Church of God News

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

The Worldwide Church of God just sent out an email of a commentary by its leader J. Tkach asking “Is the  Christmas Tree Pagan?”.  Here is how it starts:

SpOL119   Is the Christmas Tree Pagan?

Some Christians have thought that Jeremiah 10:2-4 condemns the Christmas tree. As a result, they’ve avoided Christmas trees, believing that to have one in their home would be a sin.

In the King James Version, Jeremiah 10:2-4 reads like this: “Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen…. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.”

On the surface it might seem that Jeremiah is describing Christmas trees. But like so many mistaken impressions about the Bible, that conclusion ignores the context. Verses 2 through 4 of Jeremiah 10 are part of the larger context of verses 1 through 16, a condemnation not of the Christmas tree or trees of any kind, but of idols, which were typically carved from trees…

For Christians, the Christmas tree is not an object of veneration. It’s only a reminder of the good things of God.

While J. Tkach seems to indicate that Christmas Trees are not idols, that Catholics would say that about their statues.  Yet the New Testament is clear that Christians are to “not become idolaters as were some of them…Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (I Corinthians10:7,14). Trying to see how close one can come to accepting idols/icons does not seem consistent with that (or other) New Testament admonitions.

J. Tkach is correct that context is important.  But the context of Jeremiah 10 is not JUST idols, as he inplies, it is about avoiding pagan practices: “Learn not the way of the heathen“.  This is the context that Christians need to understand.

Yet, certainly having decorated trees as part of worship ceremonies is a heathen/pagan practice.  For Christians, Christmas Trees are a sign that many who professed Christ have compromised with paganism and prefer to accept traditions of men over the instructions in the Bible.  Decorated trees are not biblically a reminder “of the good things of God” as J. Tkach is now asserting.

Regarding some tree history, ReligiousTolerance.org reported:

Christmas trees…during the Roman celebration of the feast of Saturnalia, Pagans did decorate their houses with clippings of evergreen shrubs. They also decorated living trees with bits of metal and replicas of their God, Bacchus. Tertullian (circa 160 – 230), an early Christian leader and a prolific writer, complained that too many fellow-Christians had copied the Pagan practice of adorning their houses with lamps and with wreathes of laurel at Christmas time…Many Pagan cultures used to cut boughs of evergreen trees in December, move them into the home or temple, and decorate them.  Modern-day Pagans still do. This was to recognize the winter solstice — the time of the year that had the shortest daylight hours, and longest night of the year.

Last year, LCG reported the following about Christmas Trees:

Saturnalia—the festival Christmas absorbed—even carries echoes of ancient child sacrifice! It sounds horrific that dolls were given as gifts as symbols or proxies of children burnt to pagan gods. Yet this practice echoes the modern tradition of hanging cherubs or human figures on Christmas trees! The ancient Greeks placed small masks called oscilla on branches, where they could twirl freely in the wind. Encyclopaedia Britannica explains that oscilla were small figures, most commonly masks or faces, that were hung up “as offerings to various deities.… The custom of hanging these oscilla represents an older practice of expiating human sacrifice” (ibid.). (Tomorrow’s World, “Christmas: Harmful for Children?”)

The connections with pagan practices are clear.

Yet getting back to WCG, another question that J. Tkach should be asking is,  “Are Christmas Trees ever endorsed in the Bible?”

And the answer is no.

So with Christmas Trees we:

1. Clearly have a pagan symbol
2. See a condemnation in the Bible of decorating trees associated with the worship of the true God, and
3. Have a  human tradition that does not come from the Bible itself.

So, yes, Christmas Trees are pagan.  And true Christians should not utilize them in their worship of the true God.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate? Historical and biblical answers to this question about the world’s New Year’s day.
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians?
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

The Worldwide Church of God just sent out an email of a commentary by its leader J. Tkach asking “Is Christmas Pagan?”

The answer to that question is easy.

Of course it is.

But since he wants people to celebrate it anyway, here is some of what J. Tkach said:

You might be surprised to know that some Christians believe it is a sin to celebrate Christmas.

They contend that Christmas is pagan and God does not want Christians copying pagans.

There is no denying that some of the traditional practices and elements associated with Christmas are similar to those found in ancient pagan religious ceremonies.

It does not follow, however, that Christians are practicing paganism when they use similar practices or elements in worshipping Jesus. The early Christians in fact, succeeded in replacing the pagan celebrations by redeeming and transforming them. Just as an individual sinner who repents becomes redeemed and transformed in Christ, everything God has created for our enjoyment may be redeemed and transformed for use in worship to him.

For example, the pagan Feast of Saturnalia in early Rome was celebrated with a spirit of merriment, giving gifts to children and other forms of entertainment. The fact that pagans gave gifts to their children and celebrated with special meals on certain days of the year does not mean that such activities on Christian days and seasons of worship are sinful.

The truth is that neither Jesus, the original apostles, nor any who professed Christ can be shown to have observed Christmas until at least 150 years after Jesus died.  And actually, Rome did not actually adopt it until sometime in the 4th century and Constantinople did not adopt it until later in the 4th century.

Around the beginning of the 3rd century, Tertullian (the so-called “father of Latin theology”) warned that to participate in the winter celebrations made one beholding to pagan gods.

Notice what Tertullian wrote about winter celebrations, such as Saturnalia (from a pagan deity whose name meant plentiful):

The Minervalia are as much Minerva’s, as the Saturnalia Saturn’s; Saturn’s, which must necessarily be celebrated even by little slaves at the time of the Saturnalia. New-year’s gifts likewise must be caught at, and the Septimontium kept; and all the presents of Midwinter and the feast of Dear Kinsmanship must be exacted; the schools must be wreathed with flowers; the flamens’ wives and the aediles sacrifice; the school is honoured on the appointed holy-days. The same thing takes place on an idol’s birthday; every pomp of the devil is frequented. Who will think that these things are befitting to a Christian master, unless it be he who shall think them suitable likewise to one who is not a master? (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter X. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But, however, the majority (of Christians) have by this time induced the belief in their mind that it is pardonable if at any time they do what the heathen do, for fear “the Name be blasphemed”…To live with heathens is lawful, to die with them is not. Let us live with all; let us be glad with them, out of community of nature, not of superstition. We are peers in soul, not in discipline; fellow-possessors of the world, not of error. But if we have no right of communion in matters of this kind with strangers, how far more wicked to celebrate them among brethren! Who can maintain or defend this?…By us,…the Saturnalia and New-year’s and Midwinter’s festivals and Matronalia are frequented–presents come and go–New-year’s gifts–games join their noise–banquets join their din! Oh better fidelity of the nations to their own sect, which claims no solemnity of the Christians for itself!…Not the Lord’s day, not Pentecost, even it they had known them, would they have shared with us; for they would fear lest they should seem to be Christians. We are not apprehensive lest we seem to be heathens! (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XIV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

But “let your works shine,” saith He; but now all our shops and gates shine! You will now-a-days find more doors of heathens without lamps and laurel-wreaths than of Christians. What does the case seem to be with regard to that species (of ceremony) also? If it is an idol’s honour, without doubt an idol’s honour is idolatry. If it is for a man’s sake, let us again consider that all idolatry is for man’s sake; let us again consider that all idolatry is a worship done to men, since it is generally agreed even among their worshippers that aforetime the gods themselves of the nations were men; and so it makes no difference whether that superstitious homage be rendered to men of a former age or of this. Idolatry is condemned, not on account of the persons which are set up for worship, but on account of those its observances, which pertain to demons (Tertullian. On Idolatry, Chapter XV. Translated by S. Thelwall. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3. Edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

What Tertullian seems to be saying is that observing mid-winter celebrations make Christians appear to be followers of pagan gods, and since the pagans would not intentionally celebrate days considered by many to be Christian, Christians should not celebrate days that are honored by the heathen. Specifically, he felt that those who profess Christ should not celebrate Saturnalia, New Year’s, or other pagan days, as even the observance is a form of idolatry (click here for an article titled Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate?).

Since the modern Christmas celebration is at the same time as the old Gentile Saturnalia holiday (and with many of the same elements, like wreaths and gift-giving), it is clear that Tertullian is condemning these practices by stating that those that keep it are of the pagan god Saturn. He also wrote against winter giving:

…gifts like those you have in the Saturnalia! (Tertullian. De Fuga in Persecutione, Chapter 13. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 4. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

So basically, those who teach “Jesus is the reason for the season” are in error. The reason for the season appears to be that some of those who professed Christ, but did not want to leave the world, wanted to have a party. And did not care if the party was related to pagan gods.

It is interesting to note that Tertullian objected to keeping a celebration lasting until the Roman New Years, putting up wreaths, and giving gifts.  Since most of these quotes come from his writing titles “On Idolatry” apparently he considered those practices as idolatrous.

It seems to me that no true Christians would do this, only those who were somewhat nominal, but who had been accepted, to some degree, by part of the Greco-Roman confederation.  His complaints apparently did not stop this from happening, though his objections certainly have biblical support.

Even the Rheims‘ version of the New Testament (a Catholic approved translation) states the following:

15. And what agreement with Christ and Belial? or what part hath the faithful with the
infidel?
16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with Idols? For you are the temple of the
living God. as God saith, Then I will dwell, and walk in them, and will be their God: and
they shall be my people.
17. For the which cause, Go out of the midst of them, and separate yourselves. saith our
Lord, and touch not the unclean: and I will receive you (2 Corinthians 6:15-17, The Original And True Rheims New Testament Of Anno Domini 1582. Prepared and Edited by Dr. William von Peters, Ph.D. Copyright © 1998, Dr. William G. von Peters. Ph.D. 2004, copyright assigned to VSC Corp.).

So unclean practices associated with idols are prohibited by God; and they are sinful (cf. 1 John 5:17). Does not that include celebrating as the idolaters celebrate?

The fact is that even early Greco-Roman leaders were worried that their followers were embracing the practices of the pagans in honoring Saturnalia and Mithras.  Yet, ultimately those in the compromising churches compromised and even selected the date of Mithras birthday celebration as the date to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Notice the following from The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Mithraism A pagan religion consisting mainly of the cult of the ancient Indo-Iranian Sun-god Mithra. It entered Europe from Asia Minor after Alexander’s conquest, spread rapidly over the whole Roman Empire at the beginning of our era, reached its zenith during the third century, and vanished under the repressive regulations of Theodosius at the end of the fourth century…Helios Mithras is one god…Sunday was kept holy in honour of Mithra, and the sixteenth of each month was sacred to him as mediator. The 25 December was observed as his birthday, the natalis invicti, the rebirth of the winter-sun, unconquered by the rigours of the season (Arendzen. J.P. Transcribed by John Looby. Mithraism. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume X. Published 1911. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, October 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York).

Does picking December 25th sound like a change that God would approve?

Furthermore, those celebrating the 25th continued with the gift giving and other pagan practices associated with those celebrations.  And those practices continue to this day (which is why today is considered to be the biggest shopping day, probably in the entire world, but definitely in the United States).

But those practices and dates are not in the Bible.

While you obey God this year or instead follow the traditions of men that involve honoring pagan gods?

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them?
Did Early Christians Celebrate Birthdays? Did biblical era Jews celebrate birthdays? Who originally celebrated birthdays? When did many that profess Christ begin birthday celebrations?
Is January 1st a Date for Christians Celebrate? Historical and biblical answers to this question about the world’s New Year’s day.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

In a document that was revised by the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) on August 21, 2008, titled An introduction to Trinitarian, Christ-centered Theology, by Ted Johnston, WCG-USA Ministry Development Team (with Dr. J. Michael Feazell, Dr. Michael Morrison, Terry Akers and Keith Brittain), it proclaimed the following:

Trinitarian, Christcentered Theology has been around a very long time.  In fact, it was the theological vision that informed much of the teaching in the early church, was the basis of the early Christian Creeds, and the basis for determining the canon of the New Testament. Following is a summary of a few of the early and prominent Trinitarian teachers/theologians.

Irenaeus (died A.D. 202) Irenaeus was a disciple of Polycarp (who had studied with the Apostle John)…

Athanasius (died A.D. 373) As a young man, Athanasius defended the true gospel of God’s grace in Jesus against false teachers (including Arius) who denied Jesus’ divinity. This defense led to the formulation of the doctrine of the Trinity, affirmed at the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325. Athanasius was also a principal among those who helped settle the final canon of the New Testament.

There are several problems with this.  One of which is that Irenaeus, despite his many flaws, was not a trinitarian–yet he is cited as WCG’s earliest proof.  Yet notice what Irenaeus actually wrote:

…there is none other called God by the Scriptures except the Father of all, and the Son, and those who possess the adoption (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book IV, Preface, Verse 4. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Irenaeus held a binitarian view of the Godhead.  Notice that he does not say that the Holy Spirit is also called God. Also notice that Irenaeus states that only the Father, the Son, and those who possess the adoption (Christians) are God. This is a binitarian, not a trinitarian view.

Additionally, it was the Apostle John who God used to fix the New Testament canon (see The New Testament Canon – From the Bible Itself), and this was in essence confirmed by Polycarp (Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians).  Perhaps I should mention that WCG skipped from a bogus implication related to Irenaeus (as he was not trinitarian) to a person of the 4th century (Athanasius) as proof of the early acceptance of the trinity–kind of a big historical gap.  Furthermore, contrary to WCG’s indications, Athanasius’ view was a minority one until about the time of his death among the Greco-Romans.

Contrary to the interpretations of the current WCG there are no early (pre-third century) writings other than those from recognized heretics such as Valentinus and Montanus (both of whom are recognized as heretics by the Church of Rome and most Protestant scholars) that supported trinitarian theology.

The only trinitarian theology that was around for a long time was not Christ-centered and according to a Catholic in the fourth century, it entered the professing Christian world from the heretic Valentinus who got the idea from Hermes and Plato:

Now with the heresy of the Ariomaniacs, which has corrupted the Church of God…These then teach three hypostases, just as Valentinus the heresiarch first invented in the book entitled by him ‘On the Three Natures’.  For he was the first to invent three hypostases and three persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and he is discovered to have filched this from Hermes and Plato (Source: Logan A. Marcellus of Ancyra (Pseudo-Anthimus), ‘On the Holy Church’: Text, Translation and Commentary. Verses 8-9.  Journal of Theological Studies, NS, Volume 51, Pt. 1, April 2000, p.95 ).

Thus, it is not true that the early true church had a trinitarian theology–this was not even something that was uniformly adopted by the Greco-Romans until the late 4th century.

It is a historical fact that the bishops of both Rome (Liberius) and Constantinople (Macedonius) approved binitarian/Semi-Arian/non-trinitarian positions in the middle of the 4th century–this is a matter of history for those interested in the truth.

However, just because WCG has misapplied history, does not mean that you have to.

If you are truly interested in learning the truth about the Godhead and what true and false Christians taught about the Godhead in the first few centuries, I urge you to diligently study the following articles.  If you have any doubts, please pray about it, check out my historical references, and compare the teachings with the Bible.

Binitarian View: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning Is binitarianism the correct position? What about unitarianism or trinitarianism?
Is The Father God? What is the view of the Bible? What was the view of the early church?
Jesus is God, But Was Made Man Was Jesus fully human and fully God or what?
Virgin Birth: Does the Bible Teach It? What does the Bible teach? What is claimed in The Da Vinci Code?
Did Early Christians Think the Holy Spirit Was A Separate Person in a Trinity? Or did they have a different view?
Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity? Most act like this is so, but is it?
Was Unitarianism the Teaching of the Bible or Early Church? Many, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, claim it was, but was it?
Binitarianism: One God, Two Beings Before the Beginning This is a shorter article than the Binitarian View article, but has a little more information on binitarianism.

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

In the October 2008 edition of its Christian Odyssey magazine, WCG reported:

WCG used to understand that the Book of Revelation is not only relevant for today, it really does discuss and provide prophetic information that actually will be fulfilled in the 21st century.

Many who discount prophecy seem to do it by only partially quoting the Bible, or basing a doctrine on a misleading translation.  For example, the above article has the subheadline “What must soon take place”.  The implication is that 1900 years is not soon, thus the Book of Revelation really is not revealing things that will occur in the 21st century associated with the Great Tribulation, Day of the Lord, the return of Christ, the millenium, and beyond.

But Jesus, in the Book of Revelation itself in the NKJV, states:

Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this (Revelation 1:19).

Thus, it was most obviously NOT just for the 1st and early 2nd centuries.

Furthermore, even if WCG and others wish to insist that their misleading translation is correct, then they should look at the last chapter of the Book of Revelation, where Jesus states:

Surely I am coming quickly (Revelation 22:20).

So, either Jesus is liar (which He was not) or the new WCG simply does not wish to truly understand the prophecies of the Book of Revelation.

Additionally, the Book of Revelation itself gives shows that certain events would take a relatively long time to be fulfilled.  Why else would it quote those who state:

“How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10)

Thus, long time periods for the fulfillment in at least parts of what the book teaches were themselves prophesied.

The Book of Revelation is prophetic and many of the prophecies will be fulfilled in the 21st century.

Those like the WCG that fail to keep the biblical holy days (like the Feast of Tabernacles that began last night) simply often misunderstand much of biblical prophecy.

Those who do not understand (or like WCG, no longer understand) that God has a 7000 year plan, with the 6000 years of human rule to end in the 21st century simply are not heeding the many commands from Jesus to “watch”.

But those events written in the Book of Revelation that have not yet occured, “the things which will take place”.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made? Some have said healing, others other subjects, but probably the first change had to do with eliminating being part of the Philadelphia era. This article documents what those changes were and compares the Tkach list of restored truths to Herbert W. Armstrong’s list of restored truths. It contains many quotes from Herbert W. Armstrong.
Why Prophecy? Because the World Will Not End Next Week Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons what it is important and explains why the world cannot end for at least 3 1/3 years from now.
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? There is a Mayan calendar prediction for change in 2012. 2012 changes were also centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans (the Hindus may have some predictions for the next decade as well). Do these Mayan/Hindu/Hopi prophecies have any value? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 7,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years of Human Rule End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?

COGwriter

Today is the biblical Feast of Trumpets. A day that features the good news that the resurrection of the Christians and the book of life will be opened after the destruction to hit this planet (please see the article Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? for details).

Those who are not observing the biblical Feast of Trumpets today, seem more inclined to at least partially support (it is the third biggest financially important holiday in the USA) a pagan holiday that promotes death.

On its web page last year, WCG mentioned and promoted its current article, with the related picture, on Halloween which states:

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

May Christians and their children participate in Halloween activities? To answer this question, we should first distinguish the secular observance of Halloween from such important Christian festival days as Christmas and Easter. Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior and Easter commemorates his resurrection. Both these Christian holidays memorialize profound aspects of the life of Jesus…

The day does have religious significance for some people, particularly wiccans and druids. For some people and in some regions, Halloween or some of its elements may have a non-Christian religious meaning. Some Halloween activities could be considered anti-Christian, and would, therefore, be avoided. Christians would want to avoid demonic associations, for example. With these things in mind, it would be appropriate for Christians to consider carefully their activities on this holiday.

…It’s true that such things as jack-o’-lanterns, bonfires and black cats, which are part of the Halloween tradition, may have roots in pre-Christian activities…

Most Christians believe they can celebrate Halloween (in some respects) as a purely secular day of fun…

It is the responsibility of each Christian to decide, based on biblical and Christian principles, whether to participate in Halloween activities, and to avoid judging other Christians who have different circumstances and make different decisions.

WCG seems to want it both ways: it knows that Halloween is pagan, but thinks that Christians can celebrate it.

Christianity Today also seems to try to have it both ways: they seem to accept the compromise to observe it but try to suggest that not celebrating is okay while they also promote its observance.  Here are a few quotes from its website:

Responding to Halloween…

Announcing a new line of costumes…

Over the years, we have come up with some great activities to strengthen our family ties in late October that you can use whether you participate in Halloween or not.

Hallowing Halloween
Why Christians should embrace the “devilish” holiday with gusto—and laughter.

Why I Let My Kids Go Trick-or-Treating…

Other Links to Halloween Resources

Holiday Tips
Tips for a safe and successful Halloween night from the American Tract Society…

Halloween: Trick or Treat?
Visit the American Tract Society’s website to learn about the history of Halloween and All Saints’ Day and find fun games for the kids to play.

I suspect that the other reason for CT’s acceptance of paganism is financial.  There are various ads promoting books and other items related to Halloween.  Interestingly, in its list of “Holidays and Events” (a listing of 25 mainly pagan holidays), no biblical Holy Day is listed.

Christianity Today fails again to promote Christianity, but instead sinks to the level of promoting compromises that were accepted and/or endorsed by the Catholics of Rome.

Halloween came from pagan sources, promotes pagan concepts, and is not in any way endorsed by the Bible.

Jesus and Paul did not observe Halloween.  They observed the biblical holy days such as the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement (which begins at sunset on October 8th in 2008).

Which should a Christian truly support?

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

Is Halloween Holy Time for Christians? This article provides some historical and biblical insight on this question.
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Did Paul? Should you?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians?
LCG 2008 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year.

Hurricane Gustav

COGwriter

Hurricane Ike seems to be stronger reaching the USA than the over-rated Hurricane Gustav.

In his update tonight, Texas-based ICG leader Mark Armstrong reported:

Up here in Tyler there is something of a crisis atmosphere. Our area is bulging with people from further south who have come to our area to escape hurricane force winds and flooding expected to arrive later tonight. Area grocery stores are jammed with shoppers making provisions for the problems associated with forecast high winds, torrential rains and power outages that may visit here as the storm is expected to track right up our way. Some of the gas stations up and down the highway where our offices are located are out of regular gas, in some cases roped off and completely out. Local forecasts are calling for 50 or 60 mph winds, but we also have the potential for tornadoes. We’ve made calls to members of the local congregation, canceling the Tyler service for tomorrow.

The news made the following comments about Hurricane Ike:

Monster Storm Ike Hammers Texas Coast

Earlier today, WCG’s J. Tkach commented:

Hurricanes – floods – earthquakes – tornadoes – fires. The very words can be terrifying.

We know that God is powerful enough to stop such disasters.

The Bible reveals that God does control the weather and it is one of the ways He tries to make certain points with humans.

Weather problems seems to be increased this year.  But the end is not yet.

LCG has long had a booklet of possibly related interest titled “Who Controls the Weather? ” that is available for those interested in more on the weather and Bible prophecy.

Now there is good news as ultimately, God’s kingdom will come.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

Joseph Tkach, president of the Worldwide Church of God was in the following news story:

Perhaps, Joseph Tkach and the other “evangelicals” should consider that the evangelical movement itself is a fairly modern invention, starting essentially with the dispensationalists on the 19th century.

The true Church of God, which the OLD WCG was part of, has existed throughout history.

Several articles of possibly related interest may include:

The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
News Articles Related to Church History This link is to articles on Church history that were once published on the COG News Page.
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

Many readers of this page have had some affiliation with the old Worldwide Church of God. But most people do not know what the first doctrinal changes that the Tkach administration were.

It was NOT something that they started to teach–it was something that they stopped teaching.

And what was that?

The first clear doctrinal change that the Tkach administration made was to STOP teaching that the it was the Philadelphia Church and that CG7 was the remnant of Sardis.

After J. Tkach Jr. visited CG7 (in 1986, I believe), he was touched by a CG7 member who complained that he did not like being referred to as part of the “dead” church–especially since they had possibly more members than WCG did.

Joe Jr. then apparently decided that WCG should not teach that anymore. So when WCG decided to reprint Volume I of the Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong those type of references were be removed.

My wife Joyce and I reported the particular statements which were removed in an article in The Journal a few summers ago (please see The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made?).

Hence the 1986 “Autobiography” that most have is not really an autobiography, but an edited one. Furthermore, I noticed that the same type of thing happened with the old The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse booklet that I reported about yesterday.

One of the big differences is that while page 40 of the 1973 version used to teach:

To this end-time “elect” doing God’s Work, Jesus says, “I know your works” behold I set before thee an open door” (Rev. 3:8). This door refers to a way being opened to preach the Gospel (II Cor. 2:12).

Today, that way is through the mass media of radio, television, the printing press, and personal evangelism.“And…no man can shut it: for thou hast [only] a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Rev. 3:8).

The 1987 version omits that verse and any comments about Revelation 3:8–which was a message to the Philadelphia church.

While people without a WCG background may not consider this to be an important doctrine, the truth is that this change is, in a very real sense, the reason why WCG scattered as much as it did. People who did not believe that they were called to be Philadelphians either left the COG or became parts of groups that simply are not Philadelphian.

This is why there is currently disunity within the COGs and why there will be a lack of true unity until after Jesus Christ returns.

Philadelphians have held fast to Philadelphia era doctrine, gospel priorities, and governance. The others (which is essentially all groups but LGC) simply have not.  And it was this subtle, and essentially unannounced, change that still has affected the COGs greatly.

Some articles of related interest may include:

There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
Differences between the Living Church of God and United Church of God This article provides quotes information from the two largest groups which had their origins in WCG as well as commentary.
Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era was predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. Non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.

TRANSFORMED FROM TRUTH

COGwriter

A few weeks ago, WCG joined into a lawsuit in order to prove its opinion on whether a group can break from its parent religious group. For obvious reasons (WCG renounced most of its original doctrines yet retained all the assets accumulated when it believed those original doctrines), WCG opposed that:

Protestant groups join Episcopal fight over church properties

The Christian Century – June 17, 2008

Sixteen Protestant denominations and regional districts have joined a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia in contesting a Reconstruction-era state law that governs church splits.

The post-Civil War splintering of Methodist and Presbyterian churches in 1867 prompted the Virginia law, which allows congregations to keep their property when seceding from a church or “religious society” that’s dividing. But the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), two of the largest U.S. mainline Protestant denominations, say the law is unconstitutional.

On May 16, a judge in Fairfax County, Virginia, ruled that the UMC, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the Worldwide Church of God may participate in oral arguments May 28 over the law’s constitutionality.

The amicus curiae brief is a sign of how closely some Protestants are following the multimillion-dollar battle between the Episcopal Church and 11 conservative congregations that left to join a branch of the Anglican Church of Nigeria. http://www.christiancentury.org/article.lasso?id=4856

Today, the press reported that the court ruled in favor of the breakaway group:

While I generally do not favor break away groups, the truth is that when the “parent” church radically changes doctrines, those that have proven the original doctrines as biblically correct and who then wish to hold to the original doctrines certainly should be able to split.

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

For information about what that actually is, the following articles may be of assistance:

The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Is your faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 Do they matter? Most say they must, but act like they do not. This article contains some history about the Church of God (sometimes referred to as the continuation of Primitive Christianity) over the past 2000 years.
What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History? Although most believe that the Roman Catholic Church history teaches an unbroken line of succession of bishops beginning with Peter, with stories about most of them, Roman Catholic scholars know the truth of this matter. This eye-opening article is a must-read for any who really wants to know what Roman Catholic history actually admits about the early church.
Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome What actually happened to the primitive Church? And did the Bible tell about this in advance?
Apostolic Succession What really happened? Did structure and beliefs change? Are many of the widely-held current understandings of this even possible? Did you know that Catholic scholars really do not believe that several of the claimed “apostolic sees” of the Orthodox have apostolic succession–despite the fact that the current pontiff himself seems to wish to ignore this view? Is there actually a true church that has ties to any of the apostles that is not part of the Catholic or Orthodox churches? Read this article if you truly are interested in the truth on this matter!
Another Look at the Didache, Ignatius, and the Sabbath Did Ignatius write against the Sabbath and for Sunday? What about the Didache? What does the actual Greek reveal?
Ancient “Christian” Sermon This is believed to be the oldest complete surviving post-New Testament sermon. Have you ever read it?
Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians This is Roberts and Donaldson’s translation, corrected by me in one place, where they made a small error in translating Latin by omitting one word.
Tradition and Scripture: From the Bible and Church Writings Are traditions on equal par with scripture? Many believe that is what Peter, John, and Paul taught. But did they?

Although it is no longer owned by any COG, those who were once affiliated with the old WCG were familiar with the old Ambassador campus. My wife and I were married in one of the buildings shown above.

COGwriter

An item related to the old WCG Ambassador Auditorium made the news:

Honoring the history makers

Pasadena Star-News – June 24, 2008      excerpt…

The recently restored egret fountain, on the grounds of Pasadena’s Ambassador Auditorium, was the centerpiece for “Raise the Roof under the Tuscan Stars,” a benefit for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity on June 14. Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and Pastor Che Ahn of Harvest Rock Church, the new owner of the auditorium, were on hand for the unveiling of the landmark, created by British sculptor David Wynne in the late 1960s on the former Ambassador College campus.

Market City Caffe provided the Italian-style supper served to nearly 400 guests at tables surrounding the fountain. Former Glendale Mayor Larry Zarian emceed – Glendale Galleria was a signature sponsor of the event – and Jim Ciccolo presided over the live auction. Benefit committee chairman, Cynthia Heydt, of San Marino, reports that the event raised more than $80,000.  source: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_9688262

The physical assets of the old WCG helped the church reach world leaders with the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

An article of related interest may be The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church.