Church of God (Restoration)
Encyclopedia
The Church of God is a Christian denomination that was founded in the 1980s by Daniel (Danny) Layne (d. September 21, 2011). In a booklet written by Mr. Layne in the early 1980s, he claimed to be an ex-heroin addict who spent years dealing drugs and living a life of crime and sin on the streets of San Francisco. Layne was originally raised in the Church of God (Anderson)
, where his father was a minister. Layne began preaching in the Church of God (Guthrie, OK) after his conversion.
One tenet of this group is that they are ordained by both prophecy and Divine command to restore the church of God as it was in the Book of Acts. Most of Daniel Layne's beliefs in Revelation originated from some ministers who had left the Church of God (Anderson) reformation movement thirty or so years earlier. This teaching is upheld by the official eschatology
, which is a form of church historicism
. This Church of God (Restoration) teaches that the 7th Trumpet in the book of the Revelation began to sound around the year 1980 when Daniel Layne was saved, alleging that there was a general discontent among many of its current adherents that were in various Churches of God at that time. A variation of this "7th Seal message" had been taught in other Churches of God for approximately 50 years prior to this point.
There is also a sizable General Ministerial Body, consisting of male and female ministers, who call themselves "The Seventh Trumpet Angel Ministry". Everyone who is saved and sanctified and is not in a second marriage can be a Minister based upon biblical teaching, as long as they feel called of God and have the approval of the Ministerial Body. There are currently approximately 70 ministers within the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with numerous ministers in the Philippines, Africa, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.
and Evening Light Reformation of whom D.S. Warner
was one of the leading ministers in the late 19th century. Daniel Sidney Warner had been associated with the Church of God (Winebrennarian), and was greatly influenced by the "anti-denominational" teaching of that denomination.
This group also claims to closely follow all the teachings of the Bible, and practices excommunication
to some former members it considers to be errant from its very strict and real interpretation of the Bible and actively work against the church.
as some feel that it meets all of the eight criteria discussed by Robert J. Lifton, to qualify it as a thought reform/mind control cult. For a number of years, they did not believe in accessing any medical help, nor using medicine, but divine healing from God. There have been a number of deaths within the group, of newborns, children, and adults, which normal medical procedures may have prevented. However, due to political and judicial pressure in 2001, a resolution was approved by the General Ministerial Body that now recommends that all under-age children be provided with appropriate medical care. Adults are free to choose for themselves.
Although the group draws most of its members from various Anabaptist
and Church of God churches, its adherents represent a broad diversity of backgrounds, both religious and cultural. One method of outreach has been to have a large group of adherents attend conventions or services of other churches (often churches from which members have been previously gleaned) with the apparent goal of gaining new members.
. There is also a bi-monthly paper, The Shining Light, published for the spiritual benefit and growth of children.
and the earlier ministers of the Church of God (Anderson)
taught that the restoration of the church was prophesied by the Old Testament Prophets, in the New Testament, and in the book of Revelation. They taught that 270 to 1530 was the Papal age and 1530 to 1880 was the Protestant age with 1880 being the year the church of God was restored with the full message of salvation, santification, and unity of Gods people. Warner describes how he came up with these dates in Birth of a Reformation. From a number of scriptures in Daniel and Revelation he took "time, times, and half a time", "42 months" or "1260 days" (Dan 7:25; 12:7, Rev 11:3; 12:6; 12:14; 13:5;) to mean 1260 years of the Papal age holding that in symbolic language one day is one year. The 1260 years of the Papal age is added to the time that the church lost its unity and purity which gives the end of the Papal age as 1530 AD. Then using the symbol from Revelation of "three days and a half" (Rev 11:11) with each day equaling a century they held that the duration of the Protestant age was 350 years which brings them to 1880. This date was the beginning of the full restoration of the church of God and called the Evening Light age.
The Church of God (Restoration) builds their movement dating on the same dates the Church of God (Anderson) earlier ministers did. They also hold that in about 1930 the Church of God (Anderson) Movement as a whole became apostate and there was silence in the spiritual heavens for "the space of half an hour" (Rev 8:1). This one half hour taken to mean 50 years using one hour in symbolic language as one century. The time of the silence period ended in 1980, which was about the time of the beginning of Daniel Layne’s ministry.
Some reject the date of 1880 and claim the dates 270 and 1530 hold no historical significance and were only obtained by back dating from 1880. They also point out that while there is Biblical authority to use the symbol of one day for a year (Num 14:34; Eze 4:6) there is no Biblical authority to use one day as a century or one hour as a century which the Church of God (Restoration) uses to get the 350 years of the Protestant age and the 50 years of the silent time.
, although the "Anderson" churches have now almost fully modernized and liberalized a large proportion of themselves. The following is a list of some of the emphasized doctrines and practices:
Church of God (Anderson)
The Church of God is a holiness Christian body with roots in Wesleyan pietism and also in the restorationist traditions. Founded in 1881 by Daniel Sidney Warner, the church claims 1,170,143 adherents...
, where his father was a minister. Layne began preaching in the Church of God (Guthrie, OK) after his conversion.
One tenet of this group is that they are ordained by both prophecy and Divine command to restore the church of God as it was in the Book of Acts. Most of Daniel Layne's beliefs in Revelation originated from some ministers who had left the Church of God (Anderson) reformation movement thirty or so years earlier. This teaching is upheld by the official eschatology
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
, which is a form of church historicism
Historicism
Historicism is a mode of thinking that assigns a central and basic significance to a specific context, such as historical period, geographical place and local culture. As such it is in contrast to individualist theories of knowledges such as empiricism and rationalism, which neglect the role of...
. This Church of God (Restoration) teaches that the 7th Trumpet in the book of the Revelation began to sound around the year 1980 when Daniel Layne was saved, alleging that there was a general discontent among many of its current adherents that were in various Churches of God at that time. A variation of this "7th Seal message" had been taught in other Churches of God for approximately 50 years prior to this point.
Church government
Daniel Layne was held to be an Apostle in the Church of God (Restoration). He passed away at his residence in Upland, California, USA on September 21, 2011.There is also a sizable General Ministerial Body, consisting of male and female ministers, who call themselves "The Seventh Trumpet Angel Ministry". Everyone who is saved and sanctified and is not in a second marriage can be a Minister based upon biblical teaching, as long as they feel called of God and have the approval of the Ministerial Body. There are currently approximately 70 ministers within the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with numerous ministers in the Philippines, Africa, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.
Beliefs
The group considers itself to be "anti-denominational", with roots in the holiness movementHoliness movement
The holiness movement refers to a set of beliefs and practices emerging from the Methodist Christian church in the mid 19th century. The movement is distinguished by its emphasis on John Wesley's doctrine of "Christian perfection" - the belief that it is possible to live free of voluntary sin - and...
and Evening Light Reformation of whom D.S. Warner
Daniel Sidney Warner
Daniel Sidney Warner is known primarily as a church reformer and one of the founders of the Church of God and other similar church groups. He is also known for some of his songs which other church groups have incorporated into their hymnody. He is mostly known by only the initials of his given...
was one of the leading ministers in the late 19th century. Daniel Sidney Warner had been associated with the Church of God (Winebrennarian), and was greatly influenced by the "anti-denominational" teaching of that denomination.
This group also claims to closely follow all the teachings of the Bible, and practices excommunication
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
to some former members it considers to be errant from its very strict and real interpretation of the Bible and actively work against the church.
Legal problems
This group has been thought of to be a cultCult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
as some feel that it meets all of the eight criteria discussed by Robert J. Lifton, to qualify it as a thought reform/mind control cult. For a number of years, they did not believe in accessing any medical help, nor using medicine, but divine healing from God. There have been a number of deaths within the group, of newborns, children, and adults, which normal medical procedures may have prevented. However, due to political and judicial pressure in 2001, a resolution was approved by the General Ministerial Body that now recommends that all under-age children be provided with appropriate medical care. Adults are free to choose for themselves.
Growth
The Church of God (Restoration) has a growing number of congregations worldwide and promotes outreach and mission work in various countries. They heavily encourage all Christians to unite and bind into one visible body of believers. Congregations are located in several States and countries.Although the group draws most of its members from various Anabaptist
Anabaptist
Anabaptists are Protestant Christians of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe, and their direct descendants, particularly the Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites....
and Church of God churches, its adherents represent a broad diversity of backgrounds, both religious and cultural. One method of outreach has been to have a large group of adherents attend conventions or services of other churches (often churches from which members have been previously gleaned) with the apparent goal of gaining new members.
Bimonthly publication
The Gospel Trumpet is a bi-monthly publication that is published in English, German, and Russian. Some of its clip-art and writings are copied from the original century-old Gospel Trumpet, with which it has no other continuity. The current publishers claim to follow in the steps of the original Gospel Trumpet by publishing strongly against denominationalism and sinSin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
. There is also a bi-monthly paper, The Shining Light, published for the spiritual benefit and growth of children.
Eschatology
Daniel Sidney WarnerDaniel Sidney Warner
Daniel Sidney Warner is known primarily as a church reformer and one of the founders of the Church of God and other similar church groups. He is also known for some of his songs which other church groups have incorporated into their hymnody. He is mostly known by only the initials of his given...
and the earlier ministers of the Church of God (Anderson)
Church of God (Anderson)
The Church of God is a holiness Christian body with roots in Wesleyan pietism and also in the restorationist traditions. Founded in 1881 by Daniel Sidney Warner, the church claims 1,170,143 adherents...
taught that the restoration of the church was prophesied by the Old Testament Prophets, in the New Testament, and in the book of Revelation. They taught that 270 to 1530 was the Papal age and 1530 to 1880 was the Protestant age with 1880 being the year the church of God was restored with the full message of salvation, santification, and unity of Gods people. Warner describes how he came up with these dates in Birth of a Reformation. From a number of scriptures in Daniel and Revelation he took "time, times, and half a time", "42 months" or "1260 days" (Dan 7:25; 12:7, Rev 11:3; 12:6; 12:14; 13:5;) to mean 1260 years of the Papal age holding that in symbolic language one day is one year. The 1260 years of the Papal age is added to the time that the church lost its unity and purity which gives the end of the Papal age as 1530 AD. Then using the symbol from Revelation of "three days and a half" (Rev 11:11) with each day equaling a century they held that the duration of the Protestant age was 350 years which brings them to 1880. This date was the beginning of the full restoration of the church of God and called the Evening Light age.
The Church of God (Restoration) builds their movement dating on the same dates the Church of God (Anderson) earlier ministers did. They also hold that in about 1930 the Church of God (Anderson) Movement as a whole became apostate and there was silence in the spiritual heavens for "the space of half an hour" (Rev 8:1). This one half hour taken to mean 50 years using one hour in symbolic language as one century. The time of the silence period ended in 1980, which was about the time of the beginning of Daniel Layne’s ministry.
Some reject the date of 1880 and claim the dates 270 and 1530 hold no historical significance and were only obtained by back dating from 1880. They also point out that while there is Biblical authority to use the symbol of one day for a year (Num 14:34; Eze 4:6) there is no Biblical authority to use one day as a century or one hour as a century which the Church of God (Restoration) uses to get the 350 years of the Protestant age and the 50 years of the silent time.
Main doctrines and practices
The doctrines of the Church of God (Restoration) are similar to the original doctrines of the Church of God (Anderson)Church of God (Anderson)
The Church of God is a holiness Christian body with roots in Wesleyan pietism and also in the restorationist traditions. Founded in 1881 by Daniel Sidney Warner, the church claims 1,170,143 adherents...
, although the "Anderson" churches have now almost fully modernized and liberalized a large proportion of themselves. The following is a list of some of the emphasized doctrines and practices:
- The Church of God (Restoration) claims to be the actual church that Jesus built and dates back to the early Apostles in the New Testament, although there is no actual historical proof to substantiate this claim, but what they believe by saying that all the truly saved are all part of the body of Jesus Christ.
- SalvationSalvationWithin religion salvation is the phenomenon of being saved from the undesirable condition of bondage or suffering experienced by the psyche or soul that has arisen as a result of unskillful or immoral actions generically referred to as sins. Salvation may also be called "deliverance" or...
from sinSinIn religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
. As with most Holiness Churches, they believe that one willful sin causes a person to lose his salvation. - Entire Sanctification as a second work of graceChristian perfectionChristian perfection, also known as perfect love; heart purity; the baptism of the Holy Spirit; the fullness of the blessing; Christian holiness; the second blessing; and entire sanctification, is a Christian doctrine which holds that the heart of the regenerant Christian may attain a state of...
after justification by faith - Unification of the children of God in one body. They teach that God's will is to unite His people one more time in one visible Church, before He returns to take them home. Every person that is a true Christian will become a part of the movement, once they hear the sound of the 7th Trumpet, which is interpreted to be the preaching and teaching of God through the body of Christ [them].
- Divine, physical healing and anointing with oil by the Elders, taking the following as its scriptural mandate: Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
- Holy kiss when greeting each other with the same sex, in a non-sexual way.
- Separation from the world by dress and actions, including:
- Men wear primarily black dress clothes with white shirts to worship services, but casual dress is worn during the week, although jeans and similar casual clothes are considered worldly
- Neck-ties, wedding rings, and jewelry are forbidden, as are other superfluous and unneeded articles of dress
- Bright colors, such as red, orange, yellow, bright green and bright blue, are not worn, as the church believes that they portray a potentially worldly spirit and draw unnecessary attention to themselves.
- Women wear dark-colored panty hose and girls wear thick stockings, skirts with wide pleats to the ankles, and long vests to cover their waistline and hide their female shape. They are expected to wear at least three layers of clothing over their torsos.
- Sandals and bare feet are forbidden.
- Most male adherents wear beards.
- Women and girls do not cut their hair, and wear it tied back at all times in a plain bun (women) or braids (girls)
- Church worship is a capellaA cappellaA cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
. - Ministers are allowed to exercise their calling to preach within the Church, unless the General Ministerial Body decides otherwise
- Outreach and missionaryMissionaryA missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
endeavors - No discrimination based on race, language, culture, or social status
- Strong teaching against sexual immorality, including homosexualityHomosexualityHomosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
- PacifismPacifismPacifism is the opposition to war and violence. The term "pacifism" was coined by the French peace campaignerÉmile Arnaud and adopted by other peace activists at the tenth Universal Peace Congress inGlasgow in 1901.- Definition :...
, precluding all military - No remarriage following divorce, although reunification with a first spouse is permitted, if that relationship was not adulterous for both spouses, somewhat different than the viewpoint of Daniel Sidney WarnerDaniel Sidney WarnerDaniel Sidney Warner is known primarily as a church reformer and one of the founders of the Church of God and other similar church groups. He is also known for some of his songs which other church groups have incorporated into their hymnody. He is mostly known by only the initials of his given...
. - Belief in corporal punishment of children. This practice has resulted in a court case in Ontario. They believe that the Bible instructs them to spank their children with an object such as a wooden stick or a leather belt. They believe that they are forbidden to spank their children by hand, because the hand is considered an instrument of love, guidance and comfort.
- Excommunication of those that leave the Church and actively attempt to help others leave the Church, or are a threat to the body
- The group is officially presbyterianPresbyterian polityPresbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
-hierarchical in polity, with the General Ministerial Body having the greatest authority in doctrine and practice. However, many ex-members claim that it is actually episcopalianEpiscopal polityEpiscopal polity is a form of church governance that is hierarchical in structure with the chief authority over a local Christian church resting in a bishop...
, with Daniel Layne acting as de facto arch-bishop. While there is no official "headquarters", individual congregations are expected to be more than a loose association, and submit to the decisions of the Ministerial Body. There is no formal membership, but those who attend regularly are expected to strictly adhere to the standards taught by leaders in the movement. Membership is based upon the soul's status.
External links
- The Church of God (Restoration) Official Home Page
- An Inside Look at the Church of God Short historical overview of the Church of God movement
- More Christ Like Blog -- Church of God Restoration | Bob Mutch