(Is it Truth or Only More Worldwide Church of God
Propaganda?)
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Dubbed as a "miracle story," this video has the potential to reactivate any programming placed in members and child survivors of WCG. Even the word "called" in the title is a buzzword to members since they have always believed they were "called" by God into His true church. Music is used throughout to create a desired emotional response and ranges from low, suspenseful and drumming, to mellow, light, or uplifting. Herbert W. Armstrong's voice, which is randomly heard throughout the video, is frequently loud and disturbing. Ministers interviewed use a subdued, slower tone of voice, rather than the energized, fast speech often used in sermons.
WCG has stated that this video will be viewed by its present members.
In addition, be sure and read: Outsider's Inside Update Newsletters (Looking behind the scenes at the real activities and associations pertaining to the "transformation" of the WCG; shows how doctrine has been used as a massive propaganda tool) UPDATE: Worldwide Church of God changed their name in April 2009 in the United States to Grace Communion International. (Read: Worldwide Church of God Has Changed Their Name)
Called to Be Free Video / DVD is a production of Living Hope Ministries (former Mormons), 2004. Also read: Living Hope Ministries Still Practice and Hold on to Cult-like Ideas (2009 letter to ESN)
Speakers on the
video listed at bottom*
Suspenseful drumming music plays while we hear the following speakers say:
"How could we have been so theologically ignorant?" (Ron Kelly) [Note: Read Ron Kelly's words from his 1990 sermon "Fun With Prophecy" showing how he got members to think that somehow they were at fault for believing in the prophecies of Herbert Armstrong.)
"We did not understand grace." (Greg Albrecht)
"This was catastrophic..." (Barb Edwards)
"I don't know of anything like this that has ever happened. It was a showdown. It was a Dodge City at high noon." (Hank Hanegraaff)
"It is nothing short of miraculous." (Dr. Kevin Mannoia)
"It's the whole belief system that's in
error. It can't be fixed. It has to be demolished." (Dan Rogers) Suddenly the dogmatic voice of Herbert W. Armstrong is heard booming out fearful and gloomy prophecies, while at the same time, black and white pictures are being shown of World War II--bombs dropping, fire burning and demolished buildings, Hitler, marching soldiers, tanks, the White House, Kennedy's assassination, Vietnam protesters beside a dead body, riots, the Atomic bomb being exploded, fights, Castro, etc. HWA's voice has been put together from different sermons or World Tomorrow radio broadcasts. For instance, we hear him talking about how it is "poppycock" to believe we are saved by grace, then his voice shouts out, "When will we wake up'!" We hear him say we haven't heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, but rather a false gospel. We also hear him say things about the tribulation, war,. Hitler, the world in trouble, United States in trouble, etc. The words and pictures are disturbing.
Ronald Stoddart starts speaking quietly about how HWA "grabbed people's attention, but it was based on fear." Guitar music is strumming lightly
"He had us holding the newspaper in one hand and the Bible in another hand." (Tkach Jr.) Guitar music is strumming lightly.
Then we hear HWA authoritatively saying, "Russia now has the H bomb!! They now have a new type explosive that will destroy a whole nation!!" This part could be very disturbing for those who held to HWA's teachings--not only the pictures, but the loud sound of his voice speaking of fearful things and the suspenseful music. It will undoubtedly be triggering for members and for those were made afraid by his teachings, especially child survivors who suffered from nightmares.
Tony Murphy and Monte Wolverton (son of Basil Wolverton) speak matter-of-factly about Herbert Armstrong (we still vaguely hear HWA preaching in the background).
Randall Dick then says, "Who was the man behind this voice? The man was Herbert W. Armstrong." Light guitar music begins to play.
Black and white pictures are shown of HWA and Loma, the library, maps, etc., as Mike Feazell quietly talks about HWA studying and coming to the conclusion that his wife was right about the Sabbath.
Several speakers go over British-Israelism that HWA taught and why he taught it. (In the background we hear HWA's preaching.)
Suspenseful, slow music starts.
Black and white pictures of poor or orphaned children in World War II receiving food move across the screen. More pictures are seen of World War II, destroyed buildings, etc. HWA says "a terrible famine is coming on the United States that is going to ruin us as a nation inside of less than twenty more years!!" ... "You just wait twenty years and see whether I told you the truth!!" The mild voices of different speakers are heard every so often. Then a picture of the four horseman of the apocalypse; bomb clouds and devastated cities is shown. The mellow voices of Stoddart, Tkach Jr. and Feazell are alternated between the horrifying pictures and HWA's voice. We hear HWA talk about the necessity of keeping the Sabbath and then we hear him declare, "It is the time of the greatest national trouble on the United States of America that has ever happened! It is coming, very, very soon!" He shouts, "Wake up!! You've been deceived!! The true gospel is the gospel of obedience to God!!" This part could be very disturbing for those who listened to HWA.
Mike Feazell tells how members felt:
Dan Rogers talks about how the work of Herbert Armstrong "grew and grew and grew." Quiet, but uplifting music now begins to play.
Notice how Kelly refers to HWA as a "religious broadcaster" instead of a religious cult leader, a false prophet, and a deceptive teacher. He also is not being honest to refer to the WCG as a "church" when he knows it was an organization that deceived and swindled thousands of innocent people.
Dan Rogers says that HWA began to receive letters that said:
He then says that HWA told them: "The radio is your church. Go to church every week by faithfully listening to this radio broadcast." This reply is not true. People did not come out and ask "Where can I go to church?" for the simple reason that a church was never mentioned on HWA's program. One didn't find out about there being a church until they got further along in the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course and then "representatives from Ambassador College" had to visit them first to see if they were ready to attend services. (Read: How Did Herbert W. Armstrong Recruit People?)
Pictures of HWA are shown (as they will be at various times throughout this video).
It's almost amusing to hear Rogers call the beginning of the WCG a "new movement."
Nothing is said about how the COG 7th Day in Oregon refused to accept HWA's teaching on British-Israelism. Also how HWA was dipping into the till and stealing money from this church's accounts and then left the area and moved to Pasadena.
Kelly doesn't tell how people didn't find out about the 2nd and 3rd tithe they were expected to pay until after they started attending services.
Randall Dick talks about how the message was blanketing the U.S. and spreading cross the rest of the world. Then HWA's disturbing voice is heard shouting, "And this gospel is going to go around the world! And when it has circled this world and gone around the world, then--and not until then--nor after then, shall the end of this age come!!"
HWA voice is heard mockingly saying "blessed Trinity," as he reads from the sacred hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy."
Slow, somewhat sad music is being played.
The hook was through studying HWA's literature, which was offered free, each one building on the other. (How Did Herbert W. Armstrong Recruit People?)
Music becomes louder and the WT radio announcer's voice is heard authoritatively proclaiming, "The World Tomorrow!" HWA's voice says, "Well, greetings, friends." (pictures are shown)
Slow, quiet music is heard as Greg Albrecht speaks about Garner Ted Armstrong and his "inappropriate behavior."
First of all, most of the "church" (the members) didn't know the extent of what GTA's "moral failings" were back in the 70's, along with all the corruption and immorality that was going on within the organization.
GTA voice is heard saying, "...bringing you the good news of the World Tomorrow!"
He doesn't mention how WCG evangelists in the 70's challenged HWA.
This figure is highly unlikely. According to Mike Hollman, director of data processing in WCG from 1972 to 1973, WCG's highest number was about 53,000 in 1973. (See this part in OIU 2, Pt. 1 about "discrepancies with the growth picture starting around 1978.") Read "Myth 1 and Myth 2" about how Joe Tkach Jr. and Greg Albrecht found it necessary to enhance the exaggeration of inflated church membership numbers making the latest account higher than all other false statistical statements. (This also shows the millions WCG was pulling in compared to other top evangelists of the time.)
Deborah O'Bryan mentions how her mom died "because she refused to go to the doctor."
Nothing is said about the thousands of people that died due to this healing doctrine, and how they were taught that they would end up in the lake of fire if they went to doctors. Many have health problems to this day because of this teaching. HWA was using doctors and it wasn't just when he got "older." Other ministers also used doctors. There was much hypocrisy going on at the top levels that the members knew nothing about.
Black and white pictures are shown of HWA meeting with dignitaries in other countries. The covers of booklets by HWA and WCG are shown.
What about Tkach Sr.'s "zeal and loyalty" during 1979 when the Attorney General of California investigated the "church" for financial improprieties1 and how the entire situation was exposed by the media? Of course, this is not mentioned.
HWA is shown giving a sermon. His alarming voice is suddenly heard shouting "I am here to bring you the truth! Because you don't hear this from any other voice." ... His voice gets louder. "He's speaking through me!" He has sent me here to talk to you to give you his word!!" (This sounds like it could be a video HWA had sent out to members, especially during the Feast of Tabernacles.) Again, this is another part that would activate programming and be disturbing.
Roman Borek shows the empty room and exact spot where HWA died, pointing out the spot where the chair and the bed were. This would evoke sentimental feelings toward HWA again. Slow, quiet music is playing.
Why would Greg act in the dark about the destructive methods of mind control that many religious cults use in order to retain members? What is he apologizing about? Certainly not for the lives that were wrecked and destroyed as a result of being recruited into this cult? Or is he apologizing to the evangelical Christians on the outside? (Read this part on our site which covers headquarters' "apologies.")
Tells how he began to look into British-Israelism at this time and found it "bogus and bizarre" and "off the wall."
At this point the twisted "story" is told of how Joseph W. Tkach Jr., Greg Albrecht and Mike Feazell discovered they had held some errors. The only thing is it doesn't match with what really happened. Read Worldwide Church of God History to see that these "new doctrines" that Jr., Feazell, and Albrecht say they were "studying into" had already been brought to the attention of the Armstrongs over and over again in the 1970's (a time when these present leaders were involved with the WCG and would know all about what happened). Also read Deception Surrounding WCG Changes (twisted Mystery of the Ages story given in the early 1990's).
Tkach Jr. says when he first saw evidence that British-Israelism was false, he didn't accept it at first, but once he saw that it didn't hold up and that it was bogus, "everything fell in place" and his "world view changed." (slow, quiet music is playing)
Why does he call the WCG a "denomination"? Do the leaders want others to think that WCG was a Christian church all along? (Their booklet Transformed by Christ, 1998 also uses the word "denomination" to describe their organization.) [Read a critical review of this book by ESN.]
After telling how he found out that what HWA taught about the Trinity was completely bogus and that HWA "built this huge condemnation of traditional Christianity on something that was completely preposterous," Feazell says,
The leaders begin to act surprised at the things they were finding out.
Albrecht does not admit that he, Mike Feazell, Bernie Schnippert (and others in WCG's "inner circle" at HQ) were quietly attending classes at Azusa Pacific University years prior to this meeting. (Azusa is considered a theologically liberal institution and is Charismatic/Pentecostal. They are also a member of Willow Creek Association. Read: Willow Creek Hegelian Dialectic & the New World Order for more info on WCA.) Richard Foster (co-founder of Renovare` and whose books WCG has promoted) is Professor of spiritual formation at Azusa. (For more on Richard J. Foster, see the expos?/font> articles: Richard Foster - General Teachings and Activities and A Critique on the Ministry of Richard Foster) This meeting of these three was presumably after 1986 when they "discovered" they shared many of the same ideas.
But in the meantime, WCG hired a PR team to reach the apologetic ministries. Michael Snyder (one of those PR men) was interviewed on the radio with Ruth Tucker in December 1990 telling everyone that the WCG was now "Trinitarian." Snyder later left the WCG, accusing it of being a "cult." (The Watchman Expositor, Vol. 10, No. 7, 1993, p. 3) Are we supposed to believe that those at WCG headquarters didn't know about all this?
Then in 1993 a "Paradigm" sermon was sent out to the members (to prepare them for changes coming). The video played was called "Discovering the Future." Notice what Joseph Chambers (1997) said about paradigm: "The word paradigm describes the New Age idea of transition between two world views. ... Do not ask questions, for questions and Biblical reasoning is a solid block against this change."
To add to the confusion (i. e., mind control), Tkach Jr. gave a sermon entitled "Rumors" the same year--April 3, 1993--where he denied the very changes that he says on this video that he was studying into. (Read excerpts from this sermon.)
It has already been mentioned above that many of these same doctrines were examined back in the 1970's by those who were labeled "liberals."
We are led to believe that it was Joe Tkach Jr, Mike Feazell and Greg Albrecht that understood these new doctrines first, then they approached Tkach Sr. with their "research." Yet in an impromptu meeting in March 1995, Tkach Jr. is recorded as saying that it was his Dad that "got this thing going." (OIU #3, Pt. 2)
Before the 1990 radio interview mentioned above, Michael Snyder (one of WCG's PR men for the new changes at this time), stated:
Also read The Earl Williams Factor to see the catalyst that propelled Tkach Sr. to begin speeding up his new doctrinal changes and to come out with the N.C. sermon in 1995. Before this sermon, Earl Williams' tapes were circling the country among a number of members and more and more were beginning to wake up and to exit the WCG.
After 1995 Joseph Tkach Sr. continually engaged in double-talk after these "big changes" had taken place. For instance, telling members that they weren't under the Law anymore, but "they obey the Law because they have the Spirit." (For some incredible quotes concerning the words Sr. was telling the members at this time read Letter from ESN to Watchman Fellowship, February 16, 1995.)
Kelly wants us to believe that he was totally surprised by these new changes. Where was he prior to September 1995? He was part and parcel of the layer of deceit in the WCG, which had been known since the 1960's. Read this part in OIU 4, Pt 1 that talks about Ron Kelly, along with other top leaders in the WCG, who knew about the corruption in the WCG, and who knew that these doctrines were not anything new. Ron Kelly also met with James Dobson of Focus on the Family on the National Day of Prayer in 1997 and it was confirmed that H. B. London had known Ron Kelly for some time. Also, read our partial transcript of Ron Kelly's 1990 sermon, "Fun With Prophecy" which shows how Kelly used "humor" to disarm the members while making them believe that somehow they were at fault for believing HWA's prophecies. Also read a March 10, 2003 letter to ESN that tells of a later sermon Ron Kelly gave where he called the members "stupid" for believing in polytheism. These sermons of Kelly's served to "pave the way" for HQ to introduce the new changes.
Can the leaders at HQ say the words, "Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior?"
Was he in a coma when the ministers of the 70's brought these same issues before the Armstrong's and ended up being called "servants of the devil"?
Members in WCG at the time of these "new changes" have testified that "legalism" didn't all collapse in an instant. Letters from our Research page and Worldwide News Quotes before September 1995 show that tithing, Sabbath keeping, festival observances, were still in effect and many contradictions were used.
Stoddart called these changes the "truth" here. Members did think it was new truth. Joseph Tkach Sr.'s 1995 video sermon showed how they got it across.
It's questionable whether the leaders knew "what's true," when it comes to speaking the truth, but they certainly knew what they had to do. What is very significant is that for a number of years many cults have been trying to mainstream. ("From Cult to Church: The Quest for Acceptance" by R. Enroth, 1994.) Many feel "church" is merely a front for what are actually highly funded organizations with millions of dollars in investments. Today they are shedding their distinctive features, blending their ideologies, and becoming united under the name of "God." Much of Christianity is being replaced with New Age philosophies today. Are we beginning to see the coming together of an ecumenical, one world religion?
Then why wasn't it?
Members did not even understand the abusive, deceitful tactics that cults employ.
Did Joseph W. Tkach Sr. (or whoever was doing the writing for him) work long and hard to make sure the sermon was filled with blame, confusion, and spin control?
Part of the January 1995 sermon video is shown with Joseph Tkach Sr. giving his sermon to the members, but we don't hear him shouting: "DO WE WANT TO HEALED OF THE STUPIDITY AND IGNORANCE THAT WE HAD?!"
Let's quote Tkach Sr.'s exact words from the video sermon (which are filled with contradictions) and see if he said "the Sabbath is not required of Christians":
The written words to this sermon were posted in WCG's January 10, 1995 WN (VOL. XXIII. NO 1). However, in comparing it with the audio portion of the video, it is easily seen that HQ changed some of Tkach Sr.'s words and omitted all his abusive statements. Today WCG says that "WN's before September 1995 are not available."
Is this what really happened, or were people confused, quiet and disorientated due to the duplicitous way the changes were presented? Letters we have received from those who were in services when this video was presented show an entirely different picture. Read a few testimonies about what happened after the video was presented in their area. (Emails on file with ESN)
The message was given that "if you
loved God you would give more than a tithe." (documented in
Letters to Janis Hutchinson) The propaganda that Rogers is spreading is that members (after viewing the video) were saying, "He's saying that we don't have to obey God? We don't have to keep the Sabbath? He's saying we don't have to keep the festivals? He says that we don't have to tithe our money to the church anymore." In reading the transcript of the video (or listening to the sermon) one can see clearly that this is untrue.
Ronald Urwiller tells how people were
laid off "because of cut back." Why not tell about the 167 ministers who were disfellowshipped by HQ and/or made an exit?
This statement sounds like all who left Barb's congregation held on to HWA's doctrines. (Tkach Jr. gave the same impression in an interview on March 16, 1996. Copy of interview with ESN.) Many had already been leaving in the five years prior. There were many others who exited after this video because they realized it was a deceitful organization that had not been truthful with them.
In spite of this video wanting us to focus on correct doctrine, doctrine is not the real issue here. The members have been psychologically coerced, manipulated and mind controlled. (Read: How Mind Manipulation is Used for Influence and Control) The word "doctrine" was rarely used in the WCG. Instead it was called, "a way of life," or "God's way." The WCG was an authoritarian, dictatorial organization, hierarchal in its management, and very abusive.
Actually, HQ just moved them on over into a new belief system. Their minds were still being manipulated because they weren't given all the facts about what WCG was all about and how they had been controlled and used in a very exploitive way. The ones that stayed believed they should be "loyal" to WCG. One year later Joe Tkach Jr. gave a sermon where he told the members to "let go of the baggage" (November 9, 1996; sermon with ESN). There was a magnitude of duplicity and deceit going on at the time.
No member would ever say they enjoyed a sermon where they felt beaten down.
Was it really the members that didn't want to hear about love, or was it the leaders that didn't want to preach on it because of HWA and GTA's sarcastic views? The true love of God was what the members needed to hear about and didn't.
Why doesn't Katherine come out and say that because of Herbert Armstrong's teaching, their focus was on Christ's message about "the Kingdom," instead of on the Person of Christ? Are we to believe she missed that??
We're made to think that all those who didn't make the change were "committed to Armstrongism." Those who held to HWA's teachings felt they were being faithful to the Word of God. After all, they were programmed with this thinking. What would have happened if the changes had been presented in a totally different manner? But mind control entails confusion. (Read the book: Combatting Cult Mind Control)
Albrecht relates the above in a sad manner, almost like it is too hard for him to talk about it.
Then why is he still in the Pastor General position?
Tkach Jr. does not admit to the fact that WCG told members that other churches and Christians were "of the devil" or "Satan's churches." It sounds like he is apologizing to outside Christians here and not to the members and children raised inside. Nothing was done to rectify the innumerable injustices that had been perpetrated on the members, children and loved ones. (Read: Did Herbert Armstrong Abuse His Flock?)
Toward the end of this video, several statements are repeated, to enforce the belief that WCG's new changes were "a miracle," and "of God":
Regardless of WCG appearing to lose income by members going over to Global Church of God (with Rod Meredith) and United Church of God-AIA at this time, Tkach Jr. said, according to Bernie Schnippert, (in spite of lowered income) the WCG remained in "sound financial condition," the Pasadena property was "totally debt free" and they had "ample financial reserves to meet all their obligations." (March 23, 1996, sermon, Toronto, Canada. Sermon with ESN.)
WCG had been liquidating lots of their real estate in the late 1980's, but the members had no idea of what was going on. (Read: Letter to author Janis Hutchinson)
We might also bring up the issue of the $3 million WCG received in 2003 from Philadelphia Church of God for the sale of the copyrights to HWA's heresies. Also, what about the monies received from HWA's massive treasures that were sold (some of which were auctioned off to Philadelphia Church of God)?
How many are aware that the word "transformation" is an occult term?
Hank Hanegraaff (who has no degree in theology) was the PR mouthpiece for WCG's propaganda. He endorsed WCG while abuses were still going on inside. More expose` on Hanegraaff can be found on the links on Letters to Hank Hanegraaff.
There were many reasons that propelled WCG to do a "conversion." One only has to look at what was going on through each decade to lead up to all that transpired after HWA died. (See Research Letters and OIU Newsletters.) WCG was not recruiting as before, especially post Jonestown. Armstrongism was no longer advantageous. (Also read: An Open Letter to Our Friends and Acquaintances in The Church of God.)
The doctrine must be divided from why they made the changes. This is the total picture. Deception in the name of religion is commonplace because religion is a multi-billion dollar industry today. If WCG was a dying organism after HWA died, then they had no other choice then to mainstream.
Worldwide Church of God is taking a middle of the road stance with certain doctrines, such as what happens to the soul after death. (see Is Worldwide Church of God Still Holding on to Some of Herbert Armstrong's Doctrines?) Ever since the changes they have given several views of different doctrines to the members and then allow them to decide which one they want to believe.
WCG became known as a destructive, mind-manipulating religious cult filled with immorality, financial opulence and corruption at the highest levels. All this has been documented by those who were once a part of the system. (See booklist and Articles on WCG Expose`) Yet WCG wants everyone who watches this video to believe that "God" stepped in to work a miracle because their concept of grace was erroneous. Certain cults have been continuing to mainstream for years and many have already gained social acceptance. The ecumenical movement has been penetrating Christianity and the whole world, and these cults are realizing it is finally feasible to become a part of it. (Read about the church growth movement) Much money is being made today with the words "Jesus Christ."
Serious music starts to play.
For years after their changes, WCG leaders continued to say that HWA was "a sincere Christian," "a man of God" and "dedicated to Christ" (Charisma and Christian Life Magazine, 1996; March 7, 1995 The Worldwide News, Vol. XXIII, NO.5, p. 3; MacGregor Ministries, News & Views, p. 4; 4-30-96 and 5-1-96 interview on D. James Kennedy's Truths that Transform), and not until now do they say "yes, I believe Herbert Armstrong was a false prophet." [Note: In Feb. 2005 The Worldwide News in the United States changed its name to WCG Today. In May 2006 it was changed to Together.] How could he have been a false prophet and yet be all these other things they stated he was? He couldn't have. Is their late-coming confession somehow supposed to nullify all the years when they were supposedly making their new changes and didn't denounce HWA as a false prophet? (For an example read WCG minister Keith Brittain's words about HWA during the changes.) No it doesn't, and the history is there for all to see. Furthermore, we still haven't heard the leaders confess the whole truth about HWA and then go on explain to their members what a destructive religious cult is (not just telling them that they had wrong doctrines and "didn't understand grace"). They do not own up to the devastation and misery this "way of life" caused, many whom are still suffering today. How many members really understand thought reform and how it was purposely was used on them in order to control, use, and victimize them? A rudimentary knowledge of mind control and thought reform is needed in order to break free of it, but books on mind control have not been recommended to the members.
This statement will cause the members to believe "they" were heretics, instead of putting the blame directly where it belongs--on Herbert Armstrong's head. (One must also ask why it has taken Albrecht almost ten years to agree that HWA was a "heretic.")
Serious music starts playing.
Again, the message is that we (who were/are members) are to "blame ourselves." Those who have dealt with victims of mind control have confirmed that anger toward the abuser is a part of their recovery.
It's explainable when we understand the reasons for their changes and how they had no choice but to change. Read the OIU Newsletters.
Jack Hayford is part of the modern Charismatic movement and his connections are well covered in this offsite article. Hayford is on Renovar?s speaking platform. See footnote #3 for more on how Renovar?s considered a mystical movement and how WCG has endorsed Renovar?
WCG has always made members think that they have "a purpose," "a calling," and are to "give hope someday to others." This will sound very familiar to members and make them feel they are in a special class with a special purpose.
The music rises and we hear HWA's loud, disturbing voice. At the same time we see pictures of HWA and then serious, unsmiling pictures of Rogers, Albrecht, Kelly, as if they are listening to HWA's voice. We see Tkach Sr. preaching. HWA's words are shouting, "I don't think that you know any organized group that calls itself a church that has ever changed its doctrines, that has ever admitted it has been wrong, that has ever admitted that it had taught something that it now finds was an error and admits publicly and tells the people it has been in error and now it preaches the truth!!!" Music rises and is suspenseful.
When HWA spoke the above words he was talking about how he had "the truth" and other Christian churches wouldn't admit they were wrong. He was saying that he had admitted he had been wrong for believing these other Christians. This statement of HWA's cannot apply to WCG, because, although WCG has changed some doctrines, they themselves have shown they have not been honest all along.
The music changes to slow and suspenseful.
Worldwide Church of God does not teach eternal security, meaning a true believer cannot lose their salvation. Read: Is Worldwide Church of God Still Holding on to Some of Herbert W. Armstrong's Doctrines?
This video has not shown a "miracle,"
but unbelievable propaganda. The top leaders try to come across as very
convincing, but they don't do a very good job of it.
Conclusion:
Let us not be deceived concerning what is going on today under the guise of Christianity and religion. By D. W. Footnotes: (updated November 4, 2006) 1 During this time, the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Lutheran Church of America, the National Council of Churches (NCC), the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, Synagogue Council of America, General Association of United Presbyterian Church of U.S.A., the Unification Church (Moonies), and the Northern California Ecumenical Council (those who were part of the ecumenical movement) all strongly supported the WCG at this time. All of these organizations, including the WCC, wrote the legal petitions against the state of California. [Read: The World Council of Churches, the Cup of the Lord or the Cup of Devils? and Article on the theologically liberal National Council of Churches.] [Update: websites currently unavailable] 2 Jack Hayford is founding pastor of the Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California (Foursquare Church, Pentecostal), where Paul and Jan Crouch (Trinity Broadcasting Network founders) are members. He is on the board of Promise Keepers and is one of the founders and first officers of Charismatic Bible Ministries, a leadership organization initiated by Oral Roberts in the mid-eighties. He is hyper Charismatic, speaks in tongues (read: Jack Hayford--"Though I Speak in Tongues"), and has involved himself in unity movements around the world with New Agers and Catholic leaders. He was instrumental in helping the Worldwide Church of God become a member of the NAE. 3 WCG recommends New Ager Richard J. Foster's books and has often quoted from him (see WCG: New Changes, Ecumenical Connections). Foster is co-founder of Renovare` and Professor of spiritual formation at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. Foster teaches all the techniques of the New Age such as quietism, mantras, centering, Buddhism, Yoga, T. M., the exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, Eastern religion and so on. One of the essential elements of Renovare`s strategy involves ecumenism. Read about Renovare` (Mystical & Occult Spirituality). 4 The NAE has now accepted the NCC (National Council of Churches) and WCC (World Council of Churches) members. WCG is a member of the NAE. The WCC is known as apostate and radically liberal. Ted Haggard was former president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) which represents almost 50,000 churches in America. During this time, there were a number of serious concerns regarding him, including his spiritual manipulation, hypocrisy, and promoting the agenda of C. Peter Wagner. On Nov. 4, 2006 Ted Haggard resigned as president of the NAE and was dismissed as senior pastor of the 14,000 member New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO as a result of sexually immoral behavior. (Read: Letter to NAE and other concerned Christians.) *Speakers on the video: Ron Kelly, controller, WCG Michael Feazell coordinated the interviews.
Living Hope Ministries Still Practice and Hold on to Cult-like Ideas (2009 letter) |