How the Truth About Tithing Was Suppressed (And Still Is) In The Church of God

"Hello. Ted? This is Bob... Remember that tithing research? 

I think we're going to have problems with Harry."

There has been a great discussion on the Ambassador College Alumni site about tithing and how one man, through much research, proved that tithing was not an Old Covenant or New Covenant command for church members.  Of course, this did not sit well with an administration who survived on tithing.

The man who did this research was Harry Eisenberg.

From Ambassador Report 1

Editor: At beautiful, serene Ambassador College a person who is too concerned about truth may suddenly find himself living in a hostile environment. His personal quest for truth may not be regarded as dangerous or heretical as long as his voice is not heard by too many people; but if he is eloquent, or in a position to influence minds in the Ambassador entity, then his quest for truth will be regarded as a great threat.

After Ambassador College ascended to a position of limited prestige among fundamentalist institutions, and while in the midst of accumulating perhaps the most effective propaganda machinery of all such institutions, there occurred the simultaneous accident of accepting a student who regarded the acknowledgement of truth as paramount.

By the time this happened, Garner Ted Armstrong had become a major industry. The Worldwide Church of God had become Ted's religious arm of global influence and the church's Doctrinal Committee had become an efficient oppressor of truth.

The following account, written by Harry Eisenberg, is an account of character assassination. It clearly explains how truth is suppressed inside the Ambassador entity and how the one who discovers it must become silent, giving way to the personal doctrines of those in power, or be removed.
Before his discovery, Harry Eisenberg was an employee of Ambassador College. He is the author of eight major articles published for Ambassador under his by-line, as well as the author of numerous articles written for others or published under no by-line. Here is his story:

Quite by coincidence I am writing this article on the main campus of the University of Maryland. As is the case with virtually every other institution of higher learning, considerable research into both the sciences and humanities has been undertaken here. The purpose of the university is not only to educate students, but to provide new knowledge and answers to questions affecting our society.

Colleges and universities have in fact been the major vehicle for providing society with new knowledge in just about every field. The student, especially the graduate student, is on campus not only to absorb knowledge, but also to make a contribution to the body of knowledge extant in his particular field. To use a familiar phrase, he is expected to give as well as to get!

One would think this principle should hold true for Ambassador College as well. Unfortunately, this has not been the case. This is due to a basic difference between Ambassador College and other institutions of higher learning.

Whereas most universities exist to promote the advancement of knowledge and to pass it on to their students, Ambassador College exists to promulgate to the public the knowledge and values of its founder, Herbert W. Armstrong. New discoveries and/or contributions to knowledge are often not welcome there. For one thing, such new discoveries are not, generally speaking, in keeping with the primary aim, which is the dissemination of existing knowledge. Furthermore, should any new concept uncovered through the research of a faculty member or student conflict even remotely with the views of the founder, such research is utterly unwelcome, as Herbert Armstrong's views are regarded as sacrosanct and inspired.

For example, one student wrote a research paper for an Ambassador theology class, claiming that the scriptures speak of a spirit in animals as well as a spirit in man. He provided considerable evidence to support his contention. Upon presenting the paper to his instructors, the student was urged to keep his ideas to himself. It seems the spirit in man and the idea that animals differ from man is a pet concept of Mr. Armstrong's, and the theology instructors were afraid to present the Student's findings to him.

The following semester the student was not allowed to register for classes and was expelled from the college. He was charged with the crime of "highbrowing the ministers", whatever that means. The loss was Ambassador's, not the student's.

I was a paid researcher on the staff of Ambassador College for over four years. Generally speaking, my work involved providing "proofs" for the pet concepts and theories held by Mr. Herbert Armstrong and/or his son, Garner Ted. Occasionally, I was successful as in the case of an article entitled "Did Jesus Have Long Hair?" This article attempted to show that there is historical evidence proving that Jesus did not necessarily wear long hair, as he is often pictured today.

My article was widely reprinted and resulted in a personal full-page interview in a major Los Angeles daily. It was one of few articles which have cast Ambassador College in a good light. It was met with complete silence by an administration which feels any publicity should he its own private realm.

In January 1973, I was asked by my supervisor, Brian Knowles, to research the subject of tithing. In particular, Mr. Knowles was interested in learning who paid what to whom and how in ancient Israel.

And so I began a systematic study of the tithing doctrine by listing each Biblical verse which in any way refers to tithing. What followed was a study of commentaries, encyclopedias arid various historical sources. The result was inevitable! I came to see that the tithing concept as promulgated by Ambassador College and the Worldwide Church of God was contrary to both the Old and the New Testaments.

Scripture makes it plain that the right to collect tithes was given to the Levitical priesthood in exchange for their service in the Temple. There is no evidence that this right was ever passed on to the New Testament Church. The Encyclopedias BRITANNICA and AMERICANA both confirm this view when they state the early New Testament Church did not practice tithing, although it was later adopted by the Catholic Church in the Sixth Century A.D.

Upon presenting the research paper to my supervisor, I was treated in a manner reminiscent of Galileo's encounter with the Catholic Church. I was warned that I had better keep my findings and views to myself. Naturally, it was assumed that I had done the paper because I had some kind of ax to grind and was merely out to prove a previously held notion. Research at Ambassador so often has meant nothing more than finding "proofs" for the "inspired" concepts and ideas of the Armstrongs.

When I was asked to squelch my ideas, I pointed out that that might be difficult as four people had already seen the paper. I was told that if I would keep it down, a doctrinal committee (sic) would eventually consider my findings. Six months went by and about all that the so-called doctrinal committee accomplished can be seen by reading a booklet entitled MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE published briefly by Ambassador College in the summer of 1973.

When I concluded there was no reason why I should keep my paper from others, I proceeded to show it to anyone who inquired about it. Not believing I was the ultimate authority on the subject, I collaborated with a team of some six other Ambassador College researchers on a more in-depth paper on tithing which was completed in December 1973.

As a result of these papers and the fact that I no longer felt a religious compulsion to practice tithing, I was dismissed, without warning, from my job on January 7, 1974. This happened despite the fact that my new supervisor, Dr. Robert Kuhn, acknowledged that I had done outstanding work for him. So much for religious freedom at Ambassador College.

The paper in question was ultimately published with minor modifications by both the Foundation for Biblical Research and the Associated Churches of God. Some open-minded researchers for a newly reconstructed doctrinal committee which was investigating tithing confided to me that any thesis or dissertation from reputable theological institutions that they had the opportunity to examine dealing with the subject in question, tended to agree with my findings.

Finally, in a meeting called to investigate the origin of the papers published by the Foundation and Associated Churches, I was publicly slandered by Ambassador President, Garner Ted Armstrong. Armstrong stated, "Now I don't express it as assassination of Harry's character-it is his mind I'm worried about and not his character. I'm not a bit worried about his personal integrity or his personal habits nor his personal sincerity, but I'm not prepared to say he is the most balanced individual mentally, and that I would rely an awful lot on his research."

But he had been relying "an awful lot on his research". Just weeks before, Armstrong had been parroting my findings on his television program seen by millions in the U.S. and Canada. Furthermore, many of these programs were repeated on the air over and over again. On more than one occasion, articles bearing the by-line of Garner Ted Armstrong but researched by me appeared in fire PLAIN TRUTH magazine.

Only when my findings disagreed with Armstrong's private views was my research no longer reliable and the writer fit for ridicule. But such are the risks that anyone takes who might dare disagree with the administration.

-Harry Eisenberg

Editor: Harry's efforts to obtain the truth about tithing represented a special threat to the Ambassador administration. It is the one threat Ambassador fears the most-the threat of individual integrity asserting itself over Ambassador's aristocratic corporate structure.

Consequently, on January 7, 1974, Harry Eisenberg's hopes of a fair hearing for tithing research died by committee. Harry's voice, as well as his research, had to be removed from among the followers.
The Ambassador College Board of Trustees found nothing sinister about Harry's removal. Ministers and students who had liked him apparently found nothing objectionable in his being disfellowshipped. "He was a youth overly exposed to satanic doctrines, demonic thoughts goaded him into an attitude of rebellion. Nothing unusual in that." It ended, however, in his dismissal from an organization to which he had dedicated his life.

The announcement of Harry's termination took less than a few seconds. There was no risk that the doctrinal committee would expose the true reasons for Harry's dismissal because members of that committee had been a party to it. There was no risk of exposure from members of the Ambassador-controlled media because a few words about the "Ambassador Oasis" from the charismatic Ted Armstrong and the students would inquire no further. They would not try to digest the indigestible, think the unthinkable, or question Pilate about the removal of a Christian.

No, on January 7, 1974, all seemed well. In fact, things seemed better than ever. And, in short time, the people would again be reminded that "God's work is moving ahead stronger than ever."

PCG: Wimpy Men Encouraged To Be Real Men And Guide Their Children From Masturbating

The Philadelphia Church of God, like the Living Church of God, has to repeatedly tell their men how to be men.  Apparently, the church is riddled with men who just do not measure up to the high stand of masculinity like Gerald or Lil'Steveie Flurry.

Joel Hilliker, the epitome of true first century masculinity, has this to say in Men: Report for Duty:

Here is a specific example of masculine leadership that arises multiple times a day in a family: telling your children what to do. An engaged Christian father issues quite a number of instructions—not for his own benefit or vanity, but because he is actively directing his children to do things that will benefit them and others. But it only starts there.

Once you tell your child to do something, you must then pay attention to the child’s attitude toward that instruction, and then to his performance. You cannot simply give an instruction, return to what you were doing and forget what you said. Children, particularly if untrained, will often test the limits of your authority. If you give some direction and then return your full attention to your conversation with your guest, you are training your child not to be too concerned about your commands. The child you just told to stop racing his car on the coffee table will go right back to it.

Once you give a command, remain on duty. Ensure the child follows through. This must be the case at home, at Sabbath services, in public, everywhere.

“In order to teach your child any of these constructive habits, you will need to apply constant diligence and never-failing attention to duty,” The Plain Truth About Child-Rearing says. “You simply cannot expect to have decent results if you just give your child instructions, and then forget all about the lesson—letting the child get down from the chair when he decides, put up his toys when he gets around to it, or begin to talk when you have told him to be quiet.”

Be Aware

The booklet devotes an important section to “Be Aware of What’s Happening”: “Another way parents encourage foolishness in their children is by not knowing what’s going on. In many cases everyone knows but the parents.” The example that follows is of a boy who went so far as to take up smoking cigarettes, and everyone knew it—except his parents!

Do not be afraid to ask your child direct questions. Do not be too timid to intervene. When you never ask your child why she disobeyed, or why he didn’t come directly home, or why her tone seems stressed, your children begin to assume you do not care. Then they begin to think that what they do is none of your business. “Since their parents do not care to know, they feel that the parents have no right to know” (ibid).

In The Missing Dimension in Sex, Herbert W. Armstrong specifically mentions the possibility of young people developing the habit of masturbation. “This would never be if parents realized their responsibility and were vigilant, ever watchful imperceptibly, and took proper means to protect their children from this curse!” he wrote.

Exercising authority in your children’s lives is not easy—it is labor. It is not a power trip. It is a service. It is for their benefit. And it is your duty.

We were taught by an evangelist in the Principles of Living class in Pasadena while the college was still "God's College" one afternoon on the topic of masturbation.  This well liked evangelist said, "95% of you in this room have masturbated.  The other 5% lie about it."

Here is your chance to buy Rod Meredith's home!

Check out the ad and set up an appointment here.

Living Church of God: Training Women Christian Soldiers

All women who have been called to know God’s Truth 

have also been called to be Christian soldiers 

in this elite army of firstfruits. 

To be a Christian soldier requires us to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness first, 

building holy righteous character as we win each victory over our enemies.

An LCG member sent me the link to an article posted on the Living Church of God site, Woman to Woman - Women as Christian Soldiers.  In the article, Faye League compares women in the military today with women in the LCG.

She starts off with this:

In the physical military (armed forces) in times past, it was usually the males who were drafted, recruited, or who volunteered to fight in wars. The women were to stay home and “keep the home fires burning,” so to speak. However, while most of us ladies (being the gentle souls that we are) cannot even imagine ourselves in full battle gear on the front lines fighting in wars in mortal combat, it has become more popular and appealing to some women outside of the Church to be in full service in the military. Some are even deployed to dangerous war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

So, with that introduction in mind, let us compare two types of soldiers—the military soldier and the Christian soldier—and learn what we can as women. We’ll find that the spiritual role that the Christian soldier represents involves much more ongoing responsibility and is far more future-oriented.

The LCG member commented that with so few men in the LCG who are masculine enough to actually fight a battle, women will most certainly have to step up to the plate.  They have survived years of abuse by ministers like McNair, Meredith, and Weston who have browbeat them down to keep them in their place, where they have learned survival skills.

Then the fun begins (have a barf bag ready):

Both types of soldiers have two main areas of common ground, but with crucial differences in purpose.

1) They both must go through a certain period of basic training.

Both soldiers are taught by seasoned officers, who have been through this training themselves and are very capable of teaching them to be fit soldiers, ready for service.

As we know, the basic training of a military soldier (male or female) consists of marching drills, long hikes in full military gear, fording streams and rivers with weapons held high, trench-digging, military maneuvers, vigorous exercise, mental conditioning and much, much more. At the completion of this training, it is evident to all that a definite change has taken place and that the soldier is qualified for the tasks ahead.

This is where you will actually need military boots on to wade through the crap...

The Christian soldiers’ basic training is taught by God’s true ministers. They teach us how to live by God’s word—His law, with all of its precepts, concepts, and principles—as well as how to overcome our enemies—the Satanic evil forces of this world and our own human natures. They begin with the milk of the word. “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13–14). And as we grow toward maturity, we are taking on the mind of Christ. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). By taking on the mind of Christ, we learn to do the Father’s will. “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8). As women who are Christian soldiers, we are learning a new way of life—thus becoming a new creation, a different individual being trained to be fit for service in God’s elite army of firstfruits. It should be evident to all that a definite change is taking place, as we who have God’s Spirit increasingly bear its fruit.

It is incumbent upon us as women Christian soldiers to always follow the example of those who teach and train us. “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (Hebrews 13:7).

Yes women of the LCG, please follow your "god" inspired leader like Rod McNair who says elderly people are demon possessed and who kicked out an LCG member for caring for an elderly person in his home.  A man who corners women in order to get them to turn their husbands in for some infraction.  A man born into the COG elite and who has never worked an honest day in his life.  Or what about Gerald Weston who has treated the youth in the church like dirt over the decades so much so that many were scared to be in his presence?  Or Rod Meredith who admitted he liked to spank his wife for disobeying him?  Is this the kind of men you want to follow as you allow them to "teach and train" you?

2) Both types of soldiers must stay the course. 

There are certain term limits that a military soldier may choose, but to be a Christian soldier is a lifetime commitment. During the terms of service, etc., military and Christian soldiers will find it necessary to make difficult decisions for purposes of bringing about the right results. These may include standing fast, moving forward in the right direction, overcoming doubts and fears, or enduring hardship in order to stay the course. Making the right decisions leads to success—which, of course, we all desire.

She continues with a story of Deborah, a prophetess that men came to for wisdom (can you imagine Weston or McNair coming to a woman in LCG and asking them for guidance?  Seriously?)

The account continues: “Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, ‘Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, “Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand”?’ And Barak said to her, ‘If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!’” (vv. 4–8).

Then Deborah stood fast and spoke firmly, yet in a chiding manner to Barak, as any loving mother would to her own son whom she wants to see succeed in God’s will and way of life. “So she said, ‘I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.’ Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh” (Judges 4:9).

After both armies had gathered together for battle—Sisera and his troops at the River Kishon, and Barak and his troops at Mount Tabor—Deborah again stood fast and urged and encouraged Barak to do God’s will, for the battle was his to win. “Then Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?’ So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him” (Judges 4:14).

Then, with God’s power, guidance and direction, they were victorious in their pursuits, and eventually, with Israel growing stronger and stronger, they completely destroyed Jabin, king of Canaan, and the land had peace. Both Deborah and Barak received honor and gave God the credit for the victory in the “Song of Deborah,” singing joyously of their exploits. Barak is also honored by being mentioned in Hebrews 11:32, along with the other renowned men and women of faith.

Deborah the prophetess was not only used by God as a wise and kind judge but as a helper of Barak’s faith, and she was instrumental in the deliverance of Israel from the oppression of King Jabin of Canaan. “Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7). Apparently, Deborah was a very strong mother figure to Israel as well.

League finished this point with this, using one of the most worn-out words ever uttered in Armstrongism: "inculcate."

So by inculcating these two ideas in our endeavors as Christian soldiers—going through basic training and staying the course—we will move forward, ever closer to our goal of God’s Kingdom and His righteousness.

Basic training in the military is a time that is used to strip away individual thought and actions in order to make the unit cohesive and as one. The Church of God, and particularly the Living Church of God is NOT a unified or cohesive unit marching forth into battle. Abusive leaders cannot inspire members to fight for the cause when the leaders have never fought a real battle or earned callouses on their delicate hands.
After a story of an LCG wife who put family first over a job and was blessed for it, she ends with this:

As we continue in our journey as Christian soldiers, let us seek God’s will every day by putting our basic training into action and by continuing to stay the course on into God’s Kingdom, while growing in the righteous character of God.

Real basic training is profitable and has lifelong effects on a person's character, attitudes and actions.  Church of God "training" has decades of horrendous impacts upon members lives, particularly those trained at the feet of Rod Meredith and crew.

LCG members always are struggling to stay on course, but if they actually followed the one they claim they do, then they would know their battle has already been fought for them and won.

Why Are COG Members Not Allowed To Wrestle With Scriptures?

On the False Prophet Ron Weinland site, the following comment was made on how COG members were never taught to study scriptures in the manner that the Bereans did or as the Jews did and still do.  Jewish history and scripture have been filled with stories with the Jewish people examining scriptures, wrestling with it, arguing over it, questioning God over it, and then drawing well thought out conclusions, which could change as more people wrestled with it or new knowledge was gained.

In the COG this has never been the case.  Church members never were able to question things, debate, argue or wrestle with interpretations.  Church leaders and ministers claimed that exclusive right and members could not ever interpret scripture on their own.  God forbid if a group of church members ever wanted to gather together with friends and discuss scriptures!  We have all seen over the last several years what happens to people when they do!

In the Church of God, "knowledge" could only flow from Herbert Armstrong down through the evangelists, then to the ministers, and then to the unwashed masses who were required to believe the ministry knew what they were talking about.

Today we see that still enforce in every single COG group.  Only Church of God International seems to allow room for people to wrestle with scripture.

The Bible is filled with stories of people questioning, arguing or wrestling with God, yet no COG member is allowed to do so today.  If they were allowed to do so,  there would be no need for the outlandish characters like Malm, Thiel, Pack, Flurry, Weston, Kubik and all the rest of the so-called enlightened leadership.

One of the problems is that Bible Study in Armstrongism meant that you had to come to the guided, spoon-fed conclusions that the organization led you to. They really didn’t teach members to study scriptures like Bereans, wrestle with them, and draw your own conclusions. And, that is the difference between knowledge and wisdom and programming. Look at all of these ACOG leaders! Each one has programmed his group to believe that he is the one and only! I’ve been saying for years that if Jesus returns, and begins to correct peoples’ Armstrongism, then the splinter leaders and ACOG members will treat Jesus just as the Pharisees did the first time around! Any religious leader could fail to back down and take direction from Jesus, fight Jesus for the power, and in so doing become anti-Christ. This is something that Ron’s followers probably would never even consider in their wildest dreams, in spite of all the red flags here and now in real time.

SaveSaveSaveSave

The Church of God Spanking Tents

The following is a letter that was sent to Exit and Support in 2002 regarding the spanking tents at the Feast of Tabernacles. This has been a big topic of discussion on certain private Facebook pages recently.

The Spank Tent

Even today, as a grown woman, I feel like a lightning bolt will come through the ceiling and strike me for writing one of the "stories" from my WCG childhood. This story is special to me, probably because it is actually my earliest memory.

It was 1973 in Jekyll Island, Florida at "the feast" so I couldn't have been any older than 2 years old. By the way, I remember my mother holding my arm, so I doubt I had been walking long, at least not well! Apparently, I had been crying or misbehaving in the services (which were held in miserable heat under a big canopy tent) when I was taken outside for disciplinary proceedings by my mother. Bear in mind the fact that on 3 days out of the 7, we endured two services a day. Each service ran between 2 and a half to 3 hours or more in length. Unsuccessful in quieting me inside the service, she led me to another tent which she explained was the "spank tent" for unruly children. In fact, it was a tent solely designated for the spanking of children. I remember hearing what sounded like children being tortured; crying, screaming, pleading for mercy, smacking sounds, etc. I cannot explain how horrific a feeling that was; my own mother taking me to a "torture chamber" for children, condoned by "the church," put there by "the church." Hoping that my mother and "the church" would find it in their hearts to let me live so I would have another chance to redeem myself as something other than "spank tent" material, I quickly stopped crying (after quite some time in the tent) and was allowed another shot at permissible behavior inside the service. 

"Children are to be seen and not heard" was a common phrase spoken to me and many, many other children by parents and church leaders. I only remember dreading those services and wondering what if I would be killed someday for being too loud. Young children have bizarre thoughts like that. Of course, common folks (those outside the church) often praised us kids for our impeccable behavior! Sure we were good!! We didn't want to go to "the tent!" As a mother today of a 5-year-old son, it is not okay with me to spank him. I have such bad memories/feelings of the inappropriate discipline (from my own childhood) that I probably go too easy on my son. Either way, I'll take my chances. I would never want my son to feel like he was only worthy of love when he was being the perfect child. There were countless other children who endured this same "disciplinary attitude" and I hope they have realized that "the rod" is not as it had been misinterpreted by church leadership. If they had any idea the pain they've caused, surely they would be sorry! But maybe not. 

By India - Child survivor of WCG (first name used with permission)
March 12, 2002 

Read her other horror story about SEP here.

For further information on spanking check these out:

COG-related:

Thy Rod and Thy Staff They Comfort Me by Samuel Martin

Samuel Martin Speaks Out About Punching Children Controversy

Samuel Martin's Former COG Babysitter Says: "...we were empowered to use the paddle if necessary because we were helping to instil character into little kids. Horse Feathers!!! We were bullies."

Spanking

David C Pack: Spank Your Children So They Fear You And God

Church of God Couple In Prison Over Beating Children With 2"x4"s, Metal Pipes, and Whips

Non-COG 

Why Jesus Wants You To Stop Spanking Your Kids

Adrian Peterson and the false gospel of spanking

A Little Perspective Is In Order Here...

Oh, oh...Look! THE Send it in Apostle, Joshua C Pack!  

And over there! That Prophet Gerald Flurry himself! 

Whoa!... and there... No Title Double Portioned ,You can't dream this stuff up but did, Bitter Bob!  

Can it be?   A Presiding Gerald too!  

Oh my gosh....

An "I lie not! You'll wish you'd listened" can't recall the name but very important somebody !

...and ....and....

Huh....?

Where'd they go?

Never mind.....

COG Pharisaical Zealot Says: I Have Been Warning The Big Three COG's And They Refuse To Imitate My Zeal

Where would the Church of God be today without all of its prophets, apostles and god haunted leaders?  Every day one of these guru's blasts out a warning that COG members, for some insane reason, refuse to follow.  COG members then get slathered with all kinds of labels declaring them Laodiceans, backsliding, lukewarm, or lacking in zeal.

Various COG leaders believe their message is the one and only true message and that everyone needs to heed their admonitions without question. James Malm, the resident Pharisaical Zealot of the Church of God is perturbed that after 10 years of graceless ranting, no one in the Big Three COG's will listen to him.

The warnings have been going out for nearly ten years now, yet the leadership of the big three and most other organizations will not turn to a zeal to live by every Word of God.  

They are convinced that they are right and reject anything which does not come from them as being unimportant or wrong (Hos 4:6, 6:5-6), not realizing how wrong they are (Rev 3:15-22). 

The one true Pharisee and prophet has envisioned an entire scenario that will happen in the next few months as sure proof he is correct.

In the coming months a great victory will be achieved over organized Islamic Extremists while a Grand Bargain for peace in the Middle East which is heavily in Israel’s favor is concluded.  

This in turn is planned to bring great prosperity to America through massive rebuilding conducted by major American Establishment companies throughout the Middle East.  The reconstruction is to be financed using donor money, most of it from international donors particularly the oil rich Arab Nations.  

The plan from the beginning of the Syrian conflict has been to inflict as much damage as possible to enable major American companies to engage in massive rebuilding financed by international donors, which would then, along with the regular economic activities;  drive the American economy to great heights of prosperity.  

The prophet is so sure about his prediction that he knows it to be "the truth" that all COG leaders and members should immediately be heeding.  But no, they refuse!

I tell you the truth, although I wish it were not so;  the big three groups of today’s spiritual Ekklesia as well as the vast majority of other groups in the COG constellation and most of the brethren, will look with their eyes at the apparent great prosperity and will be deceived into thinking that the coming of the LORD will take much longer and that they will have a period of prosperity to do a great Elijah work.  

Malm imagines himself as the guardian of the two witless COG witnesses.  His men/women will be rejected by all of the other COG false prophets. So far, like Bob Thiel's warnings, all of the COG's have overwhelmingly rejected the rants of these exclusive prophets, including Malm.

When God’s two prophets come in God’s power, they will be rejected by most of the brotherhood as false prophets trying to prevent their self imagined great Elijah work!  

Only a very few, perhaps a few hundred, will respond by turning to live by every Word of God and to follow the directions of God’s two servants.  Then great tribulation will burst upon those who have rejected the warnings and chosen their own imaginations.  

Prophet Malm does NOT lie!  It is all a test!  A test by God to see which 100 or so COG members will heed his call.

I lie not, a great test is upon us!  Almighty God wants to know who will be zealously faithful to HIM and who will follow idols of men contrary to the Word of God.  

Why is it that everything in Armstrongite theology has to be one continuous "test" after another?  No COG member has ever passed any of the tests and qualified for anything.  If they did, we would not have the endless stream of self-appointed upstarts we have today in the church.

I bare witness that most of the organizations and brethren are, in their own way, zealous for God, its just that most have been deceived into thinking that organizational loyalty is the same as loyalty to God.  Therefore they follow idols of men into sins like the modern Rabbinic Calendar and Sabbath pollution, and rejecting the increase of understanding that God has promised for our day (Dan 12).  

Relying on their false traditions instead of relying on the Word of God, they reject spiritual growth and growth in godly knowledge.  Therefore God is testing us and God will divide his faithful from the followers of men and false traditions.  

Those that heed Zealot Malm's clarion call will be allowed to enter Petra where they will be subjected to 3 1/2 half years of ENDLESS sermonizing on zeal and the law.  Jesus will be kept outside the gates of Petra in order to allow the law to reign supreme. While Jesus is outside the gates he will be preparing a huge army of angels to prepare for war on the United States, Canada, England and Australia.  Then, James Malm and his Wiccan sidekick Constance will present the 100 or so true believers to his Jesus and will mount up on steads of white to join in that mighty army of righteous vengeance.  When they ride into the United States with that great army they will catch the folks in UCG, RCG, PCG, COGWA, cCOG, and LCG by surprise.

The small number who pass the test will be spared God’s correction yet, they will continue to learn in a new environment.   

The vast majority of today’s organizations and brethren will fail the test and will be caught by surprise, not because they have not been warned, but because they have rejected the warnings.    

Those who do not respond to the warnings to turn to and to live by every Word of God, will be taken by surprise (1Thess 5:3).  Then they will fall into the furnace of affliction in the hope that they can still be turned to godliness. 

All COG's have failed the test!  Yeah, right...

Ron Weinland Forced His Wife to Lay In The Tub With A Blanket Covering Her While He Preached

Can Armstrongism get any crazier?

In 2008 Weinland gave a sermon on the 1260 days...

In this past week’s sermon Ron delivered an interesting message that indicated that his wife Laura (the silent witness), on more than one occasion, had to place a blanket in their hotel room bathtub, and remain there in the bathtub covered in a blanket, while Ronnie gave his sermon in the comfort of their spacious hotel room.   This of course was to elevate distractions, while Ron could concentrate and deliver his sermon.  Could you imagine spending approximately 2 hours sitting or laying in a bathtub covered in a blanket?  I can’t.  This is pathetic.  

42:23-42:42 …I was going to mention here that she [Laura] is actually in the room this time.  It shows growth on my part in being able to speak.  I guess she doesn’t have to go into the bathroom this time and put the big blanket to cover her in the tub like she did during Passover last year.  Sometimes it has been difficult for me to speak when there is one or a few in the room compared to an audience…

Earlier in the sermon, Ron declared that prior to the delivery of this sermon; he approached his wife and caught her off guard by proclaiming that God wanted her ordained as a Prophet.  According to Ron, there wasn’t any discussion with Laura before this decision to ordain her was performed.  It occurred at that very moment.   Later he made reference that he had grown enough to allow Laura to remain in the same room while he delivered the sermon.  That is why she is in attendance at today’s sermon, in their hotel room, with Ron the “Prophet” and not in the “tub” with the blanket.

Finally, Ron did proclaim that he is still the “Prophet” and will only answer to God and Christ.  Laura is a “prophet” that is subordinate to Ron, but has been given authority over all evangelist and elders of the church.

What woman in her right mind would lay in a hotel bathtub, covered with a blanket, while her idiot husband was preaching a sermon in the other room.  What kind of a man would ever make that request? How sick can Armstrongism get?

Will the COG True Two Witnesses Be Able To Do this?

Ron Weinland believes and teaches that he and his dingy wife Laura are and will be the two witnesses of Revelation.

Can you imagine these two morons doing this:

Ron claims he and his wife are the TWs (Two Witnesses) of Rev 11.
1) They breath fire
2) They kill their enemies
3) They turn rivers to blood
4) They shut the heavens
5) They can cast plagues at their discretion, as often as they want.

Not only do they believe this, but Weinland is now starting to teach that there will be a second set of two witless witnesses.

Let me guess, Jeremy and Audra.  Oh wait, Bob Theil and James Malm! Now there's a pair...

From: False Prophet Ron Weinland

Church Festivals and "God's Calendar": Oy veh!

Oy vey (Yiddish: אױ װײ‎) or oy vey ist mir is a Yiddish phrase expressing dismay or exasperation. Also spelled oy vay, oy veh, or oi vey, and often abbreviated to oy, the expression may be translated as, "oh, woe!" or "woe is me!" Its Hebrew equivalent is oy vavoy (אוי ואבוי, ój waävój).^[1][2]

When I was a mere puppy in the ministry, age 25 at the most, and knew all things pertaining to life, death  and the hear after, just ask me, I had the wonderful experience of having to drive Dr. Hoeh out to a farm in Ohio where the local deacon was stirring up the pot in the congregation on all things Passover.  If I recall properly he felt it was being kept on the wrong day, at the wrong time in the wrong way and was getting more and more militant about it at services.  Dr Hoeh talked with him as I fell asleep bored to tears and wondering what the hell it all mattered anyway.  Nothing was going to get solved and the scriptures weren't exactly  clear about it all or we'd not be here in the first place.  Over the years, "How and When to keep the Passover" or other Holy days for that matter was one of life's more annoying experiences in the Church.  Eventually the deacon threatened to call 60 minutes on me , which was popular at the time, and I had to call the police to come to  services to calm things down.  It was nuts. Very nuts.

 My FIRST of many stressful welcome to the ministry experiences with WCG.  He left of course and took whoever he could with him.  That's how it works in the Church.  It was  the 70's,  and it was all downhill from there with WCG history, which can be loosely defined as "one damn thing after the next."

I wish I had known that the Pentateuch, not written by any Moses, but rather various authors JEDP (Defined nicely on this site) documented 5 different Festival Calendars depending on who wrote the text.  And here all along I thought God wrote the rules and they were perfectly clear if you just had the right combination to the safe and pieces of God's puzzle.  

Enjoy... http://contradictionsinthebible.com/festival-calendar

There are 5 different festival calendars in the Pentateuch, each one originating from a once separate and independent source:

1. Exodus 23:14-17 (from the Elohist source)
2. Exodus 34:18-26 (from the Yahwist)
3. Deuteronomy 16:1-17 (from the Deuteronomist)
4. Leviticus 23 (from the Priestly source, accredited to the Holiness Code)
5. Numbers 28-29 (also from the pen of P)

I am presently going through these different calendars and will be posting their contradictions and differences over the next few days/weeks. I have already noted a few of these contradictions, those between the earliest sources and Deuteronomy (#109-110, #111, #112, #113, #117, #118, and #168). However, there are a few that I missed and I will additionally be adding the contradictions between the earliest sources and the late Priestly source, as well as those between D and P.

Here, in this initial introductory post, I merely wish to reproduce each of the different calendars in the broadest view possible, and in chronological order—that is from the oldest textual source forward, not from the narrative chronology as these sources now stand in the redacted text.

1) Exodus 23:14-17 (E): 3 pilgrimage festivals to local altars that must be observed by all males

1. Festival of Unleavened Bread (7 day festival in the month of Abib; 7th day is the pilgrimage (Ex 13:6)
2. Harvest Festival (first fruits/grains harvested)
3. Festival of Gathering (end of year harvest)

2) Exodus 34:18-26 (J): 3 pilgrimage festivals to local altars that must be observed by all males

1. Festival of Unleavened Bread (7 days in the month of Abib)
2. Festival of Weeks = Harvest (#168)
3. Festival of Gathering

3) Deuteronomy 16:1-17 (D)

1. Passover + 6 days of Unleavened Bread (specific day of Abib still not specified; Passover must be celebrated at Jerusalem, which is now a pilgrimage festival (#117); Unleavened Bread no longer a pilgrimage festival; Passover is now absorbed as the 1st day of unleavened bread, reducing the Festival of Unleavened Bread to 6 days)
2. Festival of Weeks (now delayed 7 weeks from early E date; now a pilgrimage festival to Jerusalem)
3. Festival of Booths (7 days at Jerusalem; transformation of Festival of Gathering)

4) Leviticus 23 (P): Yahweh’s Appointed Times & Sacred Assemblies

1. Passover & Unleavened Bread (14th & 15th of Abib; 7 days total (=D) or Passover + 7 days (cf. Ex 12:17-20)?; Passover no longer a pilgrimage festival to Jerusalem, but now (again, see E) at home; Unleavened Bread reclaimed a pilgrimage festival; now proclaimed an “eternal law”; burnt-offerings to Yahweh for 7 days, not specified)
2. Festival of Weeks (now proclaimed an “eternal law”; grain & burnt offerings to Yahweh at the first reaping of harvest AND 7 sabbatical weeks later (i.e., start counting on the Sabbath), on the 50th day, more grain & burnt offerings to Yahweh, plus sin and peace offerings)
3. Horn Blast Holy Day (1st day of 7th month; offerings to Yahweh)
4. Day of Purgation (10th day of 7th month; an “eternal law”; offerings to Yahweh, see Lev 16)
5. Festival of Booths (15th day of 7th month; an “eternal law”; burnt-offerings for 7 days; 8th day a sacred assembly)

5) Numbers 28-29 (P): Yahweh’s Sacrifices

1. The tamid (twice daily “continual” burnt-offering of one-year old lambs, in the morning and in the evening)
2. Sabbath Day (burnt-offering of 2 lambs w/accompanying grain-offering + the tamid)
3. New Moon, 1st of the month (burnt-offering of 2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 lambs w/accompanying grain-offering + sin-offering of 1 goat + the tamid)
4. Passover & Unleavened Bread (14th & 15th of Abib; Unleavened Bread a pilgrimage festival for 7 days, each day a burnt-offering of 2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 lambs w/accompanying grain-offering + sin-offering of 1 goat + the tamid)
5. Day of Firstfruits = Festival of Weeks (pilgrimage festival; burnt-offering of 2 bulls, 1 ram, 7 lambs w/accompanying grain-offering + sin-offering of 1 goat + the tamid)
6. Horn Blast Holy Day (1st day of 7th month; burnt-offering of 1 bull, 1 ram, 7 lambs w/accompanying grain-offering + burnt-offering for New Moon + sin-offering of 1 goat + thetamid)
7. Day of Purgation (10th day of 7th month; burnt-offering of 1 bull, 1 ram, 7 lambs w/accompanying grain-offering + burnt-offering for Atonement (= Lev 16) + sin-offering of 1 goat + the tamid)
8. Festival of Booths (15th day of 7th month; pilgrimage festival; 7 days of burnt-offerings: day 1: 13 bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs w/accompanying grain-offering + a sin-offering of 1 goat + the tamid; day 2: 12 bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs; day 3: 11 bulls, 2 rams, 14 lambs, etc.; day 8 declared a sacred assembly: burnt-offering of 1 bull, 1 ram, 7 lambs w/accompanying grain-offering + sin-offering of 1 goat + the tamid)

As is visible from this detailed list of the Pentateuch’s festival calendars, the two Priestly calendars, most likely from the post-exilic era, express a heightened interest in and concern for the cult—as we would expect from this Aaronid priestly guild. Not only are the lunar dates of these festivals precisely articulated, but so too, at least in Numbers, the actual sacrifices to be performed.

The reader can additionally see where there are minor discrepancies and even contradictions between these sources’ calendars. We will look at these in more detail over the next few posts. I think I will proceed by first looking at the variations, discrepancies, and contradictions in the Passover and Unleavened Bread Festival accounts, and from there the accounts of the Festival of Weeks, etc.

http://contradictionsinthebible.com/what-is-the-bible/