Philadelphia Church of God
The Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) is an international church based in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA. The PCG traces its roots to the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), founded by Herbert W. Armstrong (1892–1986), and it teaches new revelation that its founder, Gerald Flurry, claims has been shown by God from the Bible since Armstrong's death. It was founded with the stated purpose of continuing Armstrong's teachings, which were re-evaluated and subsequently rejected by the WCG after Armstrong's death,[1] as it came to accept mainstream evangelical Christian teachings, such as the Trinity (the triune nature of God as one Being in three distinct Persons). Armstrong had rejected the Trinity doctrine in favor of the view that God is not one but two separate God-beings (i.e., the God Family or the Family of God) into which Family, according to Armstrong, humans, "upon true conversion and spiritual growth", may be born. [2][3]
| Philadelphia Church of God | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Church of God |
| Leader | Gerald R. Flurry |
| Region | International |
| Headquarters | Edmond, Oklahoma |
| Origin | December 7, 1989 Edmond, Oklahoma |
| Separated from | Worldwide Church of God |
The PCG asserts that it is carrying on Armstrong's legacy after the doctrinal changes made by the new WCG leaders, namely Joseph W. Tkach and his son, Joseph Tkach Jr.
Founder
Gerald Flurry is Pastor General of the Philadelphia Church of God and Editor-in-Chief of 'The Trumpet' news magazine; which he began publishing in 1990. He is also founder and chairman of the 'Armstrong International Cultural Foundation' and founder and Chancellor of 'Herbert W. Armstrong College' in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA. He has been an ordained minister for over 35 years and formerly served as a pastor in the Worldwide Church of God, from which he was disfellowshipped (excommunicated) on December 7, 1989, "for resisting sweeping doctrinal changes." He had alerted the WCG ministry and members of those changes via his booklet 'Malachi’s Message,' after which he and his assistant, John Amos, were fired. [4]. Gerald Flurry then immediately founded his own organization, the Philadelphia Church of God.
Place of Safety
He wrote in 2018 that the PCG must be "prepared to go to the cave of Adullum, the place of safety. Make this part of your thinking... We must get our minds conditioned to do that!" He explained that there, a "converted" man in the PCG (a descendant of King David), an "apostle", will sit as a king on a throne. "In the PCG, THERE IS A KING who is led and directed by God!" [5]
Media projects
PCG sponsors media projects (including television shows and regular publications) to preach its message and to continue the legacy of Herbert W. Armstrong.
The Key of David
The Key of David is a weekly religious television program hosted by Gerald Flurry, in which he discusses world events and issues from his perspective of the Bible and its prophecies, covering topics such as the human mind, politics and war.
The program is aired in Africa, Australasia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Latin America, the Philippines, and the United States.
The Philadelphia Trumpet
The Philadelphia Trumpet is PCG's monthly news and prophecy magazine.
The Trumpet Daily
A program called The Trumpet Daily featuring Flurry's son Stephen premiered 9 May 2011.
Activities and educational institutions
The PCG runs several foundations and educational institutions aimed at promoting Flurry's teachings to the world, as well as to its members and their children.
Herbert W. Armstrong College
The PCG administers a small liberal arts and theology college, Herbert W. Armstrong College, located in Edmond. The college was established in 2001 as "Imperial College of Edmond," but was renamed after objections by Imperial College London.[6] Armstrong College graduated its first class in 2006.[7]
Imperial Academy
In August 2008, Flurry founded Imperial Academy, a primary and secondary school for the children of church members patterned after the WCG's Imperial Schools.[8]
Philadelphia Youth Camp
PCG sponsors a yearly Philadelphia youth summer camp; held in Edmond Oklahoma, Edstone England, Australia and the Philippines. Campers participate in athletic activities, Bible studies and a wide variety of social and educational activities during the three-week camp.
Armstrong International Cultural Foundation
Armstrong International Cultural Foundation was established in 1996 as The Philadelphia Foundation, a non-profit humanitarian organization under the Philadelphia Church of God; with offices on the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus in Edmond, Oklahoma. The AICF sponsors a performing arts concert series and archaeological digs in Israel.
Armstrong Auditorium, located on the Herbert W. Armstrong College campus in Edmond, opened in September 2010. The auditorium architecture was designed with Ambassador Auditorium in mind. Armstrong Auditorium hosts the AICF's performing arts concert series and an archaeological exhibit from King David's palace, in Israel.
See also
References
- Martin, Tim (2000), "The Philadelphia Church of God", Profiles, Watchman Fellowship, 17 (2)
- How God Planned to Reproduce Himself!
- Cottrell, Jack "What the Bible Says About God the Redeemer" Wipf and Stock (2000) p. 139
- https://www.pcog.org/about/gerald-flurry
- https://www.thetrumpet.com/literature/read/17248-the-new-throne-of-david/2003
- Imperial College of Edmond Changes Name Archived 2007-09-07 at the Wayback Machine, Herbert W. Armstrong College news, December 5, 2005
- "The Weekend Web - January 6, 2008". The Trumpet. Philadelphia Church of God. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
- "Foundational Education". Imperial Academy. Philadelphia Church of God. Retrieved 16 May 2012.