Overview of March-April 2014 Tomorrow's World

The latest issue of LCG's Tomorrow's World magazine has come out. Let us see what they have to say.

Wallace Smith has an article asking what is truth? Answer: Whatever LCG's leaders tell you.

Roderick C. Meredith has an article condemning all other churches for not teaching Armstrongism.

Richard Ames has an article condemning "this world's" education and saying that people should be given godly instruction, meaning to be educated as decided by LCG's leaders.

J. Davy Crockett III (he who said obelisks are pagan phallus symbols) has an article promoting the Armstrongite dogma that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday and was resurrected Saturday afternoon. (There are actually many problems with this idea.)

The Questions and Answers section also addresses the very same topic.

William Williams has a vague spiritual article extolling the ideals of living a Christian life. (He actually means LCG's form of Armstrongism.)

Phil Sena has an article encouraging young people to seek after wisdom, meaning to indoctrinate themselves even more fully into LCG's Armstrongism.

Rod King has an article promoting the long ago discredited nonsense of British Israelism, here inaccurately insisting that the Irish are descended from the Israelites.

Richard Ames wrote the preface this time instead of Roderick C. Meredith. Here he boasts of getting their less than entirely honest telecast placed in more TV stations and hailing this as part of LCG's mission to preach the word before the second coming (which was supposed to be in 1936, then after World War II, then 1975, then by 2005 at the latest, then possibly by 2017, etc.).

The four of us who present the Tomorrow’s World telecast to the English-speaking peoples—and indeed the entire Tomorrow’s World staff—are very thankful that Christ is opening more doors for the gospel to be proclaimed throughout the world.  In 2013, we began broadcasting the Tomorrow’s World television program in Russia and surrounding regions.  We also began broadcasting to Latin America in Spanish over the JBN network, and in Southern and Central Africa over CTV network.  In Hong Kong, a customized version of the Tomorrow’s World telecast is provided with Chinese subtitles, and a number of booklets are available in Chinese at TomorrowsWorldHK.com.

On January 1, 2014 we began broadcasting the Tomorrow’s World television program in India, the second-most-populated nation (1.2 billion) in the world. We are cautiously starting with a limited audience of about 1.5 million near the city of Goa.

Starting on January 21, 90 million households were able to view the telecast over BET network Tuesdays at 7:00 a.m. ET.  On January 22, we began broadcasting to 45 million households in Europe and North Africa over Faith World TV network Wednesdays, 8:00 p.m. London time.  And then on January 23, we began broadcasting to 50 million households over ION National Cable Platform network Thursday mornings at 7:30 a.m. ET. ...

The greatest event yet to come in human history is soon to occur—the Second Coming of Jesus Christ!

Oh those poor, unfortunate people. If only they knew the truth about Armstrongism.

Douglas Winnail has a column insisting we are now in the last days, which Armstrongites have been insisting continuously without interruption since the 1930s.

James Ginn has a column condemning attempts by educators in Canada to encourage people to be tolerant of homosexuals. Once again LCG's leaders are trying to stir up hatred and fear of homosexuals in order to distract LCG members from seeing and addressing the problems within LCG.

The back page features a large photo of Richard Ames preaching for the telecast. Is this a sign that he is assuming a greater share of ruling over LCG?

So we see that LCG continues preaching the same blend of nonsense to continue persuading LCG members that they need to pay three tithes and extra offerings to LCG's leaders in order to be saved and in order to be protected from the allegedly soon coming World War III.

Roderick C. Meredith's Terrible Reputation Exposed by David Robinson

Anyone thinking of joining Roderick C. Meredith's group would do well to read this letter written by David Robinson, dated September 19, 1979, to Roderick C. Meredith and later published in his book Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web (Chapter 16, pp. 207-9).

David Robinson was deeply disappointed that Roderick C. Meredith chose to collaborate with Stanley Rader and resist the State of California's receivership of WCG. Robinson presciently foresaw that Meredith aligning himself with Rader would not work to his advantage and told him so at the time. As he had foreseen Meredith was quickly neutralized and then thrown into exile at Rader's say so.

The following particularly illuminating passages of this letter is from page 207 of Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web.

Rod, I wanted to review for all to see some of what happened during recent months, and to especially review those events from the vantage point of my own eyes. Ministers of the church agonized all across the country and, I am sure, the world while things were boiling. But of course, they still are and will until sin has been removed from the very top.

During the ten years I have been an employee of the Worldwide Church, you have been poorly spoken of by most of the ministers and employees I have known. I vividly remember the absolute unbounded glee that was openly expressed by a good number of respected men in the church when you were first "shanghaied." [In 1972.] I could begin by naming names, which I am sure would shock you. I was one of the few who stood, where possible, for you. Your tenure as superintendent of ministers, as I believe the office was then called, was looked on as nightmarish. While you held office during the years of growth, most of those whom I know gave you very little credit for that growth. Almost everyone whom I know, whether they be former friends of yours, or continuing foes, recalls insensitive and terrible things you have done. Without exception, at least among my acquaintances, they all credit you with an unbridled lust for power and list you as one who is willing to pay the price of gaining that power, no matter what. I have, through many of the last few years, believed you had principles you would not violate. Many a man of experience in the church assured me of my error. Events have proven me wrong and them right.

Mr. Armstrong has himself been widely quoted as saying of you that you were so righteous that you were so "righteous you were unrighteous." You have also been quoted as saying of yourself you wanted the job in the church of playing a modern "Phineas." You wanted to be the one who thrust the spear through the belly of the chiefest fornicator in the church and his girl friend. You longed to be the avenging arm of the church and to avenge with great zeal.

Why anyone would trust him after selling out to Rader is beyond me.

You can access Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web from Exit and Support Network. Just email them and request it. It is well worth reading.

PCG's Richard Palmer Says Farmers Must Observe Land Sabbath

PCG's Richard Palmer has written an article insisting that farmers must stop working the land once every seven years. 

While scientists and the rest of mankind must respect certain physical laws that govern our daily lives, many people view the laws revealed in the Bible—governing civil life, morality and personal conduct, and religious life—with scorn and contempt. However, defying those laws leads to trouble just as surely as breaking the physical laws does.

One law in the Old Testament that critics ridicule is the land sabbath. God commanded that every seven years, the land be allowed to rest—there was no pruning or planting (for commercial harvesting), and nothing was to be harvested except what people picked for their own personal consumption (Leviticus 25:2-7, 18-22). To many, this law seems obsolete: Modern farmers can get around resting the land by using fertilizers.

But scientists are now beginning to learn that there is no getting around this law. The use of fertilizers to avoid letting the land rest is a shortcut that wreaks considerable damage to the land in the long run.

God’s law doesn’t give us all the details we need to be successful farmers. But without keeping these laws, we cannot maintain healthy and productive soils. This land sabbath was probably a time to allow plants that put nitrogen back into the soil to grow, and let animals fertilize the land with their microbe-rich manure. The soil even benefits from just being left still. The microbes can grow much faster without the physical disruption that comes from plowing the fields and sowing seeds. 

So farmers apparently are forbidden from planting and harvesting once every seven years.

I wonder how that would work out. Has anyone else tried that before?

Several years ago, we [WCG's leaders] finally discovered that one particular law that we'd taken from the old covenant, and we sliiiiiiiid it over into the new -- or if you like the word, "transplant." In case Dr. Christian Bernard may be here.  

We took over into the new -- that was the seventh-year land Sabbath -- and we imposed that upon Christian farmers. We said it was a law. We said it was "a test of faith," didn't we? And farmer after farmer went to the wall financially and some went into bankruptcy! 

Why didn't someone over the years say "wait a minute! Let's go back and study this law more carefully. It seems to me God is reneging on his part of the bargain." Because you see, God said he would give a three-fold harvest in the sixth year. But I know of not one case of a Christian farmer receiving a three-fold harvest in the sixth year. Now why then did we impose upon people their part of the bargain, and never, ever ask "why isn't God fulfilling his part?" 

Oh, we are great "blue pencilers" of Law. We pick and choose various laws out of the old covenant that, somehow, we think are convenient, suitable, or should be imposed. We will take whole sections of Law and slide them -- or we will pick and choose parts of laws and them slide them. By what method do we do this? (Richard Plache, 1976 sermon, as archived by the Painful Truth.)

(In the linked sermon Richard Plache also talks about a lot about HWA's medicine ban and discusses how Christians are under a new covenant.)

So there you have it, Palmer. WCG farmers have tried this before and experienced financial trouble over this and even bankruptcy because of this ignorant attempt to apply Old Testament laws upon people it was never intended for. 

We see that Palmer is dangerously ignorant of WCG history.

Also he is dreadfully ignorant of church history as well. The vast majority of Christians historically understood that the law in the Old Testament, and this included the land Sabbath, did not apply to them because of grace. It must be emphatically said that grace is not a license to sin as HWA deceptively taught.

Alas, Palmer has given dreadful advice to farmers. I hope farmers in PCG are wise enough to ignore this dangerously inept advice.

Overview of April 2014 Philadelphia Trumpet

The April 2014 issue of The Philadelphia Trumpet is out now. Let us see what they have to say.

Gerald Flurry has a preface saying the Trumpet is somehow different.

Gerald Flurry has an article insisting that Germany is getting ready to go on the war path. (As the COGs have been saying ceaselessly since 1945. It was supposed to happen in 1972, then by 2005 at the latest.)

Brad MacDonald has a little side article condemning the German President (who is a figure head with no power by the way) for saying German needs to be more assertive in foreign policy.

Richard Palmer has an article accusing President Obama of forgetting World War II and foolishly letting Germany decide things.

Richard Palmer also asserts France has given up somehow and is just waiting to let Germany tell them what to do.

Richard Palmer also talks about agriculture and condemns farmers for not observing the land Sabbath every seven years. That is the cause for agricultural problems Palmer confidently asserts.

Dennis Leap has an article asserting his religion must be true. So no Christmas and no Easter.

Jeremiah Jacques has a full length article condemning the use of drugs and fear mongering about them.

Gerald Flurry speculates on how close the Great Tribulation will occur.

There is a small "bible study" lesson taken from their "correspondence course." This course does not study the Bible but actually indoctrinates people into accepting PCG's highly flawed interpretation of the Bible and to dismiss any other interpretation.

On page 29 they make sure to bemoan Serbia's condition and blame Germany for it in order to fear monger that Germany is just about to destroy America at any moment. The Serbs are only used as a prop to fear monger about Germany. PCG does not give a hoot about Serbia.

Stephen Flurry has a little article insisting that the God Family doctrine is true. Never mind that the Mormons have similar ideas.

Brad MacDonald has a little article calling upon people to find some alone time to think things through.

One would have no idea that PCG requires members to disfellowship (shun) any Laodiceans (ex-members or members of other COGs who did not join PCG), or that Gerald Flurry is hailed as That Prophet, or that PCG teaches that its booklet, Malachi's Message is the Little Book of Revelation 10 and that it was largely influenced by the writings of Jules Dervaes.

So we see an unsuspecting reader would not have a very clear picture about PCG reading this magazine issue.

HWA's Other Lovers

It is well known that HWA was married to Loma Dillon for nearly fifty years (1917-67) and, although most Armstrongites would much rather forget about it, he also married Ramona Martin (nee Crittenden) in 1977. He later divorced her in 1981, which turned into a long drawn out process before it was finalized in 1984. 

David Robinson in his book Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web states that HWA appears to have had two romantic relationships in the period between his two marriages (1967-77). If there were others Robinson did not hear of them.

Herbert Armstrong has been "in love" a number of times during the past decade. He said himself he had been "in love" with "Amy" when she was 25 years old. He reported this to a group in Big Sandy. he did say, when it was over, that he thought it might have been infatuation.

But earlier there had been the young Filipino girl whom he had brought over to this country, according to widespread reports. However, he never did bring her to church with him! He apparently kept her under wraps. (Chapter 7, p. 88.)  

Robinson also notes how HWA told him in great detail how he lost his virginity to a prostitute in New Orleans.

I had not heard about these romantic relationships HWA had before reading this book.

You can access Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web from Exit and Support Network. Just email them and request it.

Gerald Flurry did not Foresee the Revolution in Ukraine

In the last twenty four hours it appears the government of Ukraine has been overthrown by the brave protesters. President Viktor Yanukovych has fled from Kiev. The opposition have taken control of Parliament and called for the president's ouster and elections in May. Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has been released from prison and has addressed the brave protesters. 

She addressed the crowds there from her wheelchair. "You are heroes, you are the best of Ukraine," she told the vast crowd before breaking down in tears. ...

But she warned that the protesters should not think their job was done. "Until you finish this job and until we travel all the way, nobody has the right to leave," she said. "Because nobody could do it - not other countries, nobody - could do what you have done. We've eliminated this cancer, this tumour." (BBC News.)

Tragically about eighty-eight people have killed in the recent violence, largely because of heavy handed and brutal actions by the security forces of the Yanukovych government. I think it is premature to say the revolutionaries have won yet, but it is so hard to imagine Yanukovych coming back from this.

This revolution was sparked after Yanukovych axed negotiations for closer relations with the European Union and decided to pursue closer relations with Russia. When this happened Gerald Flurry, who calls himself "That Prophet", viewed this as a sign of the greatness of Vladimir Putin's power. He even declared him to be the Prince of Rosh from Ezekiel 38-39. This topic has been discussed in previous posts here, here, here and here.

Gerald Flurry thought Putin getting Yanukovych was a sign of Putin's great power, instead this move has caused the overthrow of Yanukovych and the protesters have seemed to have seized control of western Ukraine, including the capital city, Kiev. Putin cannot even keep Ukraine in check. The brave protesters took to the streets and have, for now at least, cast the government out of Kiev and western Ukraine and taken power at least there.

Unlike Gerald Flurry I am not going to pretend to know what will happen. Anything could happen. But it must be pointed out that he was totally wrong about this. He did not foresee this revolution occurring. What sort of spirit is he listening to in order to become so wrong about these events?

HWA and Polycarp

HWA and his imitators taught that the true, Apostles church was suppressed shortly after the Apostles died by anti-law, Sunday observing, grace preaching heretics, who later became the Roman Catholic Church.

Although it is insisted that there was a great falling away from the truth shortly after the time of the Apostles there is one church leader that the COGs tend to view quite favorably, namely Polycarp, who was a prominent Christian leader, a disciple of, and then the successor to, the Apostle John.

Polycarp is often mentioned within the COGs when they condemn Easter. One example of this may be seen in Herman Hoeh's deeply flawed 1959 booklet, A True History of the True Church. (It is actually very misleading and badly informed.)

Among the Gentiles the churches in Asia remained the most faithful to the word of God. We pick up the story of the true Church in the lives of such men as Polycarp and Polycrates. They were called "Quartodecimani" because they kept the true passover celebration instead of Easter.

Here is what the early Catholic historians admit about the true Church:

"But Polycarp also was not only instructed by the apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also, by apostles in Asia, appointed bishop of the Church of Smyrna ... He it was who, coming to Rome in the time of Anicetus" -- bishop of Rome around 154 A.D. -- "caused many to turn away from the ... heretics to the CHURCH OF GOD, proclaiming that he had received this one and sole truth from the apostles ... While at Rome, Polycarp discussed with the Roman bishop the matter of the introduction of the pagan Easter in place of the passover.

Irenaeus continued: "For neither could Anicetus (the bishop of Rome) persuade Polycarp not to observe it" -- the passover -- "BECAUSE HE HAD ALWAYS OBSERVED IT WITH JOHN THE DISCIPLE OF OUR LORD, and the rest of the apostles, with whom he associated; and neither did Polycarp persuade Anicetus to observe it, who said that he was bound to FOLLOW THE CUSTOMS of the presbyters before him" (Quoted from Eusebius' "Ecclesiastical History", book V, chap. 24, in the "Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers", Vol. 1). (Armstrongite Source.)

Although the COGs bring up Polycarp because of this one issue they rarely discuss anything else about him.

This illustrious Polycarp wrote a letter: Polycarp's letter to the Phillipians.

Let us see what Polycarp had to say. 

I have greatly rejoiced with you in our Lord Jesus Christ, because you have followed the example of true love [as displayed by God], and have accompanied, as became you, those who were bound in chains, the fitting ornaments of saints, and which are indeed the diadems of the true elect of God and our Lord; and because the strong root of your faith, spoken of in days long gone by, endures even until now, and brings forth fruit to our Lord Jesus Christ, (Chapter 1.)

Here is a beautiful statement confirming that the Christians in Phillipi continued and, it would seem, even now remained staunch in their faith. I find this a wonderfully reassuring picture compared to what HWA and Hoeh ignorantly taught about the post-Apostolic Christians, insisting that the original Christians were overpowered by some sort of proto-gnostic, anti-law heretics, inspired by Simon Magus, centered in Rome, and later to become the Roman Catholic Church. Instead we find that even fifty years or so after the time of the Apostle Paul Polycarp praises the Phillipian Christians as continuing to be steadfast Christians, saying "the strong root of [their] faith, spoken of in days long gone by, endures even until now". How very different from what HWA and Hoeh said about early church history.

He later speaks of the Apostle Paul's letter to the Phillipians.

For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and steadfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter, which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, "is the mother of us all." (Chapter 3.)

(As far as I can tell "the mother of us all" here refers to faith.)

It is very good to see that Polycarp had should happy words to say to the Christians at Phillipi.

Now the COGs tend to view Polycarp quite favorably. This is because the COGs ministers often cite Polycarp's visit to Anicetas, the bishop of Rome, to resolve the Quartodecimian Controversy. This is often mentioned in the COGs' condemnations of Easter.

On the other hand the COGs tend to disparage Polycarp's contemporary, Ignatius of Antioch, as part of the evil conspiracy to suppress the truth. Notice how LCG's John Ogwyn portrays him in his booklet, God's Church Through the Ages.

Ignatius of Antioch, in about 110AD, wrote, "It is monstrous to talk of Jesus Christ and to practice Judaism" (Magnesians, 10). He also talked of "no longer observing sabbaths." ...

These claims were being made to hold brethren in an organization that was rapidly developing into what we know today as the Roman Catholic Church. ... While they increasingly abandoned what the Apostles taught, these deceivers [referring to Clement, Ignatius and Cyprian it seems] sought to hold brethren together by appeals to unity and to the memory of the Apostles.

Other reasons why Ignatius would be viewed with suspicion among the COGs is that he apparently speaks of observing the Lord's Day as opposed to the seventh day Sabbath.

If, therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death ... (Magnesians, Chapter 9)

He also was the first Christian author to refer to the church as the Catholic Church.

wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. (Smyrnaeans, Chapter 8.)

Polycarp and Ignatius are viewed as being on two different sides. Polycarp part of the true church, a part of the era of Smyrna, on the one hand. Ignatius, a deceiver working for what would eventually become the Roman Catholic Church, on the other hand. Is this true? Were Polycarp and Ignatius rivals?

Notice what Polycarp himself wrote in his letter regarding Ignatius.

I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the word of righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as you have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles. [This do] in the assurance that all these have not run in vain, but in faith and righteousness,

Polycarp mentions Ignatius most favorably, even compares him to the Apostles and calls him "blessed".

Ignatius also mentions Polycarp most favorably.

My soul be for yours and theirs whom, for the honour of God, you have sent to Smyrna; whence also I write to you, giving thanks unto the Lord, and loving Polycarp even as I do you. (Ephesians, Chapter 21.)

The Ephesians from Smyrna (whence I also write to you), who are here for the glory of God, as you also are, who have in all things refreshed me, salute you, along with Polycarp, the bishop of the Smyrnæans. (Magnesians, Chapter 15)

It is clear they were on the same side.

Ignatius also wrote a letter to Polycarp. What did he have to say to Polycarp, his supposed rival?

Having obtained good proof that your mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I have been thought worthy [to behold] your blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God! I entreat you, by the grace with which you are clothed, to press forward in your course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. ...

Let not widows be neglected. Be, after the Lord, their protector and friend. Let nothing be done without your consent; neither do anything without the approval of God, which indeed you do not, inasmuch as you are steadfast. (Chapters 1 and 3.)

There is not the slightest trace of dispute between the two. Not only that but Ignatius supports Polycarp as a leader among the Christians. 

John Ogwyn and the others are talking nonsense in besmirching Ignatius as a heretic.

It is also noticeable that Polycarp never mentions tithing in his letter.

So we see then that Ignatius and Polycarp appear to have been perfectly friendly with each other and supported each other. HWA and his imitators are once again shown to have badly misunderstood things regarding early church history.

What the Early Church Taught About Circumcision

I am shocked that James Malm is now ordering his followers to circumcise their sons, as now reported by Banned by HWA, in his post, You Are Still Required To Circumcise Your Children or God Is Not Going To Let Them In The Millennial Temple!

When I was involved with LCG I always understood that physical circumcision is not required of Christians. Acts 15 was cited to support this position.

Recently I have been reading some of the writings of the early Christians. They were vehemently opposed to any self proclaimed Christian insisting that circumcision is required for the Christian faith, or who wished to add the customs and observances of Judaism upon Gentile converts to Christianity. This train of thought can be found even in Acts 15 and Galatians.

Read Acts 15 in which a council is held in Jerusalem and it is decided that Gentile converts do not need to be circumcised.

Galatians is actually a polemic against those who said it was necessary to be circumcised and to observe the Old Testament law to be a Christian. That is why Paul talks about circumcision so much in that letter and he explains it is unnecessary for Gentile Christians. This is obvious once you start reading it without the Armstrongite indoctrination. It was never explained to me in that way by any Armstrongite. They try very hard to make COG followers not see this obvious fact.

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth ... ? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:1-3.)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (Galatians 5: 1-6.)

For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (Galatians 6:13.)

Galatians was not a condemnation of anti-law Gnostics as some in the COGs, like Meredith, pretended it to be, but was actually a condemnation of those seeking to make non-Jewish Christians to observe the customs and practices of Judaism such as circumcision.

Also let us see what some of the early Christian writers had to say about circumcision.

(Now let me be clear. Unfortunately these early Christian authors tend to speak harshly regarding some practices and customs of Judaism. I mean no disrepect to the adherents of Judaism. No Jew ever tried to deceive me, or manipulate me into paying three tithes to them, or claim that God could only be reached through them, or tried to convert me. However HWA and his imitators have taught that the true church was suppressed shortly after the Apostles died by anti-law, Sunday observing, grace preaching heretics, inspired by Simon Magus, who later became the Roman Catholic Church. I present what these early Christians said to examine this dogma of HWA's. I am talking about the COGs, not Judaism.)

Observe what Ignatius of Antioch had to say about those who wished to "live according to the Jewish law" in his letter to the Magnesians.

Be not deceived with strange doctrines, nor with old fables, which are unprofitable. For if we still live according to the Jewish law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace.(Magnesians, Chapter 8.)

The COG followers are indoctrinated to believe that Ignatius was part of a great apostasy from the truth that occurred immediately after the time of the Apostles. But in fact Ignatius is continuing Paul's line of thought as expressed in Galatians. This is very similar to what Paul said in Galatians.

Paul argued that if a Christian is under the law, which is signified by circumcision, then grace is useless and worthless. Ignatius is imitating Paul in this matter. There was no dark century in which the true, Apostolic church was suppressed by Gnostic, proto-Catholics inspired by Simon Magus, as HWA and Meredith falsely teach. Ignatius is clearly continuing what Paul taught in regards to grace and the law.

He also said this in his letter.

It is absurd to profess Christ Jesus, and to Judaize. (Chapter 10.)

Ignatius talked about this issue again in his letter to the Philadelphians.

But if any one preach the Jewish law unto you, listen not to him. For it is better to hearken to Christian doctrine from a man who has been circumcised, than to Judaism from one uncircumcised. (Chapter 6.)

Also observe what the Letter to Diognetus, an example of early Christian writing, had to say about circumcision while explaining how Christianity is different from Judaism.

But again their scruples concerning meats, and their superstition relating to the sabbath and the vanity of their circumcision and the dissimulation of their fasting and new moons, I do [not] suppose you need to learn from me, are ridiculous and unworthy of any consideration. ...

Again, to vaunt the mutilation of the flesh as a token of election as though for this reason they were particularly beloved by God, is not this ridiculous? ...

That the Christians are right therefore in holding aloof from the common silliness and error of the Jews and from their excessive fussiness and pride, I consider that thou hast been sufficiently instructed (4: 1, 4, 6.)

This author speaks quite harshly regarding Judaism. Let me again state it is not my intention to criticize Judaism but to analyze the teachings of COG leaders like James Malm.

Those early Christian authors, including the Apostle Paul, would have been disgusted and horrified that James Malm is teaching circumcision while claiming to be a Christian. It is quite likely they would say James Malm is not a Christian.

The COG leaders leaders love to use Galatians 1:6-7 to claim a great apostasy suppressed "the truth" immediately after the death of the Apostles. These COG leaders are so ignorant that they do not know that Paul was talking about those who wished to impose the Old Testament law, which is signified by the act of circumcision, upon Gentile converts to Christianity. Walter Martin, author of Kingdom of the Cults, was quite perceptive when he called HWA's teachings the new Galatianism. 

Also I have no doubt that the vast majority of Jews would be disgusted at James Malm for confusing these things so badly. They would be annoyed that they are unintentionally brought up in this debate started up the ignorant James Malm.

It is wrong for James Malm to insist his followers circumcise. He has no biblical right to impose this requirement upon his followers who wish to be Christians, but pursue this goal in erroneous ways.

Catastrophe in Ukraine

Events appear to have taken a most terrible turn in Ukraine. The police have hurled themselves at the protesters and up to twenty persons, including seven police offices, have died in the ensuing violence. May peace soon return to Ukraine.

This terrible turn of events only make Gerald Flurry's assertion that Vladimir Putin is the Prince of Rosh in Ezekiel 38-39 even more absurd. When the Ukrainian government abandoned negotiations with the European Union "That Prophet" Gerald Flurry cited this as a sign of just how powerful Vladimir Putin is. Just one man stopped the Ukrainian-EU trade negotiations, Flurry said. This event may have even caused Gerald Flurry to proclaim Vladimir Putin to be the Prince of Rosh prophesized in the Bible. 

But like so many COG predictions this has proven to be complete nonsense. Russia's move has backfired terribly. Many Ukrainian protesters have most powerfully resisted this attempt to have closer associations with Russia.

Unlike Flurry I will not pretend to know what will happen here. But it certainly will not take the world "a giant step closer to World War III" as the PCG leadership have been telling viewers of its TV telecast.

HWA, "Pope" Clement and Grace

HWA asserted that from AD 53 onwards the church was engulfed by a terrible "dark century" during which many of the truths of the true faith were viciously and systematically suppressed by dark, anti-law forces inspired by Simon Magus which eventually became what we now know as the Roman Catholic Church. The truth was only restored by HWA in the twentieth century.

Is HWA's assertion that the church was suppressed true? Was there really a radical break between the New Testament and the Christian writings that came afterwards? Let us look at the Christian writings that came after the New Testament.

Let us now look at the Letter of Clement. 

Clement was the bishop of Rome. Traditionally his time as bishop of the Christians of Rome was dated AD 92-99. His letter was written to the church of Corinth. This is regarded as one of the very earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament. There are some other writings that had been attributed to him but all others are now regarded as spurious. This letter is the only one left by Clement.
At one place Clement seems to speak of grace.

And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Chapter 32.)

HWA indoctrinated his followers to believe that grace is a license to sin. Did Clement teach this? Notice what he says right afterwards. 

What shall we do, then, brethren? Shall we become slothful in well-doing, and cease from the practice of love? God forbid that any such course should be followed by us! But rather let us hasten with all energy and readiness of mind to perform every good work. For the Creator and Lord of all Himself rejoices in His works. (Chapter 33.)

So we see once again that HWA was talking utter nonsense when he claimed that grace was a license to sin. He was either astoundingly misinformed or an audacious liar.

Also note in Clement's letter there is no appeal to observe the Sabbath or the annual Sabbaths. If these doctrines were so essential to the Christian faith as observed in the Apostolic church, as HWA insisted they were, why did the writers of the New Testament also never call upon Christians to be observant of the Sabbath and annual Sabbaths?