Herbert W. Armstrong

Herbert W. Armstrong
Armstrong in the mid-1970s
Born(1892-07-31)July 31, 1892
DiedJanuary 16, 1986(1986-01-16) (aged 93)
Resting placeAltadena, California, U.S.
EducationNorth High School, Des Moines[1][2]
Occupations
  • Evangelist
  • Author
Known for
TitlePastor General of the Worldwide Church of God (1946–1986)
SuccessorJoseph W. Tkach
Spouses
Loma Dillon
(m. 1917⁠–⁠1967)
(her death)
  • Ramona Martin (1977–1984, divorced)
Children4 with Loma (including Garner Ted)
RelativesDwight L. Armstrong (1904–1984), brother

Herbert W. Armstrong (July 31, 1892 – January 16, 1986) was an American evangelist who founded the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). An early pioneer of radio and television evangelism, Armstrong preached what he claimed was the comprehensive combination of doctrines in the entire Bible, in the light of the New Covenant scriptures, which he maintained to be the restored true Gospel.[3] These doctrines and teachings have been referred to as Armstrongism by non-adherents.

Armstrong's teachings required observance of parts of the Mosaic Law including seventh-day Sabbath, dietary prohibitions, and the covenant law "Holy Days". He also proclaimed that behind contemporary world events loomed various Biblical prophecies, interpreted in light of British Israelism.[4] As founder and head of the Ambassador International Cultural Foundation, Armstrong and his advisers met with heads of governments in various nations, for which he described himself as an "ambassador without portfolio for world peace."[citation needed]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ch1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Who Was Herbert W. Armstrong? How is He Viewed Today?". Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  3. ^ Tkach 1997, Chapter 7: What we Believed.
  4. ^ Armstrong, Herbert W. The United States and Britain in Prophecy.