Received the following in an email:

Herbert Armstrong. I notice you quote him a lot at COGwriter.com Sometimes i wonder why COG people do this? I ask this because i have noticed as i try to share the truths of God with people online anytime someone connects a COG to WWCOG, they will bring up how the WWCOG and Armstrong had false prophesied multiple times.

There are several reasons that Herbert W. Armstrong or materials from the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God, of which he was Pastor General, are cited here.

But first, consider that all humans are flawed:

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)

The Bible makes that clear and even mentions serious sins that some of God’s servants have had (such as King David’s adultery & murdering, plus a wrong prediction by the Apostle Paul come to mind).

As far as false prophecies go, Herbert W. Armstrong had misunderstandings related to WWII and sometimes pointed to dates that he should not have–and we do not attempt to defend his errors. To his credit, however, he asserted that he was not a prophet. And as far as the internet goes, I have addressed many of the accusations against him in article titled: 17 Accusations and Truthful Responses About Herbert W. Armstrong. Plus also in another article titled: What is Armstrongism? Are Some Dismissive of Original Christianity?

People can choose to believe the truth or lies.

We in the Continuing Church of God, believe that God used Herbert W. Armstrong to raise up the Philadelphia era of the the Church that Jesus discussed in Revelation 3:7-13. We believe God used him to restore various truths that the true church lost by the early 20th century (see The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made?).

The Continuing Church of God believes that we best represent the continuation of the Philadelphian part of the Church of God. Herbert W. Armstrong is one in the list of successors we trace our history through (see Continuing History of the Church of God).

So, Herbert Armstrong (or other Radio/Worldwide COG writers) is quoted to show that we continued the basic teachings that he did related to the Philadelphian era of the Church. Plus, we also do this to show that much of what we teach was taught by an earlier COG (which is also why we quote early 2nd century COG writers, like Polycarp of Smyrna). Many people, including those with a COG background, often do not realize what was taught on various matters–hence quoting those sources helps demonstrate that we in the CCOG are continuing with those teachings.

We have also restored more details and truth as would be expected in these last days.

Furthermore, we are also doing what the Apostle Paul wrote:

21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

What does that mean?

It means that if Herbert Armstrong taught something we believe the Bible or various facts support, we are happy to present that. We do not exalt Herbert Armstrong or anyone else above scripture.

We strive not to teach error and do not teach that what Herbert Armstrong wrote is not subject to correction. The Bible, not Herbert Armstrong, is the standard that we go by.

Despite organization changes, successively and doctrinally we are NOT a new church. We teach Laying on of Hands succession from the apostles. We clearly trace our history from the Book of Acts to present (see Continuing History of the Church of God).

Therefore, we often quote Church of God leaders, not just from the New Testament, but also those from the second century A.D. to present. We do this to demonstrate the consistency of the doctrines of the true church as well as to show what “the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) was in the period immediately after the death of the last of the apostles.

I, Bob Thiel, do not know everything, nor does anyone else. The Bible teaches, “in a multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 24:6)–Herbert Armstrong’s writings are among those I read for possible counsel. His writing style is still of interest to many–and is a method to use to reach some (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:20-22).

Now, let’s see what Herbert W. Armstrong taught related to himself and the Bible:

“Don’t believe me – BELIEVE YOUR BIBLE – BELIEVE GOD!”
(Herbert W. Armstrong, Plain Truth magazine, Sept. 1963, Personal p.1)

Now, the same 1963 issue of the old Plain Truth shows a bit more for that quote from Herbert Armstrong:

Don’t believe me – BELIEVE YOUR BIBLE – BELIEVE GOD! I always say…check up! Listen without prejudice, with open mind, then check up–go to your BIBLE, and BELIEVE what you read there. (Armstrong HW. Personal from the Editor. Plain Truth. September 1963.)

That is great advice. And we would tell Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, LDS, and everyone else the same thing. Here is my own slightly expanded version of the above:

“Don’t simply believe me – Believe what the Bible really Teaches – Believe the Truth – Prove all things – Believe God!”

And I will take it one step further. Irrespective of how any may view the role that God has for me, unless I am directly quoting the Bible, or preface a statement to something of the effect of “thus saith the Lord,” I am NOT necessarily stating anything that is not subject to later correction. We who are truly part of the Church of God only accept as inspired the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament and no other document. Therefore, although other current and historical documents/articles/books/booklet/posts by various Church of God leaders throughout history often have value, as they generally also tend to contain personal opinion, we do not consider that any of them are on the same level as sacred scripture, and hence believe that they can contain error.

As suggested earlier, Herbert Armstrong’s writing style often conveys many points in an understandable manner. A manner that we do not feel that we must re-word. A manner which provides variety. Hence, he is quoted.

Plus, none of us are experts in everything. Hence, citing others who have more expertise or perhaps a better way to say something helps the listener learn better. It also helps with time constraints to quote something when it is pertinent.

As mentioned before, he and/or the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God literature are quoted here is to show that certain points covered at COGwriter.com are consistent with the them. Hence, we truly are continuing those teachings. Teachings that groups outside the CCOG sometimes have forgotten or neglected to teach.

Still another reason for various quotes is to point out that the general prophetic outline that Herbert Armstrong taught is coming to pass.

For some examples, the old Iron Curtain fell, Germany reunited, the Europeans have their own currency, the United Kingdom has left the European Union, the Europeans are working on building a unified military, relations between the Europeans and the USA are straining more and more, the USA is in decline as a world power, etc.

Another reason to provide quotes is that many anti-COG sources on the Internet sometimes misrepresent what Herbert Armstrong taught.

Related to one, GotQuestions.com (who still has not corrected something I brought up years ago), we put together the following:

21:14
What is Armstrongism? Are Some Dismissive of Original Christianity?
The physical head of the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God was the late Herbert W. Armstrong. What he taught has been derided as “Armstrongism.” What were some of those teachings? Was the old Worldwide Church of God some type of weird cult or did it strive to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints? Is “Armstrongism” improperly maligned and falsely described at GotQuestions.com? Are concepts such as the tribes of Israel, ‘soul sleep,’ and three resurrections unique to Herbert W. Armstrong or were they long part of original Nazarene Christianity? What about various holidays and Christianity? In this video, Dr. Thiel goes over his early experiences with “Armstrongism” as well as gives scriptures about persecutions that would affect Christians.

Here is a link to the sermonette: What is Armstrongism? Are Some Dismissive of Original Christianity?

Many do not understand true, original Christianity, so they bash/misrepresent Herbert Armstrong and/or teachings that he had.

In the CCOG we have never taught that Herbert W. Armstrong or any COG leader was the standard, the truth in the word of God is.

Herbert W. Armstrong changed his position on various matters and never claimed infallibility. Nor do we.

But, as a continuation of the true apostolic Church of God, we in the Continuing Church of God believe it is helpful to quote recent as well as ancient COG writers for their perspective and insight, as well as to show continuity.

All who profess Christ should, “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

The reason that we quote the Bible and other COG leaders is to help show that we do.

Related Items:

What is Armstrongism? Did Herbert W. Armstrong raise a new faith or promote the original Christian faith? Here is a link to a related video: What is Armstrongism? Are Some Dismissive of Original Christianity?

What is Armstrongism? Do many not understand original Christianity?

Herbert W. Armstrong and the Philadelphia Mantle

17 Last Days' Signs of the Holy Spirit

The 18 Restored Truths: 1-8

The 18 Restored Truths: 9-18

Might Petra be the Place of Safety?

Physical Protection During the Great Tribulation

The Work per HWA and the Bible