Thursday, November 16, 2023

8. Armstrong breakaway groups that still support British-Israelism

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After Herbert Armstrong died, the Worldwide Church of God discontinued its teachings on British-Israelism. Many groups broke off, including Herbert Armstrong's son Ted, and founded British-Israelist congregations. These include the Philadelphia Church of God, the Living Church of God, Church of God, International, and the United Church of God.  No matter how small these cults are, they may have a place in world politics, even micro-cults can be dangerous and have great influence and power.  Armstrong himself was friends with many world leaders and was extremely rich and well-publicized. I do not know what these breakoff churches believe about the Jews, Israel, Freemasonry, and the like.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Israelism#Herbert_W._Armstrong

Herbert W. Armstrong[edit]

Beginning in the 1960s, the teaching of British Israelism was vigorously promoted by Herbert W. Armstrong,[13]: 57  founder and Pastor General of the Worldwide Church of God. Armstrong believed that the teaching was key to the understanding of biblical prophecy: "One might ask, were not biblical prophecies closed and sealed? Indeed they were—until now! And even now they can be understood only by those who possess the master key to unlock them."[68] Armstrong believed that God commanded him to proclaim the prophecies to the Lost Tribes of Israel before the "end-times".[69][unreliable source?] Armstrong's belief caused his separation from the Church of God Seventh Day because of its refusal to adopt the teaching.

Armstrong founded his own church, first named the "Radio Church of God" and later renamed the "Worldwide Church of God".[69] He described British Israelism as a "central plank" of his theology.[70]

After Armstrong's death, his former church abandoned its belief in British Israelism and in 2009, it changed its name to Grace Communion International (GCI). It offers an explanation for the doctrine's origin as well as an explanation for the church's renunciation of the doctrine on its official website.[69] Church members who refused to accept these doctrinal changes left the Worldwide Church of God/GCI and founded their own offshoot churches. Many of these organizations still teach British Israelism, among them are the Philadelphia Church of God, the Living Church of God, and the United Church of God. Armstrong promoted other genealogical history theories, such as the belief that modern-day Germany represents ancient Assyria (see Assyria and Germany in Anglo-Israelism), writing, "The Assyrians settled in central Europe, and the Germans, undoubtedly, are, in part, the descendants of the ancient Assyrians.".[71]


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_God_International_(United_States)

The Church of God, International (CGI) is a nontrinitarian Christian denomination based in the United States, an offshoot of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) founded by Herbert W. Armstrong. It is one of many Sabbatarian Churches of God to separate from WCG.

Foundation[edit]

CGI was founded in 1978 by four former members of the Worldwide Church of God,[2] including evangelist Garner Ted Armstrong (1930-2003)[3] after his father, Herbert W. Armstrong, excommunicated him from the WCG and fired him from all roles in the church over disagreements about operations and certain doctrinal positions. CGI established its headquarters in Tyler, Texas, and also founded the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association.[4]


British Israelism

CGI asserts a belief in British Israelism. This belief is not used to assert racial or ethnic superiority, but solely to interpret End Time prophecies which are believed to be directed at the United States and Europe.

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