Vol. 4, No. 8 A newsletter for servants of the Almighty Eternal Creator, wherever they may be November 1998 Herbert W. Armstrong: How Do We Regard His Teaching? Servants’ News has received many words are true (Deut 18:22; Matt 7:15- explaining them). The difficulty comes letters and calls asking the above ques- 23; 1Cor 14:29; 1Jn 4:1; Rev 2:2). We with more obscure doctrines and tion. Was Herbert Armstrong the proph- need to evaluate Armstrong’s teachings prophetic interpretation. For example, esied Elijah to come and restore all from a biblical perspective not so we Herbert Armstrong taught that there things? (Matt 17:11.) Was he the apos- can judge him, but so we can know were three resurrections based on his tle of the twentieth century? Was he a what we should believe of his teach- understanding of Revelation 20, but “phony”, using religion as a way to live ing and what we should do now! there is no Scripture that specifically the good life? Or, was he a teacher used This issue is not so important for mentions “three resurrections” or a by the Eternal who made a number of many of Armstrong’s basic teachings “third resurrection”. Also, there are significant mistakes? such as the Sabbath and the millennial other scriptures that indicate that good The purpose of this and the next reign of Christ. These doctrines can be and evil unbelievers will be raised at the Servants’ News issue is not to eternally demonstrated from the Scripture almost same time (Matt 3:12; 25:32-33). judge Herbert Armstrong. Christ will as easily as they can be from Should believers today believe and do that (John 5:22). However, believers Armstrong’s writings (Armstrong did teach three resurrections only because are commanded to judge their apostles, do a good job of putting many of the Armstrong taught it, even if they cannot teachers and prophets to see if their related scriptures in one place and Continued on page 33 Why This Issue? Also In This Issue: HWA Research If you ask a doctrinal question to 2 Truckers’ Bible Study, Part 8 a friend and he or she answers by 3 Local Congregation News Tools Now quoting the teaching of Martin 5 Works & Fruits, the Same? Luther, Dwight Moody, Ellen G. Available to All White or some other deceased the- 8 UCG-IA Rejects Christians? We would like to thank Don Tiger ologian, are you impressed? Or, do 9 Contact Scattered Brethren! you think: “I would rather hear their and the small group of brethren who understanding of the Bible than a 9 Today’s COGs Invoke HWA work with him for making these writ- quote from a human whom I can no 10 Life with no Church Organization ings of Herbert Armstrong available on computer CD-ROM. These are clearly longer question”? Why then, should 11 Local TV Production Works we expect others to treat us differ- the best facilities available for research- ently if we respond to their questions 13 Learn Lessons From GCG ing the writings of Mr. Armstrong. The by quoting the teachings of Herbert 18 Example for Christmas Keepers? three most useful CD-ROMs are photo Armstrong? images of the 1951-1969 Good News, 19 US&BC in Prophecy vs Allen If we cannot explain a doctrine photo images of the 1934-1960 Plain from the Bible without citing the 23 Has Time Been Lost? & Found? Truth, and computer searchable text of all of Mr. Armstrong’s books and teachings of Armstrong, should we 25 Letters and Responses teach that doctrine at all? Mr. coworker letters. Armstrong did not have even a 36 Plan Now for Feast 1999 You may obtain a set of these CD- near-perfect record in prophecy and ROMs free of charge from the Web- site www.herbertwarmstrong.org or by doctrine. If we repeat his teachings In the Next Issue: rather than those which Christ leads writing Don Tiger, 1163 E Ogden No Was HWA a Prophet? us to prove from the Scripture, then 705-261, Naperville Illinois, 60563. are not we following a man, Was “Pay and Pray” the Way? (See also Oct 30, p. 1 story in The rather than Christ? “18 RestoredTruths” Report Card Journal, News of the Churches of God.) Trucker’s Bible Study Vol. 4, No. 8 November 1998 Oak Grove, Mo., Part 8 Servants News is a ministry to help others under- stand the Creators will, obey Him, and teach others. We The Trucker’s Bible Study is conducted weekly at the Texaco truck stop on believe that the Bible contains the foundation of knowl- I-70, Oak Grove, Missouri by Arlo Gieselman, often assisted by Lenny Cacchio. edge about our Creator and that He is actively working through people today. Our focus is to help the Sabbath- November 1, 1998: Today’s study was a “keeper”. Both truckers who keeping brethren who believe Yeshua (Jesus) is the Messiah, but we realize that the Eternal works with many attended had embarked on a project of reading the entire Bible. The first man groups and individuals. was in the book of Hosea and had some questions about it. Hosea is a won- We believe the gospel should be given freelyyou derful book because it shows clearly the mercy of the God of the Old may copy this newsletter and give it to others. Servants News has nothing to sell and has no financial ties with Testament—that He was not the vengeful, angry God as so many assume. other organizations, but is supported by those who per- The discussion lead naturally to God’s plan for all mankind and how only sonally decide to help this ministry. We do not have IRS a very few will likely be condemned to the lake of fire. He believed that those tax exempt status, but the IRS accepts some charitable who are not converted in this life will be judged based on what they do know— deductions without such status (see IRS Publication 557, p. 16, col. 1). which is more merciful than the common teaching of an ever-burning hell. We explored the judgment in Revelation 20 and he seemed to be glad to hear it. Editor & Publisher: Norman S. Edwards He asked for a copy of the “Second Chance” study from CEM and Lesson 1 Associate Editors: Tim & Jeanice Davis, Marleen Edwards, Missi Lara, Lee Lisman, Jon D. Pike, of their correspondence course. Anne Wibbelsmann We spent some time on spiritual gifts. The man said he had a terrible time Technical Services: George Dewey trying to show people what he understands about scripture, as sometimes it is Office Administrator: Pam Dewey met by hostility. He wants desperately to share what he understands, but, first, Contributors: Many! Thanks to everyone! does not know how, and secondly, does not want to have his ego swell at any NOTICE: The people listed above do not necessarily success—a very humble and gentle attitude. He wonders where his gifts are, endorse every article in this newsletter. and wonders if he has a gift to lead him to the ministry. Servants News accepts articles for publication. I believe that God gave great favor to this morning’s study. These men Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for items that have humbled themselves before God and walk in His way as best they under- you want returned. We are happy to print corrections for stand it. I came home with ideas for sermons. Truly a blessing for all involved. any significant errors. Address articles, letters and sub- scription, literature or change of address requests to: November 22, 1998: Wow! These studies have some of the highest highs Servants’ News PO Box 220 and lowest lows, but today’s surpassed them all. We had five men today, one Charlotte, Michigan 48813-0220 of whom was a repeat customer who came specifically looking for us. Phone: 517-543-5544 The first gentleman to arrive today wanted some personal help in con- Fax: 517-543-8899 necting with God not only for himself but, also for his “daughter” (not really E-Mail: [email protected] his daughter but his son’s girlfriend). The other men were able to contribute Internet: http://www.best.com/~oasis7/sn/ to this discussion. Much of helping others come to God is in living a life wor- Subscription and literature requests may be sent to thy of our calling and setting the right example, not by arguing them into it. the following addresses. Contributions received at these Some people (such as Job) follow God just by their nature, while others (such locations will be used for duplicating and mailing. Please as Jacob) need a significant emotional experience before they begin to seek make checks out to the name shown with the address: God. Two of the men today were able to relate addiction problems that they Australia: Dale Heslin, 9 Alice Jackson were able to overcome, and they attributed the strength to overcome to the Crescent, Gilmore, ACT 2905 Canada: Cherie Zimmerman, 268 Pennswood power of God—but they had to hit bottom first. Way SE, Calgary, AB T2A 4T3 We read Luke 4, where Jesus stood up in the synagogue in Nazareth and read Europe: Servants’ News, Gulpen 122, from Isaiah, and how the gospel is about healing the brokenhearted and setting 4852 Hombourg, Belgium people free. That is the good news that we can offer people looking for answers. U.K.: Jenny Whiteman, 2 Warren Rd, The current situation in Washington is on people’s minds these days, and Narborough, Leicester, LE9 5DR even though the polls show that people are tired of hearing about it, we should Most scripture quotations are from the New not interpret that to mean that people don’t care about it and what it por- King James Version unless otherwise noted.