Transformed by Truth

While generally well written, this book may at first seem to be of interest to a very limited audience -- those directly associated (now or previously) with the Worldwide Church of God. Some of the other reviews posted here tend to bear that out: they appear to be partisan hacks which do not specifically evaluate the merits of the book in question, but rather rant against various religious or doctrinal issues that I suppose only insiders would understand. However, the book is in essence a candid, first-person narrative of a type of "Reformation" of a single, small church denomination from unorthodoxy to mainstream Christian beliefs, and from insular exclusivism ("God's only true Church") to a greater fellowship with Christian believers of all stripes. The book's appeal may also be greater than only to those who have been directly involved with this particular denomination -- many religious groups have unwittingly gone down similar paths of personality worship, prophecy addiction, and "special" doctrines, observances or insights that supposedly make their groups "better than thou". Other religious leaders supportive of the WCG's move to orthodoxy call the event "Unprecedented in church history", and "The top religious story of this decade". While the first description may possibly be slightly over the top, there can be no denying that this type change -- to drastically alter a Church's established doctrinal platform and focus, particularly at the expense of losing half of its membership and most of its annual income -- is virtually unknown. In his foreword to the book, Hank Hanegraaff, President of the Christian Research Institute, highlights this fact. Christian readers not associated with this denomination can find this story illuminating, particularly if they (or someone they know) has felt they were in the bonds of a "religion", but were instead seeking a personal relationship with God. While the story of the WCG's collective journey from religion to relationship is here documented in Transformed by Truth, the individual's personal journey on that path cannot be missed.

Thank God for what He has done in the lives of those who have come to understand by grace we have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Most of the WCG never unstood this before. By Joe Tkach writing this book others can see the greatness of Gods hand in our lives. God is glorified through such testamonies as these, hopefully this example of Gods great work will be a means of bringing someone to Christ. This book has many types critizing it, but thats what happens when someone follows Jesus. So we welcome this persecution, because it is done in the name of Jesus. All such stories should be told for they give honor to our Lord and savior. May all read this book and take it literally. I know first hand what has happened in this book. I have been a member of the WCG for 37 years and went through these things, losing my family, but gaining a deep loving personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I would lose everything to gain this. May God continue to bless this organization, Mr.Tkach, his board and all peoples and churches everywhere who seek out and discover that they to can truly know, trust and be loved by our Savior, Jesus the Lord.

It took a lot of guts for Joe Tkach to lay it all on the line in this book. He travels through the church's cultic past and he painfully details how error after error made by the WCG finally proved to be non-biblical and had to be repented of and corrected. He even deals directly and gracefully with the personal errors of Herbert W. Armstrong. Every church leader by reading this book can learn how important it is to stick to the Bible and Jesus Christ and not on their own wisdom for guiding those whom God is calling out of this life to be His sheep.

I have personally met Joseph Tkach, Jr. I have looked into his eyes and seen the Spirit of God working there. In his book "Transformed by Truth", Tkach summarizes the road to Christianity taken by the Worldwide Church of God. A road with its starting point in founder, Herbert W. Armstrong and its radical fork under the leadership of Joseph Tkach Sr. and Jr. From a Christian standpoint, it is encouraging and exciting to see the revival that changed the Worldwide Church of God from the inside out. Tkach did a valiant effort trying to summarize in one book the Worldwide Church of God story to both its current members as well as those outside its denomination -- each with preconceived notions and theories of the church, its history and current viewpoints, some accurate and some not. As a Worldwide Church of God member, I lived through many of the times that Tkach speaks of ! I saw and personally experienced the tragedies that many WCG members experienced - tragedies of broken lives, spit families, hurt feelings, and doctrinal error that humans and human leaders unintentionally inflict upon themselves and their followers in the name of trying to follow God. Tkach touches on, but does not extensively dwell on, this historical & emotional aspect of WCG, choosing to focus on the latter part of its history and the events leading to and through the fork in the road as God led the church to make the transition from what many of you will call "Cult to Christian". In any work that is so dramatically emotional as a religious change of the magnitude the Worldwide Church of God has undertaken, it is easy to find fault and criticize. Whatever your denomination or affiliation, I encourage Christians worldwide to read this book and take it at its face value as a testimony of what God can do in your life. Many current and former members of the WCG sacrificed their hearts and lives in many ways so this story could be told. "Transformed by Truth", a story worth the telling and the hearing....

As you read about the events that transformed this church from a cult to a pillar in mainstream Christianity you can see God's loving hand at work. It took unswerving faith for this church to accept the correction that cost them so much in numbers but gained them so much in Christ.