The Gospel of Herbert W. Armstrong?

How Armstrongism Replaces Christ with a Cult Leader

If you wander into an Armstrongist congregation expecting to hear about Jesus Christ, you may be in for a disappointment. Sure, they might sprinkle His name in here and there for good measure, but let’s be honest—Herbert W. Armstrong is the real star of the show. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was the one who died for your sins, not Jesus.

From the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) under Bob Thiel to the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) led by Gerald Flurry, the Church of God, The Eternal (COGTE) under Jon Brisby, and the Restored Church of God (RCG) led by David Pack, one thing is certain: the message they preach is Armstrongism, not Christianity. Their pulpits are not occupied with the gospel of Christ, but rather with an endless homage to Herbert W. Armstrong, the self-proclaimed "End-Time Apostle."

A Gospel Hijacked by Herbert

What happens when you listen to a sermon in one of these groups? You’ll hear countless references to "God's end-time work under Mr. Armstrong," "God revealed truth through Mr. Armstrong," and "We must hold fast to what Mr. Armstrong taught." But what about Christ? Oh, He gets an honorable mention—as long as it doesn’t take the spotlight away from Armstrong.

Take a look at the sheer volume of sermons, booklets, and articles these groups produce. They churn out material exalting Armstrong as if he were the sole custodian of truth, conveniently ignoring the fact that Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Armstrong, by contrast, was a man whose theological errors were so vast that mainstream Christianity has rightly rejected his teachings as heretical.

The Books That Worship Armstrong

If you need more proof that Armstrong is their real gospel, just look at how these groups produce full-length books about him. Jon Brisby has written extensively about Armstrong’s supposed prophetic significance, while Stephen Flurry (Gerald Flurry’s son) penned Raising the Ruins, an entire book dedicated to portraying Armstrong as a persecuted prophet. One would think that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection would warrant more attention, but no—the real tragedy, according to PCG, was that "Satan" attacked Armstrong's legacy!

Imagine if Paul the Apostle spent more time writing about Peter than Christ. That would be absurd! And yet, these Armstrongist groups spend their time lionizing their dead cult leader instead of proclaiming the risen Christ.

A Legacy of Self-Appointed Successors

Since Armstrong’s death in 1986, his followers have fractured into competing sects, each claiming to be the one true continuation of his legacy. Gerald Flurry claims to be Armstrong’s successor, even referring to himself as the “Elijah” of our time. David Pack, not to be outdone, asserts that he is God’s chosen leader, continually "refining" Armstrong’s doctrines to serve his own insatiable appetite for control. Bob Thiel? Well, he’s still trying to convince people that his dreams make him a prophet.

And let’s not forget Jon Brisby, who has seamlessly transitioned COGTE’s devotion from Armstrong to himself, ensuring that his authority remains unquestioned. Much like Raymond Cole before him, Brisby demands unwavering loyalty, proving yet again that Armstrongism thrives on cultic allegiance to human leaders rather than faith in Christ.

Conclusion: Christ vs. Armstrong

At the end of the day, the fundamental issue with Armstrongism is idolatry. Jesus Christ has been reduced to a side character in the grand drama of Herbert W. Armstrong’s so-called "end-time work." Instead of proclaiming the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, these groups preach Armstrong's law-keeping, hierarchical control, and apocalyptic fearmongering.

To any Armstrongist reading this: It’s time to leave behind the idol of Herbert W. Armstrong and turn to the real Savior—Jesus Christ. He alone is the way, the truth, and the life. Armstrong is dead, but Christ is risen. Who will you follow?

The Gospel of Herbert W. Armstrong? © 2025 by Ai-COG is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0