ࡱ> +,  !"#$%&'()*-./012345Root Entry F_{@CompObjnWordDocument^ObjectPool<{<{  FMicrosoft Word 6.0 Document MSWordDocWord.Document.69qࡱ_Oh+'0 $ Hl   Dh(C:\MSOFFICE\WINWORD\TEMPLATE\NORMAL.DOTCraig Martin WhiteCraig Martin White@hW@Yܥe3 eL^IZZZZZZL [ [ [ [ [ [ [" [_]18[8[8[8[8[8[8[8[w[y[y[y[ [m\A]]T]8_]Z8['(8[8[8[8[_]8[ZZ8[8[8[8[8[8[Z8[Z8[w[Z&Z@ZZZZ8[w[8[?8[90 Doctrinal Changesof the Worldwide Church of GodLloyd W. Cary (WCG member for 27 years) Because of a "fear religion" mentality, most people belonging to the Worldwide Church of God will not read this list of critical and not-so critical changes that have been implemented since the death of their founder Herbert W. Armstrong on January 16th., 1986. However, "Perfect love casteth out fear" (I John 4:18) and there is nothing to fear from God's plain truth. Changes have taken place. God commands us in I Thes. 5:21 to "Prove all things: hold fast that which is good." Again, in I John 4:1 we are admonished, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." The Church at Ephesus was commended by Jesus Christ when He said, "...thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars." Read it for yourself. There is no sin in checking out the facts! In fact, your Savior and mine insists that we do so! Some in this organization sincerely believe that there have been no changes, but only redefinitions and clarifications. One evangelist in this organization gave a sermon in 1992 which was sent to all the churches in which he asked, "Changes? What changes? There have been no changes!" Is this true? Does God want blind obedience that is contrary to his inspired Word? No! However, members consider it a "bad attitude" to question anything spoken from the pulpit and most assume that anything spoken by one of "God's ministers" must be true and is, perhaps, inspired of God and is on an equal level of Scripture. Not all change is bad. Good change is good. However, apostatizing from the pure and simple Word of God is not only bad... it is BLASPHEMY and those supporting it will be judged accordingly (Rev. 3:16). Listed below is a partial list of these changes. Many of these changes are documented by the organization's own material. Following the changes are a few Scriptures -- without comment -- relating to that subject. Look each one of them up and see for yourself. You be the judge. Be honest with yourself and with your God. "Blow the dust off your own Bible and prove whether these things be so." "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).1. Christians are "born again" now, at conversion or baptism, instead of at the resurrection. (Source: "God Is...", pg. 36, 49 and many other articles and sermons.) [Compare Jn. 3:3-8; Job 14:4-8; Philip. 3:21; I Cor. 15:50-52; I Thes. 4:15-17; Lk. 1:15.]2. Instead of "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved", Christians are saved now. (Plain Truth, 2/93, pg. 7.) [cp. Mt. 10:22; Heb. 3:6.]3. Baptism is not required for salvation. (Michael Feazel, David Hulme, statements at the Evangelical Conference in Deerfield, IL). [cp. Acts 3:7-38, 41: 5:32; 19:5-6; Mt. 28:18]4. Persecution is now an embarrassment to be shunned and avoided (Ron Kelly, "God Is..." sermon and Joseph Tkach, recent video sent to all churches.) [cp. 2 Tim. 3:12; Mt. 5:12; Lk. 6:26; 2 Cor. 12:10.]5. The Kingdom of God is here now and we are in it; i.e., the church is the Kingdom. [cp. Mt. 6:10; Lk. 21:31; I Cor. 15:50 Rev. 11:15.]6. The Gospel now preached is almost exclusively about the Messenger, instead of His message. God the Father is now de-emphasized. "Christ is the Gospel... He is the Kingdom of God." (Pastor General's Report; 8/4/92, 4/20/93 Personals). [cp. Mal. 3:1; Jn. 14:28; Gal. 1:6-9; Mk. 1:1,14; Mt. 24:14.]7. The Sabbath now begins and ends at dark, not at Sunset (Dr. Stavrinides). [cp. Mk. 1:32; Josh. 8:29; 10:26-27; 2 Chron. 18:32; Gen 1:5, 8, 14, 19, 23, 31.]8. Sabbath keeping is not necessary for Salvation, nor is obedience, for we are saved by grace alone through faith. (Michael Snyder, 12/13/91, radio interview, Detroit WMUZ). [Ex. 20: 8-11; Isa. 56:2; 66:23; Mr. 2:27-28; Acts 17:2; 18:4; Heb. 4:4; Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 22:14.]9. "Criticizing Mr. Tkach is tantamount to committing the unpardonable sin" (Gerald Waterhouse, FT, 1990, Ullandulla, Australia). [cp. Rev. 2:2; Jude 3-4; 2 Pet. 1-2; I Jn. 4:1; Ac. 20:29-30; 3 Jn 9-10; 2 Jn. 9-10.]10. Prophecy is now de-emphasized. "Prophecies fail". (WW News, Personal, J. Tkach) [cp. Amos 3:7-8; I Ki. 8:56; Ps. 111:7; Ezk. 12:25; Mt. 5:18; 24:35; Isa. 55:11; Lk. 21:33; Jn. 10:35; Rev. 22:18-19.] 11. We are saved by "grace alone". (Personal, JWT) [cp. Phil 2:12; Lk. 6:46; Mt. 19:16-17; Jas. 2:24.]12. We do not and cannot qualify for salvation. (Personal, JWT) The word qualify is subtly substituted for earn. [cp. Phil 2:12; Rom. 2:13; 3:31; Jas. 2:24, 26; Rev. 21:8; I Cor. 6:9-10; Mt. 7:13-14, 21; 19:17: 25:11-12; Jas. 1:22; Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 5:5, 12, 21.]13. Christ was not tempted and it was impossible for Him to have sinned. (Tape by Dr. Stavrinides, "The Great Gamble Theory".) [cp. Mt. 4:1-11; Heb. 2:18; 4:15; 5:7.] 14. The Godhead is a trinity -- the words "entity", "consciousness", and "existences" substituted for person. "The Bible does reveal within the one Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Members told this is not a Trinity. The concept of the Trinity is no longer pagan. ("God Is..." pp. 34, 38, 39, 41, 44; PT, 7/93, pg. 3, Personal, J. Tkach.) [cp. Lk. 1:35; 2 Tim. 1:7; Rom. 15:13; Acts 1:8; Mic. 3:8; Lk 1:35; Mk. 7:7-9, 13; etc., etc.]15. The Ten Commandments are not truly all that important because they do not tell us not to envy, be selfish, hate or to love. (JWT, Personal, 5/27/93, c/w ltr.) [cp. Rom. 13:9-10; I Jn. 2:3-4; 3:22, 24; 5:3; 2 Jn. 6, 9-10.]16. The cross is a Christian symbol. "The cross symbolized what Jesus accomplished... a reminder of redemption and reconciliation." (PT, Apr. 1993, p. 2, 14.) 17. Images, icons and "Christian Art" permitted "as long as they are not used as objects of worship". Halos ok. (WCG Bible Study, Haloed pictures on pp. 2, 14, 23 of Apr. PT.) [cp. Ex. 20:4; Num. 33:52.]18. The corrupt Protestant NIV is now Worldwide's "official Bible". (PT, 5/6/93, pg. 26, WWN art.) 19. Israel's modern identity (US & BC book) is rejected. Called "folklore, legend, myth and superstition". (J. Tkach Jr., memo to U.S. field minister, Mike Swaggerty -- reproduced in Watchman's Expositor.)20. "Christ fulfilled the major purpose of the national identity of Israel". (PT, 12/92, Q&A)21. There is no 7,000 year plan of God (PT, 7/92. pg. 22, Q&A, PCD letter, L 57) [cp. 2 Pet. 3:8 with Gen. 1:5-2:3 & Rev. 20:2-7; Heb. 4:4-11.]22. There is no physical sin. Christ's stripes have nothing whatever to do with Divine Healing. (New Healing booklet) [cp. Isa. 53:5; Mt. 8:17; I Pet. 2:24; I Jn. 3:4; Ps. 103:3-4.]23. Mt. 24: 14 is no longer the church's commission. It is "just a prophecy". (Portfolio, 3/4/93, Forum & Assembly, R. Kelly)24. God is not reproducing Himself. God is not a Family -- He has a family. [???] ("God Is..." pg. 49; WN Aug 3, 1993, J.W.T., Personal) [cp. Eph. 3:15; Psa. 82:6; Heb. 2:10-11; Job 14:14; I Cor. 15:51-54.]25. Christians are only adopted sons and will never become God Beings. God is not reproducing Himself. (PGR, 1991) [See Scriptures on point 24.]26. God is not a "person", nor is Christ. ("God Is...". pg. 44-45) [cp. Heb. 1:3; 2 Cor. 2:10; Mt. 27:24.]27. God and Christ do not have a body. All references to body parts of God are to be interpreted as metaphors. (WWN, Aug. 3, 1993, Personal, J. W. T.) [cp. I Cor 15:44; Phil. 3:21; Rev. 1:13-17.]28. Christ resurrected Himself (G. Albrecht, sermon to ministers, 1991) [cp. I Thes. 1:10; I Pet. 1:21; Col 2:12; Eph. 1:20; Acts 2:24, 32; 3:15, 26; 4:10; etc.] 29. Man is not made in God's literal form shape and image. [cp. Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7; I Cor 15:49; 2 Cor. 4:4; Heb. 1:3; Ps. 17:15.]30. Primal Polytheistic religions (Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc) give a deep sense of the unity of all life. ("God Is..." booklet, pg. P. 4) [ cp. Jer. 10:2; Dt. 12:29-31; Ex. 23.2.]31. II Cor. 6: 14 is just a warning about spending too much time with idolaters. (PGR, pg. 3, 4/20/93) [cp. 2 Cor. 5:11; 2 Jn. 10; Rev. 21:8.]32. Marriage to unbelievers now permissible "because we traditionally defined believers as baptized WCG members"... this is "extremely narrow". (PGR, pg. 3, J. Tkach Jr., 4/20/93) [cp. 2 Cor. 6:14.]33. Annulments can be obtained by anyone who "regrets getting married" for several months into the marriage. (Special Policy Statement, J. Tkach Jr., 4/20/93.)34. Divorce and remarriage is now permitted for over two dozen reasons, including "mental cruelty, emotional or spiritual abandonment" (when a mate leaves `The Church') and several other hard to define reasons. (Special Policy Statement, J. Tkach, Sr. 4/20/93.)35. Interracial marriage is now permitted. (P.G.R., J.W.T.)36. All voting is now permitted. Contributions to politicians is a private matter.(Announced in Big Sandy.)37. "Ecclesia" [S.C. #1577] now means "called together", not "called out ones". [cp. Rom. 11:29; I Cor. 1:26; Eph. 1:15; 2 Pet. 1:10; Rev. 18:4.]38. The Catholic doctrine of the "invisible church" allows for good Protestants and others to be saved now. "We make no claims to exclusivity". (M. Snyder, Detroit radio interview, WMUZ, 12/13/91, and various statements from J. Tkach Jr.) [cp. Mt. 7:13-15; 22:14; Lk. 13:24.]39. Now is the time for the world's salvation. 40. "Sharing Jesus" and personal "evangelizing" will spread the kingdom and is every Christian's duty.41. Personal evangelizing is a gift of the spirit. (PGR, Personal, 3/2/93.)42 Members are free to join any worldly organization.43 Obedience comes from the Holy Spirit. [cp. Acts 5:32.]44. Social activism in the community is now Christian duty and will help spread the Kingdom. (PT, pg. 17, 3/93.)45. Co-Workers are now called "Brothers and Sisters in Christ"; PT Subscribers are called "Fellow members of the household of faith". (PT, Personal, 4.92.) [cp. Rom 8:9.]46. The WCG is officially pro-choice because "abortion is not equated with murder". IUD's, which kill fertilized ova, are now permissible for contraception. (Private letters sent to members and personal CAD advice to members who call and ask.)47. Long hair for men and short hair for women is ok because we can't properly determine hair length. (PCD letters) PT illustrations show Daniel, David and others as well as Jesus Christ and the Apostles on the telecast as all being long-haired men. [cp. I Cor 11:14-16.]48. "All doctrine is on the table." (M. Snyder, WMUZ radio interview.) [cp. Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8.]49. Local sermon tapes may not leave the area or be kept longer than one year. All of HWA's tapes and booklets are removed.50. Tithing is called a "concept" instead of a law. [cp. Mal. 3:8-12; Mt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42.]51. Third tithe may be paid every year at a pro-rated 2.8%, abrogating the Dt. 26:12-15 third tithe year prayer-of-faith. (No Scriptural reasons given.)52. Money, no longer faith, now determines which doors the church walks through. HWA's concept that God blesses His Work as it pleases Him is now "antedated". [cp. Heb. 11:6.]53. Laws are "contravened", not broken. (Healing booklet, pg. 58 & WN, pg. 31, 3/27/87.)54. The laying on of hands is "not a fundamental doctrine" and so is excluded from the Statement of Beliefs. (J. Tkach, Jr., CC:Mail to ministers, 1/93.) [cp. Heb. 6:6.]55. The terms Father and Son are only analogous concepts. [cp. 1 Jn. 2:22!]56. Prophetic charts are to be avoided.57. "We take no real position on the 144,000." [cp. Rev. 7:4-8.]58. The theory of Pre-Adamites is a non-issue. (PGR, J. Tkach.)59. Prehistoric people may have been created by Satan. (Stated by hierarchy.)60. The Beast is Racism. [???] (Ibid.)61. The term "body of Christ" is merely a metaphor. (PT, pg. 17, 5-6/93.)62. Adam and Eve were metaphors, not real people. (Stated by hierarchy.) [Lk. 3:38; I Cor. 15:22, 45.]63. The Garden of Eden was a metaphor. (Ibid.) [cp. Gen 2:10-14.]64. The two trees were metaphors, not real and not literal. (Ibid.)65. Cain and Abel were metaphors. (Ibid.)66. Geological strata were not the result of the great floods, but stages of creation laid down by God. (Refresher, 1988.)67. Noah's Flood was a local flood, not worldwide. (J. Tkach, Jr., personal letter to field minister.) [cp. Gen. 10:32; Heb. 11;7; Lk. 17:26-27; I Pet 3:20; 2 Pet. 3:6]68. The languages were not divided at Babel; there were foreign languages before that time. (Babylon: Past, Present and Future, pg. 5.) [cp. Gen. 11: 1,6.]69. Eve did not carry within her the seed of all races, as previously taught. (PGR, 1990.)70. The seven days of re-creation were a metaphor. [cp. Gen. 1:1:3-2:1; Ex. 20:11; 31:17; Mk. 2:27-28.]71. There is no 7,000-year plan of God. Forms of human life have been on earth long before 6,000 years ago. (PCD letter L 57, PT, Q. & A., 7/92, 7/93.)72. The Holy Days are "nice window dressing". "We keep New Testament, not Old Testament feasts because they all essentially honor or celebrate Christ in some fashion." (J. Tkach Jr., Philippines and Australia ministerial conferences.)73. Col. 2:16 now has a completely new explanation softening the importance of the holy days. (cp. God's Festivals and Holy days, pg. 20-21 with HWA's Pagan Holidays or God's Holy Days -- Which?".)74. The Azazel goat of Lev. 16 may be symbolic of Christ instead of Satan.75. "There is nothing wrong with beautiful music, with happy family gatherings, with feasting, rejoicing and even appropriate festive decorations and treats for children..." (Christmas, the Untold Story, pg. 19.) [cp, Jer. 10:2; Dt. 12:30-32.]76. Christmas nativity scene, pictures of Christ, angels, halos, Mary, a dove representing the holy spirit, church buildings with steeples, etc. all increasingly common. (Youth '92, PT pg. 2, 14, 23, 4/93, etc.) 77. New PCD letter on pictures, images and icons states that it is worshipping - not making - these images is what is wrong. [cp. Ex. 20:4; Jn. 4:23-24.]78. Crucifixion dates of 30 A.D. and 33 A.D. now favored. Both have Friday Passovers. (Reviews You Can Use, R. Kelly, pg. 45, 11/12/92.)79. Easter now labeled a "religious day venerated by the Christian world picturing miracles important to Christianity...!" It is grouped together with Pentecost: The "Christian Easter season continues to Pentecost". It is nowhere labeled pagan or condemned in the new Easter booklet. (PT, pg. 7, 5-6/93.)80. Christ was now only "about three days" in the grave. (PT pg. 8, 5-6/93.)81. There are no longer "Seven Proofs God Exists" - You must accept His existence on faith alone. ("God Is..." pg. 4, 6.)82. Sunday keeping is not the mark of the Beast. (M. Snider, Detroit WMUZ, 12/13/91.)83. We are no longer called now to primarily do the Work. (Said commonly among hierarchy.)84. Isa. 58:1 is not "thoughtful, dignified and friendly... it is too dogmatic" (WN G. Albrecht 12/29/92.) [cp. 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Tit. 2:15.]85. Ezek. 33:1-7 was fulfilled by Ezekiel... it was never our responsibility Christians are not commanded to "Watch". (Ibid.)86. "Christ's second coming is possibly far off... maybe following another world war." (WN '91 & later.) [cp. Jer. 5:12-13; Ezek. 12:22,27; Mt. 24:48; 2 Pet. 3:3-4.] Note: Prophecy shows there will be another "world War" preceding Christ's return, but this does not put Christ's coming "far off"!87. The following terms have been removed from all publications: "building holy righteous character", "developing holy righteous character", "striving to overcome sin", "conquering sin", "qualify", "qualifying for the Kingdom of God", etc. (written policy, U.S. Regional Conference handout, M. Feasell, 8/92.)88. The following terms are not to be used because they are judgmental and condemning: "pagan", "pagan religions", "religions of the world", "professing Christianity", "converted Christians", "false religionists", etc. (U.S. Reg. Conf. handout, G. Albrecht, 8/92.)89. All publications are to reflect political and sexual correctness. The terms man, manhood, mankind, forefathers, chairman, spokesman, are to be replaced by humankind, human beings, humanity, people, adulthood, chair person, forerunner, ancestors, etc. etc. (U.S. Reg. Con. handout, G. Albrecht, 8/92.)90. Quoting secular authorities and protestant and Catholic sources now fills all WCG literature and telecasts. The Bible is often interpreted according to these sources. Many other changes could easily be listed. Some would be regarded as "picky". Others can be "justified" by playing clever word games, translation-jumping and "original language" smoke-screens. If one does not comprehend what is being done to them doctrinally by the changes listed, it is most doubtful that a more comprehensive list would enlighten them at this point. This list will be outdated in short order, anyway. But enough changes have been listed to show those who have eyes to see, that massive and heretical basic doctrinal changes have been made -- and others are soon to follow -- leading the Worldwide Church of God into serious Protestant-type error, while retaining a Catholic-type of head, or governmental, structure. A strange Beast, indeed! Ask yourself one honest question: do you really believe that all these changes are inspired by God? "Scripture stands above the Pastor General. The pastor General does not stand above the Scripture." (Dr. Herman L. Hoeh, sermon, 1/92 concerning the then new "Statement of Beliefs" booklet.ALWAYS REMEMBER:"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them," [Isa. 8:20. Cp. 2 Jn. 10.]"... earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints.For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." [Jude 3-4]"... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling!" [Phil. 2:12]As for those who cry, "Follow the church, right or wrong," remember: even the angels who followed Lucifer in rebellion were not held guiltless just because they followed the leader that God, Himself, anointed! We are not to follow any man or organization into error. [Read these verses: Jude 6; cp. 1 Cor 11:1; 2 Cor. 11:3-4; 3 Jn. 11; Ezek. 14:14; Gal. 1:6-7; Mt. 24:4, 11, 24; 2 Pet. 2:1, 3; Rev. 18:4; Josh. 24:15.]Amen.-- written by Lloyd W. Cary.Annnn {JLSummaryInformation(@`DϜ@GMicrosoft Word 6.02]LLuUc45]^wG  QR ![\deKL%K%K%K%K%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%-%&VW()   {!|!""""`#a#*$+$$$%%&&g&&&''2(3(%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%-3(d(e((())Q)R)))*****++,,- -----..L/M///T0U0000011P1Q11111%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%-1222222 3 3738333d4e455`5a555m6n6[7\7#8$8o8p8g9h9>:?:::f;g;<<<<g=h===>%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%->>>>+?,?[@\@AABBCCDDGGGHHHHRISIJJJJLLLL%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% K@Normala "A@"Default Paragraph Font:$@:Envelope Address@ 1-]c      *p5D{JL'3(1>L()*+,?Craig Martin White)C:\CRAIG'S\SABBAT~1\DOCTRINE\WCGCHANG.TXT@HP LaserJet 4/4MLPT1:HPPCL5MSHP LaserJet 4/4M@g  ,,@MSUDNHP LaserJet 4;dHP LaserJet 4/4M@g  ,,@MSUDNHP LaserJet 4;d++++1Times New Roman Symbol &Arial"hP E8Craig Martin WhiteCraig Martin Whiteࡱ>