The COG and its Peter Waldo Myths

by Ryan Caswell

Caswell Visuals

(Reposted with permission)

There have been many religious groups throughout history that claimed their organizations can be traced to the the 12 apostles. Using the analogy of an “unbroken chain” they claim their form of religion is the “purest” form of Christianity. In effect they seek to use this credibility to bolster their own religious beliefs insisting that Christ Himself taught their same particular doctrines.

The Seventh Day Adventists are a good example of this.

This doctrine of the “unbroken chain,” otherwise known as the teaching about “church eras” uses Revelation 2 and 3 to establish this. These 2 chapters describe seven churches found on a mail route in ancient Turkey. The doctrine teaches that instead of these groups being geographically separated, they are actually “eras in time” that make up the church, with specific warnings and praises given to each one.

In the Worldwide Church of God, Herbert Armstrong strongly believed and taught about these “Church eras.” This was a central point of his theology. Specifically Herbert claimed he was the modern apostle of the Philadelphian era, or the 6th era. In addition to his claim to apostleship, he also claimed to be a type of prophetic Elijah who restored true understanding that the church had lost through subsequent eras. So he alone was a representative restoring the foundational truths of God that the original 12 apostles taught.

A heady claim for sure.

In order to substantiate this claim, Hermon Hoeh (who was one of the early WCG Ambassador College and received his Doctorate in theology from Herbert himself) worked at the church’s headquarters and was tasked with examining the “True Church” through the centuries and trace it’s existence throughout history. While the WCG never claimed to have a perfect record of the church’s existence through the ages, they produced a book which was the manual on church history and in it they cited many historical sources that purported to show the church in snapshots throughout its history.

In this book, they claim the fourth era or Thyatira, existed during the medieval period with Peter Waldo as the most prominent leader and apostle to that church. They also claim his group was separate from the Catholic church and that they kept the Sabbath and Holy Days, in contrast to the Roman Catholic Church. Thus, Peter Waldo, who led the religious group known as the “Waldenses,” (which they identified as the 4th era) is used as a crucial link to connect the WCG, back to earlier eras.

Since the WCG boldly claimed one could trace their lineage and cited a variety of sources “proving” their claims, it should be relatively simple to examine those sources to see if they are true.

“In the Worldwide Church of God, Herbert Armstrong taught the doctrine of “Church eras” based on Revelation 2 and 3. This was central to his theology. ”— Ryan Caswell

WCG Offshoots Also Hold to This Belief

However, it is important to note that after Herbert Armstrong’s death, and the demise of the WCG, the hundreds of splinter groups that formed in its wake use the original church history book to substantiate their claims of church lineage. While some no longer publish openly the exact same quotes from the WCG book, they reference it in their sermons and among the membership.

There are 4 groups I would examine to see if they continue to claim Peter Waldo and the Waldenses were the crucial 4th era link.

United Church of God (UCG): While it appears they have removed the reference to Peter Waldo and the Waldenses in most of their public literature, you can still find references to them by searching the website. From their article “Famine of the Word,” when talking about the ancient church they state: “Consider this vignette from the Middle Ages. Many believe that Peter Waldo was converted about 1160, and translated the Scriptures into French to spread the good news to all who would hear him.” While in this article they don’t mention his role as apostle, they still imply his leadership as connected to their movement.

Additionally, an obscure sermon document still remains on their website dating back to 2018 called: “Spiritual Timeline of the True Church of God.” In this document, it identifies Waldo as a key member of the Thyatira era. So even though they may not publicly include it in their literature, it’s clear he still plays a key role in their history.

Church of God Worldwide Association (COGWA): This is a large spinoff group from the UCG, while they are nearly identical in teaching, they also don’t list much information on Peter Waldo or the Waldenses. However they do openly teach the doctrine of church eras. In their “Welcome to COGWA” brochure they do trace their roots through the Middle Ages (e.g. Peter Waldo) without listing him and his group as proof of how they do this. The brochure states: “This history continued in Asia Minor and, later, in Europe during the Middle Ages. The Church thrived for a time in England, but persecution eventually drove some of the believers to the American colonies in search of religious freedom.” So while they still believe it in tracing their lineage through the Middle Ages, they no longer commit to Waldo as a means to do this. One could wonder if there is a new link, or if they continue to use the Waldenses as a means to do so.

In their sermon materials, Jim Franks (COGWA’s president) explicitly covers their connection in the following sermon “A Study of Church History”

Living Church of God (LCG): This splinter group confirms their belief in Peter Waldo and the Waldenses as a crucial medieval link in their own church history materials. In “God’s Church Through the Ages” they state: “After the death of Henri in 1149, the Church languished and seemed to go into eclipse. A few years later, a wealthy merchant in Lyons, Peter Waldo, was struck down by an unusual circumstance and began preaching the Gospel in 1161. After being shocked into contemplating the real meaning of life as a result of the sudden death of a close friend, Waldo obtained a copy of the Scriptures and began studying God’s word. He was soon amazed to find that the Scriptures taught the very opposite of much of what he had learned during his Catholic upbringing.” There are many other quotes which they copied verbatim from the WCG literature that makes it clear on their belief that Peter Waldo is a link between the apostolic era and their own church.

Restored Church of God (RCG): Restored, a splinter of Global (which subsequently became LCG) uses Peter Waldo to establish their church’s lineage also through the medieval ages. They also copy most of the WCG book into their own materials using the exact quotes and sources that Herbert used decades ago. One particular example is this from Restored’s book “Where Is the True Church? and Its Incredible History!”, it states: “We do not find anywhere in the writings of the Old Testament that the light of truth and of holiness was at any time completely extinguished. There have always been men who walked faithfully in the paths of righteousness...We do not believe that the Church of God absolutely departed from the way of truth; but one portion yielded, and, as is commonly seen, the majority was led away to evil” (Hist. of Waldenses, Comba, pp. 10-11).” This passage is specifically quoting Waldenses documents. There are many other quotes that could be included but the net effect is that they are using the exact same history presented by the WCG to establish their church history, with Peter Waldo being a crucial link.

So while the successive groups may not explicitly publish their affirmation to WCG church history, they continue to borrow the same foundational material that their parent organization, the WCG established in the 1950’s.

“While the COG splinter groups may not explicitly publish their affirmation to WCG church history, they borrow the same foundational material as the WCG in the 1950’s.”— Ryan Caswell

Examining the Source

Interestingly, the initial draft of WCG’s True Church book was published in 1959. This was a time when the access to information was much more limited than today. Members back then often didn’t have the time, experience or access to the literature that Hermon Hoeh used to build his historical iteration of “God’s True Church.” However, in the internet age and through Google books, Wikipedia and a variety of other online library resources, we have searchable access to virtually any book going back hundreds of years. So If Herbert’s claims (and those of the splinter offshoots after him) surrounding church history were correct, then we should easily substantiate them by examining the same resources Hoeh did in the 1950s.

Let’s examine the following quote from the WCG book: “A True History of the True Church,” which was also used verbatim in the RCG book produced several decades later. The book reads:

“Here is a marvelous record from these people, still preserved, dated 1404: "We do not find anywhere in the writings of the Old Testament that the light of truth and of holiness was at any time completely extinguished. There have always been men who walked faithfully in the paths of righteousness. Their number has been at times reduced to a few; but has never been altogether lost. We believe that the same has been the case from the time of Jesus Christ until now; and that it will be so unto the end. FOR IF THE CHURCH OF GOD WAS FOUNDED, IT WAS IN ORDER THAT IT MIGHT REMAIN UNTIL THE END OF TIME ... We do not believe that the Church of God absolutely departed from the way of truth; but one portion yielded, and, as is commonly seen, the majority was led away to evil." (Quoted in Comba's "History", pp. 10-11.)

Their enemies admitted that these people proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom of God, that they baptized repentant believers and obeyed the WHOLE law of God.

But just as there was a false teacher, Jezebel, in the local church at Thyatira so now there were many FALSE teachers and FALSE brethren among these people. Some rose up among the Waldenses teaching that it was right to have Catholics, and later, Protestants, baptize their children and to attend IDOLATROUS mass once in a while. Others committed spiritual fornication by meddling in politics in the hope of avoiding persecution.

To correct His people God caused a frightful crusade to pass over them about 300 years after the death of Waldo. Only a faithful remnant escaped.” “A True History of the True Church” - “Called the “Church of God,”” WCG Book

The quote seems to suggest that the Waldenses are an extension of the “True Church” or “Church of God,” that preached the Gospel as Herbert described, baptized and kept the whole old covenant law. Additionally, this church provides a link for WCG back to the original apostles.

However, note the ellipse in the middle of the passage. This is the crucial context removed from the original quote.

“Once the deleted comment is reinserted, it becomes clear that Comba, who was quoting a Waldense’ document, was describing the split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.”— Ryan Caswell

Removing Context

Consider the material that was ellipsed from the text:

“For if the Church of God was founded, it was in order that it might remain until the end of time. She preserved for a long time the virtue of holy religion, and, according to ancient history, her directors lived in poverty and humility for about three centuries; that is to say, down to the time of Constantine. Under the reign of this Emperor, who was a leper, there was in the Church a man named Sylvester, a Roman. Constantine went to him, was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and cured of his leprosy. The Emperor finding himself healed of a loathsome disease, in the name of Jesus Christ, thought he would honour him who had wrought the cure by bestowing upon him the Crown of the Emperor. Sylvester accepted it, but his companion, it is said, refused his consent, separated from him, and continued to follow the path of poverty. Then, Constantine went away to regions beyond the sea, followed by a multitude of Romans, and built up the city to which he gave his name--Constantinople--so that from that time the Heresiarch rose to honour and dignity, and evil was multiplied upon the earth. We do not believe that the Church of God, absolutely departed from the way of truth; but one portion yielded, and, as is commonly seen, the majority was led away to evil. The other portion remaining long faithful to the truth it had received. (Hoeh's deletion of History of the Waldenses of Italy, Emilio Comba, pp. 10-11)”

It is important to realize that Emilio Comba, was a celebrated Waldenses Pastor who lived during the early 1900’s. My assumption would be that he knows best how to position his group historically, rather than Herman Hoeh and the WCG.

Once the deleted comment is reinserted, it becomes clear that Comba, who was quoting a Waldense’ document, was describing the split between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. The “Church of God” in this passage is identified as the Catholic Church and that it was doctrinally pure through Pope Sylvester (who served 314-334 AD) and taught how it’s leaders should keep vows of poverty. Then, Constantine by founding the Eastern Orthodox Church was at fault.

This is completely different than how Herman Hoeh uses this quote. This isn’t identifying a small religious sect who kept the Jewish Sabbath or the Mosaic Laws. Comba identifies the “Church of God” as in fact the Catholic Church.

According to Comba, the Waldenses were Catholics in every way except their vow of poverty. Peter Waldo was simply a Catholic reformer, like Martin Luthor, who took a vow of poverty over his disagreements with the pope and was excommunicated from the “Church of God” (Catholic Church).

However this particular quote creates a humorous problem for COG members. If we were to re-insert Hoeh’s deleted quote into the church literature, it identifies the WCG as a splinter of the Catholic Church.

“Peter Waldo was originally a Catholic reformer, like Martin Luthor, who took a vow of poverty to resist the Pope. He was a Catholic in every way, with no documentation existing to suggesting otherwise. ”— Ryan Caswell

Is the WCG Truthful in Dealing with Historical Source Material?

A bigger question though is, “Was Herman Hoeh and the WCG treating historical documents truthfully?” It is obvious he deleted context from the original quote to make it sound much differently than it was originally intended. In doing so he radically changed the meaning of the passage. From my experience, reviewing source materials in other WCG literature, there are many other deceptions like this. Its quite common. Whether on British Israelism or church history, WCG used deceptive tactics to twist historical records. One has to question, would God allow his “One True Church,” to use such obvious errors to establish this crucial link in their church’s historical chain?

It is important to note that the Waldenses Church still exists and can easily be found online. Throughout the 1900’s, they have often been used as a “missing link” for religious sects who wanted to bolster their credibility. Over the years, they have refuted any involvement in Armstrongism and the Adventist movement. This includes the Seventh Day Adventists, the group where Herbert Armstrong “borrowed” much of his history from.

Peter Waldo was originally a Catholic reformer, like Martin Luthor, who took a vow of poverty to resist the Pope. He was a Catholic in every way, with no documentation existing to suggest he kept the Jewish Sabbath, Jewish Holy Days, or any of the Mosaic Laws. For a more exhaustive examination of the Waldenses, I recommend Bruce Renehim’s book “Daughter of Babylon.”

The splinter groups that formed after the collapse of the WCG similarly teach that Peter Waldo and his Waldenses are a crucial link in church history connecting their particular offshoot with the first century church. While they may not include this in written materials, you can find it in their sermons and references to it in other materials. They rely on the same historical errors to establish their history also.

This one passage is a prime example of Herman Hoeh and the WCG twisting historical records to imply scholarly credibility. Since we have more information at our fingertips today than previous generations, we can more easily see through these inaccuracies.

Always examine the source documentation and find out what the text says for yourself.

The COG and its Waldensian Sabbath-Keeper Myths

 

by Ryan Caswell

Caswell Visuals

(Reposted with permission)

Another example of the Church of God’s misuse of historical information is found in the Living Church of God’s “God’s Church Through the Ages” book. Understand the quote we will see was used in literature by the Worldwide Church of God published decades earlier, who took it from the Seventh Day Adventists who published it almost 100 years before them. Each group uses the exact same quote, which was originally published in 1792. Since each of these groups is trying to prove Sabbath keeping as a necessity for salvation, they attempt to locate Sabbath keeping groups that extend back to the original 12 apostles. Thus they can establish their lineage and teachings linked up as an unbroken chain going back to the first century. 

One link in this historical chain is the Protestant group called the Waldenses. In Adventist literature, this group is called the “Sabbatati,” a supposed reference to those who keep the “Jewish Sabbath.” COG groups also credit them with keeping the Mosaic Laws and their resemblance to their movement in terms of doctrine and government.  

Examining “Sabbatati” and “Insabbatati” in Context

In LCG’s materials, this complicated passage (taken from the SDA’s) supposedly establishes the Waldenses in this way. Let's look at this passage and see if the Waldenses actually fit the mold of a Sabbath and Law keeping, group that resembles the Living or Worldwide Church of God. 

In the book “God’s Church Through the Ages” LCG states:

“What were some of the other doctrines taught by the Waldenses? Is there evidence that the early Waldenses were Sabbath-keepers? One of the names by which they were most anciently known was that of Sabbatati! In his 1873 work, History of the Sabbath, historian J. N. Andrews quotes from an earlier work by Swiss-Calvinist historian Goldastus written about 1600. Speaking of the Waldenses, Goldastus wrote, “Insabbatati [they were called] not because they were circumcised, but because they kept the Jewish Sabbath” (Andrews, p. 410). Andrews further refers to the testimony of Archbishop Ussher (1581–1656), who acknowledged “that many understood that they [the names Sabbatati or Insabbatati] were given to them [Waldenses] because they worshipped on the Jewish Sabbath” (p. 410). Clearly even noted Protestant scholars at the end of the Middle Ages were willing to acknowledge that many Waldenses had observed the seventh-day Sabbath.” (God’s Church Through the Ages, Chapter 3, heading: The Cathars and Waldenses)

First let’s understand what they are quoting here. The author of the LCG material claims J.N. Andrews is quoting Goldastus, that is incorrect. The J.N. Andrews’ book “History of the Sabbath,” is actually quoting another book by Robert Robinson, a baptist theologian who (converted to Unitarianism late in life) studied deeply into Christian baptism in the 1700’s. His book Ecclesiastical Researches, (which was published posthumously), listed a quote from Jacob Gretseri (written in latin) who was quoting Melchior Goldast (Goldastus). 

However when both LCG and Andrew’s references this, they fail to make that distinction. 

In addition, recognize that J.N. Andrews isn’t a historian as LCG claims, he is in fact an early Seventh Day Adventist prophet and preacher. He was a close confidant to Ellen G. White and established large swaths of Adventist prophetic interpretations. One of his main contributions was linking the United States of America to the two horned Beast of Revelation. He was the founder of Andrew’s University and followed White, supporting her false prophetic interpretations throughout her life. This isn’t to say that his historical work is flawed (however, much of it seems to be) but both of these individuals are verified false prophets, according to the Christian tradition, as their interpretations had to be re-explained once they failed. 

So when you are reading either the LCG or WCG literature, you are actually reading what was copied from SDA church history, not something from Herbert Armstrong or the WCG. Even though the Seventh Day Advetist’s are technically heterodox and not a cult, WCG uses these flawed explanations of an unbroken chain of Sabbath keeping churches that extend back to the original apostles, in order to substantiate their claim as the “One True Church.”

Examining the Seventh Day Adventist Claims

In order to better understand the terms “Insabbatati” and whether the Waldenses kept the Sabbath and held similar beliefs to WCG/LCG, we need to find J.N. Andrew’s work, the “History of the Sabbath, from the Seventh Day Adventists and begin tracing the sources to see if the book’s author provides any further information. The passage LCG references is on page 410. 

“But let us now see who they are that make these statements respecting the observance of the Sabbath by the Waldenses, that Robinson alludes to in this place. He quotes out of Gretser the words of the historian Goldastus as follows: "Insabbatati [they were called] not because they were circumcised, but because they kept the Jewish Sabbath."33” (History of the Sabbath, J.N. Andrews pp 410)

Here, Andrews reveals that the moniker “Insabbatati” comes from Robert Robinson’s work. This book, “Ecclesiastical Researches,” seems to be the source most Sabbath keepers use to prove that the Waldenses were Sabbath keepers. In his book, Robinson actually states there are 4 positions held by scholars regarding the title given to the Waldenses.

1. Some of the leaders may have kept the Jewish Sabbath 

2. They rejected the Catholic holidays (or Sabbaths)

3. It was a derivative of the word “Sabot” or “Zabot,” which denotes a mark on a certain type of shoe that was worn by peasants. 

4. It is the derivative of a Spanish word for someone who lives and travels in the mountains. 

“It would be endless to make a detail of accidental names: it is not necessary here; and it will be more proper to take them up as they fall in the way in other countries. The above are sufficient to convey a just notion of what is intended, which is, that to reason from a similar name to a similar faith is illogical. An example or two shall be added of such names as the fruitful geniuses if commentators have perplexed.

Some of those cheiftians were called “Sabbati, Sabbatati and Insabbatati, and more frequently, Insabbatati.” Led astray by found without attending to facts, one says they were so named from the hebrew word Sabbath, because they kept the Saturday for the Lord's Day (1). Another says they were so called because they rejected all the festivals, or Sabbaths in the low latin sense of the word. Which the Catholic Church religiously observed. (2) A third says and many with various alterations and additions have said after him, they were called so from sabot or zabot, a shoe because they distinguished themselves from other because by wearing shoes marked on the upper part with some peculiarity (3)….Several better reasons may be given for the name. The latin word “caput” a head was corrupted by the Spaniards into cabeca, and hence came “cabo,” a cape, a headland. They called these people “los incabats” and founded the word “enzabats,” meaning inhabitants of hills, mountaineers.” (Ecclesiastical Researches, Robert Robinson, pp303)

Returning to the source material, Robinson is clear that many of those who were led astray, not having the facts erroneously credit the Waldenses with keeping the Jewish Sabbath. He goes on to actually warn those who try to match a peoples name with their religious beliefs. (e.g.: Naming a group of people who are scattered in the mountains, across several countries with a tradition of which day they worship on.) He states that when it comes to the Waldenses, that is illogical and there have been many “accidental names” given to this group. 

Robinson goes on to write that the first 3 reasons he lists often trick scholars since they may seem likely but are not factually substantiated. From his research, the term “Insabbatati,” comes from the fact that this group of people inhabit the hills and mountains. 

On page 310, he sums it up best.

“That the people called Valdenses and Sabbatati originally inhabited this district is the most probably of all conjectures. This first a corruption of Caldenses, or the inhabitant about the hot wells, or Callenses the natives of the counties; and last from Sabadell one of the [local] towns.” (Ecclesiastical Researches, Robert Robinson, pp310)

However, when Andrews’ quotes Robinson, he summarily dismisses all his conclusions without giving reasoning. He claims that only the first two options could be supported and as expected, this conclusion supports the SDA position. At last he found a “Jewish Sabbath Keeping link” outside of the Catholic church in the middle ages. 

Dismissing Source Material

Perusing “History of the Sabbath,” it is clear that Andrews spends a significant amount of time trying to discredit Robinson’s conclusions in favor of his own. 

“Mr. Robinson gives the statements of three classes of writers respecting the meaning of these names, which were borne by the Waldenses. But he rejects them all, alleging that these persons were led to these conclusions by the apparent meaning of the words, and not by the facts...Mr. Robinson rejects these these three statements, and then gives his own judgment that they were so called because they lived in the mountains. These four views cover all that has been advanced relative to the meaning of these names. But Robinson's own explanation is purely fanciful, and seems to have been adopted by no other [Sabbath keeping] writer. He offers, however, conclusive reasons for rejecting the statement that they took their name from their shoes. [Examining the source information, Robinson details almost 10 pages of research on why option 4 is most plausible. Since that doesn’t support Andrews claims, he rejects it] There remain, therefore, only the first and second of these four statements, which are that they were called by these names because they kept the Saturday for the Lord's day, and because they did not keep the sabbaths of the papists.” (History of the Sabbath, J.N. Andrews pp 409-410)

Why Andrew’s rejects Robinson’s conclusions is never clear and he never addresses Robinson’s research on locations. He seems to dismiss it on the grounds that other Sabbath keeping writers don’t agree with Robinson. 

At the very least, Andrew’s is only willing to give his readers a partial quote from Robinson, removing the most salient material and keeping only the information that agrees with his own conclusions. 

It is also worth noting that Emilia Comba, a popular Waldenese pastor from the 1900’s, who is also widely quoted by the SDA’s and COG’s never mentions that the Waldenses keep the Sabbath, Holy days or other Mosaic Laws. He more closely aligns with Robinson’s conclusions and affirms the moniker of “Insabates,” was because of the “sabates (sandals) some wore in mountainous regions. While this isn’t Robinson’s conclusion, Comba identifies this name “Insabbatati” as a result of their clothing and not because this is a reference to the Jewish Sabbath. 

Consider the following quotes:

“The first name they are ambitious of, that of “Poor of Christ,” was not new, nor was that of “Brethren.” Catholics sometimes call them after the name of Waldo, their teacher; sometimes “Poor of Lyons,” or “Leonists,” to mark their origins; or again, Insabates, because of the “sabates” [sandals] they were in the habit of wearing.”

History of the Waldenses of Italy: From Their Origin to the Reformation, Emilio Comba, pp250

“We shall now add a few more details about Waldensian customs. The early Waldenses as we have seen were distinguished by a particular costume. They wore a woollen tunic, a cloak and a particular kind of shoes. They cut the upper part of these latter, so as to recall the apostolic use of sandals and marked them with a sign resembling a shield on account of which they were called “Ensabates or Insabbatati.” They were like the Nazarenes in respect that they wore their beards and their hair long. A monk whose halting jests have been already noticed mocks at them in his own fashion He says They find it more convenient to cross the straps of their sandal than to crucify their members, they crown not their head but their shoes. That sign was however a cross in the days of the persecution.”

(History of the Waldenses of Italy: From Their Origin to the Reformation, Emilio Comba, pp277-278)

Waldenses Beliefs and Government

Several other striking differences between the Waldenses from the Church of God movement is in their orothodox protestant views. Both Robinson and Comba specifically note religious practices that were common to the Waldenses. “Christian liberty” or “grace” was a hallmark characteristic of their congregations. This stood out in sharp contrast to the Catholics belief in the necessity of works and rituals for salvation. The Waldenses also believed God was a Trinity, and in His triune nature. While LCG adheres to strict law keeping for salvation, the primitive Waldenses resembled baptists in their belief around divine grace. In addition, there was no clear governing hierarchy or clergy class among the Waldenses, with women freely teaching in their congregations. Added together all of these characteristics paint a very different picture from either LCG, the WCG or the SDA congregations.

“To be convinced of this, one has but to consult the scriptures. There we shall also find that the good are in the minority. If we desire to belong to that number, let us learn to invoke the aid of the Holy Trinity, love our neighbor, and turn a hopeful eye upon the blessings to come. Our salvation depends on that. (History of the Waldenses of Italy: From Their Origin to the Reformation, Emilio Comba, pp227)

The new law is superior to that of Moses; the Sermon on the mount is a testimony to that. Jesus having Himself been baptized for the salvation of men, conferred upon His Apostles the power of baptizing and instructing every creature in the law of the Gospel. To his power He added that of performing miracles and foretelling the future. (History of the Waldenses of Italy: From Their Origin to the Reformation, Emilio Comba, pp229)

“The distinguishing feature of the primitive Waldenses is the doctrine and practice of Christian Liberty. The orthodox positively affirms “they were not guilty of manichaeism, and other abominable heresies.”...”Yes, replies Limberch, “to say honestly what I think, of all the modern sects of Christians, the dutch baptists most resemble both the Albigenses and the Waldenses, but particularly the latter.” (Ecclesiastical Researches, Robert Robinson, pp311)

“It’s not clear that the ancient Waldenses had any clergy...They held the priesthood in abhorrence. They allowed women to teach and laughed at the distinction between clergy and laity. (Ecclesiastical Researches, Robert Robinson, pp313)

Waldenses--Establishing a Link to the Apostles?

As we have seen, both the SDA and COG movements rely on Comba’s book to establish the Waldenses and their supposed Sabbath/Law keeping as a crucial link for church history to bring them to the first century. Unfortunately, these groups don’t heed the fact that Comba himself specifically warns against trying to use history to prove the Waldenses have apostolic connections. Shockingly, in the preface to his book on Waldense history, Comba makes the following warning.

“There has been desire on the part of some to extend backward their early history; with this only as a result, that it has been crushed out of all shape. The historian has filled it full of fables and traditions picked up at hap-hazard; then, as if with trumpet-blast and clarion ring, its antiquity was blazoned forth. But, although the sound re-echoed far and wide, it could not dispel the thick cloud that overhung that people's origin and early days. Flatterers are more to be feared than assailants. The former would have it credited or imagined that the Waldenses are of a patriarchal age--of great duration; that they are apostolic in name and in fact, but barren withal; that they had an existence, but always in the cradle; that they did not live with all the word implies, but slept for three, seven, or even ten centuries! It is quite possible to conceive that such an uneventful existence--if such could be--might well have passed unnoticed; what we deny is that such an existence was possible. We shall examine facts, and after all if we find the antiquity of the Waldenses to be less far reaching than has been supposed, it is none the less grand and venerable...There is an idea with some, that its origin may be traced back to the very time of the first preaching of the Gospel; but it is important that this idea be disentangled from a confused mass of legends…We shall find the first authentic source appearing with Waldo, and the disciples whom tradition has called by his name. From that time onward, we shall follow the sinuous course of their followers' history down to the eve of the Reformation. (History of the Waldenses of Italy: From Their Origin to the Reformation, Emilio Comba, Preface)

Cherry Picking Facts

In addition, another source commonly used by the COG groups is William Jones' “The History of the Christian Church, from the Birth of Christ, to the XVII. Century” COG’s regularly use this historical source to prove their apostolic lineage but it is clear from Jones’ own writing that this is foolish and impossible.

“It may possibly strike some readers with surprise that no notice is taken, in the following pages, of a multiplicity of sects which arose, from time to time, in what is called the Christian world, and whose history occupies so very large space in the volumes of most of our modern writers on this subject...In tracing the kingdom of Christ in the world, I have paid no regard whatever to the long disputed subject of apostolical succession. I have, indeed, read much that has been written upon it by the Catholic writers on one side, and by Dr. Allix, Sir Samuel Morland, and several Protestants on the other; and I regret the labour that has been so fruitlessly expended by the latter, persuaded as I am that the postulatum is a mere fiction, and that the ground on which the Protestant writers have proceeded in contending for it, is altogether untenable. It is admitted, that the Most High has had his churches and people in every age, since the decease of the Apostles; but to attempt to trace a regular succession of ordained bishops in the Vallies of Piedmont, or any other country, is "labouring in the fire for very vanity," and seems to me to proceed upon mistaken views of the nature of the kingdom of Christ, and the sovereignty of God, in his operations in the earth, as they have respect to it. (“The History of the Christian Church, from the Birth of Christ, to the XVII. Century” - Jones, vol. 1; p. xvi)

In short, two of the most quoted resources used by the COG’s to establish the doctrinal lineage through the Waldenses (or any other small sect) is tantamount to ignoring the vast amount of knowledge which establishes the contrary view. There is no “unbroken chain” of either Sabbath or Law keepers that can be traced back to the original apostles. Those who try to force history to do so, end up twisting or ignoring centuries of research proving a contrary view.

Other WCG Conclusions on Sabbath Keeping

The Worldwide Church of God also produced other pieces on church history. One particular piece written by Dean Blackwell, The Plain Truth About the Waldenses which was his PhD thesis at Ambassador College (WCG’s unaccredited Bible school in Pasadena, CA), is one of the more detailed pieces of literature the church produced (even though it wasn’t circulated widely). While I am not refuting all his claims in this article, it’s helpful to keep these few points in mind.

1. The bibliography of his “research paper” is a veritable “who’s who” of SDA theologians and prophets. Much of the information in his thesis paper is lifted verbatim from those materials. The historical inaccuracies have already been vetted in other places and most of what Blackwell brings is not “new” research, just “requoted” materials from the SDA’s.

2. The Waldenses themselves refute claims that attempt to connect their organization to the early apostles and do not teach apostolic succession. In fact, that was one difference between them and the Catholic Church historically. While Catholics see their Popes extending back to the original 12, the Waldenses hold to no such belief.

3. WCG ministers who compiled their fabricated church history have already been caught specifically removing vital information in their historical stories, to substantiate their positions.

In the final analysis of the LCG’s quote in “God’s Church Through the Ages,” we can see not only do they obfuscate where the information came from, they also misrepresent the research in the original material as did the Seventh Day Adventists. LCG cited research that was lifted from a false prophet in a heterodox Christian tradition (SDA’s) and I find it curious that Armstrongism, which is quite outspoken on being the “Only True Church,” relies on information from such a source. However in this case, they seem to do so with ease, since it supports their narrative. Robert Robinson’s research is taken out of context, by both by J.N. Andrews and the writers at LCG. They directly ignore Robinson’s warnings and instead, insert their own misdirected conclusions, making it seem like theirs is the only conclusion one could draw. 

Conclusion

The moniker “Insabbatai,” is used by LCG, WCG and the SDA’s to prove the Waldenses were Sabbath keepers, to establish an unbroken apostolic link back to the original apostles. The authors they quote, almost always refute this conclusion. Obviously, the COG writers don’t report this part of the research. My conclusion can only be that they are either deceptively twisting a historical reference, hoping no one examines the source material, or they never actually investigated it themselves outside of official church literature.

This is a powerful demonstration of how leaders in these groups who teach this can be deceived by the materials they openly profess to have “proven” and never thoroughly examined where their own history comes from.

For a more detailed examination of the SDA/WCG church history narrative, I recommend Bruce Renehim’s book “Daughter of Babylon.” His work is exhaustive and compiles a variety of other source materials disapproving the church history story told in the Church of God groups. In addition, Comba’s book referenced above is also very readable and paints a detailed picture of who the Waldenses are. 

Dating Tips From The Greatest Church of God In Human History! Woo Hoo!

Learn how to pick up a hot date in the produce aisle at your local market. 

This is how the one true church does it, 

unlike you promiscuous Laodiceans who go to bars and nightclubs.

Would you look to a man who has been an utter failure in prophecy, biblical interpretation, and running a splinter group, to tell you how to date?

Well, get ready boys and girls, the Great Bwana to Africa, and 100 Caucasians is here to do that. 

Woo Hoo!

This truly is the most pathetic thing you will ever watch...

narrated by the Great Bwana himself.

The Great Bwana to Africa, Bob Mzungu Thiel has this to say about dating in the greatest Church of God to ever exist in human history!

Should a first date be between two experienced pickup artists interested in fornication? Or should it be between a man and a woman who would like to actually know each other better? Does the Bible give any guidelines that Christians who date should pay attention to? If so, what are some? This brief animation shows a worldly pickup date at a bar, and an inelegant, but appropriate request for a date in a more open environment. Dating should be fun and involve communication, and not regrets. So, check out our animation on worldly vs. Christian dating.

Dating is a key to success in marriage. Should Christians have different dating standards than those who are not real Christians? How are men and women different? Can people fall in love? What should people do on a date? What about getting physical? Who should pay for the date? What should a man expect from a date? What should a woman expect from a date? What should be the authority for morals? What should a date be like? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more. This is part one of a two-part series.

What do you do when the Greatest Church of God ever to exist in human history 

is so incredibly SMALL that there is no one to date? 

Never fear! The Bwana is here!

This is the second part of a two-part sermon on dating for Christians. In it, Dr. Thiel covers subjects such as what do you do if there is no one to date, if Christians can date or marry someone not part of the Continuing Church of God, dating for marriage, and pre-engagement counseling. He also provides answers to questions that teens have had about dating. He goes into the use of ‘social media’, avoidance of trolling, sexting, and some other matters somewhat unique to the 21st century. Dr. Thiel goes over factors such as cultural, racial, financial, age, mental, education, family, and other factors Christians should consider. He also discusses dating for those who have been married before, as well as if married couples should still date.

That first date after listening to the Great Bwana pontificate: