Church of God, Anderson

[Zane Dow]

Isn't this church a cult?

[JohnDB]

Not really...just another denomination. A few weird things about this group but...after you get past that rather normal.

[Zane Dow]

Are you sure this isn't the same cult Paul Reubens was a member of?

[p.rehbein]

The Church of God Anderson,In is neither a cult nor a denomination.  You guys are soooooooooooo funny!



If anyone really wants to know about it they can read about the Church of God Anderson in the Protestant Forum.

a cult....................... 

[Zane Dow]

Isn't there a "Church of God" that is a cult?  Wasn't there some guy named Herbert Armstrong that started these churches?

[p.rehbein]

Zane, I have no idea who or what you are talking about, or if you are even serious.  If you are serious, then you can read all about the Church of God Anderson, IN in the Protestant Forum under the thread by that name.  There may even be one in the Theology Forum started by Johnb, but I'm not sure about that.

uh, did you already know it was in the Protestant Forum?  Why would you bring this up?

[JohnDB]

On what basis are you claiming that this "denomination" is a cult?

This is rather offensive. You need to back up any accusation of any denomination or church group or leader with some kind of fact in order to make any kind of claim about them.

People claim all kinds of things about the Catholic church...but I know many Catholics and know also that most every evil claim about them is simply not true. And unless you can post some kind of facts to back up your claim you are something akin to a resounding gong on this subject.

[Zane Dow]

On what basis are you claiming that this "denomination" is a cult?

This is rather offensive. You need to back up any accusation of any denomination or church group or leader with some kind of fact in order to make any kind of claim about them.

People claim all kinds of things about the Catholic church...but I know many Catholics and know also that most every evil claim about them is simply not true. And unless you can post some kind of facts to back up your claim you are something akin to a resounding gong on this subject.

Is it offensive to ask questions?  Or does fascism prevail? 

How can one learn if one does not question?

[Zane Dow]

Apparently, my question wasn't necessary.

The group I was thinking of is Church of God, Armstrong.

Worldwide Church of God (WCG) members believed that Herbert W. Armstrong was Christ's apostle since the first century. Armstrong taught that God only works through "one man at a time" and that he was God's man for his time. * Armstrong taught a form of Sabbatarianism, explaining that; by creating the Sabbath (on the seventh day of creation, through resting - not work) God "HALLOWED the seventh-day of every week (Ex. 20:11)" and therefore made "future TIME holy!" The Sabbath day of rest is thus commanded for all mankind and should be kept holy from Friday sunset to sunset on Saturday [54] The Worldwide Church of God conducted its' worship Services during that period, accordingly, on Saturdays. Armstrong further explained that Christ is "Lord of the Sabbath" (Mt. 12:8) for it is He who 'made' it for mankind, thus it is a "blessing.. to be ENJOYED, to spiritually REFRESH, in blessed fellowship and communion with CHRIST!" [55]- He believed that the observance of Sunday as the "Lord's Day" was a papal and/or satanic corruption introduced without authority from God or the Bible.[56]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_W._Armstrong

[larry2]

Isn't there a "Church of God" that is a cult?  Wasn't there some guy named Herbert Armstrong that started these churches?

Zane you might take a look at the following articles; there is a difference in the different following churches.

Church of God
WikipediA - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_God

Church of God is a name used by numerous, mostly unrelated Christian denominational bodies, most of which descend from eitherPentecostal/Holiness or Adventist traditions.

Worldwide Church of God
WikipediA - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garner_Ted_Armstrong

Garner Ted Armstrong (February 9, 1930 – September 15, 2003) was an American evangelist and the son of Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God, at the time a Sabbatarian organization that taught strict observance of seventh-day Sabbath, holy days typically associated with the Jewish faith, and other observances derived from theOld Testament scriptures.

Armstrong initially became recognized when he succeeded his father as the voice of The World Tomorrow, the church's radio program that aired around the world. A television program of the same name followed, aired mostly in North America, eventually giving way to a Garner Ted Armstrongbroadcast, a half-hour program that mixed news and biblical commentary. His polemical message was unlike most other religious broadcasters of his day.

Worldwide Church of God - Christian or Cult?*  http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Cults/armstrong.htm

[JohnDB]

On what basis are you claiming that this "denomination" is a cult?

This is rather offensive. You need to back up any accusation of any denomination or church group or leader with some kind of fact in order to make any kind of claim about them.

People claim all kinds of things about the Catholic church...but I know many Catholics and know also that most every evil claim about them is simply not true. And unless you can post some kind of facts to back up your claim you are something akin to a resounding gong on this subject.

Is it offensive to ask questions?  Or does fascism prevail?  

How can one learn if one does not question?

Well,

Lets see...if I was to ask the question:
How many children did Zane Dow molest this past year?

It would be a rather insulting question...it is called courtesy and manners to not ask offensive questions.  It isn't fascism or thought police here...just asking that you respect the beliefs of others as you wish for your beliefs to be respected.

"Let your conversations be seasoned with Grace"

[p.rehbein]

Anyone truly interested in the teachings of the Church of God Anderson, IN can read about them here:

http://www.gracecentered.com/christian_forums/protestantism/the-church-of-god-anderson-in/msg913570/#msg913570

[notreligus]

I'm always puzzled as to why so many think that "denomination" is something so terrible.  I think that to deny a denomination is to deny reality.

The Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, has some distinctive beliefs and thus I don't know how they can escape being called a denomination.   

They are in-line with other Pentecostal Churches of God, as far as their teachings concerning the Holy Spirit, but they would not agree with other Churches of God on eschatological views.  They are not dispensational, for example, and they believe that everything in Revelation has already occurred.  I know this because my wife and I were visiting a Church of God, Anderson, for awhile and the pastor gave me a book that explained their beliefs.  This pastor told me matter of factly that everything in Revelation has already occurred.  They've got a right to be non-dispensational and I don't think that has to make them unorthodox.  I was a hard-line dispensational myself for many years and now I see the Mid-Acts and extreme Zionist groups creeping in with bad teaching and dispensationalism has become almost unrecognizable anymore. 

It is also my understanding that the Churches of God believe that there are stages of spiritual regeneration.  I don't agree with that.  The Scriptures teach that we are new creatures in Christ; they do not teach us that we gradually become new creatures in Christ.  That's confusing sanctification with regeneration.  They are not alone in this error. 

[duckybill]

I truly hope it isn't a cult. But I have been told by someone who worked for them that they are very closely tied to the CPS, a VERY corrupt organization that removes children from Christian homes.

[DaveW]

The Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, has some distinctive beliefs and thus I don't know how they can escape being called a denomination.   

They are in-line with other Pentecostal Churches of God, as far as their teachings concerning the Holy Spirit, but they would not agree with other Churches of God on eschatological views. 

It was my understanding that CoG Anderson IN was NOT a charismatic/pentecostal group - they were cessationist.

[Norton]

Garner Ted, some twenty years ago, publicly admitted that he had been wrong about many of the doctrines he and his father had preached, and began teaching more orthodox doctrines. I don't know if he had much sucess getting his church to change course, but he got my respect for his admission.