Authored by: Nathan Albright, Submitted for Consideration to Aaron Dean, Candidate for President of the United Church of God
Date: April 28, 2025
Executive Summary
Herbert W. Armstrong, as the founder of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) and a pivotal figure in the Church of God movement, played a transformative role in shaping the doctrines, practices, and global outreach of the church. His teachings, including the identity of the Twelve Tribes of Israel in the modern world, seventh-day Sabbath observance, and the emphasis on biblical prophecy, remain foundational to the United Church of God (UCG), an offshoot of the WCG established in 1995 to preserve Armstrong’s core doctrines. To prevent the emergence of “a generation that did not know” Armstrong’s contributions, as warned in the cyclical forgetting described in Judges 2:10, it is critical to educate young members of the UCG about his legacy. This white paper proposes actionable strategies for Aaron Dean, a candidate for UCG President who worked closely with Armstrong, to engage younger generations. These proposals leverage Dean’s personal experiences, modern educational tools, and community-based initiatives to ensure Armstrong’s significance is understood and appreciated.
Introduction
Herbert W. Armstrong (1892–1986) founded the Radio Church of God (later the Worldwide Church of God) in 1934, growing it into a global ministry through his radio and television program The World Tomorrow, the magazine The Plain Truth, and the establishment of Ambassador College. His teachings emphasized the restoration of biblical truths, including the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, Old Testament Holy Days, and the belief that Western European nations, particularly the United States and Britain, are descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. These doctrines, collectively referred to by critics as “Armstrongism,” form the theological backbone of the UCG, which was founded to maintain Armstrong’s teachings after the WCG’s doctrinal shifts in the 1990s.
Aaron Dean, having worked closely with Armstrong during his youth, is uniquely positioned to convey the historical and spiritual significance of Armstrong’s work. The biblical warning in Judges 2:10–11, where a new generation “did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel” and “did what was evil,” underscores the urgency of educating young UCG members. This white paper outlines five key proposals to integrate Armstrong’s legacy into the education and spiritual development of UCG youth, ensuring his contributions remain a living part of the church’s identity.
Proposals for Educating Young People
- Develop an Interactive Digital Curriculum: “Herbert W. Armstrong’s Legacy”
- Objective: Create an engaging, age-appropriate online course to teach UCG youth (ages 10–25) about Armstrong’s life, teachings, and impact.
- Implementation:
- Partner with UCG’s Media and Communications Services to design a modular curriculum hosted on the UCG website or a dedicated app.
- Include short videos featuring Aaron Dean sharing personal anecdotes about Armstrong’s dedication, work ethic, and vision for the church.
- Cover key topics such as:
- Armstrong’s early life and calling (e.g., his transition from advertising to ministry after intensive Bible study).
- The growth of The World Tomorrow and The Plain Truth, which reached millions globally.
- Core doctrines (Sabbath, Holy Days, identity of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and prophecy) and their biblical basis.
- Use interactive elements like quizzes, virtual tours of Ambassador College’s history, and discussion prompts for youth groups.
- Offer a certificate of completion to encourage participation, tied to youth camp or festival credits.
- Rationale: Digital platforms are effective for engaging tech-savvy youth. Dean’s personal stories add authenticity, while interactive features foster retention. A 2023 Pew Research study noted that 80% of teens prefer multimedia learning, supporting this approach.
- Timeline: Develop and launch within 12 months, with pilot testing at UCG youth camps in 2026.
- Budget: $50,000 for content creation, platform development, and promotion.
- Establish an Annual “Herbert W. Armstrong Heritage Day”
- Objective: Create a church-wide event to celebrate Armstrong’s contributions, fostering community engagement and historical awareness.
- Implementation:
- Designate January 16 (the anniversary of Armstrong’s death in 1986) as Heritage Day, held during Sabbath services.
- Organize activities such as:
- A keynote sermon by Aaron Dean or other elders who knew Armstrong, highlighting his role in restoring biblical truths.
- Youth-led skits or presentations reenacting key moments, like Armstrong’s first radio broadcast in 1934.
- A “Legacy Fair” where youth explore exhibits on Armstrong’s writings, media, and global outreach (e.g., his meetings with world leaders).
- Encourage congregations to host essay or video contests for teens, with themes like “How Armstrong’s Teachings Shape My Faith.”
- Distribute a commemorative booklet summarizing Armstrong’s life and UCG’s commitment to his doctrines.
- Rationale: Annual events create lasting traditions, and youth participation fosters ownership. The Philadelphia Church of God’s similar efforts to honor Armstrong have strengthened member loyalty.
- Timeline: Plan for January 16, 2026, with preparatory materials distributed by Fall 2025.
- Budget: $20,000 for materials, contest prizes, and congregational support.
- Incorporate Armstrong’s Teachings into UCG Youth Camps and Bible Study Programs
- Objective: Embed Armstrong’s legacy into existing youth programs to ensure consistent exposure.
- Implementation:
- Revise UCG youth camp curricula to include daily 15-minute sessions on Armstrong’s contributions, led by camp counselors trained by Aaron Dean.
- Use Armstrong’s writings, such as The United States and Britain in Prophecy or Mystery of the Ages, as discussion starters, focusing on their relevance to modern prophecy.
- Integrate Armstrong’s emphasis on biblical obedience (e.g., Sabbath-keeping, tithing) into practical workshops, showing how these practices stem from his teachings.
- Develop a teen Bible study guide, “Following in Armstrong’s Footsteps,” with weekly lessons linking his doctrines to scripture.
- Rationale: Youth camps and Bible studies are formative for UCG teens, with over 500 participants annually. Embedding Armstrong’s legacy here ensures broad reach and spiritual connection.
- Timeline: Implement at 2026 summer camps and roll out study guides by Spring 2026.
- Budget: $15,000 for curriculum development and counselor training.
- Launch a Mentorship Program: “Ambassadors for Armstrong’s Vision”
- Objective: Pair young members with elders who knew Armstrong to share firsthand insights and foster intergenerational bonds.
- Implementation:
- Create a voluntary program where teens (ages 14–18) are mentored by elders, including Aaron Dean and others who worked with Armstrong.
- Mentors share personal stories, such as Armstrong’s commitment to preaching the gospel globally, and guide mentees in studying his key booklets.
- Host quarterly virtual or in-person “Legacy Talks” where mentors and mentees discuss Armstrong’s impact on their faith.
- Encourage mentees to lead a congregational project (e.g., a sermonette or community outreach) inspired by Armstrong’s example of service.
- Rationale: Personal mentorship builds trust and makes history relatable. A 2024 study by Barna Group found that 65% of Gen Z values one-on-one spiritual guidance.
- Timeline: Pilot in select congregations by Fall 2025, with full rollout by 2027.
- Budget: $10,000 for program coordination and virtual platform costs.
- Create a Multimedia Archive and Podcast Series: “Armstrong’s Enduring Voice”
- Objective: Make Armstrong’s sermons, broadcasts, and writings accessible to youth through modern media.
- Implementation:
- Digitize and curate a UCG online archive of Armstrong’s The World Tomorrow episodes, Plain Truth articles, and books, with youth-friendly summaries.
- Launch a monthly podcast hosted by Aaron Dean, featuring discussions on Armstrong’s teachings, their biblical roots, and their relevance today (e.g., prophecy in 2025 geopolitics).
- Include youth voices in the podcast, such as interviews with teens who apply Armstrong’s principles (e.g., Sabbath-keeping in school).
- Promote the archive and podcast via UCG’s social media, targeting platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where 70% of teens are active (Pew Research, 2024).
- Rationale: Multimedia archives preserve Armstrong’s voice, while podcasts engage youth in a popular format. The Restored Church of God’s similar efforts have boosted engagement among younger members.
- Timeline: Launch archive by Summer 2026 and podcast by Fall 2026.
- Budget: $30,000 for digitization, podcast production, and marketing.
Addressing Potential Challenges
- Skepticism About Armstrong’s Legacy: Some youth may view Armstrong’s teachings, like British Israelism, as outdated or controversial due to modern genetic research debunking it. Emphasize the spiritual intent of his teachings (e.g., understanding prophecy) and Dean’s personal testimony to bridge generational gaps.
- Overemphasis on Armstrong: Critics within UCG argue that focusing on Armstrong risks venerating a man over scripture. Ensure all materials frame Armstrong as a servant of God, not the source of truth, with clear scriptural grounding.
- Resource Constraints: Limited budgets and volunteer time may hinder implementation. Prioritize low-cost initiatives like the mentorship program and leverage existing platforms like UCG’s website to minimize expenses.
- Engaging Diverse Youth: Urban and international youth may feel disconnected from Armstrong’s Western-focused teachings. Tailor content to highlight universal principles (e.g., Sabbath rest, God’s plan for humanity) and include diverse voices in podcasts and events.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased Awareness: Within three years, 80% of UCG youth (ages 10–25) will demonstrate basic knowledge of Armstrong’s contributions, measured via surveys at youth camps.
- Stronger Identity: Youth will articulate how Armstrong’s teachings shape UCG’s distinct identity, fostering commitment to the church’s mission.
- Intergenerational Unity: Programs like mentorship and Heritage Day will bridge gaps between older members who knew Armstrong and younger ones, strengthening church cohesion.
- Preservation of Doctrine: By embedding Armstrong’s legacy in education, UCG ensures its core beliefs endure, countering the doctrinal drift seen in the WCG post-1986.
Conclusion
Herbert W. Armstrong’s role in restoring biblical truths and building the Worldwide Church of God is central to the United Church of God’s identity. Aaron Dean, with his firsthand experience, can lead efforts to educate young members, ensuring Armstrong’s legacy inspires future generations. The proposed digital curriculum, Heritage Day, youth camp integration, mentorship program, and multimedia archive offer a comprehensive approach to engage youth meaningfully. By implementing these initiatives, UCG can avoid the cycle of forgetting described in Judges, raising a generation that knows and values Armstrong’s contributions to its faith and practices.
Recommendations for Immediate Action
- Form a task force by June 2025, including Aaron Dean, youth leaders, and media experts, to prioritize and pilot the digital curriculum and Heritage Day.
- Allocate $125,000 in the 2026 UCG budget for these initiatives, with phased implementation to manage costs.
- Engage youth feedback via focus groups at the 2025 Feast of Tabernacles to refine content and ensure relevance.
References
- United Church of God. (2025). Official website and doctrinal statements.
- Pew Research Center. (2023). Teens and Technology.
- Barna Group. (2024). Gen Z and Faith.
This white paper provides a roadmap for Aaron Dean to educate UCG youth about Herbert W. Armstrong, ensuring his legacy endures in a way that resonates with the next generation.
Edge Induced Cohesion 
These are excellent suggestions. We need to bridge generational gaps without venerating the human being that he most definitely was. “Mystery of the Ages” should be mandatory reading. The seals were opened and these mysteries were revealed. This information had been lost for centuries. By the time the Sardis Era entered the picture, all they had was non- triune Sabbath keeping with a few other incidentals. HWA was disfellowshipped for keeping the holy days and, later on, so was Dugger, the founder of the sacred names movement. Love,Mom
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How big of a priority is familiarizing adults, to say nothing of teens and children, with books like Mystery of the Aged and the correspondence course?
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Just a quick note: HWA was never disfellowshipped from the CG7 based in Salem, WV. His credentials were not renewed. See the article ‘Lists, Charts & Letters of the Early Years of the Ministry of Herbert W Armstrong’ here CW | Papers, Articles, Studies and Charts
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I find this grimly funny for some reason .
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agree with your view of the centrality of her Armstrong in the identity of UCG and kindred churches. Here is an admittedly critical discussion of this heritage, which you as a historian may find interesting. It is a work in progress, so edits can be frequent. I would appreciate hearing your reactions to the ideas presented. Thank you.
https://catsgunsandnationalsecurity.blogspot.com/2025/03/reference-to-followers-of-armstrongism.html?m=1
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Thanks for your comments. I read your account and agree that the work involved with services requires looking at the levitical precedent. As far as succession goes an honest record would indicate that there was no sort of unbroken chain from one group of believers to others. I would also add that we have seen in other parts of the world situations where groups of people and congregations came to basically every independent discovery and obedience to biblical doctrines and such people are respected for their obedience even without having a formal relationship or historical bond to the Church of God
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Thank you for reading and replying. I hope you will share it with others, both in the membership and ministry. People need to understand the true historical nature of their faith.
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I have waited until after GCE to point out that your response did not actually address the point of my post. You acknowledged the lack of connections in the alleged succession, but failed to consider the consequences. The Ezra/Nehemiah precedent actually sets aside the ministry from being “true” ministers. In effect, it nullifies the whole “True Church” claim of the Armstrong church tradition and legacy. The refusal of you and others to address it points heavily to my contention being correct – that is, you all are NOT the “True Church.” Will you discuss this in your next speaking opportunity? I look forward to hearing your reply to this.
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Your whole argument is a non sequitor given the change in priesthood from the example of the Levitical priesthood you cite in Ezra and Nehemiah and the Melchizedek order of the New Testament where the author of Hebrews points that this succession has been superseded by a priest without father and mother who even Abraham tithed to.
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People confuse form with function. The form of governance under Worldwide was distinctly different from the function of its ministers. The latter has never changed. The Bible never set evangelists in higher positions of authority over pastors, etc. The linear construct of its administration was a manmade concept. The Bible uses terms such as elder, pastor, evangelist, apostle and deacon to describe what these people do. These titles embody a job description, not a pecking order.
To state that those serving in the ministry are not true ministers in the scriptural sense is disingenuous. Christ commanded His disciples to go forth throughout the world and baptize converts. The students must become the teachers. They became apostles, and those who followed afterward taught throughout history until the modern age. We should look at the Biblical definition of these titles rather than shrink from using them or assigning our own meanings to them. Attempts to Judaize the church have been ongoing since the first century. We don’t follow the Old Covenant traditions because we are no longer enjoined to a Levitical priesthood. This is an insidiously poisonous thread of error that delineates righteousness by proscribed rules and laws rather than the grace and love that drives them.
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Folks, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t use Levite examples when it suits your agenda, and then deny them as “changed” when they stand in your way.
From Nathan’s response: “I read your account and agree that the work involved with services requires looking at the levitical precedent. As far as succession goes an honest record would indicate that there was no sort of unbroken chain from one group of believers to others.”
– You accent to the Armstrong idea and practice that “levitical(sic) precedent” must be looked at in church operations. (So much for being “changed.”)
– You accent that the “honest record” holds that there is no demonstrable ordinational connection for the claimed succession. (No denial of the situation.)I used to work in law. There is a lawyer’s joke that when the law is against you, you pound the facts or. When the facts are against you, you pound the law. When the law and the facts are against you, you pound the table. You acknowledge the law in the Armstrong use of “Levitical precedent.” You acknowledge the facts of the lack of demonstrable succession. But you demand that people ignore the resultant conclusion.
That you did not specifically respond to the Ezra/Nehemiah precedent until I pressed you on it shows you know the consequences of it. Face the consequences. Either your ministers are “spiritual Levites” with a (demonstrable) ordinational descent analogous to Levitical genetic descent (and thus bearing analogous conditions, obligations, and consequences), or the entire basis of the Armstrong faith tradition’s claim of “True Church” status and authority fails.
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You don’t get to put God to that kind of test. No one has an obligation to follow your personal wishes or ideas.
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I am not putting God to a test here. I am putting the Armstrongist ministry to a test – a biblical test consistent with both common sense and their own historical doctrine and practice. You know, the 1 Thess 5:21 thing. That you would conflate the two says a lot.
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Considering your test is a false dilemma there is no need for anyone to submit to it whatsoever.
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Nathan, you called my point in this a “false dilemma.” You claim I am “overstating the importance of succession.” Your mother (cekam57) also says some things that might point to that view. So again, I will note something from my writeup: https://catsgunsandnationalsecurity.blogspot.com/2025/03/reference-to-followers-of-armstrongism.html?m=1
“NOTE: If an Armstrongist minister ever denies the ordinational succession claim and/or its centrality to the defining and operation of their supposed “True Church,” ask him if there is even a serious possibility that his church might possibly recognize as a “true” minister someone claiming to be a minister, but definitely without such succession. If he says that it is at all possible, then the hold on members that the Armstrongist ministry claims is gone. His church will be no better than any other Christian denomination. Anyone will be free to leave their current church and be declared a “minister,” and members will be free to follow him or any other professed minister – or none at all. The Armstrongist minister and his church will have no justification on those grounds for denouncing the new “fellowship.” On the other hand, if he says that here is no chance that the succession-free minister would be so recognized, then he is essentially yielding the point.”
So I ask the two of you that question: Is the succession necessary to be considered a “true minister” as stated therein? Be careful before you answer it, because the entire basis of your religion, particularly as your proposed “Heritage Day” would promote it, rests on the conclusion.
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Nathan, you called my point in this a “false dilemma.” You claim I am “overstating the importance of succession.” Your mother (cekam57) also says some things that might point to that view. So again, I will note something from my writeup: https://catsgunsandnationalsecurity.blogspot.com/2025/03/reference-to-followers-of-armstrongism.html?m=1
“NOTE: If an Armstrongist minister ever denies the ordinational succession claim and/or its centrality to the defining and operation of their supposed “True Church,” ask him if there is even a serious possibility that his church might possibly recognize as a “true” minister someone claiming to be a minister, but definitely without such succession. If he says that it is at all possible, then the hold on members that the Armstrongist ministry claims is gone. His church will be no better than any other Christian denomination. Anyone will be free to leave their current church and be declared a “minister,” and members will be free to follow him or any other professed minister – or none at all. The Armstrongist minister and his church will have no justification on those grounds for denouncing the new “fellowship.” On the other hand, if he says that here is no chance that the succession-free minister would be so recognized, then he is essentially yielding the point.”
So I ask the two of you that question: Is the succession necessary to be considered a “true minister” as stated therein? Be careful before you answer it, because the entire basis of your religion, particularly as your proposed “Heritage Day” would promote it, rests on the conclusion.
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Apologies for double posting. I’ve been having strange problems with WordPress in the last 24 hours. It is still giving me problems.
We may never agree on this. It is my hope, though, that Armstrong tradition churches will be more forthright in outreach about the intuitive nature of their religiosity. Heritage Day will go far to doing that. (Ditto their views on civic duty, such as political involvement and military service.)
Thank you.
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Apologies for double posting. I’ve been having strange problems with WordPress in the last 24 hours. It is still giving me problems.
We may never agree on this. It is my hope, though, that Armstrong tradition churches will be more forthright in outreach about the intuitive nature of their religiosity. Heritage Day will go far to doing that. (Ditto their views on civic duty, such as political involvement and military service.)
Thank you.
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And I should reiterate this from my writeup:
”Even attempting to deny the direct applicability of the scriptural example (and thus losing much of the power and prestige in the ministry gained by the Levitical typology), the precedent sets the parallel in establishing the burden of proof for succession claims. Think about it. If a woman from your past claimed her child was the result of a union between the two of you, you would not simply accept her claim. You would demand affirmative proof that the child was yours. How much more important than the genealogy of a single individual is being sure that the doctrinal authority you believe you are bound to is the correct one?”
The thing about legal precedents is that they extend in principle beyond the original context. In this case, adding in the very basic logic, plus the ever-present possibility of fraud on the part of a supposed minister at some point in history, confirmation of the succession is all the more vital.
In early days of UCG, I as a lay member mailed a paper on church governance to a minister in another area. He in turn presented this to the local UCG church board. Friends of mine in that congregation sent me a copy of the meeting minutes, which mentioned the minister presenting a paper “by Lee Walker, an elder from Missouri.” lol Maybe, if I had visited out there when the minister was gone, I could’ve been treated like an elder – maybe even performing an ordination for them.😁 Now, of course, I probably couldn’t get away with that today – or even 30 years ago – but 100 years ago? 150? Interesting thought.
If you are going to put the weight which you Armstrong tradition does on the integrity of a supposed ordinational succession, it needs to be verified.
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You give too much importance to men here. By demanding a Levitical test from a Melchizedek priesthood that specifically ended the successful test in question you demonstrate a massive category error. That is in addition to massively overstating the importance of succession to anyone in the Church of God whatsoever. You would NS e done far better and all that was necessary to look at the tests in Deuteronomy 13 and 18 which the Bible does place on those who claim to speak according to His name.
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Gearing up for the GCE this weekend, I designed a booklet that will be distributed to all the elders in attendance with several dozen comments submitted by elders who were there in 1995—for both the May Indianapolis conference + the December GCE in Cincinnati—reminiscing on those events and what happened, as well as advice they would want all to take forward from here. I came away all-together re-energized about UCG in light of reading those experiences. What they did was profound. It was not like the Anglican Church deciding “we don’t like the Pope,” and creating their own church in every way almost exactly like Catholicism, except with the King as Pope. It was a revolutionary leap to create something that by design attempts to foster mutual respect and mutual deference among elders, and a major, radical departure from the WCG culture that preceded it. There is no pastor general; there is no hierarchy of ministry who are discouraged from socializing with those beneath their station. The titles are all corporate, save the Council of Elders. The incentives of UCG’s structure are for collaboration and a spirit of working together in good faith. In his written remarks, one minister expressed an astute observation that’s been rolling around my mind ever since: Unlike every other splinter group, UCG was not formed by a minister taking his following and starting his own thing; it was a collaborative effort of men and women in humility wanting to work together in mutual deference. Denny Luker famously denounced the former approach in a passionate, impromptu speech in Indianapolis, and it was a turning point for the organization to take roots.
Those who have failed to internalize these lessons are those who have split off when they don’t get their way.
Remembering history can be important, for many reasons. One is to understand the context within which your current circumstances came to be. Another is to learn from the wins and mistakes of those who came before. Theologically speaking it is good to know how in previous times, certain beliefs reigned and to understand why—whether correct or incorrect—so that you can try and stay grounded in Scripture when the winds of culture come blowing through the congregation. It’s better to be exposed to things in the past by a sympathetic voice first, than to hear it about from a hater who selectively quotes only the worst to scramble your faith—but only if the sympathetic voice is honest and unafraid to wrestle with the really tough questions. Only two ministers I’ve ever asked the question, “Did Mr Armstrong rape his daughter?” have been able to honestly talk about that uncomfortable question—and those two both, in so many words, expressed that while they felt the evidence stacked against that accusation, they ultimately couldn’t know for sure—but that it is their faith in Jesus Christ as the perfect head of the Church that drives their identity and energy as a minister.
The lesson of your Scripture in Judges is that they forgot the LORD. There is no corollary for forgetting Mr Armstrong based on that Scripture. I could never imagine any New Testament author even in their weakest moments hoping that future generations would remember them. Not based on their writings, anyway, which exclusively point to Jesus Christ. Heck, I’ll bet Mr Armstrong himself would hate the thought of it, too.
I think it’s good to talk to those who knew Mr Armstrong and saw incredible things happen in the Church of God because of him. I also think it’s good to read his book for all sorts of reasons, not least of which is to understand how culture can easily create false biblical interpretation (e.g. interracial marriage is wrong based on Noah’s perfect ancestry). Read The Plain Truth‘s from the ’40s about how Hitler was in Argentina; or the 50s/60s about how desegregation was a communist plot to weaken America. As I said, it’s better to hear from a sympathetic voice first, and to read something for yourself, to have a context within which to place the stories of people whose parents were forced to divorce because of bad biblical interpretation, or whose family members died because it was explicitly taught at that time that to seek medical attention was a sign of no faith. Only someone around at that time can contextualize that for you, and most will not excuse it, but they can at least wrestle with it alongside you (at least the honest ones).
Unfortunately, the WCG culture that was created by Mr Armstrong (and around him) leaves such a negative legacy, and all COG’s desperately need to shake off much of it.
So I will count myself as an internal critic inside UCG against this idea. Take every proposal for implementation you list (which are all excellent and well-considered), but focus instead on how: “Jesus Christ’s leadership of His Church and work building His Kingdom is central to the United Church of God’s identity,” and how UCG leadership “can lead efforts to educate young members, ensuring Jesus’s legacy inspires future generations.”
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mossrockss, the problem is that Armstrong does indeed hold a centrality in the post-1986 WCG offshoots. It stems from the “True Church” apostolic succession claim and the “Elijah” belief supported by it. I hope you will look at the article I posted in my comment above regarding this factor: https://catsgunsandnationalsecurity.blogspot.com/2025/03/reference-to-followers-of-armstrongism.html
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We need to remember our roots within the proper context. The view of Mr. Armstrong has become twisted and warped, based on false premise, innuendo and those with personal agendas and axes to grind. These layers need to be unpeeled, exposed and examined for what they are. I, for one, am very grateful that Vic Kubik is documenting the breakup with Worldwide or posterity from his firsthand experience as an eyewitness there at Headquarters.
The disgustingly hateful rumors surrounding Mr. Armstrong were planted by very high ranking officials to discredit the work God was doing through him. Satan is a pervert; and he chips away at people’s weak spots to serve his nefarious purposes. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and chatting with Mr. Armstrong as a student at Ambassador College, and he spoke at length about his family; even showing pictures of his grandchildren. We discussed many things and he brought an attitude of freshness, vitality and enthusiasm to life. There was no artifice or impropriety, unlike others in power at that time. Those who accuse are generally guilty of the very crime they allege. Never forget that Satan is the accuser of the brethren.
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Check out https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/iframe/ABC/HWA%20books_reprints/HWA_Books_Articles_Papers/Accusations_against_HWA_disproven/Allegations_Proven_False.html
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Thanks for sharing.
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regal! 24 2025 White Paper: Proposals for Educating Young People in the United Church of God About Herbert W. Armstrong’s Importance to Church Beliefs and Practices excellent
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This is clearly a very robust proposal. But I was wondering if this model could be implemented for the sum of Church history rather than just one man. While we should certainly not forget Mr. Armstrong’s prominent legacy amongst modern Sabbath keepers, the Sabbath-keeping Church is the heir of a 2,000 year old legacy filled with powerful testimonies. Perhaps we can integrate personal stories about recent pivotal moments in Church history with materials discussing our more distant spiritual ancestors, other individuals who are part of the ‘vast cloud of witnesses surrounding us.’ Such an approach might help further address some of the potential objections that you have mentioned.
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That is absolutely a wonderful idea. This was meant as a start not as an end in itself and a better understanding than of the history of the Church of God as a whole deserves to be much better known and appreciated.
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