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The Worldwide Church of God The Worldwide Church of God: A study of its transformation in terms of K. Helmut Reich’s theory of Relational and Contextual Reasoning. Johannes Lothar Felix Buchner MA Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) University of Western Sydney, Australia March 2006. Certificate of Originality I certify that this thesis is entirely my own work, and that sources have been duly acknowledged, and that inclusive language has been used wherever possible, and that this thesis has not been submitted for a higher degree at any other institution. ______________________________ Johannes L.F. Buchner 23 March 2005. Amended version submitted following examination. ___________________ Johannes L.F. Buchner 27 February 2006. ii Acknowledgments and Dedication Sincere gratitude is expressed for the considerable assistance and support provided by Dr Maureen Miner, of the School of Psychology, University of Western Sydney, my principal supervisor, who gave so much of her time and expertise, as well as her genuine friendship. Maureen’s high academic standards, especially in the Psychology of Religion, enabled me to succeed in this project. I also thank Professor Jim McKnight and Dr Agnes Petocz for their valuable assistance at various stages of this thesis. The generous assistance and mentoring of Dr. K. Helmut Reich, lately of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, whose valuable theoretical contributions are explored in this thesis, and whose vision for the resolution of cognitive conflict and harmony between worldviews is greatly admired, was very much appreciated. A true polymath, Dr. Reich’s profound insights have given us a wealth of important lessons. I have sought to understand and apply Helmut’s theory fairly and honestly out of respect for academic integrity and our friendship. Helmut has truly stretched my horizons. I am very grateful to Dr Martin Marty, formerly professor at the University of Chicago Divinity School, Dr John Stott, formerly director of the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, Dr Robert Banks, formerly professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, Dr Paul Barnett, formerly Anglican Bishop of North Sydney, and Dr Darcy Taplin, formerly lecturer at Morling Baptist College, all of whom gave of their valuable time and friendship to encourage me to succeed in this task. I also acknowledge the gracious cooperation of the Worldwide Church of God, in particular the Pastor-General, Dr Joseph Tkach, and the many senior clergy who provided valuable insights into their religious thinking, with special thanks for his mentoring role to Dr John McKenna. I also hope that this thesis will assist all members of the Worldwide Church of God to move forward in their journey of faith. I dedicate this thesis to Elizabeth Madsen, Mary Bourchier, and Pascha-Rose Buchner, beloved mother; sister; and daughter. iii Index Chapter Contents Page Title Page i Certificate of Originality ii Acknowledgements and Dedication iii Index iv List of Tables viii Abstract ix 1 Introduction to the Worldwide Church of God and the cognitive conversion of its leaders 1.1 Why this study? 1 1.2 Brief history of the Worldwide Church of God 3 1.3 A church that changed 6 1.4 The matter of conversion 22 1.5 Longenecker’s types of change 26 1.6 Savage’s dimensions of conversion 31 1.7 Cognitive theories of conversion applied to WCG leaders 37 1.8 The doctrine of the Trinity as a paradigm for change 42 1.9 Personal disclaimer 45 2 Literature review of Helmut Reich’s theory of Relational and Contextual Reasoning 2.1 Karl Helmut Reich 46 2.2 Brief background to Reich’s writings 47 2.3 The idea of complementarity 49 2.4 Worldview development 54 2.5 Development of religious thinking 60 2.6 Moral and religious judgment 66 2.7 Cognitive competence 69 2.8 Reservations about complementarity 72 2.9 The value of complementarity 75 2.10 From CR to RCR 77 2.11 Theory integration 86 2.12 Stimulation of RCR 88 2.13 Evaluative summary 91 iv 3 Relational and Contextual Reasoning related to Christology and the Christian Doctrine of the Trinity 3.1 Application of RCR to theology 93 3.2 RCR and the Two Natures of Christ 94 3.3 Trinitarian perspectives 96 3.4 Loder’s perspective 102 3.5 RCR in unity and diversity 105 3.6 Kaiser’s heuristic for the “two natures” 107 3.7 Semiotics and abduction 108 3.8 A thought-form for the Trinity 110 3.9 Coherence and meaning 111 3.10 RCR as the required thought-form 113 3.11 RCR and the Three-Person God 114 3.12 Bechtel and Richardson’s model 116 3.13 The need for “trivalent” logic 118 3.14 The relevance of Trinitarian theology 121 3.15 Short critical evaluation of Reich’s application of RCR to Trinity 123 4 Methodological considerations for the qualitative application of Relational and Contextual Reasoning to the Worldwide Church of God as a case study 4.1 Methodological considerations 125 4.1.1 General hermeneutical approach 125 4.1.2 RCR approach to the problem 135 4.1.3 Reich’s heuristics for approaching problems 145 4.1.4 Heuristic as methodology 147 4.2 Methodological context 152 4.2.1 The Trinity as context for investigating RCR 152 4.2.2 General applications 157 4.2.3 Specific applications 159 4.3 Methodological procedures 162 4.3.1 Case Study 1 – Analysis of WCG and schismatic literature 162 4.3.2 Case Study 2 – Survey of current WCG leaders 164 5 A review of opposing interpretations of the Trinity as a cognitive construct, and transition from rejection to acceptance of the doctrine, in search of an explanation consistent with Relational and Contextual Reasoning 5.1 Introduction 167 5.2 The traditional WCG position 169 5.3 The Systematic Theology Project 172 5.4 Armstrong’s final position 174 5.5 The WCG transition phase 175 5.6 Advances in J.W. Tkach’s understanding of the Trinity 183 5.7 Dr Kyriacos Stavrinides 186 v 5.8 The revised Worldwide Church of God position 190 5.8.1 Dr Joseph Tkach, President 190 5.8.2 Dr J. Michael Feazell, Vice President 193 5.8.3 Dr John E. McKenna, Doctrinal Advisor 197 5.9 The current WCG position on the Trinity 201 5.10 Dissident reactions to WCG changes on the Trinity 205 5.10.1 Intercontinental Church of God 206 5.10.2 Church of God, International 207 5.10.3 United Church of God 210 5.10.4 Philadelphia Church of God 211 5.10.5 Restored Church of God 212 5.10.6 Church of God, The Eternal 216 5.10.7 Christian Churches of God 222 5.10.9 Associated Churches of God 224 5.11 Summary of RCR in the above examples 225 6 Analysis of responses to a survey of Worldwide Church of God leaders in regard to their understanding of the Trinity, in terms of Relational and Contextual Reasoning 6.1 Responses 226 6.2 Respondent ALPHA 227 6.3 Respondent BRAVO 232 6.4 Respondent CHARLIE 234 6.5 Respondent DELTA 236 6.6 Respondent ECHO 240 6.7 Respondent FOXTROT 242 6.8 Respondent GOLF 247 6.9 Respondent HOTEL 253 6.10 Respondent INDIA 257 6.11 Respondent JULIUS 261 6.12 Respondent KILO 262 6.13 Respondent LIMA 264 6.14 Respondent MIKE 271 6.15 Postscript: Herman L. Hoeh, Board Member 272 6.16 Conclusion and Final RCR assessment 273 6.17 Table 6.1 – Relative RCR Estimates for Participants in the Study 275 7 Discussion and Conclusion: Is Relational and Contextual Reasoning a necessary condition for understanding the Christian Doctrine of the Trinity? – and, Does Relational and Contextual Reasoning have the capacity to explain the Worldwide Church of God’s transformation? 7.1 General considerations 276 7.2 Expectations of RCR theory 277 vi 7.3 Complementarity and RCR heuristics 279 7.4 Stage or levels? 280 7.5 RCR and the Trinity 281 7.6 Prospects for RCR as a theory 284 7.7 Implications for the WCG 285 7.8 Conversion based on grace not logic 291 7.9 Final comment 292 Bibliography 293 Appendices 322 vii List of Tables Table 6.1 Relative RCR Estimates for Participants in the Study Page 275 viii Abstract In the history of the Christian religion there may be no parallel to the Worldwide Church of God’s radical transformation from a marginal sect to a recognized denomination. Formed around Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986), the sect became one of the largest religious media ministries, offering the Plain Truth magazine and the World Tomorrow radio and television programs. After Armstrong’s death, the sect was headed by Joseph W. Tkach who, before his own death in 1996, reformed some beliefs and practices. He was succeeded by his son, Joseph Tkach, who renounced the sect’s dependence on Armstrong’s teachings. A significant issue in this transformation was the Worldwide Church of God’s adoption of the Christian Doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The cognitive developmental theories of Karl Helmut Reich, of Switzerland, outlined in his book Developing the Horizons of the Mind (Cambridge University Press, 2002), are related to the application of the idea of complementarity, drawn from quantum physics, to the resolution of paradoxical ideas, with some reference to the doctrine of the Trinity. From these considerations arose a theory of “relational and contextual reasoning” which could be applied as a psychological approach to studying the transformation of the Worldwide Church of God, in particular its leaders. A survey instrument, following Reich’s protocols, was administered to 13 Worldwide Church of God leaders.
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