James Tabor on TPM’s William Dankenbring
As mentioned here before, Triumph Prophetic Ministries William Dankenbring died on August 28, 2017 (see also TPM’s William Dankenbring died).
A reader sent me the following from James Tabor and his comments last week about this (the reader told me he thought that “Gary” was Gary Alexander):
Gary, regarding William F. Dankenbring (1941-2017) you really bring back memories. How similar our paths to AC were, along with countless other friends, who were listening to the World Tomorrow broadcast on those 50,000 watt “clear channel” radio stations all of the country in 1962. I was in H.S. as I think you might have been, graduating in 1963. I too got just such a thorough letter from Dankenbring after writing him some weighty quesitons on various biblical quesitons I had gleaned after reading through a good sample of the literature. I was just 17 years old but pretty well informed on the Bible from several years of intensive study. I kept that letter for years and pondered it sentence by sentence, delving into this or that mystery of the text I was stuggling over at the time.
Bill and I corresponded quite a bit in the 1990s. I tried to “tone him down” a bit on his prophetic views and tendency toward dogmatism. I think at times he felt he was “somebody” in the sense of looking around, given his unique views and perspectives, and thinking–well who else is proclaiming the truth right now other than me? In some of his publications he clearly saw himself as the appointed successor of HWA (see
http://www.cogwriter.com/triumph.htm). Over the years I clicked on his rather “elaborate” web site (flashing lights announcing specials, etc.) and caught him on his rather informal Sabbath teaching videos. He had gained a lot of weight and did not look healthy and his presentation, though interesting, was halting, informal, and somewhat disorganized. I hardly recognized him. It was kind of sad, as I remembered the lean, machine “Dank” as you did. But he did carry on, with many apocalyptic predictions and expectations, all come to naught. I just looked at his web site,
Triumph Ministries and it looks like it has had a makeover and many of Bill’s booklets, articles, and Bible studies are being made available, including rebroadcasting Bill’s weekly teaching videos.
I just did a bit of searching and found what I think might be Bill’s last Sabbath teaching, August 12, 2017, if anyone wants to listen. Even though Bill seems very weak in this video is is clear his “old fire” is still there and he remained unhesitant to put forth his latest apocalyptic expectations–even after 55 years of failures! The message and its tone will have a familar ring to all of us who lived through AC’s 1950s-1970s. Here is the
link for those interested or who knew him.
I really appreciate you sharing your personal memories. I had not even heard he had died. We are all getting closer, are we not, that early 60s AC group, one by one, going down that Valley.
William Dankenbring was a prolific, though often inaccurate, writer. He used to write for the old Radio and Worldwide Church of God until he left and went out on his own.
Although I heard about him originally in the 1970s, my first encounter with William Dankenbring was about 25 year ago. I wrote to him then objecting to some of his writings and asked to be taken off of his mailing list–a mailing list I had never asked to be on. Well, he was not pleased and wrote a tirade against that, which he published. All my encounters with him over the years were negative.
William Dankenbring made many false predictions over the years that I have denounced. He was always in error on those I denounced and time proved that.
James Tabor seemed to recognize that as well.
As far as James Tabor goes, I have spoken to him a couple of times in the past, but never about William Dankenbring. James Tabor was once part of the old Worldwide Church of God, but has not held fast to many of the teachings of that church.
Getting back to William Dankenbring, here is a link to one of his prophetic errors: TPM’s William Dankenbring’s 2012 Speculation is Wrong.
Here is a link to another example: TPM’s W. Dankenbring Wrong About the Sacrifice Fulfilling Prophecy, a Needed Temple, and the Date of Passover.
William Dankenbring also had problems related to the day for Passover: TPM: Passover on the 14th or 15th?).
The following scriptures point to people like William Dankenbring:
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)
William Dankenbring had much potential, but did not follow the way of truth as much as he should of. He caused the way of truth to be blasphemed.
My own encounters with William Dankenbring were basically negative.
More on his inaccurate teachings can be found in the article: Teachings of Triumph Prophetic Ministries.
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