The Christian Arsenal
Christianity, Cults & World Religions
Armstrongism
Armstrongism
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Religion: Armstrongism
Category: Cult
Founder/Leader:
Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986). Founded Worldwide Church of God (WCG) in 1934. Worldwide Church of God heft his beliefs, but splinter groups still follow them.
Foundational Documents:
New groups, often former WCG members, who still follow Armstrong's traditional teaching produce: The Philadelphia Trumpet magazine; Malachi's Message; Key of David TV program and others.
God is...
God is one infinite and eternal God. Traditional Armstrongism denies the Trinity, defining God as a "family of individuals." God was then seen as a family name. However, in 1995, WCG leaders officially accepted a Trinitarian concept of God and now accept biblical beliefs.
Jesus is...
Jesus is God incarnate (in human form). Armstrong suggested that Jesus would return to earth in 1975. Groups following Armstrong's original teachings (Global, Philadelphia, and United Churches of God) say Jesus was not resurrected physically and that he is the only one who has been born again. Worldwide Church of God believes that Jesus was raised spiritually and physically.
The Holy Spirit is...
Armstrongism: Holy spirit is an impersonal force. Worldwide Church of God. Holy Spirit is God. Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity.
Method of Salvation:
Salvation is by grace (the Unmerited favor of God). Whereas Armstrong followers must recognize Old Testament Sabbath days, feast days, and dietary prohibitions, such as no pork or shellfish. WCG has abandoned these beliefs.
Death and Beyond...
Armstrongism: Resurrected believers will live on the new earth. Unsaved will face judgment.
Other Beliefs:
Groups like the Philadelphia Church of God and Church of God International still hold Armstrong's views such as deity for mankind, no immortality of the soul, no literal hell, no medical treatment, and Anglo-Israelism. Since Armstrong's death, WCG, which was formerly very cultic, has undergone many changes toward more biblical views.