Exposing the underbelly of Armstrongism in all of its wacky glory! Nothing you read here is made up. What you read here is the up to date face of Herbert W Armstrong's legacy. It's the gritty and dirty behind the scenes look at Armstrongism as you have never seen it before!
With all the new crazy self-appointed Chief Overseers, Apostles, Prophets, Pharisees, legalists, and outright liars leading various Churches of God today, it is important to hold these agents of deception accountable.
Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders
Who would have imagined that a little blog that started out to feature books critical of Armstrongism (all thanks to Dean Blackwell's example) would turn into what we have become today?
The "go to" source for the latest craziness in Armstrongism.
One would like to imagine that 40 years after Herbert Armstrong's death,
the craziness in the Churches of God would have died down by now.
But, NO. Hardly a day goes by that some kind of idiocy is being said or committed.
If today's Church of God movement is the face of 1st Century Christianity,
then we are all doomed!
Grok AI had this to say about Banned:
In short, it's one of the most prominent online voices opposing and documenting the ongoing issues within Armstrongist Churches of God splinter groups, positioning itself as an exposé rather than a neutral or supportive resource. If you're exploring Armstrongism (either as a current/former member or researcher), it's a very active source of outsider critique, though obviously written from a strongly negative perspective.
Highlights alleged corruption, authoritarianism, false prophecies, financial exploitation, doctrinal inconsistencies, and abusive practices in various Church of God (COG) splinter groups that continue Armstrong's teachings.
Frequently targets prominent leaders in these groups, such as:
David C. Pack (Restored Church of God)
Gerald Flurry (Philadelphia Church of God)
Ron Weinland
Bob Thiel
United Church of God (UCG)
Living Church of God
And others.
Shares news, reader-submitted stories, commentary, quotes from COG publications or leaders, and satirical or mocking takes on their announcements, failed predictions, personality cults, and internal dramas.
Posts are often sarcastic, irreverent, and blunt — sometimes using strong language to ridicule what the author sees as absurd or harmful behaviors/doctrines.
It has built a significant readership over the years, serving as a resource for ex-members, critics, and those researching or leaving these groups.
Behold, the divine tragedy unfolding before our very eyes! God's single greatest gift to the Churches of God—and, let's be honest, to the entire suffering world (whose very salvation apparently hinges on this one man's infallible leadership)—is apparently not having the best week of his prophetic life. No, our spiritual colossus, the one and only Bwana Bob, has been reduced to a decidedly unhappy camper.
In a fit of righteous indignation, he lashed out at poor Terry Nelson, branding him a liar over a previous post that dared to poke at the cracks in the facade. Because nothing says "God's anointed end-time prophet" quite like publicly melting down when someone points out reality. Getting called out—again—about the absolute dumpster fire that is the state of affairs in his "sprawling" African "groups" clearly didn't sit well with our fearless leader. The man who claims to be the greatest thing to happen to the Church of God since matzo bread (or perhaps since Herbert Armstrong himself) simply cannot handle a little constructive criticism.
I myself made a solemn pilgrimage—a side trip, if you will—past his magnificent world headquarters while cruising up Highway 1 this past week. Let me tell you, the atmosphere was as gloomy and foreboding as ever. One can almost feel the weight of divine disappointment hanging in the air like fog rolling off the Pacific. Truly inspiring stuff.
But denial? Oh, denial is the name of the game when it comes to our boy Bwana Bob. How could the single greatest Church of God leader in the entire history of humanity—nay, the universe—possibly have any issues with his church-hopping "evangelists" over in Africa? Especially the very same Sosten, that paragon of loyalty and stability, whom Wade Cox (yes, that Wade Cox of the Christian Churches of God) proudly announced just a couple of weeks ago had given his enthusiastic approval and was itching to jump ship and join forces with him instead.
Imagine the sheer audacity: one of Bob's prized African coordinators apparently deciding the grass might be greener (or the offerings more forthcoming) elsewhere. But surely this is all just a vicious rumor spread by liars and haters, right? Because nothing could possibly tarnish the spotless record of the fastest-shrinking-yet-somehow-still-the-most-important remnant in COG history. Perish the thought.
Truly, we are blessed to witness such flawless leadership in action. The world trembles, the critics seethe, and the prophet... well, he pouts. What a time to be alive.
Terry Nelson writes:
Let's go over these absurd rebuttals. Fact, Sosten L. can't be trusted - Bob admitted in his sermon on Hierarchical Governance and Corruption that Sosten L. is an adulterer and skimmed money from the CCOG. He's definitely a Muzungu church hunter. The statement from Wade Cox was past 2017, which makes Sosten a liar- also, I know for a fact that he double or triple dips. I have his emails, which I'll release later. So Bob, you're in the Dark again......
CCOG did fund Bradox boy in his 2 political runs. Bob was shown all the evidence, but as usual, believes fantasy over facts. I mean, Bob's on record publicly saying someone put Bradox's name on the ballot-that's why he's on the official Kenyan Documents. So wrong again, Bob ......
Evans Ocheing and Radson Mulowzoa have been proven to be adulterers. The last 2 years on Banned - video testament - written statements, pictures, catfish sting operations have been featured.
Bob, what are you thinking....... Evans and Radson have to pay to play, witchdoctors spells, - again, major evidence last 2 years on Banned. So now Bob, your past strike 3.....
The case where Bob paid Radson to arrest me on false statements was thrown out over a year ago I showed the lawyers all of Radsons Childrens video testimony and all the other evidence - they told Radson he's guilty and threw it out.
Bob breaks his own Philadelphia Governence by giving Radson money to take me to court. Bob your not practicing what you preach. No leader that I talked to in Hope said anything against me to Dr Bobby... He must be dreaming this one. Send me the email, Bob.....Bob doesn't have anything from Radson in Malawi-- maybe a few hundred with Church hopping-Sosten. Bob, you need pictures to prove these thousands. I've been there 5 times. Nothing......So to wind up this shim sham African sand dance, the CCOG never got past the fake numbers. Maybe a thousand in Kenya? That's what all the Kenyan CCOG leadership tells me is maybe a possibility ...So in Reality maybe Bob has 1500 worldwide. I wouldn't call that growth, especially in Africa. Unless you're on the ground there like I've been, Bob would be better off believing he can get a deal on oceanfront property in Arizona......Those Witchdoctors are sure working overtime on Bob.....
Bob didn't deny my spot on knowledge of the CCOG not owning any land or church buildings. All properties are in Evans and Radson's name. His Church double-dipping con men sure milked CCOG of millions. Big red flags for the Russian agent, Bubba Thiel
The Great Bwana Bob's denials:
Because of Proverbs 26:4, I do not respond to most of the lies and false accusations at the Banned By HWA site, but because of Proverbs 26:5, I sometimes will.
The anti-COG Banned by HWA website has a post with a lot of false and improper accusations against the Continuing Church of God, myself, and several CCOG leaders in Africa.
Here is one assertion in that post:
Sosten caught Church hopping with Wade Cox.
I asked Sosten Libugwa about the posted accusation suggesting that he was now with Wade Cox. Here is what he emailed me about that:
in 2016 I wrote to the group of this church but not Wade but Jean Alphonso who was Church secretary at that time,we worked together from 2016 to 2017,after I discovered their teachings fully,I see that there is no truth in the church,they did not believe in Jesus Christ divinity and others,because of different teachings I see in this church I decided to moved away from this church,if you can check about letters I wrote to you in 2017 to 2020 I told you more about this people,ask Terry to give you email for Wade Cox then you asked if he is working with me he will tell you the truth,he is going to tell you that Sosten is ex CCG for so many years now,now I have no records for this group since from 2017 till this date,
So, no, Sosten Libungwa is not with Wade Cox and while years ago, he had an affiliation, he left when he learned they were actually unitarian.
Let me simply make the following rebuttals and comments related to the rest of the posted accusations:
The CCOG did not fund any political campaigns in Kenya.
Accusing Evans Ochieng and Radson Mulozowa of adultery is wrong and libelous.
Accusing CCOG leaders of involvement with prostitution and witch doctors is wrong and libelous.
It is my understanding that the accuser is subject to facing legal charges in Malawi for such statements.
A leader in 'Hope of Israel' recently sent me an email confirming that the accuser is wrongly making improper statements.
The posted assertions that "Bob has nothing in Malawi. 3 or 4 thousand disappeared" are false. We have thousands in Malawi in the CCOG.
The CCOG is not shrinking. We even gained congregations in Africa and South America within the last 6 months.
The CCOG has 9000 congregants in Africa.
The CCOG remains the fastest growing x-WCG related group in the 21st century.
Jesus said, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12) "and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
Those who post falsehoods and believe lies at the Banned by HWA site remain in my prayers.
Bob Thiel has been having a huge meltdown lately, claiming his prophecies are coming true with recent things Trump has said here in the US and in Davos. It is a literal wet dream come true for Bob. Of course, there is NOTHING he predicted that is unusual or sent by God to his amazing brain. Everything he says he has predicted is drawn straight from news stories and other conservative news aggregators that he reads that fit his narrative. Everything single thing he has "predicted" has been things discussed by people all over the world.
Are all of his mental contortions actually just a Russian disinformation act to deceive Church of God members? Facebook seems to think so:
The story below is from Facebook and is also by a former writer who posted here occasionally. It is his take on joining the Living Church of God at age 19, waking up and recognizing the dissonance, and leaving it and Armstrongism behind. He also wonders about how Herbert Armstrong would be reacting to todays political climate.
I exited a doomsday bible cult almost six years ago. Today is the 40th anniversary of the death of the founder of that cult. His name was Herbert W. Armstrong, and his cult was called the Worldwide Church of God.
I joined this cult when I was 19, just dropped out of college, emotionally vulnerable, confused, obviously scared, and full of anxiety and undealt with childhood stuff.
Nevertheless, it provided the safe space I needed; an alternative reality - a bubble. A place that said the world is so messed up and unfixable because of Satan, the devil, and there was nothing to do but sit back and wait for Jesus to return in (always 3-5 years) to fix everything. All I had to do was pray, pay, stay, and obey.
And that is what I did for 20 years. But then, I started acknowledging the cognitive dissonance that was growing inside my mind. I started challenging the doctrines and could see many of the teachings did not align with the scriptures. I learned the difference between eisegesis and exegesis.
I've expressed this before, but it was learning that Jesus as the Word (Greek: logos) in John 1:1, which means "rational thought," that gave me the green light to question without fear.
By now, the internet was fully developed. The Information Age was here. I studied the character of the now-dead founder. And what I found was a man remarkably similar to Donald J. Trump.
His own father described him as stupid and lazy. He spent his life up to his 40's grifting in sales positions and failing even when it was hard to do in the 1920's. Then he found religion during the Great Depression and managed to preach his way into a pastoral position in the Church of God, Seventh Day.
Arguing he could not preach what one man commanded in the church's hierarchy, he set out to start his own religion based on two key doctrines the Seventh Day Church refused to teach:
1. British-Israelism, a soft version of white supremacy.
2. Commanded observance of annual holy days outlined in the Old Covenant with the ancient nation of Israel.
For a decade, he built an audience using the power of radio out of Pasadena CA. Also during this time, he was commuting to Pasadena, taking his daughter, Dorothy, with him while his wife and sons were left behind, starving most of the time. From the time Dorothy was 13 till she married at 23, HWA was having a sexual relationship...excuse me, HWA was raping her.
HWA learned that grifting religious fear on the radio was making him a lot of money. He eventually opened a college to train young boys, whom he would send all over the country to start churches. These young boys were taught to teach only and exactly what he said.
By the 1960's, he had quite a money-making machine that required members to send 10% of their pre-tax income to him. Another 10% was required to pay for annual holy day meetings and conventions. And another 10% to be sent to Headquarters every 3rd and 6th year of 7-year cycles, to "help the poor and widows" in the cult. In addition, letters would regularly be sent out, frightening (already shit-poor) people into sending in offerings for buildings and additional pet projects. Always with urgency to "finish the Work."
He took his fear-mongering to television, becoming what was really the model for TV evangelism that followed after him. He claimed he was an end-time Apostle sent by Jesus Himself to restore the true teachings of the bible to the last generation. He said he was the prophet, Elijah, prophesied about by Jesus. He set 1975 as the year Jesus would return.
Just as 1975 came and went, so did scandal after scandal concerning sexual promiscuity and crimes, including money laundering and theft. Despite all that, his cult continued to grow, reaching over 150,000 members and raking in over 200 million dollars a year by his death in 1986.
With no strong leader to follow him up, the cult collapsed by 1993. It was at this time that pastors and evangelists were starting their own competing continuation of HWA's teachings. It has been estimated that there are still over 300 factions started since. The four largest groups today being:
1. The United Church of God
2. The Philadelphia Church of God
3. Church of God, A Worldwide Association
4. The Living Church of God
I stumbled across the Living Church of God in 1992 (originally the Global Church of God, 1992-1998). The imploding of the Worldwide Church of God at the time was brilliantly explained away using prophesy, saying the "falling away" from the true teachings of the true end-time church had to happen first, then Jesus would return and fix everything. And this would, of course, happen in just 3-5 years.
I watched 3-5 years go by for two decades before it started being clear to me that these cults have no idea what they are talking about.
I remember in 2016, as Trump bullied his way to the top of the Republican ticket, members of the cult and even the leadership subtly supported him. This was a problem because one of the core doctrines of the cult was that we do not participate in the "politics of the world." I even preached against supporting Trump one Sabbath. But from that year on, siding with the political conservative climate was more obvious in the writings of the cult and in conversations with fellow members.
These cults, sometimes quietly, sometimes openly, support the MAGA movement right along with the rest of Evangelical churches in America. Some of those members who would argue with me regularly on social media all the way to Trump's 2nd inauguration have oddly disappeared from social media.
I say stay away from all Christian churches in America today unless they are Progressive Christian churches.
If Herbert W. Armstrong was alive today, he would undoubtedly be a Trump supporter and would most likely had been a guest at the Inauguration, as he spent the waning years of his life flying around in a personal jet giving expensive gifts to heads of state and royalty.
Both grifters. Both pedophiles. Both are malignant narcissists. Both low IQ. Both lazy. Both bipolar. Both I would be deeply ashamed to have ever followed. I gave over six figures of my hard-earned income over a 20 year period to one of them (by extension of copy-cat cults following his death).
But I thank Donald J Trump because he helped me to "see" Herbert W. Armstrong. So I left that religious cult and avoided joining a political cult. I am free now because that is what the truth does. But it comes at a steep price the longer you fight against it.
For the love of all things good and decent, stay away from any groups that claim they are right about everything, have everything figured out, demonize (other) people who disagree with them, use fear to grow, label the core teachings of Jesus, "toxic empathy," and value obedience over morality.
David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God enjoys the thrill of finding the day that cannot tarry after ten long years of toil and disappointment. Ever-rushing to call out recycled malarkey, the Pastor General is mentally and physically exhausted as he continues to hunt his religious white whale across the stormy seas of Bible prophecy.
Dave knows that unless he can deliver the goods by nailing down the date for the arrival of ANYTHING biblical, he is just another wacky former Ambassador College graduate with a non-credentialed degree in outdated theological tomfoolery.
Just like his doppelgänger, Gerald Flurry, unless he accurately discovers the real start of the Kingdom to Israel, or the Kingdom of God, the return of Jesus Christ, the beginning of the 1335, or actual worldwide calamity, he will need to face the reality that he is not a prophet, not an apostle, and God had nothing to do with the decades of his blowhard meanderings.
With each prophetic failure, the picture must shift to continue the illusion of legitimacy. Keeping brethren perpetually on the hook, he and his enablers sell the concept that their journey's end is just over the horizon. They just need to hang on and endure one more shift in understanding.
The Kingdom Will Come on March 18, 2026!
Dave was all piss and vinegar, stewing in his spirit-inspired certainty during “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 615)” on January 3, 2026, when he landed back on Abib 1 for the fourth year in a row.
Part 615 – January 3, 2026 @ 00:42 Only when all competing dates passed before the last possible date can you have full confidence a date cannot tarry.
@ 07:58 But I do know absolutely and completely when the this Kingdom [7-year] comes, and we're gonna go home knowing that much today. Absolutely. I waited, I was suspicious, I've been suspicious. And I'm gonna show you we finally are gonna reach the date where it's impossible that it's wrong,and you'll know that.
It must give the brethren the warm fuzzies when Dave gets all absolute about his current belief. Here are words Dave likes to say that never age well:
@ 13:17 But I I will I will stake everything on what I'm gonna tell you…
@ 13:40 How about it's about time to say the 7-Year Kingdom begins when all the others did on Abib 1. So if you want to write it down, put down March 18th.
He went on and on and on about how March 18 was the day they had been waiting for. Abib 1 is “the day that cannot tarry,” because this one is as hard as diamond, and the brethren will be “absolutely unable to doubt March 18.”
The brethren were unable to doubt it longer than Dave was because he shifted his tune the following week during “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 616)” on January 10.
The Kingdom Will Come on February 2, 2026!
Dave started off with manipulative word games to lull his worshipers into a false sense of security.
Part 616 – January 10, 2026 @ 01:06 We are seven years for a kingdom right here [7 glass on table]. In that regard, March 18th is locked with 1335 days thought to be within it.Abib 1 is a hard date.But it's the fifth day of a week. Aren't we to look for a third day?
David C. Pack is the master of mixed messages, blending reassurance with the introduction of doubts to lead his audience into seeing things his way. He chips away at his own teaching from the previous week and takes 37 more minutes to get to the punchline.
@ 38:24 There wouldn't have been a 1335 in their mind because we're learning that's fiction. We have it wrong. We're not waiting for March 18th. We're waiting for 45 days before that.
Dave returns to a three-kingdom structure, convolutes the 1335, 1290, and 7-Year Kingdom, then invents a "clever" nickname for the 45 days before March 18, “the Sour Grapes Kingdom.”
David C. Pack has no qualms about taking the Lord's name in vain each time he puffs his chest, claiming God's authority.
@ 51:53 The 1335, on God's authority, I'm telling you, is not in the in the seven years. If it is, we could never know it. It would be utterly contrary to all the things I've told you.
He serves up humble pie to smash in the members' faces.
@ 1:09:11 I don't take any credit. I couldn't possibly figure any of this out without the help of God.
David C. Pack figured nothing out. When he soon abandons the 45-day First Kingdom before it gets close, he will refuse to consider how many times he spoke in God’s name while teaching it and gave God the credit for putting it in his head. He can never face the implications of doing this for ten years running.
After fear-mongering about Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia with a ridiculous "society is collapsing" proclamation, Dave tied the timing of world events to the proximity of the Kingdom's arrival.
@ 1:32:27 It can't go on. We're looking for a year where 45 days before an Abib it's a Tuesday. Or, if you will, a Monday night or if you will, a Monday morning here when it's Monday night, sundown in Jerusalem. Remember, you touch 1335. But just touch it. That'd be a Monday morning. February 2nd.
You know the drill by now. Dave will get suspicious, feel uncomfortable, make a startling discovery that changes everything, and set a new date that is certain to fail.
For those keeping score, February 2 and March 18 in chronological order will be David C. Pack's failures 139 and 140. The countdown timer is running on exrcg.org.
The Kingdom Will Come on February 1, 2026!
Update: During “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 617)” on January 17, 2026, David C. Pack changed his story again and moved the date for the start of the Kingdom to February 1.
Part 617 – January 17, 2026 @ 01:23 It's critical we stay with proof of mid-Shevat. …you're gonna learn that February 1st replaces February 2nd. So, we're not waiting for Monday morning, February 2. We're waiting for Sunday morning, February 1.There's huge, massive proof of that. For now, until I can get to it, for now, just rejoice we’re a day closer.
The members of The Restored Church of God are no closer to David C. Pack being right than they were one week ago or ten years ago. He is a blaspheming, hypocritical liar, a false teacher, a false apostle, and a false prophet. With the abundant documentation of his deceit and failures, it is foolish to believe anything the Pastor General says.
Forty years ago on January 16, 1986, Herbert Armstrong died. Various COG groups have amped up their idolization of the guy a lot in the last few days. Here are some words of wisdom from Gerald Weston about Herbert Armstrong.
HWA brought prophecy to worldly ministers throughout their lifetime. Many never thought about it till Herb mentioned it. Forget decades of false prophecies. To the broader Christian world (and even his own church's eventual leadership), his message contained significant theological errors, unfulfilled prophecies, and departures from historic Christianity.
Several specific prophecies failed to materialize (e.g., predictions tied to 1972–1975 events, a coming "United States of Europe" under a beast power by certain dates). It only takes ONE failed prophecy, and God says they are liars and not to be followed. Just ask Bob Thiel about that one.
An Emissary of Truth The impact Mr. Armstrong had on religion during his lifetime was immense. You might say that he put Bible prophecy “on the map,” so to speak. It is difficult to know how many professing Christian ministers read his works and listened to his radio programs, but the number must be sizeable. In the 1960s, you could not drive anywhere in North America at night and not hear his voice, or that of his son, over the radio—usually more than once.
Today, we take for granted many doctrines that God revealed through Mr. Armstrong. One is the meaning of life—that we can be born into the Family of God. This is so obvious from the Scriptures that one must wonder why it is not generally understood by all. But the answer is found in another doctrine God revealed through him. It was while Carol and I were at Ambassador College that God began to open Mr. Armstrong’s mind to a “new” doctrine. He knew that the Bible does not teach that man has an immortal soul, but he also realized that man has a capacity for intelligence shared by no other physical creature. It took him several years to come to understand the truth of the spirit in man—but today, as we read 1 Corinthians 2:11 and other passages on the subject, that truth jumps off the page.
