A Forgotten Hero: Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986)

At New York City’s Family Christian Club July 31, 2004, the speakers were assigned to speak on a forgotten hero. The author chose Herbert W. Armstrong, who was born on that day, and who died 20 years ago this month.

by Johnny Kretz

[ see also "Blow the Dust Off Your Bible"; "Purify the Bride"; "Hold Fast": Remembering Mr. Armstrong ]

My hero—forgotten by some, not forgotten by others—needs no introduction. How many of you remember: "Well, greetings, friends around the world. This is Herbert W. Armstrong bringing you the good news of the world tomorrow"?

Mr. Armstrong was born July 31, 1892, in Des Moines, Iowa. He gave lifelong service to God's Church and died in January 1986.

Mr. Armstrong's 20 years of experience in advertising and journalism prepared him for a media readership of millions in nearly every country on earth. The Plain Truth circulation was over 8 million, exceeding those of Time and Newsweek. The World Tomorrow was telecast on close to 400 stations worldwide.

But starting out, back in 1910, he sold newspaper want ads for rooming-house apartments. His salary was $6 a week. Not having gone to college, he worked in the day and studied at night, and over time formulated his seven laws of success.

Would Never Be the Same

From the autumn of 1926 onward, Mr. Armstrong's life would never be the same. One day a Mrs. Runcorn, an avid student of the Bible, and his wife, Loma Armstrong, did a Bible study together for about an hour.

After reading a number of biblical passages, in amazement Mrs. Armstrong exclaimed to Mrs. Runcorn, "Why, do all these scriptures say that I've been keeping the wrong day as the Sabbath all my life?" Mrs. Runcorn replied, "Don't ask me whether you've been wrong—you shouldn't believe what any person tells you, but only what God tells you through the Bible."

Mrs. Armstrong rushed to bring the good news to her nonbelieving mate. On hearing it, he thought his wife had gone crazy. Mrs. Armstrong responded that she would follow Sunday if it were commanded in the Bible. She challenged him into an intensive study of the Bible, laying the groundwork for his later ministry.

Mr. Armstrong had assumed that most denominations of traditional Christianity had received their beliefs and doctrines from the Bible. He had stated, "I simply can't understand the Bible." But now his marriage was at stake, and he threw himself into it. He discovered that the teachings and revelations contained in the Holy Scriptures were not known or taught by any religion he knew at that time.

As months of 12- to 16-hour days of study progressed, the real truth began to emerge. With the enlightenment of truth, already known error—including the theory of evolution—had to be rejected.

He came to understand that the Creator, God Almighty, exists and rules the universe. He discovered many proofs of the inspiration and authenticity of the Bible. In addition, the cause of all the world's ills, as well as the solution that will come, were brought to light.

The missing dimension in knowledge came alive: What man is, why man was put on the earth, the purpose for which we were made. He also came to understand the way to peace, happiness and abundance. It all made sense!

Here were revealed the answers—which neither science, education, government or religion had—to humanity's troubles. The very gospel brought to the world by Jesus Christ had largely been rejected or ignored for 18 1/2 centuries.

Like a Grain of Mustard Seed

Seventy years ago, in February 1934, The Plain Truth magazine started with 250 copies and eight pages. With God's blessing, this tremendous work grew and prospered, in spite of starting with no financial capital! Like the proverbial grain of mustard seed, it had double-digit growth for more than 30 years.

Mr. Armstrong founded a liberal arts, character-building college with three campuses—in California, Texas and England. These institutions stressed moral, spiritual and ethical values as well as feeding the intellect.

Because you cannot affix monetary value to spiritual truth, Mr. Armstrong didn't sell the biblical literature he produced. He believed in the biblical principle, "Buy the truth, and sell it not" (Proverbs 23:23, King James Version; see also Matthew 10:8).

Personal Impact

How did I come in contact with God's Church? What impact did it have on my life?

In 1968, at 1 o'clock in the morning, my father listened to The World Tomorrow broadcast over WMCA radio. He subscribed to The Plain Truth magazine in my mother's name. I read it with an open mind, and eventually read The Good News as well. Then I took the Bible Correspondence Course.

I had a strong desire to acquire this new knowledge and understanding. After exposing some of it to my parents, my dad called me "Martin Luther."

After Mr. Armstrong's death, toward the end of the 1990s, I became disillusioned with our prior association's teachings. In my congregation, 80 percent of the brethren voted for Sunday observance. With the organized confusion of syncretic doctrines, I wished to return to the trunk of the tree. I found the United Church of God's beliefs made sense, and in January 2001 I became permanently affiliated with United.

One final note: Shortly after my unforgotten hero's death in 1986, U.S. President Ronald Reagan sent this note to the Church:

"Mr. Armstrong contributed to sharing the word of the Lord with his community and his people and with the people throughout this nation. You can take pride in his legacy. Our prayers are with you. God bless you." UN

Johnny Kretz now lives in Hawaii.

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"Blow the Dust Off Your Bible"; "Purify the Bride"; "Hold Fast": Remembering Mr. Armstrong

by Aaron Dean

Twenty years after Herbert W. Armstrong's death, I am still trying to do what he told everyone. "Blow the dust off your Bible and prove it for yourself. Don't believe me, believe the Bible." He clarified so many truths with Scripture that it became too easy for us all.

His death was the single most momentous moment in my life. I remember no part of it from birth, education and marriage that he didn't play a role in.

For 12 years I watched him deliver messages to heads of state and royalty around the world, but at his death, his desire was still for truth, and the spiritual Body of Christ—the Church.

"Help purify the Bride" was my last order from him after 12 years of direct service to this special patriarch. I never realized how perplexing it would be to even attempt to carry out this order beyond his grave. It was hard to think the truth would take a backseat to the desire to be like the world. I had not as clearly separated the corporation from the spiritual Body as he had.

When he said "half of you don't get it!" it seems he was being generous. God is proud of those who worship Him in spirit and in truth. Herbert W. Armstrong influenced all of us who have remained faithful to God's Word to do just that, and his legacy in us who believe is written in heaven.

His books and articles still ring in my ears and my heart. My most prized possession is a large print Bible he could no longer use, even with a magnifying glass, that he gave to me with a "Here, you read it." Indeed I read a great deal of it out loud to him the last few months of his life.

He realized that the true value is spiritual, not physical, so he really didn't worry about death. I still miss him, but the foundation he gave me was rock solid. May we all continue to build on the truths set before us, and realize the gospel message he proclaimed is closer than ever.

If he were alive, he would be saying, "Hold fast!" I pray we all do. UN

Aaron Dean served Mr. Armstrong as his personal aide, a vice president, board member and in many other capacities during the last 12 years of Mr. Armstrong's life.