That's interesting language. You may want to read A Brief History of United Church of God
From that page:
Many of the current ministers and members of the United Church of God were once members of the Worldwide Church of God, a nonprofit corporation under the leadership of Herbert W. Armstrong until his death in 1986. A subsequent unwarranted shift toward nonbiblical practices and beliefs led numerous ministers and members to leave the fellowship of that organization.
Concerned with uneven administrative practices of the former assembly, more than 100 ordained ministers developed a new administrative structure that was more directly accountable to members and the ministry. A new 12-person Council of Elders, elected by a general assembly of all ordained ministers in United, was tasked with reviewing and independently documenting all core beliefs and doctrines of the Church, which above all must be true to the biblical record and not reliant on later divisive philosophical and theological traditions that were developed centuries after the original apostles.
Although many did consider Wordwide Church of God to be "cultic", United Church of God is not the same organization, doesn't have the same administrative structure, and doesn't have the same leadership.
Spiritual discernment is necessary regarding their definitions as they couch their terms using terms familiar to orthodox Christianity.
Spiritual discernment should be used for ALL religious teaching and should be verified that it matches up with scripture. Since you have no response to the article am I to assume you agree?
I had already reviewed the link prior to my previous post. Your link confirmed my "interesting" language. It splintered off when the WWCOG returned to orthodox Christian theology - the alleged shift to "nonbiblical" practices. As such, it has maintained the same set of beliefs that identified it to be non-Christian. Since you do not deny its close association to the WWCOG under Armstrong, do you hold to Armstong's cultic doctrines and false prophecies?
Although many did consider Wordwide Church of God to be "cultic", United Church of God is not the same organization, doesn't have the same administrative structure, and doesn't have the same leadership.
One of the keys that identifies a cult is not necessarily its organizational structure, but its theology as well. Theologically, UCG in its adherence to Armstongism places In continuing to place the teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong above that of the bible, it does carry with it a cultic following of his teachings.
Spiritual discernment should be used for ALL religious teaching and should be verified that it matches up with scripture. Since you have no response to the article am I to assume you agree?
That would be an incorrect assumption. Peal back the layers and your gospel is not much different than what is touted by mormonism. In fact, there are some very close associations - progression to godhood being just another one. Jesus' use of the phrase "gospel of the kingdom" (and parallel derivatives) Jesus was presenting himself as King so that Israel could receive her promise. So that when Jesus said "believe the gospel" He was telling Israel believe the good news that Messiah is here. Jesus' ultimate gospel is presented in John 3:16 - providing the sacrifice to reconcile man to God, providing eternal life.