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This letter was faxed to Craig Winters* of
Philadelphia Church of God.
May 23,1998
Dear Mr. Winters,
I am continuing in my studying and found some questions that I
cannot answer. I know that I can rely on you for answers, so that’s why I
writing you. I have been mostly studying the Scriptures with HWA’s writing in
mind.
I have learned by reviewing past PLAIN
TRUTH magazines, that
over the years, Mr. Armstrong actually predicted and failed in his prophecies. I
have many references to his statements referring to specific dates and
timeframes, as I am aware you already know. How did he explain to the
congregation when his predictions/prophecy did not come true? Or didn’t he?
This makes me wonder after reading Deut 13:1-3; 18:20-22, and Jeremiah 23:25-32. Would God give "Elijah to Come"
[HWA] false predictions? The Scriptures tell
us to avoid these men, as they are not from HIM. Throughout the Scriptures, the
true prophets of God never erred according to referenced Scriptures. Please help
me with this one.
The Scriptures state that God is immutable. If we
were to become God, as God is God, wouldn't God have to change in some way
when we become him? I looked up "immutable" in every imaginable dictionary and consistently
found that it meant "completely unable to change."
In 1939 in a Good News article
entitled Did Christ Reorganize the
Church? HWA started out condemning hierarchical church government and
stated that local congregations are where the government should stop. He
compares it to the Catholic Church if it were to go any further. He said,
"There is no bible authority for a super government, or organization over
local congregations." He was absolutely set against it in his writings that
I possess. When did God give him the new revelation to change this idea? Since
the PCG has a hierarchical government, I am sure there is reasoning for this
change. Can you explain when Mr. Armstrong received this new revelation and how
he implemented it? How does the PCG explain?
IS it true that Mr. Armstrong had attending physicians and
took medications during his illness during the last part of his life?1 If so, why
the healing doctrine anti-physician/medication for members?
Along with the Sabbath and Holy Days, we are commanded to
observe THE NEW MOONS also. I could name at least six Scriptures,2 but since you
are familiar with them, I’m sure you know what I mean. Why doesn’t the PCG
observe new moons also, as we are commanded to in the Old Testament?
I am sure you have been asked about Colossians 2, Gal.
3:21-29, 5:4, 5:14, and 5:22-23 (not money but real fruit). I know in my heart,
and so does Christ, that (Heb. 11:6) I have truly sought from my heart.
In the Old Testament, God commanded many other commandments
other than the 10 Commandments. Why is it the PCG seems to pick and choose from
613 commandments that are part of the Mosaic Law? In the sermons, not much of the New
Testament is spoken of. Christ brought us a gift of salvation, not a free
license to sin, but GRACE! That’s the only way we are saved! Not by things we
humanly do and try to do by obeying SOME of the old covenant laws and not all
(i. e., excluding sacrificial laws).3
No. I am not of SATAN. Christ leads me and led me through the
PCG, but that was just the beginning. Even though I was willing to give up
everything and almost did, he stopped me just in time. My eyes have been opened
to the truth and that’s all I want. Christ is working with me more than ever.
The PCG was just my starting point. It made me realize that it has to be ME and
CHRIST and not ME and CHRIST through MEN!!!!!! He’s with me and I am so, so
happy!!!
I have many other questions to ask you, but this is it for
now. If you choose to respond, that’s okay. If not, I understand. Thank you
for you guidance and lessons.
PS: As I did a study on Mr. Armstrong's name, Mr. Flurry's
name, and Mr. Helge's name (which you found interesting), I also did a study
on my own, which you might also find interesting. It means nothing to me, but I
just thought I would mention it. Yes, you can send it to Mr. Flurry, as you asked
me if you could also send Mr. Helge’s interpretation.
More LOVE than Ever,
Michael
NEXT to:
Mike's Final Exit Letter to Craig
Winters
Updates:
Jacob Winters: Craig Winters' son, Jacob, age 25, died of Addison's
Disease on January 13, 2002. He tragically refused medicine, which his father
told him he shouldn't take. Read: Run From Death
That Resides in PCG! and Jake Winters
a Victim of Abuse (Letter from former PCG member).
Levi Winters: The remaining son,
Levi, left the Philadelphia Church of God and the
family home within 6 months of his brother's death. He
went to live with his paternal grandparents (ex Worldwide). It is not
known whether he is still there now. [Note: This info was furnished from
two sources that both had personal ties with the Winters.]
Footnotes by ESN:
1 Charles
Hunting, former Worldwide Church of God evangelist, discussed HWA's double standards (including his
having doctors) on the Clyde Thomas Show, WKIS, Orlando, FL, 1988. (Tape
available. Email us and mention the Charles
Hunting tape.)
2 Several Scriptures
show that New Moons were observed along with feast and/or Sabbaths; i.e.,
I Chron. 23:31; II Chron. 2:4; II Chron. 8:13; 31:3; Ezra 3:5; Neh. 10:33; Ps.
81:3-4; Ezek. 45:17; Ezek. 46:3; Hosea 2:11.
3
The Scriptures state that one cannot pick and choose from the old covenant laws
(of which there were 613 commandments, not just 10). If you are going to observe
them, you are obligated to do the whole law, including the New Moons
with their sacrifices. See Galatians 3:10 and
Seventh-Day Adventism Renounced by D. M. Canright (a group HWA is known
to have plagiarized many of his teachings from).
Also:
Aren't
we supposed to try to keep the Ten Commandments?
We Found Out the
Truth About Herbert Armstrong (former
members' testimony showing abuse they suffered at the hands of Craig Winters)
Questioning
Herbert W. Armstrong (was he who he said he was?) (Many
articles)
Back to My Exit Letters
to Craig Winters
Mike's
Enlightenment Page (Info on PCG)
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