Minister of God vs False Prophet

Fred Coulter Minister of God 

vs

Gerald Flurry False Prophet

Here is the difference between a minister of God and a false prophet

FRED COULTER

Fred R. Coulter’s departure from Herbert W. Armstrong and the Worldwide Church of God (WCG) was not sudden — it was the result of several years of conflict, doctrinal disagreements, and concerns about church governance. His own explanations (from sermons, writings, and interviews) give a consistent picture of why he left.

Below is a clear summary of the reasons, based on Coulter’s own accounts.

⭐ Why Fred R. Coulter Left Herbert W. Armstrong and the WCG

1. Concerns Over Church Government and Control

Coulter repeatedly stated that he believed the WCG’s hierarchical structure had become abusive, authoritarian, and idolatrous toward the leadership.

He said that:

• Ministers were expected to obey the human hierarchy above all else.
• Members were being spiritually controlled through fear.
• Herbert W. Armstrong was treated almost as infallible.

Coulter believed this system was not the New Testament model of servant leadership.

He later emphasized that “church government” is one of the biggest problems in the WCG-splinter world.

2. Increasing Doctrinal Disagreements

Coulter said he grew troubled by teachings he believed were:

• not strongly grounded in scripture, or
• were being introduced without solid biblical basis.

He especially opposed:

• use of church authority to enforce doctrines,
• the growing belief that Armstrong was a “prophet” in any sense,
• prophetic interpretations he felt were speculative and misleading.

While Coulter still agreed with many core WCG doctrines (Sabbath, Holy Days, clean/unclean food, etc.), he objected to how new teachings were imposed without solid scriptural foundation.

3. Conflict With Headquarters / Ministerial Pressure

Coulter publicly acknowledged that he was increasingly at odds with Pasadena headquarters, especially during the 1970s.

He described:

• pressure to conform to ministerial decisions he felt were unscriptural,
• disagreements with administrative directives,
• and an atmosphere where honest questions were unwelcome.

He was suspended from the ministry in 1979.

During this time he began writing and teaching independently — which later became the foundation of CBCG.

4. Doctrinal Drift and Organizational Corruption (Coulter’s View)

Coulter believed that by the late 1970s:

• the WCG was becoming spiritually corrupt,
• money and power were becoming more central than biblical truth,
• and key leaders were compromising the gospel.

He felt he could not remain loyal to a leadership that — in his view — had drifted from the scriptures.

5. A Desire to Teach the Bible Without Organizational Control

After leaving the WCG, Coulter began working on:

• independent Bible studies,
• literal translations (The Faithful Version),
• and in-depth doctrinal booklets.

He later created the Christian Biblical Church of God (CBCG) to:

• teach scripture directly,
• avoid hierarchies,
• and provide what he viewed as “pure biblical instruction” outside a corrupt structure.

He said he wanted a fellowship where no man could control the conscience of another.

📌 In Simple Terms

Fred Coulter left WCG because he believed:

1. The government became authoritarian.
2. Doctrine was shifting away from scripture.
3. Headquarters suppressed honest biblical disagreement.
4. The organization was becoming corrupt.
5. He could no longer serve God faithfully within the system.

This is drawn from Coulter’s own sermons, interviews, and writings (especially The Rest of the Story, his ministerial history, and later CBCG doctrinal material).

⭐ WHAT FRED COULTER BELIEVES HWA GOT RIGHT & WRONG

These points come from Coulter’s sermons, writings, and Q&A sessions.

✅ WHAT FRED COULTER AGREES ARMSTRONG GOT RIGHT

Coulter frequently says Armstrong did teach some major biblical truths, including:

1. The Sabbath

• Armstrong correctly taught that the Sabbath is binding.

2. The Holy Days

• The annual Feasts of God were restored to many believers through Armstrong’s influence.

3. Clean & Unclean Foods

• Armstrong was right that the clean-meat laws still apply.

4. Salvation Is Not “Saved in Heaven at Death”

• Coulter agrees with Armstrong that the dead are unconscious (“sleeping”).

5. Understanding of the Resurrections

• The first resurrection, second resurrection, and Great White Throne judgment were taught clearly.

6. The Kingdom of God Is a Literal Government Under Christ

• Coulter agrees that God’s Kingdom is coming to Earth.

7. A Need to Reject Mainstream Christian Traditions

• Armstrong’s critiques of Sunday-keeping, Christmas, Easter, and paganized doctrines were — in Coulter’s view — legitimate.

8. Restoring interest in biblical prophecy

• Armstrong drew attention back to prophecy, though Coulter says he later mishandled it (see below).

❌ WHAT FRED COULTER BELIEVES ARMSTRONG GOT WRONG

1. Church Government (“One-Man Rule”)

Coulter said this was Armstrong’s biggest error.

• He believed the authoritarian hierarchy was unbiblical.
• He said ministers taught loyalty to the leader — not to Christ.
• Coulter believes this system enabled abuse, fear, and corruption.

He said:

“This was not the government of God — it was corporate hierarchy.”

2. Prophetic Claims & Speculation

Coulter believes Armstrong made:

• prophetic errors,
• speculative interpretations,
• false expectations about end-time timing,
• and claims that God was revealing prophecy uniquely to him.

Coulter emphasized that prophecy should never be used to promote a personality or a church organization.

3. Armstrong’s Claim to Be an Elijah or End-Time Apostle

Coulter rejected every form of “special Last-Days office.”

He believed this was:

• self-aggrandizing,
• unsupported by scripture,
• and led to personality-cult thinking.

4. Doctrines Enforced by Authority, Not Scripture

Coulter said Armstrong introduced teachings:

• without strong biblical foundation,
• then commanded the ministry to enforce them.

This included:

• hierarchical government,
• some prophetic interpretations,
• administrative decisions treated as doctrine.

5. Financial Pressure / Tithing Misuse

Coulter said the WCG’s use of:

• three tithes,
• special offerings,
• and financial control
  created a culture of institutional greed rather than service.

6. Hypocrisy and Moral Corruption in Leadership

Coulter openly stated that Armstrong tolerated:

• immoral ministers,
• abusive leaders,
• and internal corruption.

He felt this spiritual rot was one of the final proofs that God was no longer guiding the organization.

🧭 FINAL SUMMARY

⭐ Why Coulter left

Because WCG became:

• authoritarian,
• doctrinally unstable,
• corrupt,
• hierarchical,
• and unwilling to be corrected by scripture.

⭐ What he thinks Armstrong got wrong

• one-man church government
• claiming special prophetic/apostolic roles
• mishandling prophecy
• using authority to enforce non-biblical doctrines
• institutional abuse and corruption

———————————————

How CBCG doctrine differs from PCG

Below is a clear, organized comparison showing exactly how Fred Coulter’s CBCG differs from the PCG run by the FALSE PROPHET Gerald Flurry. (for more on Gerald Flurry, see previous posts)

• PCG – Philadelphia Church of God (Gerald Flurry)

This comparison focuses on the doctrines and practices where CBCG is significantly different.

📌 1. CHURCH GOVERNMENT & AUTHORITY

The biggest single difference.

CBCG (Fred Coulter)

• No hierarchical structure.
• No “apostle,” “prophet,” or “one-man leader.”
• Local congregations and fellowships operate independently.
• Authority comes from scripture, not from a central HQ.
• Strongly rejects Armstrong’s old hierarchical government.

Coulter’s position:

“No man is to rule over the faith of others. That is Nicolaitanism.”

PCG (Gerald Flurry)

• Extremely hierarchical.
• Gerald Flurry is the “Elijah,” “That Prophet,” “End-time Apostle,” and “King.”
• Members must submit absolutely to PCG government.
• Strict “no-contact policy” with former members.

📌 2. PROPHETIC CLAIMS

CBCG

• No prophetic offices claimed.
• Strong warnings against:
• prophetic speculation,
• date-setting,
• leaders claiming God speaks through them uniquely.
• Prophecy is studied carefully, without sensationalism.

PCG

• Heavy prophetic emphasis.
• Flurry claims special revelation (Malachi’s Message).
• PCG teaches it alone is God’s “Philadelphia remnant.”
• Constant predictions about:
• Donald Trump,
• the “New Throne of David,”
• U.S. political prophecy.

📌 3. BIBLICAL CALENDAR & HOLY DAYS

CBCG

• Uses a biblical calculated calendar based on the barley harvest and lunar cycles, not the Jewish calendar.
• Different Holy Day timing in some years.
• Detailed teaching on Passover timing (14th vs. 15th).
• Insists on NT Passover service on the correct night (14th).

PCG 

• All use the standard Jewish (Hillel) calendar.
• Their Passover dates always match WCG tradition.
• Do not accept Coulter’s calendar modifications.

📌 4. BIBLE VERSION & TEXTUAL APPROACH

CBCG

• Promotes The Faithful Version, translated/revised by Coulter.
• Strong focus on:
• Hebrew/Greek roots,
• textual accuracy,
• detailed study packs.

Other COG Groups

• Use NKJV, KJV, or NASB predominantly.
• No group has its own translation.
• Less focus on textual studies compared to CBCG.

📌 5. TITHING & FINANCES

CBCG

• Teaches tithing but opposes financial pressure.
• Does not enforce:
• three-tithe system the same way WCG did,
• compulsory offerings,
• authoritarian financial oversight.
• No “co-worker” or “member” classification.

PCG

• Very heavy financial expectations.
• Must tithe or you are spiritually “cut off.”
• Frequent special offerings.

📌 6. CHURCH DISCIPLINE

CBCG

• Very minimal.
• No “marking and disfellowshipping” culture.
• Local fellowships are encouraged to handle spiritual maturity gently.

PCG

• Harsh discipline.
• No-contact policy can split families.
• Members are easily disfellowshipped.

📌 7. ROLE OF THE LEADER

CBCG

Fred Coulter:

• Does not claim to be an apostle, prophet, or Elijah.
• Emphasizes he is a teacher/minister only.
• Rejects all personality cults.
• Encourages members to prove everything themselves.

PCG

Gerald Flurry:

• Claims multiple prophetic offices.
• Worship songs written about him (“God’s Prophet”).
• Members must accept his authority to be in the “Philadelphian” remnant.

📌 8. DOCTRINE OF GOD / TRINITY ISSUES

CBCG

• Non-trinitarian
• God is the Father; Jesus is the literal Son of God.
• Holy Spirit is the power of God, not a person.

(You personally hold similar views — “death as sleep,” no trinity, etc.)

All Other COG Groups

• Also non-trinitarian, but:
• CBCG’s teaching on the God family and the nature of God is more carefully developed and more detailed textually.
• CBCG strongly emphasizes the lack of personhood of the Holy Spirit.
• PCG place less emphasis on the textual detail and more on church authority.

📌 9. AFTERLIFE / “DEATH IS SLEEP”

Both the CBCG, PCG  teach:

• no heaven at death
• unconscious sleep
• resurrection at Christ’s return

CBCG is more detailed on the scriptural “sleep” doctrine, but all teach it.

📌 10. WHERE IS THE TRUE CHURCH?

CBCG

• The Church is scattered, small groups worldwide.
• No single organization is “the one true church.”
• Unity comes from truth, not a headquarters.

PCG

• PCG alone is the Philadelphian church.

🧾 SUMMARY CHART

Doctrine	CBCG	PCG
Government	Independent	Extreme hierarchy
Prophetic Office	NONE	Flurry = prophet/apostle
Calendar	Modified biblical calen	Hillel
Passover	Strict 14th	WCG tradition
Discipline	Minimal	Harsh
Bible Version	Faithful Version	NKJV/KJV
Tithing Pressure	Low	Very High
True Church?	Scattered	PCG only				—————

A chart comparing prophecy teachings side-by-side (e.g. Trump/Throne of David in PCG vs CBCG)

Below is a clear, side-by-side prophecy comparison chart showing where CBCG, PCG, RCG, LCG, UCG, and COGWA teach very different things — especially the extreme claims made by PCG (Flurry) and RCG (Pack) versus CBCG’s more cautious approach.

This focuses on major areas where the differences dramatically affect doctrine, including:

• the Throne of David,
• Donald Trump in prophecy,
• place of safety,
• prophetic offices,
• timing of end-time events,
• and unique prophecies claimed by each group.

📘 PROPHECY COMPARISON CHART: CBCG vs. PCG

• CBCG = Fred Coulter
• PCG = Gerald Fllurry

🟥 1. Throne of David

Group	Teaching
CBCG	No special new revelation about the Throne of David. The throne remains with the descendants of Judah until prophecy’s fulfillment. No modern nation or leader is “sitting on it.”
PCG (Flurry)	Claims the Throne of David has moved to PCG. Says the stone of destiny is spiritually with them. PCG is the “royal family.”

🟥 2. Donald Trump in Prophecy

Group	Teaching
CBCG	Does not assign Donald Trump a prophetic role. Opposes reading modern political leaders into prophecy.
PCG (Flurry)	YES. Strong teaching. Says Trump is Jeroboam II, will return to power, and is part of prophecy tied to PCG.

🟥 3. Prophetic Office of the Leader

Group	Teaching
CBCG	No prophetic office. Coulter rejects anyone claiming to be an apostle, Elijah, or prophet.
PCG (Flurry)	Flurry claims: • “That Prophet” • “The Elijah” • “End-time Apostle” • “King over the Throne of David”

🟥 4. The Place of Safety

Group	Teaching
CBCG	No claim of organizational safety. Believers will be protected individually according to God’s will. No Petra doctrine.
PCG (Flurry)	Yes. Only PCG members who support Flurry will be taken to a place of safety. Implied to be Petra.

🟥 5. Timing of End-Time Events

Group	Teaching
CBCG	Cautious. No dates. Studies prophecy textually. Opposes date-setting.
PCG (Flurry)	Frequent declarations of “imminent” Great Tribulation. Often tied to U.S./Israel politics.

🟥 6. Identity of the Final “Elijah”

Group	Teaching
CBCG	The “Elijah to come” was John the Baptist and/or an end-time group—not a modern COG leader.
PCG (Flurry)	Gerald Flurry himself is Elijah.

🟥 7. Two Witnesses

Group	Teaching
CBCG	Unknown until God reveals them. No human leader can appoint or predict them.
PCG (Flurry)	Speculates they may come from PCG, or may be linked to their work. No names given.

🟥 8. Europe / Beast Power

Group	Teaching
CBCG	Standard WCG outline but less speculative; no obsession over headlines.
PCG	Strong prophetic focus on Germany as Assyria. Often ties events to daily news.

🟥 9. Prophecy and Scripture Approach

Group	Teaching Style
CBCG	Deep textual analysis. Avoids headlines. No organizational prophetic role.
PCG (Flurry)	High sensationalism; prophecy tied to the organization’s “revelations.”

🟦 10. Summary of Key Prophetic Differences

CBCG (Coulter)

• No claims of special revelation
• No prophetic office
• No Trump prophecy
• No place of safety tied to organization
• No Throne of David transfer
• No date-setting
• Pure scripture-based prophecy study

PCG (Flurry)

• Trump = Jeroboam II
• Throne of David moved to PCG
• Flurry = That Prophet, Elijah
• PCG alone goes to place of safety
• Heavy prophetic focus

"Beware if You Are Considering Joining or Rejoining the PCG!"

My greatest hope is that my children will one day reach out to me again.

If my son Nathan Moffett in Edmond, Oklahoma, and my daughter Elise Moffett Salinas in San Antonio, Texas were not involved with the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG), I would likely never speak publicly about this group. I would still pray for those who have been hurt, but my focus would remain private.

What compels me to speak is not anger — it is love for my children and concern for families who have experienced similar separation. Policies that discourage or prevent normal family contact have caused deep pain, not only to me, but to many others. I believe families should not be divided, and that love, communication, and reconciliation should always be encouraged.

Because of this, I plan to continue raising awareness about the impact these practices have on families. My goal is not to attack individuals, but to bring attention to the human cost of separation and to encourage open discussion. I hope that by sharing my experience, others may better understand how deeply these situations affect parents, children, and loved ones.

My door, my heart, and my love remain open to my children — always.