounced the former approach in a passionate, impromptu speech in Indianapolis, and it was a turning point for the organization to take roots. 

Those who have failed to internalize these lessons are those who have split off when they don’t get their way.

That is a pretty big hypocritical brush to label COGWA! 

Remembering history can be important, for many reasons. One is to understand the context within which your current circumstances came to be. Another is to learn from the wins and mistakes of those who came before. Theologically speaking it is good to know how in previous times, certain beliefs reigned and to understand why—whether correct or incorrect—so that you can try and stay grounded in Scripture when the winds of culture come blowing through the congregation. It’s better to be exposed to things in the past by a sympathetic voice first, than to hear it about from a hater who selectively quotes only the worst to scramble your faith—but only if the sympathetic voice is honest and unafraid to wrestle with the really tough questions. Only two ministers I’ve ever asked the question, “Did Mr Armstrong rape his daughter?” have been able to honestly talk about that uncomfortable question—and those two both, in so many words, expressed that while they felt the evidence stacked against that accusation, they ultimately couldn’t know for sure—but that it is their faith in Jesus Christ as the perfect head of the Church that drives their identity and energy as a minister. 

 

The lesson of your Scripture in Judges is that they forgot the LORD. There is no corollary for forgetting Mr Armstrong based on that Scripture. I could never imagine any New Testament author even in their weakest moments hoping that future generations would remember them. Not based on their writings, anyway, which exclusively point to Jesus Christ. Heck, I’ll bet Mr Armstrong himself would hate the thought of it, too. 

 

I think it’s good to talk to those who knew Mr Armstrong and saw incredible things happen in the Church of God because of him. I also think it’s good to read his book for all sorts of reasons, not least of which is to understand how culture can easily create false biblical interpretation (e.g. interracial marriage is wrong based on Noah’s perfect ancestry). Read The Plain Truth‘s from the ’40s about how Hitler was in Argentina; or the 50s/60s about how desegregation was a communist plot to weaken America. As I said, it’s better to hear from a sympathetic voice first, and to read something for yourself, to have a context within which to place the stories of people whose parents were forced to divorce because of bad biblical interpretation, or whose family members died because it was explicitly taught at that time that to seek medical attention was a sign of no faith. Only someone around at that time can contextualize that for you, and most will not excuse it, but they can at least wrestle with it alongside you (at least the honest ones).

Unfortunately, the WCG culture that was created by Mr Armstrong (and around him) leaves such a negative legacy, and all COG’s desperately need to shake off much of it. 

Yet, none of them ever do. They dig their heels in and praise him up one side and down the other. 

So I will count myself as an internal critic inside UCG against this idea. Take every proposal for implementation you list (which are all excellent and well-considered), but focus instead on how: “Jesus Christ’s leadership of His Church and work building His Kingdom is central to the United Church of God’s identity,” and how UCG leadership “can lead efforts to educate young members, ensuring Jesus’s legacy inspires future generations.”

LCG Looking To Have Doors Opened So That They Can Be "The Watchman"

 

One of the impediments of being an illegitimately ordained Church of God prophet like Bob Thiel is that he no longer has any legitimate claim to being a Watchman to the world, as he has in the past. Now he has to surrender that job to the Living Church of God. The very church that has refused to listen to him! I had better get out my umbrella because the spittle is going to be flying once again here in CA.

Why do the Churches of God all feel they have a need to be a Watchman? There is no COG today that is doing anything that bears a witness to the world like they think the old defunct Mother church did. 

Even the Worldwide Church of God never was a watchman because they could only talk about some angry god itching to spank the world or about that creepy "strong hand from someplace". Even with a supposed 8 million  Plain Truth subscribers, no real witness went to the world. No one remembers who the church was and the world has no idea who Herbert Armstrong was.

Yet, here we are with Living Church of God waiting for doors to open so their message can warn the world. Been there, heard that, done that.

The Church as a Watchman: Throughout history, God has used His servants to warn His people of coming events. Moses warned the Israelites that disobedience to His laws would bring punishments (Leviticus 26:15–39). Isaiah was told to tell God’s people their sins (Isaiah 58:1). Jeremiah warned the Israelites “you have forsaken the Lord…. Your own wickedness will correct you” (Jeremiah 2:17–19). Hosea’s message was that “they sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind…. Israel has forgotten his Maker” (Hosea 8:7, 14). Ezekiel was commissioned to be a watchman to the house of Israel and told he would be accountable for delivering God’s warning to them (Ezekiel 3:17–19). In Ezekiel’s day, the Israelites had already gone into captivity, which means that Ezekiel’s message must be delivered to modern Israelite nations today. Let’s pray that God will open doors to enable His Church to deliver that warning and that we stay focused on that mission.

Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

AiCOG: Herbert’s Holy Heist: Stealing George Müller to Sell a Gospel Grift

 

A Cult Leader’s Hijack of a Holy Man

Herbert Armstrong loved to name-drop George Müller, the 19th-century evangelist who built orphanages in Bristol, England, through faith and answered prayer. Across decades of writings, the cult leader painted Müller as a shining example of what true belief could achieve: millions raised, thousands housed, all through the power of prayer. To the WCG, Müller was proof that God exists, that faith moves mountains, and that obedience to divine laws brings miracles. It sounds inspiring—until you see the con.

This wasn’t about honoring Müller; it was about hijacking him. Müller’s story became a prop, a shiny bauble dangled to co-opt his faithfulness and merchandize Christ for the cult’s gain. In Armstrongism, faith wasn’t about selflessness—it was a transaction: obey the rules, tithe till it hurts, pray the right way, and God will deliver. Müller’s legacy was exploited to sell this grift, lending credibility to a system that raked in millions while its leader lived in luxury. Today we rip apart this holy heist, showing how Müller’s example was used to peddle a gospel of greed, leaving WCG members with a warped faith that served the cult’s wallet, not their souls.

The Müller Myth: A Saint for Sale

Armstrongism couldn’t stop gushing about George Müller. From the 1940s to the 1970s, WCG publications called him a "great man of faith," a "modern apostle" who proved God’s existence through answered prayer. Müller, a Prussian-born evangelist, founded five orphanages in Bristol starting in 1836, housing thousands without soliciting funds—relying solely on prayer. The cult loved to tout the numbers: over 70 years, Müller raised the equivalent of $7 million, all through faith, feeding and schooling orphans in a testament to divine provision. This, they claimed, was the ultimate proof of God, a slam dunk against skeptics who doubted miracles.

But this praise wasn’t pure. The WCG founder zeroed in on Müller’s story because it fit the cult’s narrative: faith, defined their way, gets results. Müller’s answered prayers became Exhibit A, a convenient example to prop up Armstrongism’s theology. The system taught that faith meant absolute belief in God’s promises, obedience to its laws—like Saturday Sabbath and festival-keeping—and unwavering trust until the answer came. Müller’s success was trotted out as evidence that this formula worked, ignoring how his faith differed from the cult’s. By plastering Müller’s name across booklets and letters, the WCG borrowed his credibility, making its own teachings seem legitimate. It was a con, a holy heist to sell a distorted gospel to the flock.
Müller vs. the Cult Leader: 

Selflessness Meets Greed

Let’s compare the two legacies the WCG tried to tie together. George Müller was a genuine servant. He founded his orphanages to care for the destitute, never taking a salary, never asking for donations, trusting God to provide through prayer alone. His journals detail daily miracles—bread arriving as the pantry emptied, funds coming at the last moment to pay bills. Müller’s faith was selfless, his work a labor of love for orphans, not a scheme for personal gain. He died modestly in 1898, leaving a legacy of compassion that still inspires.

Herbert’s Legacy? The opposite. Armstrongism preached faith while demanding triple tithes—up to 30% of members’ income—to fund the cult, not orphans. By the 1980s, the WCG was pulling in $200 million a year, over $600 million in today’s dollars, while families struggled to pay bills. Where did the money go? Armstrong’s journals detailed his daily self gratification episodes. He lived a lavish lifestyle while members lived in poverty, guilt-tripped into giving more to prove their faith. Herbert claimed to follow Müller’s example, but Müller built orphanages; Armstrongism built an empire, one that enriched its leader while exploiting the faithful. Müller’s faith fed the hungry; the cult fed its greed.

Merchandizing Christ: Faith as a Transaction

The WCG didn’t just co-opt Müller’s story—it weaponized it to merchandize Christ. In Armstrongism, faith wasn’t about a relationship with God; it was a transaction. The system taught that answered prayer came through strict obedience to its laws—Saturday Sabbath, dietary rules, festival-keeping—plus unwavering belief. Müller’s millions, the cult claimed, came because he prayed the right way, believing until the answer arrived. The subtext? Follow the rules, tithe faithfully, pray like Müller, and God will provide. It was a sales pitch, turning spirituality into a business deal where the WCG held the contract.

This transactional faith was a grift. Müller’s example was used to guilt members into giving more, tying their spiritual worth to their financial sacrifice. If Müller raised millions through prayer, why couldn’t you? Never mind that Müller never demanded money—the WCG did, incessantly, claiming it was the key to divine favor. Members who couldn’t pay triple tithes were shamed as lacking faith, while their offerings funded a lifestyle of luxury. Faith became a product, Christ a commodity, and Müller’s legacy a marketing tool to keep the cash flowing. The cult wasn’t honoring Müller—it was exploiting him to sell a gospel of greed.

The Fallout: A Warped Faith That Breaks

Armstrongism’s distortion of Müller’s faith had a devastating impact. Members were taught that prayer and provision hinged on perfect obedience to the cult’s rules—rules Müller never followed. Müller’s faith was flexible, rooted in trust; the WCG’s was rigid, rooted in control. When members prayed and didn’t get answers—because they couldn’t tithe enough, or broke a dietary law—they were told they lacked faith, not that the system was a sham. This warped view of prayer and faith left them disillusioned, as we saw in previous discussions of how the cult breeds atheism. Many who left didn’t just reject Armstrongism—they rejected faith entirely, unable to separate God from the transactional grift they’d been sold.

Müller’s example, meant to inspire, became a weapon in the WCG’s hands. Members felt pressure to emulate Müller’s results without his freedom, trapped in a cycle of guilt and failure. The cult’s co-opting of Müller didn’t build faith—it broke it, turning a story of divine provision into a tool for spiritual abuse. The system didn’t care about Müller’s heart; it cared about his story, a shiny veneer to mask its own greed while fleecing the flock.

The True Motive: Profit, Not Piety

Why did the WCG latch onto Müller? Profit. Müller’s story was a goldmine for a cult built on exploitation. By linking its teachings to Müller’s success, the system lent legitimacy to its empire, convincing followers that its rules were the path to miracles. But while Müller’s faith fed orphans, the WCG’s faith fed a bank account. The $7 million Müller raised over 70 years pales in comparison to the $200 million the WCG raked in annually by the 1980s—money that didn’t go to orphans but to luxuries. Müller lived modestly; the cult leader lived like a rock star, all while preaching a faith Müller supposedly embodied.

This holy heist wasn’t about piety—it was about power. Müller’s legacy gave the WCG a veneer of holiness, a way to sell its gospel grift to a captive audience. But the truth is clear: the cult didn’t admire Müller—it envied him, not for his faith, but for the story it could exploit. The system stole Müller’s faithfulness to merchandize Christ, turning a saint’s legacy into a sales pitch for a cult that left its members spiritually bankrupt.

The Gospel Grift Exposed

The WCG’s glowing praise of George Müller was a sham, a holy heist to co-opt his faithfulness for the cult’s gain. Müller’s selfless mission—raising millions through prayer to care for orphans—became a prop, used to sell a transactional faith that enriched Armstrongism while impoverishing its members. The system didn’t honor Müller; it exploited him, merchandizing Christ to fund an empire of greed. For AiCOG readers, this is a stark reminder of the cult’s true legacy: a gospel grift that turned faith into a product, leaving WCG members with a warped belief that broke under its own weight. Müller’s legacy deserves better—Herbert Armstrong’s legacy deserves to be exposed for the con it was.

Herbert’s Holy Heist © 2025 by AiCOG is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

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Bob Thiel's Ordination Conundrum And His False Claim Of Legitimacy

 

Bob is too big of a narcissist to realize the hole he dragged himself into.

A comment on Illegitimately Ordained Crackpot Prophet Pops His Self-Righteous Cork Over Banned Article

LOFCOG asked:

Does the witch doctor's ordination and alleged succession also extend to his animated Cartoon Bob character as well?

I'm convinced that it was Evans' idea, not Bob's, to have Evans lay hands on Bob. When you lay hands on someone, you are showing yourself to be their superior. Evans needed to lay hands on Bob to show his African flock that Bob was subordinate to him. But doing this screwed up Bob's claim to legitimacy. Deep down, despite all his mincing and flailing about it, Bob didn't trust his accidental "ordination" from Gaylon Bonjour, so he was willing to accept a real and intentional one from Evans. But you can't ordain someone to an office higher than you hold, unless it's some special one-off miracle like Bob used to say happened when Gaylon laid hands on him. Once Bob decided to supplement Gaylon's ordination with Evans', he lost all claim of being anything more than another evangelist. He can't be a prophet anymore.

Illegitimately Ordained Crackpot Prophet Pops His Self-Righteous Cork Over Banned Article

 

It's raining here today in Southern California, and I think some of it is the spittle flying from the Great Bwana Bob as he melts down over yesterday's article about the so-called lineage of Armstrongism ordinations. 

Apparenlty, when God was forming the foundations of the world and in the process of creating the greatest Church of God leader to ever arise in the Church of God movement, one of those soon-to-be rebellious angels must have interrupted God when He was getting to the part about the sacred ordination of the Great Bwana Bob. God missed the ordination part completely. Due to this oversight, this led the Worldwide Church of God, the Global Church of God, and the Living Church of God all REFUSEING to ordain him. He never even broke the glass ceiling and made it as a deacon! Oh, the humanity!

He pops a major cork over Craig White and Lee Walker's research. These two men are not as intelligent nor filled with the true Holy Spirit that was supposedly sent after the true ordination of the Great Bwana Bob, the end-time exorcist, and greatest COG leader in human history. Shame on Craig and Lee! How could you?

Well, it should be pointed out that Lee Walker’s anti-succession conclusions are opinions, NOT historical facts. 

Silly Craig and Lee! What you have to say means nothing when the One True Church leader and the most intelligent man alive today is superior to you. No one is more intelligent than he is, and since he is God's most highly favored end-time prophet, his word is the FINAL word! 

The historical reality is that the true Church of God does have laying on of hands apostolic succession. The laying on of hands is part of how God transfers the Holy Spirit into the newly baptized (Acts 8:17; 19:5-6). And without the Spirit of Christ, one is not a Christian (Romans 8:9).
That said, let me state that I even shared an apostolic succession list with the Waldensian church in Rome which ran from the apostles through the year 1525. 

 

Now, did Andrew Dugger, Jr and CO Dodd, Dr. Herman Hoeh, various ones in LCG, and me Dr. Bob Thiel, ever make any mistakes in their understanding of specifics related to succession? 

 

Yes. 

 

But that does not mean that the succession idea was wrong. 

 

As far as Craig White and Lee Walker go, they are entitled to their opinions that they could not demonstrate laying on of hands succession to North America. After looking at information, some of which that I doubt they saw, I have a different view.

Everything, and I mean everything that Bwana Bob Thiel says regarding theology is an opinion. His opinion.  It's his own particular interpretation and cannot stand up to rigorous theological debate.

Like most of his debates, he goes on to have another whine-fest about how the Global Church of God and Living Church of God refused to heed his commands.

Working to correct errors in church history was something I began to work on when I was with the Living Church of God (which promised to correct numerous historical errors it admitted it taught, yet that it later failed to do so) and then later in the Continuing Church of God. 

 

While the late Dr. Herman Hoeh (of the old Radio, then Worldwide, Church of God) was prone to correct errors in his historical understandings, and there was a willingness to do so by the late John Ogwyn when I spoke with him, sadly many others have not been as willing.

The Great Bwana has been trying for YEARS to get various COG/Sabbatarian groups to listen to him and change their teachings. All have refused him. And, I mean ALL!

For what it’s worth, off and on for years I have looked into the historical period of the 1600s to 1800s. In doing so, I have spoken to and/or emailed leaders in many groups, including various CG7s (I even met with CG7-Denver’s Robert Coulter and still speak to him on the telephone from time to time) and xWCG related ones. One of which still sends out A.N. Dugger’s book. Also, I have had several contacts, including verbal, with leaders of groups claiming to have come from the Waldensians.

Then, the Great Bwana admits he cannot prove his direct lineage in ordination from Jesus and the apostles to himself, but he is trying! Really trying.

That being said, because of limited available records, it is not likely that anyone in this age will be able to put together a perfect history of the true Church.

But to suggest that there is no reason to accept that there was laying on of hands succession from the Old World to the New World is not so. 

 

That said, we are still working on details related to this period to improve our understanding, but some of what is in this post should show all, that will look, that we have not held onto certain misunderstandings that some had. 

 

The true Church of God is the Christian church. Despite some errors in historical understandings, the basic view that the true Church of God has existed since Acts 2 is correct, as well as consistent with Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18.

He has a long list of things that he posts from one of his books, trying to prove he is right, but he can't. More importantly, he continues to gloss over his own ordination at the hands of his African leaders since no American Church of God group would ordain him.