Restored Church of God Exit Letter: Karl Doherty

 

RCG Exit Letter: Karl Doherty

August 30, 2023

 

Greetings Mr. Wulphert de Graaf,

            I hope you are doing well. I would very much like to thank you for seeing me in person and taking the time to counsel and reason with me about my concerns at such short notice after returning from your trip.

            However, I am deeply saddened and disappointed in making the decision to send you this letter with a heavy heart. This is regarding the multiple failed dates for the coming Kingdom of God given by Mr. David C. Pack. I mentioned other past organisations, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, Adventists, and Mormons, who failed in setting dates for the return of Jesus Christ, and Mr. David C. Pack has followed suit. He has put himself under such immense pressure to get prophecy right and finally complete the Mystery of God. But he has done none of these things.

            After much time and thought, since nothing has come to pass, I can no longer continue as a member of The Restored Church of God and have, therefore, withdrawn myself. (1 Timothy 6:5)

 

 

            I was baptised and became a member of The Restored Church of God on the 9^th of October 2020, during the Feast of Tabernacles, after proving the ‘one true’ Church of God from the RCG’s literature and sermons. It was a wonderful time to finally be called and be connected to the body of Christ with those of like mind. On the first day of that 2020 Feast, Mr. David C. Pack stated in Part 269 of The Greatest Untold Story! @1:25:19 “… you’re not going back to your home. You saw it for the last time.”

            So, none of the brethren would be going home due to the return of Jesus Christ? While sharing my fearful excitement with other brethren, I said, “Wow! So I’m not going home then?” Well, The Last Great Day passed by. As did December 24^th/25^th. Then, also the Roman New Year’s Eve Festival at the end of 2020. (I even sent a short “thank you" email for all his hard work leading the church). I recently learned about the “2019 Night Watch" that the brethren experienced where nothing happened.

            

            I got on board The Greatest Untold Story! (TGUS) series train at station 256, and here we are in August 2023, and we are passing 464 and have still not reached our destination. Or anywhere close to it. In fact, we are on an interlocked, ever-shrinking circular track as the date settings are repeating with no sign of stopping. My only option is to jump off, knowing that the game is up. I am still uncertain where and how I’m going to land, but the Bible shows me I cannot stay. I am leaving the corporation of The Restored Church of God (Amos 3:3), but not the belief in or the following of the truth.

 

 

            I love and care very much for my brothers and sisters in Christ whom I have met in The Restored Church of God. The fellowship, kindness, the giving and serving attitude, and the friendships made with those who appear to be for the truth and for each other who try their best to honour and obey God and keep His commandments. I feel it for those who have invested many years with a fervent commitment to The Restored Church of God.

            I heard about a congregation in Canada whose faith and freewill were compromised because they felt the need to sacrifice themselves for the brethren. They were under severe pressure from the ministry to take the COVID-19 vaccine so they could assemble on the Sabbath and/or attend the Ministerial Conference; otherwise, they would have been 'put out' … or even fired from the church!

            Since 2022 alone, there have been 50+ dates set by Mr. David C. Pack that have not come to pass for the return of something or other. (I still remember the unsettling impact of these date settings on a former member here in the UK, who was so convinced all day during a Church Social that Jesus would walk through the door at any moment.)

            It has become apparent that the brethren I associate with are no longer “on fire” or full of joyful, fearful excitement. Instead, on display is a reserved “hope” by hanging on, waiting patiently for yet another disappointment. This results from too many “prophetic speculation failures” that cause more and more confusion than clarity. Additionally, the self-professed titles of Apostle, The Elijah, That Prophet, Joshua the high priest, the Seventh Angel/Messenger, the Goodman of the House, etc., continue to expand.

            Whether or not Mr. David C. Pack is a prophet or Elijah seems to randomly come and go only to resurface in a surprise reprise somewhere along the “still right on track” series.

            The idea of the “present truth” (already established to be remembered in 2 Peter 1:12) is presented as a “shape-shifter” that just will not settle or be “pinned down” and should be more thought of as the “present understanding” of an idea in prophecy that is unstable as water in whatever supposed moment in time. 

            One major recent example is in TGUS Part 453 @43:39, where Mr. David C. Pack said, “…once that month just went poof, for the fiction it was, the sixth king just jumped to the fore. You won’t have any doubt.” @1:16:54 "You better hope it's Putin, or we have years to go! You better fervently hope it's Putin! There’s no chance it’s anybody else, ‘cause until somebody else is here, until some alternative arrives, who’s gonna be bigger than what I’m about to tell you. It’s that man and no doubt.” @1:24:54 “What alternative is there? I know it’s him. Everything lines up.” @1:30:13 "So this is all faith-building. If your faith didn't grow as a result of hearing this sermon, then there's something wrong. You should be on fire and excited! You should be Wow! We're there! … You're seeing prophecy being fulfilled! ... It’s impossible it’s anybody else.”

            He names Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin as the sixth head/king of Revelation 17:10 ‘…and one is.’

            Fast-forward to Part 461 @1:35:00, where he totally dismisses the idea after having presented all his evidence in a suspenseful way to the brethren. He just brushed it off like it was nothing but a speck of dust–what an utter mess-a-round! "...tossed to and fro, and carried about..." (Ephesians 4:14)

 

 

            The false prophetic date-setting cycle reminds me of a stereotypical shopper who has tried on every single pair of shoes in every store in town only to conclude by saying, "What about the first pair I tried on?" 

            The Jamaican proverb: “You can’t plant peas and expect corn” comes to mind.

            I do not believe that a single minister can offer a clear explanation with an understanding of the ever-changing prophecy teachings as delivered by Mr. David C. Pack. He puts endless possible scenarios before us where nothing that was “absolute," or “inarguable," or “impossible to refute," or “cleared up and made plain” has happened. Not a single one, Mr. de Graaf.

            Regrettably, what has become clear is that Mr. David C. Pack is caught up in a personal “prediction addiction” and knows he cannot cease. He sometimes implies the brethren are deeply involved in the prophetic process by using the collective term “we," especially when it goes pear-shaped. When it is actually he alone, the self-professed prophet and apostle setting dates that do not come to pass.

 

 

            Okay, so there have been some “golden nuggets” and mistranslation discoveries, which are helpful. But these do not excuse the multiple date-setting failures that quite simply mean, according to the word of the Eternal God, that Mr. David C. Pack is a false prophet who speaks presumptuously and takes the Lord's name in vain. “On God’s authority…”and therefore, not sent by God.

            The brethren of the Restored Church of God have been counselled by the ministry from the lectern: “…our job is to simply believe it.” That quote came from the sermon "Blessings – God’s Quid Pro Quo” by Mr. Edward Winkfield in December 2019 @ 45:15.

            Whatever happened to “Prove all things” and study the Bible for yourself? Mr. Edward Winkfield is also the minister who told the church, "That is for the ministry.”

            Even Mr. David C. Pack in TGUS Part 396 @ 1:49:05 firmly said, “All you gotta do is sit there and shut up and learn.”  Remember the old church mantra: “Don’t believe me, believe your Bible”?

            Other ministers also prop up the GUS series and continue to elevate Mr. David C. Pack. Some are subtler than others, while more recently and frequently are grafting it into their sermons about Christian Living.

 

Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

 

            Alarm bells, anyone? Or at least, confused enough to even think of the possibility that something’s just not right?Maybe some are privately concerned, but it is not common knowledge or openly shared amongst the brethren.

            So I ask, has an apostasy developed within the Restored Church of God because, for years, there have been date-setting failures for the return of The Kingdom of God (which becomes evident only when you are a member), and is this a little more than the church simply going “off track” while being deceptively reminded that “we’re still right on track”? 

            Did it begin with the GUS series, aka “The Prophesy Series," or even earlier… who knows?

 

 

How can any man proclaim to know what Jesus Christ Himself did not know?

 

Mark 13:32-33 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

 

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

 

Mr. David C. Pack recently described setting dates as “particularly arrogant” but has continued anyway. He has been heart-to-heart with the church, saying he has felt “uncomfortable” even giving the year. Somehow, that is not enough to get him to stop doing so.

 

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

 

Mr. de Graaf, please have a listen to some of Mr. David C. Pack's sermon excerpts with the times given:

 

            Hold Fast at All Costs – January 1998 @52:45

                        “You shall not know what hour I shall come upon you."

 

            Angels and Demons (Part 3) – December 2002 @1:09:03

 

            Germany in Prophecy (Part 1) – August 2000 @17:07

                        “The first and most basic rule of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19-21)

 

            Understanding Signs, Wonders, and Miracles True and False! (Part 2) – December 2005  @19:34

            

            The Great Shepherds Voice – May 1999 @23:44

 

    21^st Century Apostle (Part 1) – February 2005 @20:36 / @43:11 / @58:51 / @1:50:04                                                @2:07:54

 

            21^st Century Apostle (Part 2) – February 2005 @10:00

                        “They would know, God and Christ would know that I would conclude

                        and know that I am not a prophet."

                        @46:52 "And I'm no prophet."

                        @1:16:07 / @1:17:24 / @1:27:39 / @1:39:17 / @2:06:22

 

            30 Reasons to Follow the Truth (Part 1) @06:14 / @39:24 / @45:07 / @1:07:10 / @1:11:52 

                        @1:19:50 (1 Kings 18:21)

 

            Another 30 Reasons to Follow the Truth (Part 2) @00:00 / @02:31 / @12:58 / @26:10

                        @33:38 / @1:15:34 / @1:18:49 / @1:24:21  

 

            Final 30 Reasons to Follow the Truth (Part 3) @00:06 “…why you should follow the truth,

                        even if that means leaving the organisation you are part of behind.”

                        @17:09 / @1:24:00 / @1:29:47—This was a recorded quote by Mr. Armstrong.

 

            TGUS Part 447 @2:02:25

                        “I’m not called to give you a date… I never heard any of the original prophets call out a  date! None of them ever did! They called out what God was gonna do. Surely, God will do nothing, but he reveals it to His servants, the prophets. Now, the fact that he’s revealing this to me, I have to be a prophet. Ephesians 3:5 says it. 2nd Peter 1:20-21. You can’t reveal these things to a prophet and maybe a bunch of prophets or at least two more if they’re in the room. I have to be Elijah now!”

 

            TGUS Part 450 @10:49

                        “ … could you go another year? … You could never ever, ever move me from believing

                        The Kingdom of God is not Av 1.”

 

Numbers 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

 

Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

 

Jeremiah 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

 

Please review The Good News article from May 1979, “Beware of False Prophets” by Robert E. Fahey for more study on the subject.

 

Jeremiah 23:11-12 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD. Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

 

Jeremiah 23:16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

 

Jeremiah 23:20-22 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly. I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, 

 

Jeremiah 23:26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? Yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;

 

Jeremiah 23:31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

 

Ezekiel 13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

 

Ezekiel 13:6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.

 

Jeremiah 29:9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

 

The Real Truth article from September 2016, How to Spot a False Prophet, by Mr. Samuel Baxter, gives no guidance to look up the scriptural references in Deuteronomy 18:20–22 or Jeremiah 29:9. How can the church write an article about false prophets and not reference such important verses?

 

 

And so then, if not sent… Mr. David C. Pack cannot be an Apostle of Jesus Christ.

 

Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

 

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

 

Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

 

Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

 

1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 

            In Part 447 of TGUS @1:20:05 and 1:24:02, the notion that in Daniel 9:24, we are to anoint the most Holy is very disturbing. This term only refers to devoted places or things such as the Holy of Holies and sacrifices. Read Exodus 26:33, 30:36, and Leviticus 10:17. The most Holy is never a person—see Bullinger’s Companion Bible & Daniel 9 appendix.

            Mr. David C. Pack attributes most Holy to God, The Father, who is The Most High (The Holy One of Israel). This is not plausible and is utterly false. The Most High is not the most Holy. God is never called the most Holy in the entire Bible. Can anyone in the ministry explain how what Mr. David C. Pack said is true?

 

 

How is “Common” tied directly to salvation?

 

            “Common” in The Restored Church of God has been wrongly applied, misused, abused, and should really be shared towards the needs of the brethren to help each other and the poor amongst them. It was an example of freewill offerings at the beginning of the Church of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. It was not a permanently commanded doctrine from God to “sell all…so, why not gain eternal life with it?” (TGUS Part 378 @30:57). It sounds just like that old serpentine Roman Catholic salvation doctrine.

 

Acts 2:44-45 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

 

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

 

Acts 4:34-35 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 

 

You cannot find in any verses how Common is commanded by God or is a requirement for salvation. I have heard some brethren are so willing to sacrifice that they harmed themselves financially for fear of being cast into the Lake of Fire. Mr. David C. Pack spoke urgently last Pentecost about giving Common before it was too late. Over a year later, what was that Common used for?

2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

 

 

Where is the accountability?

 

            A recent sermon in August 2023, “Integrity” by Mr. Carl Houk, was most enlightening. He stated that the one thing his own father hated more than anything else was lies. Integrity means honesty and trustworthiness, which are attributes of God. The glue that holds honesty and trust together is accountability. No accountability breaks down honesty and trustworthiness.

            This should apply to all God's servants equally, not just the lay members. It is clear that Mr. David C. Pack is not held accountable by anyone at Headquarters. Continuing without any fear of the consequences has surely been detrimental to the whole church.

 

 

In his own words. Matthew 12:37

 

The most stunning yet powerful eye-opener for me was reading the book, Is “That Prophet” Alive Today? The Rise Of False Prophets. In his own words, Mr. David C. Pack judges himself as a false prophet. He exposes himself in his own literature coupled with select moments from the TGUS series.

 

"If someone follows a false prophet or a false Christ, he is already terribly deceived.” (p.35)

 

“Do not let a deceiver twist basic scripture into a tangled ball, making them appear to say what they do not!” (p.39)

 

“Over time, Saul became a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” One moment, he would be warm, friendly, charming, and David's best friend, and seconds later, a raging murderer seeking to kill David. Be careful if what is being described is a pattern visible in your leader. It is not of God.” (p.46)

 

“Another characteristic of false prophets is that few or none of their prophecies ever come to pass.” (p.47)

 

“If a prophet is sent by God, every one of his prophecies will always be PERFECTLY accurate – no exceptions!” (p.48)

 

“Typically, false prophets claim that they are getting ‘more and more insight.’” (p.51)

 

“These deceivers always seem to find new ways to elevate themselves to greater offices and roles! Declaring oneself to hold the second-highest New Testament office - PROPHET – is, in itself, a huge self-elevation. But it rarely stops there.” (p.51)

 

"They want their followers to be afraid to talk to 'outsiders.' These false leaders know that knowledge dispensed outside their control is a threat to their ability to retain control." (p.56)

 

“YOU CANNOT FOLLOW A FALSE PROPHET OR A FALSE CHRIST AND REMAIN A TRUE CHRISTIAN!” (p.68)

 

The following incomplete lists of removed sermons and literature are no longer available in Member Services or the RCG public website.

 

Removed sermons:

            The 1,335 Days—What Most Will Never Hear (Prophesy Series #23, Event 18)

            The Clarion Call—The Time is Now!

            The 144,000 (Parts 1-4)

            The Place of Safety (Parts 1-2)

            Where The Vultures Gather

            The 1335 Days of The Son of Man (Parts 1-8)

            Understanding The Original Elijah

            Synagogue of Satan Identified & Marked!

            First a MOSES, Now ELIJAH—130 Proofs! (Parts 1-3)

  The Greatest Story Never Told! (Parts 1-30)

            The Greatest Untold Story! (Parts 309-313)

 

Removed books:

            I Will Send Elijah To Restore All Things

            Is “That Prophet” Alive Today? The Rise Of False Prophets

            Herbert W. Armstrong – His Life In Proper Perspective

            The Bible’s Greatest Prophecies Unlocked!—A Voice Cries Out

            The Bible’s Difficult Scriptures Explained!

 

 

“But it is ultimately the responsibility of God’s people to discern the difference between true and false apostles. More false leaders will rise in the future to make this claim.” (p.52)

 

I only have one choice.

 

            Finally, Mr. de Graaf and my dear brethren, let me say that I have no regrets being a cheerful giver as I believe that what I give is given to God.

            I hold no animosity toward Mr. David C. Pack, the ministry, or its members. But as TGUS continues full steam ahead on its current trajectory, this RCG ship is going down with its captain and crew. God has been removing his financial blessings, and the recent mention in TGUS Part 461 @1:38:05 of “major cuts” is proof.

            I hope God intervenes and that bold, faithful men, moved by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ, stand up against heresy and reason one-on-one. I hope that as two or three bold witnesses, they straighten out all that is crooked at Headquarters with the full love of the truth and outgoing concern for others. They will do so IF they are indeed shepherds and not just hirelings. Mr. Bradford Schleifer is in the best position to address this matter but has been complacent, which adds to my disappointment.

            I am not leaving The Restored Church of God because I am impatient for the Kingdom of God or hold a “this is taking too long” attitude. I am not leaving because I do not want to continue to follow God’s Commandments or Government, wherein everyone undoubtedly falls short.

            I have simply come to the realisation that I have been bamboozled… and not for the first time. “Twice bitten, thrice shy.”

            May God’s mighty Holy Spirit comfort, strengthen, and guide us forward in the assured hope of the return of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God to rule on His earth “in truth and in righteousness” forever.

            I hereby resign as a member of The Restored Church of God.

 

            Warm regards,

            Karl Doherty

 

P.S.—You may wish to keep in contact as I believe we have made a good friendship. On the other hand, if you prefer not to do so or even later change your mind, I will respect your decision.

(courtesy of Marc Cebrian)

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.