| Author | Message | ||
| Goldenbear Registered user Username: Goldenbear Post Number: 130 Registered: 12-2004 |
Have finished watching the video "Called to be Free" from Living Hope Ministries (Brigham City, UT). This video details the problems and solutions raised in the Worldwide Church of God. One quote that really stuck with me was when one of the leaders said "How could we be so theologically ignorant?" If you haven't seen this video, get hold of a copy. Has anyone else seen it? http://www.lhvm.org/videos.htm | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 40 Registered: 11-2005 |
Incredible! I just ordered my copy to share with friends. Thank you so much, Gilbert | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3137 Registered: 12-2003  |
Yes, we received it for Christmas. It is incredible. We've shown it to several of our FAF group, and I cry each time I see it. I was struck by Greg Albrecht saying, "Was Herbert Armstrong a heretic? Yesóbut so was I." Then he talks about having to admit his own submission to Armstongism for several decades and his own need to repent and be forgiven for his own heresy before he could forgive those who deceived him. The testimonies of having the veil removed and of experiencing friends and family pulling away was incredibly familiar and moving. Powerful. Colleen | ||
| Gmatt Registered user Username: Gmatt Post Number: 19 Registered: 3-2005 |
This film is absolutely worth your time to watch! I was so moved by the honesty and strength of these men in the WWCG when they began to see the light. Can you imagine the far-reaching implications if other cultic religions had the integrity and humility to confess that just maybe they didn't have all the answers? I was inspired! Please watch this video. | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 544 Registered: 4-2000  |
I just called the local Worldwide Church of God pastor, a friend of mine, here in Lincoln, Nebraska. He will deliver a VHS copy of "CALLED TO BE FREE" to our home this weekend. I am looking forward to viewing this 74-minute story of transformation. The Worldwide Church of God lost 80 percent of their income and over half of their members--a heavy price for embracing the Gospel. Their Lincoln, Nebraska church once had 150 members, but now only about 20 members meet together. This doesn't mean that 130 members refused to embrace biblical Christianity. Some have gone to mainstream Christian churches to overcome the cult stigma of their church name. I personally know of several people that still adhere to the original Armstrongism. However, according to the WCG pastor, the vast majority of those who left just sit at home and read nostalgic literature from the old Worldwide Church of God. How utterly depressing! Dennis Fischer | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 62 Registered: 7-2005 |
For all who can't wait to see the film, the film, at a medium resolution can be viewed online. The site http://www.lhvm.org/ has a bad link to this film and a good one. Here is how you can view the film online. 1. first open the home page http://www.lhvm.org/ 2. Next, scroll down until you find the three options for the film, and click the middle (it's important to click on this button "Watch the video online" (it's another link from other page who doesn't work, but this does" 3. Click "View full presentation MEDIUM RESOLUTION" and enjoy it. If you try to open the movie from the link http://www.lhvm.org/videos.htm, it can't work. It's very good and anybody can see it. | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 63 Registered: 7-2005 |
For all who can't wait to see the film, the film, at a medium resolution can be viewed online. The site http://www.lhvm.org/ has a bad link to this film and a good one. Here is how you can view the film online. 1. first open the home page http://www.lhvm.org/ 2. Next, scroll down until you find the three options for the film, and click the middle (it's important to click on this button "Watch the video online" (it's another link from other page who doesn't work, but this does) 3. Click "View full presentation MEDIUM RESOLUTION" and enjoy it. If you try to open the movie from the link http://www.lhvm.org/videos.htm, it can't work. It's very good and anybody can see it. | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 177 Registered: 10-2005 |
Jackob, Thanks for the link, I watched this today while I was working and it sure did make me cry. That story is a miracle and is good for any adventist or former adventist to watch or anyone involved in any cult for that matter. There are many people in cults that sincerely want to know God. Lynne | ||
| Qweary Registered user Username: Qweary Post Number: 16 Registered: 3-2004 |
Just went to that WCG site and watched the video you told about. It really affected me as it was so familiar. Oh, how I wanted my brother and so many of my friends to see it and be affected by it, too!! Thank you, Jackob,for telling us about it. Have especially enjoyed the testimonies of the leaders. The SDA leaders COULD have those types of experiences themselves, if they'd only admit that Jesus is LORD. Could see the parallels between H. Armstrong and EGW so clearly. Now I'm wondering what took me so long to SEE!! The church we attend is going through some hard times and we ask for your prayers for Westside! God bless you all! | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 180 Registered: 10-2005 |
I think the term they used in the video was Legalism, not cult  A very good program.... | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2167 Registered: 3-2004  |
For some reason, when I tried to watch the video yesterday, it kept stopping and starting and stopping and would not go on. I really would like to see. it. Diana | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 860 Registered: 7-2004 |
I watched the video last night and was deeply moved by the conviction of the people who faced making that decision between continuing with their church as it had been, and following the truth as found in scripture. It was amazing, and hearing them talk about that roll-over point when they accepted the true gospel was like reliving that moment when it happened for me. Very good video, and I believe it should be required viewing for all of those in power in any of the current churches that came out of the Millerite Movement, in particular for Adventists and for Mormons. It is a true "Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve" moment. | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 861 Registered: 7-2004 |
I watched the video last night and was deeply moved by the conviction of the people who faced making that decision between continuing with their church as it had been, and following the truth as found in scripture. It was amazing, and hearing them talk about that roll-over point when they accepted the true gospel was like reliving that moment when it happened for me. Very good video, and I believe it should be required viewing for all of those in power in any of the current churches that came out of the Millerite Movement, in particular for Adventists and for Mormons. It is a true "Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve" moment. | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 183 Registered: 10-2005 |
I curiously went the WCG Website and checked to see where the nearby churches were here in Phoenix. They meet on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and have another service on Sunday in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Just thought that was interesting. There is a note below the location that says: Many of our churches use rented facilities for their services. That we meet at the location shown above should not be taken to imply that we have any affiliation with the owner of the facility. | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 184 Registered: 10-2005 |
I was mistaken. They only meet on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. not Sunday. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3172 Registered: 12-2003 |
Belva, I agree with you. That movie should be required viewing for leadership in any church growing out of the Millerite movement. Colleen | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 65 Registered: 7-2005 |
What I think is very important and reflects the sda church, is the fact that they used everything, from the Sabbath to the negation of Trinity to define themselves, to create an identity. I saw, for the first time clearly, that the identity is defined through the differences between us. I'm Jackob, a romanian, and my identity is defined by the fact that you are americans, or african amaericans, by what I am different from you. Maybe for some others these things sound like discovering the wheel, ridiculous, but for me was like a veil was lifted from my eyes. I see clearly why adventists remain adventists because this is the "true church". This thing, this fact that a church proclaims itself the "true church" offers a tangible, external, palpable identity with which people can identify. "We are not like idolaters who worship the pagan Trinity. We don't destroy the law and we are the people who obey God in everything. We are his true children. Everybode else are just pretending, their religios is just a facade, and nothing else". So, they are lost if there is not a "true church" because they need an external identity. I think that's how cults are so atractive to many people. They offer the sensation that you are a member of a family, even if it is a corrupt family. But the world is more corrupt, and here you have something which has permanence, which never change. Even if there is strife, and the members failed to love like Jesus, you can count on something which is in common and prevents the total desintegration of relations. Now I see clearly why fear dominates the scene in SDA, because they will be in "no man's land" they will don't have something palpable to cling to. They are defined by external things, but our identity is Jesus. We are his people because of Him only. Is Jesus alone. He is our identity because He makes the difference between us, the believers, and the unbelievers. We are adopted through his sacrifice, and redemption from under the law. At this point I think that cults define their identity in opposite fashion. They offer an identity under the law. Jesus offers identity destroying our position under the law! This is why people when confronted with the facts about the 1844, the Sabbath, Ellen White, they take these things personally, like an attack directed at their persons. Because they are defined by these things! I will comment and other things on this video. It's excellent, and a must for viewing for all adventists! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3175 Registered: 12-2003 |
Jackob, what excellent insights. I believe you are right. Thank you for sharing your reactions. Colleen | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 66 Registered: 7-2005 |
Colleen, with each new insight, I discover how helpless we are in thinking right. It's a miracle how we can see the things in a new way. Praise God for his grace! | ||
| Goldenbear Registered user Username: Goldenbear Post Number: 133 Registered: 12-2004 |
One of the realities that hit me Jackob was that this level of accountability would never happen in the SDA. There are too many in leadership. Can you imagine a GC president or division leader coming out and saying "we were wrong, Ellen is a sham". I can't. The organization would cut them off at the knees. |
