How to be Christ's Friend

John 15:9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other." (NLT)

A Passage from ONE of the Messianic Psalms

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand — you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, 'Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.' I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. (Psalm 40:6-10, NLT)

"May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, 'The Lord is great!'" (Psalm 40:16, NLT)

Pathocracy in the Armstrong Churches of God

A 2019 Psychology Today article by Dr. Steve Taylor titled Pathocracy, unfortunately, offers us some insight into what has happened within the Armstrong Churches of God. According to the article, the concept of "pathocracy" was developed by a Polish psychologist to explain why people with personality disorders so often occupy positions of power. Indeed, the phenomenon is observed within human leadership in both the political and religious realm.

Dr. Taylor observed that "pathocracy is arguably one of the biggest problems in the history of the human race. History has been a saga of constant conflict and brutality, with groups of people fighting against one another over territory and power and possessions, and conquering and killing one another." Nevertheless, he went on to note that "there is an argument that this is not because all human beings are inherently brutal and cruel, but because a small number of people—that is, those with personality disorders—are brutal and cruel, intensely self-centered, and lacking in empathy. This small minority has always held power and managed to order or influence the majority to commit atrocities on their behalf."

Dr. Taylor went on to observe that "people with these disorders feel an insatiable lust for power. People with narcissistic personality disorder desire constant attention and affirmation. They feel that they are superior to others and have the right to dominate them. They also lack empathy, which means that they are able to ruthlessly exploit and abuse others in their lust for power." Likewise, according to him, "psychopaths feel a similar sense of superiority and lack of empathy, but the main difference between them and narcissists is that they don't feel the same impulse for attention and adoration. To an extent, the impulse to be adored acts as a check on the behavior of narcissists. They are reluctant to do anything that might make them too unpopular. But psychopaths have no such qualms."

Now, most of us are not doctors or psychologists, but we can all read a list of symptoms and have the ability to make connections. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder are: Have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and require constant, excessive admiration. Feel that they deserve privileges and special treatment. Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements. Make achievements and talents seem bigger than they are. Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate. Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people. Be critical of and look down on people they feel are not important. Expect special favors and expect other people to do what they want without questioning them. Take advantage of others to get what they want. Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others. Be envious of others and believe others envy them. Behave in an arrogant way, brag a lot and come across as conceited. Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office."

Any of that sound familiar? Anyone with an Armstrong Church of God background should recognize at least some of those traits in Herbert Armstrong, the founder of the Radio and Worldwide Church of God. What about some of the folks who have claimed to be his successors in the movement? What about Garner Ted Armstrong, Roderick Meredith, David Pack, Gerald Flurry, Bob Thiel, Ron Weinland, Jon Brisby, Bill Watson, Adrian Davis, etc.? Indeed, this also explains why so many ACOG folks tend to like and support Donald Trump!

Dr. Taylor went on to note that the phenomenon of pathocracy isn't just confined to personality disorders within the leadership of a group. He noted that "a significant part of the problem is the attraction that many people feel to charismatic demagogues. You can see this in the appeal of President Trump, despite the obvious flaws - his extreme narcissism, lack of empathy and his distorted, delusory view of reality - of his personality disorder. Psychologically, this is very similar to the attraction of spiritual gurus, who often attract the blind devotion of disciples, despite unethical and exploitative behavior. The attraction of gurus and demagogues is a deep-rooted impulse to return to the childhood state of worshipping parents who seem omnipotent and infallible and could take complete responsibility for our lives, and magically solve our problems. At the same time, the paranoia of pathological leaders leads them to demonize other groups and creates an intoxicating sense of group identity with a common purpose."

But why don't the good guys ever seem to end up in leadership? Dr. Taylor noted that "people with a high level of empathy and compassion usually aren’t interested in power. They prefer to be 'on the ground,' interacting and connecting with others. They may even refuse the offer of a high-status position because they’re aware that higher status will disconnect them (although for a non-empathic person, that is part of its appeal). So this leaves positions of power open for people with psychological disorders (or at least with a high level of ambition and ruthlessness, even if not a fully fledged psychological disorder)." In brief, the people who should be in leadership positions don't want to be! Ironically, it is the reluctant ones who are best suited to leadership - the ready and willing are often folks with an agenda or something to prove. In other words, they have little or no concern for the needs of the folks they desire to rule over. They are simply a means to an end.

This is the history and legacy of the Armstrong Churches of God. As I have said before, that isn't always cream rising to the top. Sometimes turds float on the surface too! 

An Act of Faith, Hope, and Love

Some have viewed this blog as hostile to the Armstrong Churches of God, but the existence of this blog is really proof of faith, hope, and love. Over the years, more than a few commentators have perceived many of my posts as "attacks" on individuals and organizations, and I'm confident that it would surprise most of them that I don't see them in the same way. Indeed, ALL of the posts which appear here are intended to help others eschew falsehoods and find their way back to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

This blog is an affirmation that TRUTH matters, and that we should NOT write-off anyone as lost or irredeemable. It is an affirmation of faith in God's ability to correct that which is wrong, to forgive, and to restore. It is an affirmation of faith in the premise that "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7) In short, the outlook of these posts is hopeful and full of compassion, care, and empathy for those who have been deceived into believing in a hateful, spiteful, and small god.

Jesus likened this process to a shepherd recovering a lamb which had strayed from his flock (Luke 15:4-6), finding a lost coin after a diligent search for it (Luke 15:8-9), or the return of an estranged and prodigal son to his father (Luke 15:11-32). In his epistle, James put it this way: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20) I want to be one of those folks who brings back a lamb who has wandered away. After all, true love never gives up! (I Corinthians 13:8)

**Scriptural references were taken from the English Standard Version of the Bible.

The Gospel of Matthew: Prayer

The Gospel of Matthew informs us that Jesus had a great deal to say about prayer. Indeed, that account has more to say on the subject than the other three Gospels combined! Of course, the most widely recognized teaching of Jesus on the subject is the model prayer which he gave to his disciples. He told them:

Pray then like this:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13, ESV)

Now, rightly, "The Lord's Prayer" has stood the test of time. It is still recited throughout Christendom on a regular basis, and it has been written about in great detail. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ made a number of other points about prayer in this Gospel. He told his followers to pray:

For those who mistreated and persecuted them (Matthew 5:44)

Privately (Matthew 6:5-6)

Concisely and without meaningless repetitions (Matthew 6:7)

For more evangelists (Matthew 9:38)

In solitude without distractions (Matthew 14:23)

For the removal of demonic influences (Matthew 17:21)

For the blessing of children (Matthew 19:13)

In faith - believing that we will receive what we ask for (Matthew 21:13, 22)

Sincerely and without flowery or long-winded speeches (Matthew 23:14)

For favorable conditions when the end is near (Matthew 24:20)

When we are in distress (Matthew 26:36)

That we will not succumb to temptation (Matthew 26:41)

Hence, let us all pray that God will help us to follow Christ's example and teachings regarding prayer!

The Road to Hell Is Paved with BAD Intentions!

Although very old, the aphorism/proverb "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" is NOT found in the Judeo-Christian Bible. Indeed, from a Scriptural perspective, I believe that the exact opposite is true! According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the phrase is "said to emphasize that you must not simply intend to behave well but you must act according to your intentions, because you will have problems or be punished if you do not." Of course, the key word in the phrase is "intentions," meaning what a person has purposed or resolved to do - his/her aim or objective. Hence, a "good" intention would be one with a benign or righteous purpose or resolution behind it.

Conversely, a "bad" intention would be one with a malicious or evil purpose or resolution behind it. Indeed, according to Scripture, the flood was the consequence of God seeing "that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5, ESV) Hence, in that instance, the road to "hell" was clearly paved with bad intentions. This, of course, also suggests that "intentions" are important to God.

Moreover, there are a number of passages in the New Testament which suggest that the intentions of our hearts are important to God. In a number of places, Jesus emphasized that his disciples should be motivated by love (Matthew 22:24-20, John 13:34-35). In the anonymously authored epistle to the Hebrews, we read that "the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV) In other words, Scripture can help us to see what is motivating us to do something - whether our intentions are good or bad! Indeed, in the epistle attributed to James, we read that "each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."  (James 1:14-15, ESV) In other words, bad leads to bad!

Even so, no one spoke about the role that intention plays in the Christian life more than the Apostle Paul. In his letter to the saints at Rome, Paul wrote: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (Romans 7:15-25, ESV) Also, in the same epistle, he wrote about the importance of what motivates a person in determining whether or not they remain in the Lord. Finally, in his letter to the saints at Corinth, Paul echoed the essential role that love plays in the Christian life (I Corinthians 13).

Sure, good intentions can become meaningless if the person doesn't make a real effort to put those intentions into practice, but nothing good can follow if the intentions are not good on the front end! Hence, from a scriptural perspective, the road to hell is paved with BAD intentions!

A Change of Heart

Just before the flood, we read in the book of Genesis that God surveyed the human condition and "saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5, ESV) Likewise, in the same account, after the flood, we read that God told Noah that "the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth." (Genesis 8:21, ESV) Also, we are informed in one of the books of the prophets that God once said, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9, NLT) Indeed, the Apostle Paul once wrote to the saints at Rome that "the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so." (Romans 8:7, NET)

Moreover, the intractability of the human mind/heart required a plan to make humans more susceptible to righteousness. Indeed, when God anticipated the failure of the children of Israel to observe the tenets of his covenant with them, he also predicted that he would someday "change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live!" (Deuteronomy 30:6, NLT) Long-time readers of this blog will also recognize that this passage from Torah includes one of the great commandments which Christ pointed out during his ministry on this earth. This passage from Torah is also consistent with what was predicted in the prophets. In the book of Jeremiah, we read: "'But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,' says the Lord. 'I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts.'" (Jeremiah 31:33, NLT) Likewise, in the book of Ezekiel, we read: "I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations." (Ezekiel 36:26-27, NLT)

This, of course, all pointed to the New Covenant in and through Jesus of Nazareth. In the preface to that passage from Romans about our minds being hostile to God and his law, Paul wrote: "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." (Romans 8:1-6, NLT) Once again, Paul wrote to the disciples at Rome: "For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people." (Romans 2:28-29, NLT)

Clearly, from a scriptural perspective, Jesus Christ makes the necessary change of heart possible. He accomplished this by reconciling those of us who were alienated from God by our sins (everyone) to God and making the Holy Spirit available to us to change our hearts - to make us more amenable to performing God's will for us.

Before leaving this subject, we should also note that there is another element to this process of making us more amenable to God's Law. In the book of Isaiah, it was also predicted that God would "magnify his law and make it glorious." (Isaiah 42:21, ESV) Once again, Christ accomplished this in his "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7) and by summarizing God's Law into two Great Commandments (Matthew 22:34-40). Going forward, the people of the New Covenant would be responsible for the intention of God's Law, not a list of dos and don'ts. (Romans 7:6) Indeed, the ninth and tenth chapters of the anonymous epistle to the Hebrews contrasts what Christ did with what was accomplished by the Old Covenant. Hence, all of the changes wrought by Jesus Christ have made this essential change of heart possible for everyone who has accepted what he has done. As Jesus told Nicodemus, humans must be reborn to be a part of God's Kingdom. (John 3:3-8) Paul wrote to the saints at Ephesus: "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:21-24, NLT)