Self-Appointed Church of God Prophet Warns COG Members They Will Go Through Tribulation If They Watch Football This Fall

It's that time of year again as God's most highly favored, doubly blessed, self-appointed prophet/apostle/chief overseer is back proclaiming his perceived evils of football.  The NFL and collegiate games have all started which is raised the hackles of the self-appointed prophet.

Bob Thiel considers his words so prophetic that he has quotes scripture to warn those that find him foolish:

Later today, the National Football League (NFL) is scheduled to begin its official season for this violent sport. Many do not wish to seriously consider that American football is harmful, despite the facts, and would prefer that I not post about it.

The Bible suggests otherwise:

1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

Delusional Bob was not appointed by God.  He was not doubly blessed by God to be set apart to be a new splinter group leader.  Gaylyn Bonjour never even entertained the thought of such a thing happening when Theil asked for a blessing before going in to counsel with Meredith.  Thus, there is no concern to be had for anyone who disregards anything Theil says.  Quoting Isaiah as a threat does not mean God is going to back up that threat.

While there is an ongoing debate on the physical repercussions of tackle football, Thiel sets himself up as the FINAL authority on the matter. 

For some reason, he feels that his group is the true Philadelphian era and is filled with Philadelphia Christians.  For those that still believe the "era's" teachings, it is recognized by most that this would be considered the Laodicean era of the church.

He writes:

There is no doubt that American tackle football is dangerous to health. While some in the world consider watching it to be an ‘ethical uncertainty,’ true Philadelphia Christians (as well many who are not) realize that something about this sport is physically harmful and should not be encouraged.

Those who claim that encouraging American tackle football is fine are NOT Philadelphian Christians.  American tackle football causes real damage.  Damage that should not be encouraged.

These are some of the "proof's" Theil has for his nonsense:

Jesus taught not to intentionally hurt others, as it taught:

39… ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:39, NKJV)

The Apostle Paul also wrote:

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it (Ephesians 5:29, NKJV)

Also, notice what John the Baptist taught soldiers:

14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages. (Luke 3:14, KJV)

Thiel cannot get past the cheerleaders either:

From the violence on the field, to the under-clothed cheerleaders, to some of the half-time antics, there is a lot wrong with American football.

Thiel also feels that the "gospel" prohibits football.  I can assure you that no writer of scripture ever entertained the thought of American football when writing out those verses.

Additionally, twice the New Testament refers to the good news message as “the gospel of peace”:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:15)
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:14-15)

Is not taking a stand against encouraging sports violence consistent with the gospel of peace and love? Or should ministers tell people that violent sports like American tackle football are not “inherently evil” as at least one minister has done?

Then like any good Armstrongite has to do, Theil has to bring Herbert into the picture:

Unlike stories of violence in books or movies, American football involves actual violence and often physical injury–including brain damaging ones that are often not obvious for years.

The Bible forbids harming others or encouraging sin. Early professors of Christ would not watch violent games as they felt that watching was encouraging and participating in sin. Herbert W. Armstrong categorized American football as evil.

For someone who supposedly characterized football as "evil." Herbert watched football as well as basketball on Friday nights and Saturdays.

Thiel continues:

I do not watch American football. I consider that it is evil (also, no Christian can really defend how professional football cheerleading females are often publicly dressed and displayed). Others want to falsely act like there is nothing wrong with watching it.

Thiel's final warning is that you WILL go through the tribulation of you watch football this coming season.

 Be warned!  Your salvation is at stake!

Those Laodicean Christians who are fans of American tackle football are NOT Philadelphians and will be subject to violence themselves as they will have to go through the Great Tribulation if they do not repent (Revelation 3:14-22).

You can read his pile of malarkey here: NFL 2015: Should Christians Watch?

The Modern Fundamentalist's Song

The Modern Fundamentalist's Song

Modern Fundamentalist:

   I am the very model of a Christian fundamentalist

   And by a strange coincidence a solid occidentalist.

   I cherry-pick the Bible for the verses close or distantly

   Amenable to straight white males, however inconsistently,

   Unless those verses might apply a little inconveniently

   In which case I interpret them a good deal more than leniently.

   We want to do just what we please however strange or horrible

   And still regard ourselves as wholly moral and adorable.

Congregation:

   We want to do just what we please however strange or horrible

   And still regard ourselves as wholly moral and adorable.

   And still regard ourselves as wholly moral and adorable.

MF:

   I call myself a Christian but it's really Paulist cultery

   Since Christ himself has said that my divorces were adultery.

   But I from man to man enjoy convexness and concavity

   And call whatever others do immoral and depravity.

Cong:

   But we from man to man enjoy convexness and concavity

   And call whatever others do immoral and depravity.

MF:

   I do not want to hear about the quantum or molecular

   Or how the Founding Fathers made our institutions secular

   I say the nation's Christian under Biblical authorities

   Rejecting what the Constitution says about majorities.

   The workings of the government may worry and perplex you all

   I say we're equal under God -- unless you're homosexual --

   Or black or brown or female or some kind of evolutionist

   For all attempts at reasoning are really persecutionist.

Cong:

   Or black or brown or female or some kind of evolutionist

    For all attempts at reasoning are really persecutionist.

MF:

   My freedom of religion trumps your Constitutionality

   Because the Constitution says it does with firm legality.

   I claim my rights from God or man, whichever's more commodious

   For what I want to do however evil, vile, or odious.

Cong:

   I claim my rights from God or man, whichever's more commodious

   For what I want to do however evil, vile, or odious.

MF:

   When I can issue licenses or not because I feel like it

   The public's just my piggy and the public can just squeal like it.

   I'll happily apply whichever law is most agreeable

   To what I want to do since what I want is unforseeable:

   The conscience of the person must control the way they view their job

   And not demands that public servants ought to serve and do their job.

   The Constitution's man-made law and God is not endorsing it;

   The SCOTUS made their law, and now good luck to them enforcing it.

Cong:

   The Constitution's man-made law and God is not endorsing it;

   The SCOTUS made their law, and now good luck to them enforcing it.

MF:

   There's nothing in my creed that advocates for love officially

   Except some quotes that God and Jesus handed down judicially --

   I don't see why I must obey the acts of which God sent a list

   And yet I am the model of a Christian fundamentalist.

Cong:

   We don't see why we must obey the acts of which God sent a list

   And yet we are the models of a Christian fundamentalist.

                                                        -- Marcus Bales

Philadelphia Church of "god", Gerald Flurry and Cal Culpepper Destroying Yet Another Marraige

Gerald Flurry's despotic reign continues to wreck more havoc as another marriage is being destroyed by Flurry's evil teachings. This sick cult takes great pride in splitting up marriages and families. 

From Exit and Support

August 31, 2015

I am grateful for your but devastated about my situation regarding my husband and PCOG. He believes this is the true church and remains dedicated to tithing, keeping the feasts, etc.

It is causing great turmoil in our marriage, and due to this group, PCOG, is disintegrating. It's like my husband is proud of this and claims Jesus says leave father, mother, wife, etc. This group has twisted, corrupt, ministers and the members are fear and guilt stricken. No religious group should have so much power and destructive capabilities.

How can you not assemble with your loved ones or attend a friend's funeral because they are "not of God's character" and that it is against their teachings? Honor thy father and thy mother? Really? And judgment? That's all PCOG does. I can't imagine that Cal Culpepper will teaching after Christ comes. Far from it!

I have a lot of pain from what has happened to my husband. He is fearful and has stopped living. I love him and pray that we will make it. However if we don't, it will be the PCOG's influence--100%. For years I have respected my husband's interest in PCOG (he is not yet baptized); but I have now been challenging the PCOG's behavior. More so, the ministers who control the organization. It's a shame that the PCOG website looks so "normal."

Please pray for me and my husband. --[name withheld]

Dueling Feast of Tabernacles Sites

The latest issue of the Journal (issue 176) has up the listing of all the hundreds of Church of God Feast of Tabernacles sites around the world.

The sad thing about this list is the numerous sites of separate Churches of God that are really close to each other.  Certain groups publicly forbid their members from attending or associating with the other groups close by.  Some have even been in the same complexes and refused to speak to each other.

In California we have several really close to each other in the Central Coast area. This listing does not include GCI's Monrovia location which adds to the mix.  The most pathetic mixture is in Missouri.

California

Carlsbad:
Rock Valley Christian Church,(951) 600-9555, http://rockvalleychristianchurch.org/content/tabernacle_welcome.php.

Indian Wells: LCG,https://fot2015.lcg.org.

King’s Beach: ICG, intercontinentalcog.org/tabernacleshome.php, (903) 561-7070.

Oceanside: UCG, http://feast.ucg.org.

Oxnard: The Father’s Call, http://thefatherscall.org/feast-plans.

Pismo Beach: Church of the Eternal God, eternalgod.org/feasts.

Solvang-Buellton: COGWA, http://feast.cogwa.org.

Ventura: Guardian Ministries, David Antion, P.O. Box 50734, Pasadena,Calif.91115, daveantion.com.

Florida

Destin : Church of God Big Sandy, churchofgodbigsandy.com, (800) 946-5545, P.O.Box 690, Big Sandy, Texas 75755.

Fort Walton Beach :
CGI,
Life Resource Ministries,
Common Ground Ministries,
Church of God Cincinnati,
Common Faith Network, commonfaithnetwork.com.

Lantana: The Christian Church of God, fla-ccog.com.

Melrose: Multiple study groups, Sept.28-Oct 6, http:// fallfeast.com.

Navarre: LCG, https://fot2015. lcg.org.

Palm Harbor: LCG, https://fot2015. lcg.org.

Panama City Beach: UCG, http://feast. ucg.org.

Panama City Beach: ICG, intercontinentalcog.org/tabernacleshome.php, (903) 561-7070.

St. Petersburg: Church of God Miami and CGI, http://godsbhurch.org/Feast.htm.
St. Petersburg/ Clearwater : CGI,http://cgi.org/feast-oftabernacles, Aleida Fontao, info@GodsChurch.org, (305) 752-5275.  

Missouri

Branson: UCG,http://feast.ucg.org.

Branson: CGWA,http://feast.cogwa.org.

Branson: International Congregation of Yahweh, feastgoer.org/metamorph_spring/branson15.html.

Branson : Providence of God Outreach Network, providenceofgodoutreachnetwork.org/2015-fotupdates.html.

Branson : Eternal Church of God, eternalcog.org/holydays/ecgholydays.html#tabernacles. Greenville: Yahweh’s Restoration Ministry, Sept.28-Oct.6,http://yrm.org/fot2015.

Kimberling/Branson: ICG, intercontinentalcog.org/tabernacleshome.php, (903) 561-7070.

Lake of the Ozarks: LCG, https://fot2015.lcg.org.

Lake of the Ozarks: Season of Our Joy, sooj.org/index.html.

West Plains: Congregation of Yahweh,Sept.30Oct.6, yahschosen.org/tabernacles.html.

We spent decades in the Worldwide Church of God mocking the hundreds and hundreds of various church denominations of the world.  Now that bitter vehemence has come back to bite the Church of God in their holy self-righteous posteriors. The Churches of God are divided into hundreds and hundreds of factions and personality groups that despise each other.  If these sad people cannot get along in the present world why would ANYONE want to be a part of their "kingdom's to come?

With the exception of Philadelphia Church of God and Restored Church of God that required registration and name tags to attend, most COG members ignore their leaders admonitions and visit other groups to see friends.