Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 130:517 (Jan 1973)
Article: Periodical Reviews
Author: Anonymous

BSac 130:517 (Jan 73) p. 68

Periodical Reviews

“Herbert W. Armstrong: Does He Really Have the ‘Plain Truth’?” Leslie K. Tarr and Roger F. Campbell, Moody Monthly, September, 1972, pp. 24-27, and Oct, 1972, pp. 36-37, 54–55.

To answer the question of the title of these articles, the plain truth is “No.” On this both Tarr and Campbell agree, giving a double-barreled reply. Both men write out of lengthy research and detailed knowledge of Armstrongism. Tarr discusses in main the modus operandi of the cult and suggests reasons for its appeal. Campbell exposes the heretical doctrines of the Armstrongs and their followers which are seldom presented openly on their broadcasts or in their magazines.

This deliberate hiding of their erroneous beliefs, coupled with daily radio broadcasts that blanket North America (“more than 300 stations” “within reach of 95 percent of all Americans and Canadians”), has duped many undiscerning evangelical Christians into financially supporting (estimated income of “$55 million annually”) what “simply must be regarded as one of the major anti-Christian movements of our time” (September, p. 26). I have enlightened several unsuspecting Christians who were supporting “The World Tomorrow” as a good Bible radio program.

Herbert W. Armstrong presents himself as an apostle of Jesus in the same sense as the Apostle Paul. In addition the launching of his radio program in Jan, 1934, “set in motion the fulfillment of 90 percent of the prophecies of the Old Testament” (September, p. 26). His declarations are considered dogmas and accepted unquestioningly by members of his Worldwide Church of God. From his followers he is accorded “an obedience denied to any popes in modern times” (September, p. 26). Witness the disciplining of son Garner Ted in the spring of 1972.

In addition the Worldwide Church of God is proclaimed as the one true church on earth today. This belief is not trumpeted on “The World Tomorrow” daily nor headlined in Plain Truth each month; but it is set forth from time to time and the followers believe it. Armstrong has written. “Yes, this work is the work of the true Church of God. All

BSac 130:517 (Jan 73) p. 69

others are satanic counterfeits!” (Oct, p. 37, quoting Plain Truth, February, 1958). There’s the pot calling the kettle black.

For the preceding views a person might be accused of unwarranted self-confidence or even misguided exuberance, but he hardly could be charged with heresy. As judged by the Bible, however, Armstrong father and son are guilty of heterodoxy. There is hardly a major doctrine on which they do not hold a belief contrary to the Word of God. They deny the Trinity, ca...