Tag Archives: Armstrongism

Cults and Modern Technology

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In the 1920’s and 30’s the cutting edge of technology was wireless telegraphy, better known today as radio.  Herbert W. Armstrong, an Adventist evangelist, saw the potential of this medium and used it to his advantage.  He began broadcasting his unique views of the Bible in 1933.  His abilities as a speaker won the minds and hearts of thousands of listeners.  Thus was born the Radio Church of God, a religious organization that initially consisted almost completely of a radio audience.  Eventually Armstrong’s following grew to become the Worldwide Church of God.[i]

The progression from a small radio broadcast to an on-air “church” to an organized religious body demonstrates the power of electronic media to effectively propagate a message and develop a committed group of adherents.   Thus, Armstrongism serves as a prime example of how cults can, and often do, effectively use technology and media to spread their own versions of the gospel. Continue reading →

The Lost Tribes of Israel

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Question: “What are the Lost Tribes of Israel?  And why were they lost?”

Answer:  One of the common myths arising out of biblical studies is that of the Ten Lost Tribes.  The myth goes like this:  When Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 b.c. they sent most of the Israelites into exile.  These exiles were scattered throughout the Assyrian Empire.  Some were apparently assimilated into the Assyrian culture. Others became wanderers.  In general, the northern Ten Tribes of Israel were lost to history.  No one knows what became of them.  However, there are abundant legends about them.  Some think they traveled north and west, and became the ancestors of the Celtic, Nordic, Germanic and English peoples.  Others think they ended up in the East, in China or India.  There are even people groups in Africa that claim they are the true descendants of ancient Israel. Continue reading →

Armstrongism

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Herbert W. Armstrong began his career as a traveling salesman.  While doing this work, he happened to come in contact with a splinter group of the Seventh-day Adventists.  For a while he spoke as an Adventist evangelist, and demonstrated great success.  However, he came to believe some things that caused him to split with the Adventists and form his own organization.

Armstrong saw himself as specifically called of God to restore the true church to the earth, which had been lost for 1900 years.  His background in sales served him well as a self-proclaimed prophet.  He began to broadcast his beliefs on radio, once again with great success.  He attracted thousands of followers in the western United States.  Working through his radio ministry, correspondence Bible courses, and a slick magazine called The Plain Truth, Armstrong’s movement grew.  He formed his own church, initially called the Radio Church of God.  Later this was changed to the Worldwide Church of God (WCOG). Continue reading →