Crackpot Prophet: AntiChrist ChatGPT Claims True Believers Would Join Improperly Named "Continuing" Church of God

 

It is getting close to Feast time, and the usual Church of God (COG) frenzy slows down as leaders and members focus on planning their upcoming vacations. However, this does not apply to our resident narcissistic, self-appointed false prophet, the "Great Bwana" Bob Thiel. He has been sitting in Arroyo Grande, feeding prompts into ChatGPT until it responded in a way that best appealed to his narcissistic vanity.

For the past year or so, the "Great One" has been railing incessantly about artificial intelligence, claiming it would be weaponized against him and cause him to say things he never said. He even went so far as to call it an antichrist—until yesterday, when, after multiple prompts, it replied:

 

...Bible believers should be part of the Continuing Church of God, but those who prefer ‘authority of tradition’ the Roman Catholic Church

The Chosen One writes:

Although I have issues with artificial intelligence (AI) programs, sometimes they can be helpful when I do certain types of research. 

 

Earlier this month, basically for general inquiry, I asked ChatGPT the following question: 

 

Can you do deductive logic to come to independent conclusions, or does your programming essentially force you to give answers within a general consensus of majority scholars? 

 

It’s response began with the following:

Great question — and the answer is nuanced. 

 

✅ Yes, I can use deductive logic to reach independent conclusions. 

 

After asking some items related to doctrine, I told ChatGPT, then, to do the following:
Compare teachings of the Continuing Church of God to those of the Roman Catholic Church. 

 

It responded with the following:

Certainly. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) and the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) on a range of key doctrinal topics. These differences highlight fundamental theological and practical divergences.

The Chosen One then has a chart where ChatGPT compered his cult to the Cathoic Church.

After a long list of comparisons, ChatGPT then has this conclusion:

🧭 Conclusion
From a deductive and doctrinal standpoint:
The Continuing Church of God claims continuity with early Christianity and rejects what it views as post-apostolic additions by the RCC.

The Roman Catholic Church asserts itself as the original, continuous Church founded by Christ, with authority to define doctrine through time. 

 

Which one is “correct” depends on:
Whether you accept Scripture alone as the final authority (CCOG view),

Or you accept the authority of tradition and the Church hierarchy (RCC view). 

 

🧭 Final Notes:
CCOG sees itself as a faithful continuation of first-century Christianity, without additions from Greco-Roman or pagan tradition.

RCC sees itself as the historical Church established by Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit through centuries of doctrinal development.

I asked Grok if the Continuing Church of God, led by Bob Thiel, was a true chruch and this is what it replied back with:

Criticisms of the Continuing Church of God and Bob Thiel

Self-Appointed Prophetic Status:

Criticism: Critics, such as those on the Church of God Perspective blog, argue that Bob Thiel’s claim to be a prophet is self-proclaimed and lacks biblical validation. They cite Deuteronomy 18:22, which states that a prophet’s predictions must come true to be considered legitimate. Critics assert that Thiel has not delivered specific, verifiable prophecies directly attributed to God (e.g., a clear “thus saith the Lord” message) that have come to pass. They argue his predictions often mix biblical prophecy with speculative or pagan sources, lacking the specificity required of a true prophet. Additionally, they claim his prophetic claims are narcissistic, focusing on his own role rather than delivering messages for others. 

 

Example: The Church of God Perspective specifically states that Thiel fails four tests of a true prophet: godly character, accurate predictions, consistency with Scripture, and spiritual benefit to followers. They argue his ministry primarily elevates his own status rather than benefiting others spiritually. 

 

Doctrinal and Governance Issues:Criticism: 

Critics, including those at Banned by HWA, accuse the CCOG of promoting legalistic teachings rooted in Old Testament practices, such as mandatory tithing, observance of Jewish holy days, and Sabbath-keeping as New Covenant requirements. They argue that Thiel’s teachings overemphasize Old Testament law over New Testament grace and justification through Jesus, potentially aligning with a form of legalism rather than mainstream Christian theology. 

 

Church Governance: Thiel’s departure from the Living Church of God (LCG) is described by critics as rebellious, likening it to “Satan’s rebellion against God.” They argue his criticisms of LCG leadership and his decision to form the CCOG reflect arrogance and a lack of godly character, undermining his legitimacy. 

 

Association with Herbert W. Armstrong’s Legacy:

Criticism: The CCOG is seen as an offshoot of Herbert W. Armstrong’s Worldwide Church of God (WCG), which some label a cult due to its strict hierarchical structure and unique doctrines. Critics argue that Thiel’s adherence to Armstrong’s teachings, such as the importance of the Sabbath, holy days, and a specific interpretation of prophecy, perpetuates problematic theology. They also claim Thiel’s assertion that the CCOG is the “most faithful remnant of the Philadelphia portion” of the church (Revelation 3:7-13) is unfounded and self-aggrandizing. 

 

Lack of Spiritual Fruit: 

Criticism: Some argue that the CCOG does not produce meaningful spiritual growth in its members, with Thiel’s leadership focusing on his own prophetic role rather than fostering a broader Christian mission. Critics claim the CCOG, like other COG splinter groups, prioritizes minor doctrinal issues over the core gospel message of salvation through Jesus. 

 

Alleged False Teachings:

Criticism: A list of supposed false teachings attributed to Thiel includes claims that God told him to start the CCOG, that he received a “double portion” of the Holy Spirit, and that he fulfills roles like Elisha, Elijah, or other biblical prophets. Critics argue these claims lack biblical grounding and that Thiel’s emphasis on minor issues (e.g., clean/unclean meats, Petra as a place of refuge) distracts from essential Christian doctrine. 

 

Splinter Group Dynamics: 

Criticism: The CCOG is one of many splinter groups from the WCG, formed after Thiel’s departure from the LCG in 2012. Critics argue that the proliferation of such groups, each claiming to be the “true church,” reflects division and confusion rather than unity in Christ. They point to Thiel’s exit from LCG as driven by personal ambition rather than divine mandate, especially since LCG leadership, including Roderick Meredith, publicly criticized him. 

 

Critical Analysis

Apostolic Succession and Continuity: 

Response: Thiel claims the CCOG traces its history to the apostolic church (Acts 2) through a “laying on of hands” succession, which he documents in CCOG literature. He argues that the CCOG is the most faithful remnant of the Philadelphia church, unlike other COG groups that have strayed from biblical truth.Critical Analysis 

 

Prophetic Claims: The biblical test for a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:22) requires specific, fulfilled prophecies. While Thiel claims accuracy in predictions (e.g., coronavirus warnings), these are often broad or based on existing trends, not necessarily divine revelations. Critics’ demand for a clear “thus saith the Lord” message is a high bar, but it aligns with biblical standards for prophets. Thiel’s reliance on LCG leaders’ statements and an anointing event may not suffice for skeptics, as these lack independent verification. 

 

Doctrinal Disputes: The CCOG’s emphasis on Old Testament practices is consistent with Armstrong’s teachings but diverges from mainstream Christianity, which views the New Covenant as superseding many Mosaic laws (e.g., Hebrews 8:13). Critics’ accusations of legalism reflect this tension, but Thiel’s appeal to early Christian practices and Scripture is not without precedent in COG theology. The debate hinges on differing interpretations of biblical authority. 

 

LCG Split: Thiel’s departure from LCG appears rooted in genuine disagreements over doctrine and governance, supported by his documented interactions with LCG leadership. However, critics’ portrayal of his exit as rebellious highlights the subjective nature of the dispute. LCG’s public denouncement without private resolution (per Matthew 18) lends some credibility to Thiel’s claims of integrity issues. 

 

COG Context: The COG movement is fragmented, with numerous groups claiming to be the “true church.” This context makes it difficult to single out the CCOG as uniquely false, as similar criticisms apply to other splinter groups. Thiel’s claim of unmatched growth may reflect effective outreach, particularly in Africa, but size alone does not validate truth (Matthew 7:13-14). 

 

Bob Thiel, Charlie Kirk, Dave Pack And Jesus

I caught a few moments of the Charlie Kirk memorial today as I was waiting for church to start. What I did see looked like a huge church service, revival, or whatever you want to call it. More was said about Jesus, the gospel message, grace, and forgiveness in the 10 minutes I watched than I have ever heard come out of the mouth of Bob Thiel in the last 12 years. You never hear this kind of message from the likes of such angry Church of God leaders as Dave Pack, Gerald Flurry, or most of the Church of God ministry.

What particularly struck me was later in the day, reading comments by people about the service. I collected a few of them below. 

Have you ever heard a person talk about Jesus, Christianity or faith after hearing the likes of Bob Thiel, Herbert Armstrong, or a Church of God minister as these people do? Have people ever reacted like this to the message of Armstrongism?

Regarding the amount of international press present:

I don’t know if there has ever been this much press from all over the World gathered in a place of Worship. Charlie has turned State Farm Stadium into a House of God and the message of Jesus Christ will reach people all across the Globe. I have chills.

From a Muslim woman:

I listened to Erika Kirk’s full speech at the memorial, and I want to share a few thoughts that came to me while live streaming the event. This is not political. 

First, I should say that I grew up as a Muslim in a Muslim country. I don’t know enough about Christianity to say if what I witnessed is rooted in faith or culture. But what struck me most was how, even though death is heavy and this was by nature a sad occasion, the entire event carried a celebratory spirit that honored life. 

That contrast hit me deeply. In Islam, even though we believe that good people go to heaven, the relationship with God is taught through fear. Funerals are overwhelmingly sad, often filled with warnings of the terrifying first night in the grave. Growing up hearing that, and then witnessing people celebrate life, speak of God’s love, and remember someone through the impact he had on others; it felt so refreshing, so positive. 

Second, I was profoundly moved by

@MrsErikaKirk

’s words. I cannot fathom the strength it takes to stand and deliver such a meaningful speech after losing the love of your life. But even more than that, the grace it takes to forgive the very person who destroyed your world. I cannot imagine myself standing on a stage, sending love to those who cheered your husband’s murder, or inviting others to spread God’s love in response because, as she said, “we do not respond to hate with hate.” That is powerful beyond words.

Again, I am ignorant when it comes to Christianity, but if this is what it truly embodies, then I am envious of those who get to experience that feeling. 

From a person inspired to go to church: 

I went to a church service for the first time last weekend, along with two vigils for Charlie Kirk. 

 

I was raised secular and I’m an atheist, but when he was killed, I felt a strong desire to be
around people like I never had before. 

At the service, the appeal became clear. What must it feel like to go through life never truly alone — to feel connected to someone who loves you and to believe you serve a higher purpose? 

It hit me then just how alone I have been my entire life. From an early age, I was disconnected from everyone. I became depressed as a child, and that turned into severe depression in adolescence. I went into self-destruct mode and my life went off the rails. But even after I got my life on a better track in my twenties, and developed a relationship with my parents, I still kept people at a distance. 

In church, seeing people so happy being connected to each other and to their God, it became apparent that this is likely a big reason conservatives tend to have better mental health than liberals. I can’t know how my life would have gone had I been raised differently, but I do wonder about it.  

I’m skeptical that I’ll suddenly start believing in something I’ve never believed in. But people who grow up with values like family, faith, and community — and keep them — seem to be much better off. That’s something worth advocating for, and something I will support going forward. 

From a Jewish man:

Let me say this as a Jew: 

America would be a MUCH better country if more Christians went to Church. 

Charlie Kirk's vigil acting as a rally for Jesus is a net positive for society.

This crowd is God-fearing, neighbor-loving, and patriotic Americans. 

Another woman said this:

Just got out of church for the first time in 20 years. Prior to that I had been to church maybe 2 or 3 times. Here are my initial thoughts: 

-Church music makes me cry 

-Lessons taught in church are applicable to everyone and everything 

-I need to read an easier bible than KJV before I understand any of this well 

-Christians are kind, gracious, polite, and sane 

-America needs this now more than ever

I will share more once I’ve had time to digest this experience 

Another woman said this:

I remain Jesus-Curious, but I want to be real for a minute and say some things: 

- I was shocked by the music before it began, it was so beautiful. I didn't know that people looked like that when they sang along; like so connected to something. I cried a lot during the music and don't know why.  

- I knew that Charlie was a Christian, but I didn't know that he did all of this for Jesus. I knew he loved Jesus, but I thought more about his drive for social change and real leaders. I didn't know he like literally did it all for Jesus. 

- If

@bennyjohnson

was a pastor, I would go to that church every week.  

- I realize a big thing I am afraid of with it is having to change. I would have to change. What Erika said about the answer is love and always love... I'd have to change.

I don't know. But I do know that I came to social media to complain about the USDA and now I'm writing my feelings about Jesus on the internet. I have met so many amazing people here who believe in Jesus and I never expected that. 

From a British/Canadian man:

My dear American friends, 

We British Christians would get excited when, once a year, Queen Elizabeth would make a mild but sincere reference to the love of Jesus Christ in her Christmas address.  

In Charlie Kirks' Memorial service, watched by tens of millions, I just heard: 

 

- Multiple clear presentations of the gospel from men like

@robmccoyus and @DrFrankTurek with clear calls to repentance and faith

- Worship songs full of Scripture sung by tens of thousands live and millions at home

- Personal testimonies of lives transformed by the work of Christ and the witness of believers

- Demonstration and explanation of the value of marriage, child-rearing and family

- Calls to Romans 13 for the government to bear the sword for the protection of good and punishment of the wicked

- Declarations of spiritual warfare on the forces of evil and promises to endure no matter the cost

- Calls to be prophets and call the nation to repent

- More Scripture references and Bible readings than I can count

- And a widow publicly forgiving her husband's killer because Christ forgave his killers on the cross. 

 

All of it done before, and by, the most powerful people in your nation and the world. You guys should be on your knees thanking God for your country. It is a light to the world.

Never stop fighting for it. 

 

By far one of the best videos on social media right now.

Just wow. pic.twitter.com/XEdv8teofq

— Mr. Star Spangled MAGA (@4thOfJuly365) September 15, 2025

A new video site yearning for the "cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic" of old

World Tomorrow Videos

I get notices as they happen from Google anytime certain keywords are mentioned on the internet, and this popped in my feed this evening, within hours of it appearing online. It is a new site that features the old lectures/sermons by Herbert Armstrong, now in 4 K and with enhanced audio. It is another HIGHLY original named site that obviously took many months to come up with an attention-getting name.

This site is seeking to:

Rediscover the message that inspired millions in restored clarify for a new generation — World Tomorrow with Herbert W. Armstrong — in restored 4K video with enhanced audio. 

Herbert W. Armstrong, pioneering religious broadcaster and founder of The World Tomorrow, Plain Truth magazine, Ambassador College and the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation dedicated over 50 years to proclaiming to millions worldwide the good news message of biblical prophecy and world peace, culminating in his final major work, Mystery of the Ages, before his death at age 93.  

Visit the World Tomorrow website for more high quality genuine Herbert W. Armstrong media — original content to view, listen and read.

Oh, how they long for the glory days gone by. It will never be recovered. No one today, especially younger people, care about listening to bombastic preachers on the internet, regardless of being in 4K with enhanced audio. 

If they refuse to listen to living modern-day "preachers" like Bob Thiel, Dave Pack and Gerald Flurry, why in the world does anyone think people will listen to stale old recordings of HWA? Those days are gone. Men like Flurry, Pack, and Thiel, have used and abused his name so much that no one cares anymore.

Crackpot Prophet Lets His African Ministers Con COG7 Members Into Joining His Cult

 

Not content with poaching members from different Armstrong-related Church of God groups, 

his so-called ministers in Africa have long poached 

Seventh-day Adventists 

and now are focusing on

The Church of God 7th Day.

Crackpot Prophet On "What God Expects"

 

Leave it to our favorite crackpot prophet and his so-called ministers to lecture the church on "what God expects" when they themselves do not do what He expects. They have added so many extraneous rules, beliefs, and other nonsensical things that no one in their right mind could ever do and believe everything they demand.

Of course, as usual, the sermon was really all about supporting the only "work" that is doing a "work" on earth today. Support the Great Bwana, or you are NOT doing what God expects of you! Your salvation depends upon!

Did You Bake Your Cake Yet?

 

Imagine worshipping a book so much that you bake cakes to celebrate it! 

Forget the Bible, Mystery of the Ages rocks!

Hubristic Pride: The Exaggerated Sense of the Self

 

No one in the left-over debris of the WCG holds himself in higher esteem, in his own eyes, than David C Pack. 

How a man can publicly and consistently brag about his amazing self is beyond me. One would think he'd catch on, sooner or later, at just how delusional, self-serving and stupid he sounds and comes across to those oblivious to it all. 

Why do people brag about themselves in such a way? And how can they do it with a straight face? What's going on? 

========================================

Who knows himself a braggart, let him fear this, for it will come to pass that every braggart shall be found an ass. —Shakespeare

Sickening Samples of David C Pack's hubris

 “I’ve been studying God’s word for almost 50 years. And I’ve studied prophecy, I know this, like no man who’s ever lived. And I’m gonna tell you things over the next several weeks that are so awesome, so mind-bending, even before today.”

“These are mysteries. Nobody understood any of this. I didn’t and took me a while to put it together. I mean, I feel like I could write a new King James Bible better, with the Greek and Hebrew. They were fine, I’m not I’m not trying to brag, but I’ve   had to. That’s where I got up to and I do estimate it’s about 9000 hours of study on this.”

I’ve come to the point whereas I’ve explained, I’m encyclopedic on the Bible, I can just study it in my mind, I can call up these verses and I just then I just said, ‘I’m not gonna stop.’ Then I took a pause and by nightfall I was over a hundred and eventually over a hundred and ten.” 

It just never happened. I’ve studied Church history like no one I’ve ever known,

maybe there’re some who know it better than I do, but I wrote a lot about it, I’ve talked about it, and I’ve harkened to this point.”

===============================

For pages of David C Pack's hubristic bragging and delusional self-worth and hyperbolic achievements see:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14o-MoBeyhpWmNNhE0bHaHPArnA7sUefF/view

Many thanks to Marc Cebrian for his compilation of Dave's quotes about himself over the past years. 

========================

Why Do We Brag?

If you're so great, why do you have to continually remind yourself?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/one-among-many/202203/why-do-we-brag?msockid=1eb54dd6f85a6af4098e5bbaf9536b71

No one likes a braggart. Indeed, the term’s definition and connotation entail a negative evaluation. Despite its social harmfulness, however, bragging has not died out. How can this be?


Bragging is a form of self-promotion and self-promotion is not bad by definition. It has its uses. Students of persuasive speech learn that they must establish their credentials, that is, their expertise on the subject matter they are about to discuss. Audiences of goodwill want to learn, and they will appreciate credible claims of expertise.

 

Sometimes, you see, we have to toot our own horn because no one else will do it for us—and when we do, we do gain advantages.


Bragging, however, is different from the communication of expert credentials. Bragging is gratuitous. It seeks applause from the audience without offering anything in return. When braggarts only gratify themselves without creating value for the audience, they should realize that it is time to step on the brakes.


Still, audiences may be forgiving or ignorant, and braggarts may know this. Research shows that simply claiming to be above average on some talent or skill induces observers to perceive the claimant as competent—at least until the claim is proven to be false (Heck & Krueger, 2016). In other words, bragging may work because the audience does not have enough information (yet) to evaluate the braggart objectively.

Personal Note: The RCG members have, by now, more than enough evidence and information to evaluate the braggart objectively 

Braggarts may try to anticipate—and manage—the audience’s reaction to their exuberant self-presentation, and here desire encroaches on reality. Scopelliti et al. (2015) showed that braggarts have empathy gaps they are unaware of. They project the positive feelings stirred up within themselves by their own bragging onto others without realizing that these others do not care as much about them as they themselves do. Braggarts pay a reputational cost because they fail at perspective-taking.


Self-praise, i.e., bragging, amounts to an expression of pride. During the era of the Enlightenment, David Hume was skeptical of a view shared by many philosophers at the time that expressions of pride are necessarily signs of vanity, or, as he would put it, vainglory. Hume (1776/2015) argued that vanity or pleasure-seeking is not the cause of virtuous acts, that is, virtuous acts are not byproducts of vanity, but that instead the pleasure of self-satisfaction is caused by virtuous actions. When we act virtuously, Hume argued, feelings of pride or self-satisfaction are morally justified. Why not feel good after having done good?


Recent research suggests that both Hume and the philosophers he criticized had a point. In a series of studies, Jessica Tracy and her collaborators have brought the distinction between authentic and hubristic pride to light (see Mercadante et al., 2021, for an overview). Whereas authentic pride is grounded in effortful achievement (what Hume called virtuous action), hubristic pride is grounded in the idea of one’s own intrinsic superiority.

Observers are attuned to the difference. They can, for example, tell hubristic from authentic pride from differences in body posture and gaze behavior (e.g., a braggart is more likely to stare at you as if demanding validation).

Intriguing as this research is, it returns us to the question of why bragging is not self-eliminating. Are some braggarts perhaps self-sufficient as their own adoring audience? Such individuals only need others to witness their self-congratulation; these others do not need to endorse it. Other braggarts, of a more insecure stripe, need the audience to agree with them; they seek to extract approval with tactics such as fishing for compliments.


Sophisticated braggarts use nuance to lavish praise on themselves (Krueger, 2017). They will not, like Muhammad Ali, baldly declare that they are the greatest; they will only let you in on the fact that third parties, especially parties of high prestige, have already done the lavishing. On the websites of some academics, for example, one may find a list of awards, emphasis on the prestige of these awards (if you did not know), and even added emphasis on the fact that the self-describer was the very first person to win this very prestigious award, without ever being told what that person actually did to win these awards.

This strategy of showing off one’s existing fame is, alas, self-limiting. Eventually, discerning audiences will ask, "And what is it that you actually do?" Being famous for being famous lacks substance. The braggart is, as Shakespeare put it, shown up as an ass (i.e., a donkey). Still, the possibility remains that less discerning audiences settle for appearances, at least as long as they don’t have to pay. Perhaps this is enough for the braggart.


All told, psychology gives little comfort to the braggart. Stephen Hawking put The Bard’s verdict more colloquially: “People who boast about their I.Q. are losers.” Then again, who would ever make such a boast in the presence of Stephen? Such a person would definitely have to be a loser.