Articles on Cults

John Whaley

The articles on our site concerning the Worldwide Church of God are to inform readers about the history of that organization and the doctrines taught by its founder. Numerous splinter groups still practice Armstrongism. The Worldwide Church of God is a Christian denomination and a member of the National Association of Evangelicals and Evangelical Ministries to New Religions (EMNR).

In the May-June 1989 issue of The Plain Truth, published by the Worldwide Church of God, an interesting claim was made. On page 23, in the Q&A section, a reader asked, "Do you believe that only you have the truth?"

In response to this question, The Plain Truth stated, "The Plain Truth makes no exclusive claims to the truth. Jesus said that God's word is truth (John 17:17). He also said `I am...the truth" (John 14:6). This publication strives to make that truth plain by showing its relevance and applications to the problems that beset our society."

Whereas that answer would satisfy the average reader who knows very little about the origin and beliefs of the Worldwide Church of God who publishes The Plain Truth, it is very misleading when compared to other statements published by the church.

In the booklet, Where is the True Church?, published by the Worldwide Church of God in 1984, Herbert Armstrong painstakingly takes the reader through numerous biblical passages to reveal the identity of God's True Church. After 26 pages of arguments, he concludes that there is only one church which fulfills all the biblical tests of God's Church. As one can probably imagine, the Worldwide Church of God is that church.

Thus they offer this invitation on page 27, "But if you, of your own volition, want to know MORE about the very Church which Jesus Christ founded, and heads today... why not write your request for a personal visit? We will have one of God's own ministers call on you."

Armstrong further states, "Hundreds and hundreds -- yes, thousands upon thousands -- are being converted... by this work of God, through The World Tomorrow broadcast worldwide, through the ministry of the Worldwide Church of God, through the Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course, and other vital free literature we send upon request."

Thus, while The Plain Truth, which is one of those pieces of vital free literature they offer, may not make exclusive claims to the truth, its publisher, The Worldwide Church of God does. In light of that fact, the answer to the question on page 23 of the May-June 1989 issue of The PlainTruth is very misleading!!