I never knew the man intimately, but was one of his last students before he stopped teaching classes at AC, after 1970.
Despite all the evil things he is alleged to have done, with or without any evidence of proof of these, the man can only be known by his fruits.
In my few interactions with him personally and individually, or that I have heard about from those with firsthand experience, I found HWA to be friendly, personable, approachable and humble enough to admit and attempt to correct errors when they were brought to his attention.
Where I think he erred most, other than in setting false dates when he expected end-time prophecies to take place, relying too much on the secular/Catholic calendar and Jewish religions for "inspiration," being easily persuaded/manipulated to take long trips abroad instead of taking care of things within WWCG and AC, and taking too liberal advantage of the tithes and offerings to live extravagantly, was in naively trusting those around him, and making foolish choices in promoting many who were not worthy.
Had HWA instead followed the scriptural example of casting the lot things could have turned out much better for everyone concerned, assuming there were enough worthy of receiving that outcome as a blessing from the Creator, who nevertheless allows us to have the leaders we most deserve, for good or ill.
Only He can judge this man, but as Gamaliel told the Sanhedrin in relation to the Apostles' teachings: "Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their activity is of human origin it will fail" (Acts 5:38).
The legacy of Worldwide and AC was, in the end, failure -- at least on the surface -- but it did serve a higher spiritual purpose of a prophetic warning to this age of things still to come. In that, I believe, HWA served a more noble spiritual purpose in spite of himself.
Though he ruled AC very strictly, I believe he meant well, and tried very hard to do the right thing, as best he knew. Well, he may have been somewhat arrogant, pompous, and conceited, and he seemed to have been convinced of his own greatness. . . . but none of us are perfect. If only he had never lied and always told the truth!
I hope this message finds everyone here, happy, in good spirits, and in the best of health!
Had HWA been correct in his prophesying, Jesus would have been here on earth by now! But unfortunately, AC & the WWCG was a non-prophet organization! But they never would admit it. I once saw a segment on The Twilight Zone (one of the most creative shows on U.S. TV), that portrayed a time where people HAD to tell the truth and it changed the nature of American politics DRASTICALLY! Now AC & the WWCG never showed a profit, only huge losses! If only they never lied, and always told the truth--plain or not! Warmest & best regards to all here!
HWA hated the Roman Catholic Church, which he called, "the church of Satan the Devil." Ironically, it is the Catholic Church that now owns the erstwhile Ambassador College, that once existed in Big Sandy, Texas! Now what will become of the "headquarters" AC Pasadena campus is anyone's guess! As far as the outside world sees it, AC might have, just as well, never existed! Now, Catholic institutions, such as the Univ. of Notre Dame and Gonzaga Univ., are growing and thriving! And, what HWA once called "God's college" barely exists and has, for the most part, disappeared. Now God was no more involved in operating AC any more than He was in operating the New York Mets, the Houston Astros, or the Los Angeles Dodgers!
Richard Houghton (Scott) (1969)
I never knew the man intimately, but was one of his last students before he stopped teaching classes at AC, after 1970.
Despite all the evil things he is alleged to have done, with or without any evidence of proof of these, the man can only be known by his fruits.
In my few interactions with him personally and individually, or that I have heard about from those with firsthand experience, I found HWA to be friendly, personable, approachable and humble enough to admit and attempt to correct errors when they were brought to his attention.
Where I think he erred most, other than in setting false dates when he expected end-time prophecies to take place, relying too much on the secular/Catholic calendar and Jewish religions for "inspiration," being easily persuaded/manipulated to take long trips abroad instead of taking care of things within WWCG and AC, and taking too liberal advantage of the tithes and offerings to live extravagantly, was in naively trusting those around him, and making foolish choices in promoting many who were not worthy.
Had HWA instead followed the scriptural example of casting the lot things could have turned out much better for everyone concerned, assuming there were enough worthy of receiving that outcome as a blessing from the Creator, who nevertheless allows us to have the leaders we most deserve, for good or ill.
Only He can judge this man, but as Gamaliel told the Sanhedrin in relation to the Apostles' teachings: "Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their activity is of human origin it will fail" (Acts 5:38).
The legacy of Worldwide and AC was, in the end, failure -- at least on the surface -- but it did serve a higher spiritual purpose of a prophetic warning to this age of things still to come. In that, I believe, HWA served a more noble spiritual purpose in spite of himself.
Nancy/Anne Dark (B S 1974) (Scott)
Although I never spoke with him, I do remember once at a Worldwide Feast waving at HWA. HE waved back and smiled at me.
Harry Eisenberg (1964)
Though he ruled AC very strictly, I believe he meant well, and tried very hard to do the right thing, as best he knew. Well, he may have been somewhat arrogant, pompous, and conceited, and he seemed to have been convinced of his own greatness. . . . but none of us are perfect. If only he had never lied and always told the truth!
I hope this message finds everyone here, happy, in good spirits, and in the best of health!
Your friend,
Harry E.
Harry Eisenberg (1964)
Had HWA been correct in his prophesying, Jesus would have been here on earth by now! But unfortunately, AC & the WWCG was a non-prophet organization! But they never would admit it. I once saw a segment on The Twilight Zone (one of the most creative shows on U.S. TV), that portrayed a time where people HAD to tell the truth and it changed the nature of American politics DRASTICALLY! Now AC & the WWCG never showed a profit, only huge losses! If only they never lied, and always told the truth--plain or not! Warmest & best regards to all here!
Your friend,
Harry E.
Harry Eisenberg (1964)
HWA hated the Roman Catholic Church, which he called, "the church of Satan the Devil." Ironically, it is the Catholic Church that now owns the erstwhile Ambassador College, that once existed in Big Sandy, Texas! Now what will become of the "headquarters" AC Pasadena campus is anyone's guess! As far as the outside world sees it, AC might have, just as well, never existed! Now, Catholic institutions, such as the Univ. of Notre Dame and Gonzaga Univ., are growing and thriving! And, what HWA once called "God's college" barely exists and has, for the most part, disappeared. Now God was no more involved in operating AC any more than He was in operating the New York Mets, the Houston Astros, or the Los Angeles Dodgers!