I am in the process of rewriting a questionnaire I developed a few years back that I have used when counseling people out of the teachings of “Armstrongism.”
I thought I would share the starting questions, which I have decided to pattern after the old Bible Correspondence Course many went through in their indoctrination into Armstrongism, as I felt it would be a great venue for deprograming some with a similarly structured question and answer format that sucked them in to Armstrongism to begin with. It only seems apropos to do so. If you have any questions of an embarrassing nature to Armstrongism that you would like to submit for possible inclusion into the final product, please let me know through the comments section.
1. Does any one person or church have the right to alter scripture and its application in any way?
If yes, then please explain how this is possible given the following scriptures:
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deuteronomy 4:2
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Deuteronomy 12:32
2. Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Given the above passage of scripture, would teaching people to keep the commandments in a manner not consistent with scripture be a case of teaching and following the commandments of men?
3. According to scripture, what was the tithe the Israelites had, and who was to be in receipt of the tithe?
4. Were the Israelites required to tithe on their monetary wages?
5. Seeing as scripture never required or commanded anyone to tithe of their wages, is teaching people to tithe on their wages then a commandment of men?
6. If the scriptures were not to be diminished or added to, then is requiring people to tithe of their wages adding to the commandments of God?
7. What did Jesus warn his followers of in regards to false ministers? (Hint: appear as angels of light; be wolves in sheep’s clothing, appearing to be shepherds).
8. What does a wolf do to a flock? (Hint: devours and fills his own belly at their expense).
9. Do your ministers live well and feed themselves from the tithes they demand of you?
10. Did the apostle Paul, when making his case that ministers of the gospel were entitled to support as a result of preaching the gospel, use tithing as a means to justify their support?
11. If tithing is required of Christians, why did Paul not use tithing as an example of how the ministry was to be supported, and how could he refuse tithes from various churches?
12. If false ministers were prophesied to come who would take advantage of flocks to their own benefit, what method would they employ and demand in order to accomplish this?
I thought I would share the starting questions, which I have decided to pattern after the old Bible Correspondence Course many went through in their indoctrination into Armstrongism, as I felt it would be a great venue for deprograming some with a similarly structured question and answer format that sucked them in to Armstrongism to begin with. It only seems apropos to do so. If you have any questions of an embarrassing nature to Armstrongism that you would like to submit for possible inclusion into the final product, please let me know through the comments section.
1. Does any one person or church have the right to alter scripture and its application in any way?
If yes, then please explain how this is possible given the following scriptures:
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Deuteronomy 4:2
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Deuteronomy 12:32
2. Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Given the above passage of scripture, would teaching people to keep the commandments in a manner not consistent with scripture be a case of teaching and following the commandments of men?
3. According to scripture, what was the tithe the Israelites had, and who was to be in receipt of the tithe?
4. Were the Israelites required to tithe on their monetary wages?
5. Seeing as scripture never required or commanded anyone to tithe of their wages, is teaching people to tithe on their wages then a commandment of men?
6. If the scriptures were not to be diminished or added to, then is requiring people to tithe of their wages adding to the commandments of God?
7. What did Jesus warn his followers of in regards to false ministers? (Hint: appear as angels of light; be wolves in sheep’s clothing, appearing to be shepherds).
8. What does a wolf do to a flock? (Hint: devours and fills his own belly at their expense).
9. Do your ministers live well and feed themselves from the tithes they demand of you?
10. Did the apostle Paul, when making his case that ministers of the gospel were entitled to support as a result of preaching the gospel, use tithing as a means to justify their support?
11. If tithing is required of Christians, why did Paul not use tithing as an example of how the ministry was to be supported, and how could he refuse tithes from various churches?
12. If false ministers were prophesied to come who would take advantage of flocks to their own benefit, what method would they employ and demand in order to accomplish this?
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It is important that you understand; Everything on this blog is based on the current understanding of each author. Never take anyone's word for it, always prove it for yourself, it is your responsibility. You cannot ride someone else's coattail into the Kingdom. Acts 17:11
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