One of the best accounts of failed attempts by the government to restrict religious freedom in a country where it is supposed to be a birthright. The Worldwide Church of God, a Christian Church situated in Pasadena, California, is attacked by the state and put under a receivership based on the claims of ex-members. What follows is the inspiring true story of the ambitions of the then-attorney general of arguably the most powerful state in the union to regulate Church property and thus unavoidably Church activities, and the worldwide membership of this Church which fights against it. If you are interested in the historic struggle of Religion to survive in the face of government opposition, then this book is for you. It is inspiring, not only for members of the WCG, but for Churches nationwide (worldwide even) as even those religious organizations opposed to the Worldwide Church of God stand up for religious freedom... fighting against what some feel is the most calculated attack ever made.

I guess my comments might be taken as somewhat skewed, as I am a proud member of the Worldwide Church of God, but I can honestly say that the story would inspire me REGARDLESS of the Church it came from. Its a must-read for those who feel the tightening grip of the government over our historic right to believe and worship God as our consciences require

This book is a great work. Herbert W Armstrong's last gift to mankind. The key to scripture. But dont buy this book. Get it free from the Philidelphia Church of God!

The most available edition of the Autobiography of HWA (1980's) is not, in fact, an Autobiography. It was edited after his death, and so should have been correctly called a Biography.
That said, the edits and choice of photographs reflect a specific bias on the part of the editor(s) concerning how they saw HWA, as opposed to how he saw himself.
The edition to find, if you can, is the one published by the WCG in 1973, while Armstrong was still alive.

As a young man who grew up in Worldwide Church of God, this offers a fantastic story about the man who founded a church that, regretfully, did not heed his lessons. He was not perfect, and there are many who can blast his own personal decisions, but in terms of major doctrine (Sabbath, Holy Days, Nature of God, etc) he was dead on. This is a must read for anyone who really wants to find the truth about Herbert W. Armstrong and how he came to be the guiding light of Sabbitarianism.

Herbert W. Armstrong is the most famous Sabbatarian Christian of all time.

His early years were full of success and failures until he was beaten down.

He was then challenged to prove that God existed. Then he was challenged to prove Sunday is the Christian Sabbath. He proved the former, but was defeated on the latter. He then converted to a Sabbath keeping church where he became a minister and elder in the Church.

Later, he founded the Radio Church of God in Oregon. He never dreamed of building a Church but realized his commission was to preach Biblical truth to as many as he could. He challenged us all to prove whether our traditions and beliefs are of God or of man.

As the work grew, the church changed its name to the Worldwide Church of God. The WCG published the Plain Truth Magazine and many booklets that were given to any who asked. The WCG also produced one of the most successful religious programs of all time - The World Tomorrow, without a request from the public for funding.

A very unusual success story.

Armstrong gives many memoriable examples of what has worked in his life and what has failed, lessons that we can apply to our own that will enable us to live happier and more abundant lives.

Would you believe the "Incredible Human Potential" is to die? To then "rule" over other god-beings on planets in outer space? To be a ruler on a destroyed and recreated earth? It's hard to really tell what direction Armstrong ("Mr. Confusion") is trying to go here, but it's certainly not rooted in any Christian biblical source. That books such as these were periodically published by his "church" and given out like candy to people who had a sincere desire to learn more about Christianity, and used as a tool to recruit new members and financial rewards is just sad. After his death in 1986, the organization he left behind discarded most of their founder's rigid legalism and confused distortions and went back to the basic elements of the Christian faith. Look elsewhere to consider more realistic visions of the future.

Truth will always have its critics in this world. Even though they see it, they do not accept it as a ... child, because it is contrary to what they wish to do / accept / have been taught.
This book unveils the truth scattered throughout the Bible ("here a little, there a little...precept upon precept") of the proclaimed soon-coming RULE of God's Kingdom over this earth through Jesus Christ and the then spirit-born brothers/sisters of Christ.
It does not say we will "rule over other god beings on other planets in outer space".
The late Herbert Armstrong ... lays out God's plan unrolling it like a scroll through each chapter and its subsections, constantly reiterating what has been said to keep you in remembrance.
The Bible was put together in such a way as to purposefully be confusing so those that would still be defiant / deceived by the ... fallen angels (aka spirits/demons) upon FULL knowledge of the truth, would not receive the ultimate sentencing of eternal [end of life]("God desires that all repent and come to a knowledge of the truth"). Mr Armstrong lays this all out clearly. Only in this human age is God calling a select few. Later others will know and see the beauty that God's Kingdom has wrought on this earth in the second resurrection.
This is a fine addition to anyone's Bible study library.

I have read this book about 4 times in the last two years. It is astounding and eye-opening! I highly urge everyone to read it! Be prepared to be amazed at what God has in store for all of us.

As an ex-follower of Armstrong's religious cult, I believe I'm qualified to comment on this book, the man and his legacy. There are thousands upon thousands of people who were negatively and permanently affected by Armstrong's own mandated confused beliefs, and we would have been better off if he had kept working as an advertising man in the 1920's and never used those skills to push his uneducated religious agenda. This book, like all of his, was required reading for "church" members. When you want to believe in a man or his supposed-revelatory belief system, you try to ignore the doubtful statements, but eventually with Armstrong a point comes where you can't help but realize how ridiculous his statement are. The whole brainwashing cult-enforced "learning" experience collapses and reveals what's really there: deception, confusion, arrogance, ego and posturing, tremendous financial rewards for the figurehead at the extreme expense of the members. Any time one of the Worldwide Church of God members from Armstrong's era (still) refers to other believers as "so-called Christians", that should sum up the type of philosophy you're dealing with. Armstrong's claim that his voice "cries out amid religious confusion" is disgusting.

The teaching of Jesus Christ was never intended for everyone!
Only those God has called now can appreciate this book by Mr Herbert W Armstrong. This book is as 'spiritual' as most of the Bible. New revelation can be presented during any age, Mr Armstrong was the conduit through which God gave keys of understanding to this end-time generation! The books and aticles which have been banned by the new 'protestant' version of Worldwide Church of God, will continue to fall into the hands of those destined to be begotten of God!

This book was an eye opener. It was not written by a man but it was inspired by God. If you read this book with the Bible next to it you will understand the Bible more and have a better understanding of life and God's way of life.

The simple fact that Jesus Christ was a Jew is disturbing to many and the fact that this book makes claims concernig the present-day nations of Israel being predominantly white English-speaking peoples will ,I am sure , startle and anger many people. God makes his way known through scripture and expects us to do the work of searching his word.Old Testament as well as New.This book will shake the foundations of your faith and well it should.Did not Saul of Tarsus have his Faith shaken.I am sure it wasn't easy for him to think outside of the box. People who feel that this book puts other races down has never read their Old Testament.Israel was to be a blessing for the other nations of the world. Remember,the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is The Old Testament revealed. Happy reading!

I have read this book twice and have a hardcover and a paperback. The book is Prophesy through historical and (mostly) biblical accounts. IT MAKE ABSOLUTE SENSE! It is a step by step study. This information has been brought to light thoughout the 16th century and was apposed by the Catholic Church. It answers the question of where did the nations we know today come from? Who are they? And what is prophesied for them? The Word of God has already answered these questions IN THE BIBLE. Herbert Armstrong simpley points them out with this book. There are many other books I have read following the same truths that are written before Herbert was born! Which I believe was late in the 18th century.

There have been many great men / women who achieved many great things in their lifetime while being "a high-school dropout". I will not list them but their names would be immediately recognizable. Do the study yourself if truly interested. The late Mr. Herbert Armstrong, along with many split-offs of the now dead back-to-basics church that used to be his home, and his still living son recognize the FACTS of what this book explains. They CONSISTENTLY proclaimed for 50+ years prophecies that can be seen coming to pass NOW. How can one say that Germany would rise again while WW2 is STILL being waged in 1944/45? How can one say that East Germany would come from behind the "iron curtain" and reunited DECADES before it happened? How can one say that Russia or the USA is NOT the prophesied "beast" power and prove it? There is coming in the heart of Europe a great [danger] to the USA, Britain, and other nations. This book helps explain this in the light of ancient biblical prophecies.

The prophecies this book helps to explain in light of bible prophecy concerning the "lost tribes of Israel" can be seen coming to pass today.
The understanding of biblical prophecy helps you to understand the path of trends and conditions for nations.
God does not change his ways. Nations have and will be treated the same as they were anciently. They rise and fall according to His will.
It is GOOD that Herbert Armstrong brought together "much of this book from another"...author(s)... "earlier publication".
Men wrote the books of the Bible, but God is the author, editor, preserver, and revealer.
These TRUTHS are not new. They are not the word of Armstrong, a "megalomaniac". God's select few kept his truths throughout the centuries.
God promised PHYSICAL as well as spiritual blessings to the nations (plural) of Jacob (also known as Israel). Keep this in mind when reading this or similar book on this subject.
The critics of the 1st century church tried to discredit it. They almost succeeded through subtle lies and twisting of the truth.
This book reveals things that give a witness and a warning to those nations whom God has foretold would receive a "spanking" if they continue in disobedience.

All you need to know about this book can be found in the following passage: "Worldwide Church of God members... knew with certainty that they were part of a great end-time Work that God was doing on Planet Earth. Their elderly Pastor General, who was broadcasting Christ's gospel of the kingdom to the whole world and flying almost constantly to bring it to heads of state, was obviously 'one sent forth'. One sent forth was an apostle. Herbert Armstrong was as much an apostle as was Paul, or Peter or John. (page 269)" Those who are looking for a scholarly and objective biography about Herbert W. Armstrong will not find it here.

The author takes Herbert Armstrong and his writings at face value. A look at the bibliography is illustrative. There are six books and eighteen booklets authored by Armstrong. Also listed are periodicals Armstrong published, along with letters he wrote to church members. Only seven other sources are listed: four versions of the Bible, Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, A History of the True Religion by A.N. Dugger and C.O. Dodd, and Judah's Sceptre and Joseph's Birthright by J.H. Allen. Those familiar with Armstrong and his Worldwide Church of God will recognize the last two books as the source of many of Armstrong's teachings.

Herbert W. Armstrong, the founder and leader of the Worldwide Church of God, was a controversial figure who was accused of, among other things, living an extravagant life-style at the expense of the church (e.g. using the church's private jet to fly groceries from Los Angeles to his home in Tucson), plagiarism, alcoholism, and incest. The author does not address any of these issues. Also omitted is Armstrong's messy divorce from his second wife, Ramona, an ugly episode which dragged on for two years. Armstrong allegedly settled out of court because he did not want his past sexual misconduct brought up during a public trial. Astonishingly, no mention is made of Stanley Rader, a man who had an enormous influence on Armstrong for two decades, and who was involved in the excommunication of Armstrong's son, Garner Ted.

Armstrong's hypocrisy was legendary. He long taught that it was sinful to take medications or see doctors, and many of his followers died when they refused medical treatment. But when he suffered from congestive heart failure in 1977, he made extensive use of the medical profession, and he used numerous medications in the years before his death. For years he forbade divorcees in his church from re-marrying. Those who had divorced and re-married were required to divorce their second spouse and live as a single for as long as their first spouse lived. Many happy marriages were ended as a result, and many children suffered in broken homes. He changed this doctrine when he became romantically involved with a divorcee 50 years his junior. As mentioned above, his marriage to this woman ended in a bitter divorce.

In God's End-Time Man, much is made of Armstrong's meetings with heads of state. What the author doesn't mention is that many of these meetings were bought and paid for by the church. The most famous example was his meeting with Prince Charles and Margaret Thatcher. Armstrong donated £106,000 of church funds to the British Royal Opera House. As a patron, he was invited to shake hands with Prince Charles and meet with Prime Minister Thatcher at 10 Downing Street for a few minutes. The meetings were reported in a British newspaper under the headline "KINKY CHURCHMAN FOOLS CHARLES, And his cheque bought meeting with Maggie." In church publications, the meetings were written up to appear as though his invitations resulted from his stature as a world figure. Armstrong's world travels were extremely costly, and were one of the most controversial aspects of his ministry. Yet the author depicts them as doors opening as the result of divine intervention.

God's End-Time Man is merely a restatement Armstrong's autobiography and other literature. The author uncritically accepts almost all of Armstrong's writings. This book will be of interest only to those who are unquestioning true believers in the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong.

A man who chose the least travelled path, who believed and taught only what the Bible teaches, no more and no less. A human being who made mistakes, but attempted to right his wrongs through intense Bible study and prayer (how many leaders in mainstream churches today can you say the same about?). He asked people not to believe HIM, but to believe the BIBLE. He truly was a man of God. This book will give you greater insight into his successes, his failures, and the life of a man God chose to open the door for thousands of people to come to the knowledge of the true God and our soon-coming Savior.

This book is written from a positive attitude and perspective. By focusing on the life of Mr. Armstrong from an insiders view, you get the feel of the impact he had on people from 1930 to 1986. For over 50 years he was a Voice Crying of one Crying in the Wilderness.. From reading this book you find out exactly how Mr. Armstrong spread the gospel throughout the world.

Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986) was recognized around the world as a man of character and vision. Herbert Armstrong visited more than 70 countries with a message of the soon coming Kingdom of God. He was honored by many heads of state in the Orient, Africa and the Middle East. He was awarded medals of peace and special commendations for his many charitable and humanitarian activities.

He taught that there are two primary paths that mankind can take. The path of greed and hate and the path of giving and Love. He taught how the path of Love was part of the very character of God.

All of his publications were free of charge. Also discover why the very church he founded now suppresses his teachings. Considering that the rest of Mr. Armstrong's writings are out of print, this book is the best one availble with a biography perspective.

A new book out that compliments this one is The Essential Teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong. The subtitle is: His Teachings Focused on the Incredible Human Potential. Did he solve the Mystery of the Ages?

Feazell is not afraid to refer to the historical Armstrongite Worldwide Church of God as a cult. He is also quite candid in his evaluation of its now deceased leader, Herbert W. Armstrong. Feazell's analysis of Armstrongism and how it departs from Christianity is excellent. As a former member of the WWCG, I found it refreshing that one of the current WWCG leaders is able to publicly confront these issues. This may help the many WWCG ministers and lay members who are not able to do the same.
From the theology expressed in this book, it is clear that Feazell has over-reacted to the ungrace of Armstrongism and has swung in the direction of a "wider hope". He espouses the weak and minority viewpoints of inclusivism and, from other sources, post-mortem evangelization. On the topic of grace, he seems to have let passionate catharsis displace careful exegesis. This is an excellent read for current and former WWCG members.

A more pointed exploration and analysis of the flawed theology Herbert Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God was founded upon than was "Transformed by Truth", also authored by present day WCG leadership.

In this sense "TLWCG" breaks new ground in that one of the WCG's present day leaders goes on record in acknowledging that Armstrong's claims he was "the Elijah to come", who as God's one and only true end time apostle had sole authority to interpret and even challenge canonized scripture, were the false teachings of a heretic.

TLWCG accomplishes this without unnecessarily judging Armstrong, or delving into any of the scandals associated with his name that are now publicly available in this information age, which is the best approach given the fact that the person of Armstrong admittedly remains a sensitive one personally for the author, as well as in the WCG overall.

Seems to defend holding onto the totalitarian structure Armstrong established and taught as "God's only true form of government", by reasoning that without it doctrinal correction could not have occurred which, while true, overlooks the fact that much of the heresy perpetuated was due directly to a structure that discouraged critical thought. Unorthodox doctrine (that surely both lay members and some in ministry must have questioned over the years) was corrected, but one is left to wonder how much accountability and affirmation may remain a respecter of persons within the church at large, or how officials whom have sole discretion to decide such matters might adapt to significant change from a conforming hierarchal paradigm, to a more spiritually transformational one.

Mr. Feazell offers an exceptional insider's assessment of the journey of the Worldwide Church of God from its start to the present.

A more pointed exploration and analysis of the flawed theology Herbert Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God was founded upon than was "Transformed by Truth", also authored by present day WCG leadership.

In this sense "TLWCG" breaks new ground in that one of the WCG's present day leaders goes on record in acknowledging that Armstrong's claims he was "the Elijah to come", who as God's one and only true end time apostle had sole authority to interpret and even challenge canonized scripture, were the false teachings of a heretic.

TLWCG accomplishes this without unnecessarily judging Armstrong, or delving into any of the scandals associated with his name that are now publicly available in this information age, which is the best approach given the fact that the person of Armstrong admittedly remains a sensitive one personally for the author, as well as in the WCG overall.

Seems to defend holding onto the totalitarian structure Armstrong established and taught as "God's only true form of government", by reasoning that without it doctrinal correction could not have occurred which, while true, overlooks the fact that without it such drastic corrections would not have been necessary. Unorthodox doctrine (that surely both lay members and some in ministry must have questioned over the years) was corrected, but one is left to wonder how much accountability and affirmation may remain a respecter of persons within the church at large, or how well officials whom have sole discretion to decide such matters might be able to adapt to any real change in the hierarchal paradigm.

Mr. Feazell offers an exceptional insider's assessment of the journey of the Worldwide Church of God from its start to the present.

HWA was a high school dropout who has been accused of stealing the intellectual property of others and calling it his own (The U.S. and British Commonwealth in Prophecy is one such example). His writing included many FALSE PROPHECIES such as: Britain will be conquered by Nazi (PT Dec 40) Turkey will turn traitor to Britain. Hitler will be falsely resurrected by the Pope (May 65). The only reason his teachings were not discarded years before is because he had iron-fisted control over his organization. Soon after his death his writings were discarded, including his Mystery of the Ages, which he touted as his greatest work. His writings are useful in teaching students how Scripture can be mishandled to support any theory.

Most of the writings of Mr. Armstrong in this book are helpful and are doctrinally sound. It is good to see his articles compiled all in one book. However, I found Nickels' editorial to be biased. I find much of his criticism of Mr. Armstrong to be given without ample proof. I would say that if this book is purchased it is best to concentrate on Mr. Armstrong's writings and take Mr. Nickel's comments with a grain of salt.

I was so amazed to find this book! So much disrespect has been shown Mr Armstrong! He was definitely called 'out of the world'
for a purpose that was so amazing it could only have been by God !
Those whom God calls,He also equips. Mr Armstrong was faithful to the Great God to the very end, reading of his beginnings is such a boost to every thing he taught.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God! In every generation there has to be someone to guide,with his hand in the Hand of God, led by the Holy Spirit, Mr Armstrong did his work well.
Preservation of all Mr Armstrong's works is important to all who live with an expectancy of the return of Christ !!

If this book is for people who want to know Armstrong's doctrines, they could just as easily read his final work, "Mystery of the Ages".
(That was as good a summary of what he taught as any.)
If it's not for people new to Armstrong, then who is it for?
The author's website may provide a clue: among those who have been recipients of this book are the leaders and/or big names of the major groups that split off from Armstrong.
So, could it be that Dr. Boston hopes to target the thousands of ex-members of Armstrong's church?
(P.S. You can probably find a copy of "Mystery" at your local library or used book store.)

This book provides an accurate summary of Herbert W. Armstrong's teachings with out commentary or editorial bias. The book is divided into two sections. Part I is about the purpose of mankind and the plan God has for bringing the majority of mankind into the Kingdom of God. Part I also covers Mr. Armstrong's teaching about the soul, heaven and hell, and life after death. Part II is about the United States and Britain in Prophecy. I recommend this book to either students of the Bible or those seeking an accurate summation of Mr. Armstrong's teaching.