Recovery from mind control and spiritual and emotional abuse is a difficult and painful endeavor. The following books offer help to aid exiters of Worldwide Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, and all affiliated authoritarian splinter groups.
The following books may be purchased online at Amazon, major bookstores, or e-bay, and in some cases obtained through an inter-library loan.
UNDERSTANDING THOUGHT REFORM / RECOVERING FROM ABUSE AND TRAUMA
HERBERT ARMSTRONG / WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
SPIRITUAL COMFORT / INSPIRATION
NEW AGE MOVEMENT / FREEMASONRY
Understanding Thought Reform / Recovering From Abuse and Trauma
- CAPTIVE HEARTS, CAPTIVE MINDS (Freedom and Recovery From Cults and Abusive Relationships) by Madeline Tobias and Janja Lalich
- THE SUBTLE POWER OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE (Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church) by David Johnson & Jeff VanVonderen
- THE HERESY OF MIND CONTROL (Recognizing Con-artists, Tyrants and Spiritual Abusers in leadership)
by Stephen Martin - CHURCHES THAT ABUSE (Help for those hurt by legalism, authoritarian leadership, manipulation, excessive discipline and spiritual intimidation.)
By Ronald M. Enroth (online book.) - RECOVERING FROM CHURCHES THAT ABUSE (The road back from spiritual abuse; healing for families who hurt; recovery for survivors of cults and sects; guidance for pastors and counselors.)
By Ronald M. Enroth (online book.) - ON THE THRESHOLD OF HOPE (Opening the Door to Healing For Survivors of Sexual Abuse) by Diane Mandt Langberg, Ph.D.
- ESCAPING UTOPIA (Growing Up in a Cult, Getting Out, and Starting Over) by Janja Lalich and Janja Lalich
- TWISTED SCRIPTURES by Mary Alice Chrnalogar
- SCRIPTURE TWISTING (20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible) by James W. Sire
- DAMAGED DISCIPLES (Casualties of Authoritarian Churches and the Shepherding Movement) by Ron & Vicky Burks
Available from used bookstores such as Thrift books at a reasonable price. - WHEN PROPHECY FAILS (A Social & Psychological Study of a Modern Group That Predicted the Destruction of the World) by Leon Festinger
- SNAPPING (America’s Epidemic of Sudden Personality Change) by Flo Conway & Jim Siegelman
- TRAUMA AND RECOVERY by Judith Lewis Herman, M.D.
- NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR by George Orwell
- ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell
- WITHOUT CONSCIENCE (The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us) by Dr. Robert D. Hare
The following is important reading for anyone researching HWA and WCG:
Herbert Armstrong / Worldwide Church of God
NOTE: William Hohmann of Exit & Support Network™ scanned, formatted, and re-sized the first three books on this list in 2013 and 2014 in order to make them available in PDF format. A Spanish brother did the translations into Spanish.
- ARMSTRONGISM: RELIGION OR RIP-OFF? (An Exposé of the Armstrong Modus Operandi) by Marion J. McNair, 1977
As a former member and employee for over thirty years, McNair observed the degree of bondage to which many had fallen. His personal eye-witness testimony and documentation is unparalleled for presenting the true inside story of the Armstrong modus operandi. Chapters 2 and 3 give an analyses of Herbert Armstrong’s co-worker letters, revealing the propaganda methods he used in order to solicit donors and then con them out of thousands of dollars. Also covers his many false prophecies and the decay and decline of his empire.
NOTE: We have this book available in PDF and you can download it on this page or on Facebook here. This is also available for download in Spanish on same pages. Esto también está disponible en español. - HERBERT ARMSTRONG’S TANGLED WEB (An Insider’s View of the Worldwide Church of God) by David Robinson, 1980
David Robinson, a former WCG minister and employee in varied capacities, writes from firsthand knowledge with deep disappointment and has come to agree with Solomon who advised against putting trust in men. What is Herbert Armstrong’s real power base? Is he really backed by God as he claims? HWA’s absolute power beginning in the `70s can be read in Chapter IX. Chapter XVIII covers Petra and the Place of Safety. Chapter XX covers HWA and the incest story.
NOTE: This book also available from our PDF download page, or the Facebook link above. Also available for download in Spanish on same pages as above. Esto también está disponible en español. - THE BROADWAY TO ARMAGEDDON by William B. Hinson, 1977
Hinson, a former WCG minister, exposes a system of bondage that enslaved the minds and bodies of its members. Lots of revealing information, including list of ministers who exited in the `70s, and threats and scare tactics used. Chapters include: “How I Got Involved,” “Don’t Be Ensnared,” “Ministers Leave the Armstrongs–Why?” “The Bondage of Tithing,” “Armstrong’s Belief & Practices on Medicines and Doctors,” “Marriage & Divorce–Armstrong Style, “We Must Get Back to the Faith Once Delivered.” “Herbert W. Armstrong The False Prophet” and more. Includes letters from former members and memos.
NOTE: This book also available from our PDF download page, or the Facebook link above. Also available for download in Spanish on same pages as above (español). Esto también está disponible en español. - THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE (Herbert Armstrong’s Empire Exposed) by John Tuit, 1981
John Tuit initiated the lawsuit brought by the Attorney General of California against Herbert Armstrong, Stanley Rader, and other leaders of the Worldwide Church of God.
NOTE: John Tuit held to many of HWA’s doctrines (covered mainly in Chapter 20 of his book) and believed God “used HWA” in the beginning, but not later on. These doctrines are covered and refuted in ESN’s two critiques of Mystery of the Ages on our PDF download page. - THE ARMSTRONG EMPIRE (A Look at the Worldwide Church of God) by Joseph Hopkins, 1974
(Check your library or used book stores) - BEWARE “AMBASSADORS” BEARING GIFTS! by Des Griffin.
Covers the tragic story of Garnet Hill and what happened to him after he responded to HWA’s plea for more money. This story may be read on our site.
The following additional books are helpful in refuting Armstrong’s doctrinal errors (more titles under “Biblical Studies”):
- ARMSTRONGISM’S 300 ERRORS EXPOSED (by 1300 Bible verses) by S. E. Anderson, 1973
This exposé of Armstrongism is the result of long and concentrated study of the cult’s magazines, books, tracts, correspondence lessons, and personal letters. The author has spent 50 years in Bible studies, preaching and teaching. (290 pp)
Order used from Amazon.com (or check other used book dealers) - THE KINGDOM OF THE CULTS by Walter Martin
NOTICE: Find the older editions (i.e. 1985 or earlier) of this book. It is now very hard to find, so check eBay and used bookstores. Note: The chapter on Herbert Armstrong which was taken from the book may be purchased in softcover through Alibris Used Books. The new versions of KOTC approve and participate in the deceptive Worldwide Church of God (GCI) New Age agenda. NOTE: Be aware that the late Walter Martin, founder of CRI in 1960, was also one of the founders of the EMNR (Evangelical Ministries to New Religions). See expose of the Christian Research Institute. - AMBASSADORS OF ARMSTRONGISM by Paul N. Benware, 1984
An Analysis of the history and teachings of the Worldwide Church of God.
Order from abebooks - THE PLAIN TRUTH ABOUT ARMSTRONGISM by Roger R. Chambers, 1972, 1988
Valuable background information about the teachings of Armstrongism; examines and repudiates the arguments set forth in United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy. Chapter 2 shows HWA’s error on “The Sabbath and the Law.” (165 pp)
Order from Alibris or Amazon.com - HERBERT ARMSTRONG: MR. CONFUSION by Roger F. Campbell
Small 7 page booklet, but very good.
Order from The People’s Gospel Hour (search for the title) Or read this booklet on our site. - ARMSTRONGISM: THE WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD EXAMINED IN THE SEARCHING LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE By Dr. Robert L. Sumner
This is a 424 hardbound book with carefully documented evidence of the WCG’s original teachings.
Order from The Biblical Evangelist by phone (scroll down on page) or from Alibris or Thriftbooks - HERBERT ARMSTRONG, A FALSE PROPHET by Dr. Robert L. Sumner
Pamphlet. Order from Alibris (search for title when page opens) - SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISM RENOUNCED by D. M. Canright
Canright spent 28 years in Adventism. He was taught that to give up the Advent faith was to give up the Bible. A classic book which not only shows the errors of Adventism (a group that HWA received and plagiarized much of his teaching from), but goes in depth concerning why the Sabbath is not binding on N. T. Christians. (Important chapters are: “Did the Pope Change the Sabbath?” and “Forty-Seven Prominent Texts Used by Sabbatarians Examined.”)
This book may also be read online. - ANGELS OF DECEIT: THE MASTERMINDS BEHIND RELIGIOUS DECEPTIONS by Richard Lee and Ed Hindson
Covers a number of false teachers and prophets, including Herbert W. Armstrong. Part one: The Process of Spiritual Deception; Part Two: The Masters of Deception. - SCRIPTURE TWISTING (20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible) by James W. Sire
Spiritual Comfort / Inspiration
- SHADE OF HIS HAND (For the Comfort of the Sorrowing) by Victoria Booth Demarest (The Westminster Press,1944)
Very inspirational. Out of print; available through Barnes & Noble.com or used book stores. - DEATH OF A LITTLE CHILD by J. Vernon McGee
A very comforting booklet for any who have lost a child.
Download it free in PDF - ON COMFORT (Words of Hope for the Hurting) by J. Vernon McGee
Of special interest is Chapter 1: “The God of All Comfort”
Order from: Thru the Bible - THE POWER OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS by Andrew Murray
Classic book revealing the glorious power of the blood of Jesus and the wonderful blessings procured for us by it.
This book may also be read online in PDF. - GOD SO LOVED (John 3:16) by J. Vernon McGee
Shows God’s infinite, marvelous love and the length to which He has gone to demonstrate it.
Download this booklet free. - FULL ASSURANCE by H. A. Ironside
How any troubled soul may find settled peace with God.
This book may be read online. - THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE MULLER
Muller recounts his struggles and triumphs as he establishes orphan homes to care for thousands of English children, depending only upon God’s response to prayer to supply the daily needs of the orphans. By the time Muller was old, God had shown Himself faithful to ten thousand children.
Order from Amazon.com - GEORGE MULLER OF BRISTOL (His Life of Prayer and Faith) by A. T. Pierson
A very inspiring classic biography on the life of George Muller. Shows that God is faithful to all who put their trust in Him and that He will not forsake those who rely upon Him. George Muller had 50,000 recorded answers to specific prayers.
Order from Amazon.com or this book may also be read online.
Biblical Studies
- THE TRIUMPH OF THE CRUCIFIED (A survey of the history of salvation in the N. T.) by Erich Sauer
Out of print; may be bought used. - THE DAWN OF WORLD REDEMPTION (A survey of the history of salvation in the O.T.) by Erich Sauer
Out of print; may be bought used - AN EVERLASTING LOVE (A Devotional Study of the Gospel of John) by John G. Mitchell.
Order from Alibris Used Book - JESUS CHRIST IS GOD! by Robert L. Sumner
One of most comprehensive works defending the Deity of Christ. Chapter two confronts the arguments which say the Holy Spirit is an impersonal “it.”
Order from The Biblical Evangelist by phone (scroll down on page) or from abebooks - THE ETERNAL SONSHIP OF CHRIST by George W. Zeller and Renald E. Showers
This may be read online as a PDF - THE WORK OF CHRIST (HIS PAST WORK, PRESENT WORK, FUTURE WORK) by Arno C.Gaebelein
This may be read online. - WHEN CRITICS ASK: A POPULAR HANDBOOK ON BIBLE DIFFICULTIES by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe)
May be purchased used and new. - A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NEW COVENANT by Bob George
Order from Bob George Ministries or Amazon (Note: This is one of Bob George’s “Closer Look” series.) - HOLINESS: THE FALSE AND THE TRUE by H. A. Ironside
The fruitless struggle to attain holiness; covers true sanctification.
This book may also be read online. (PDF) - SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISM RENOUNCED by D. M. Canright
Canright spent 28 years in Adventism. He was taught that to give up the Advent faith was to give up the Bible. A classic book which not only shows the errors of Adventism (a group that HWA received and plagiarized much of his teaching from), but goes in depth concerning why the Sabbath is not binding on N. T. Christians. (Important chapters are: “Did the Pope Change the Sabbath?” and “Forty-Seven Prominent Texts Used by Sabbatarians Examined.”) This book may also be read online. - THE SABBATH AND THE LORD’S DAY by H. M. Riggle
A classic book. Also covers “The Pope and the Sabbath.”
This book may also be read online (or download as PDF from this site) - REASONING WITH JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES (online book by Kevin Quick)
Since Jehovah’s Witness are one group Herbert Armstrong plagiarized from, this study can be helpful in comparing a number of his teachings with Scripture. A collection of 800 Bible verses that objectively and soundly refutes the teachings of JWs on every major point of doctrine. In the Preface he tells the story of how he got in there and why he left.
This book may be read online. - MAJOR BIBLE THEMES by Lewis Sperry Chafer
52 Vital Doctrines of the Scripture Simplified and Explained.
This book may also be read online. (PDF) - PAULINE DISPENSATIONALISM by Miles J. Stanford (PDF)
This study may be read online. - THE BIBLE KNOWLEDGE COMMENTARY: OLD & NEW TESTAMENT, 2 VOLUMES
Edited By: John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck
Order from Amazon - UNGER’S BIBLE DICTIONARY
One of the bestselling Bible dictionaries on the market. Check eBay for the older version in hardback.
THE OCCULT
- BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN by Kurt E. Koch
The dangers of fortune-telling, magic, spiritism, occult literature. Includes case histories of healing and freedom and how Christ is the Victor.
Order from Alibris Used Books - OCCULT ABC (Exposing Occult Practices and Ideologies) by Kurt E. Koch
Discusses 71 occult practices and ideologies of today in light of Scriptural principles. Includes the effects of occult practices and how liberation comes through Christ.
Order from Amazon.
Read a number of excerpts from the book. - MASONIC AND OCCULT SYMBOLS ILLUSTRATED by Dr. Cathy Burns
Uncovers the hidden meanings behind the symbols that we see around us every day. Hundreds of illustrations along with their explanations.
Order from Amazon.
NEW AGE MOVEMENT / FREEMASONRY
- A “WONDERFUL” DECEPTION: THE FURTHER NEW AGE IMPLICATIONS OF THE EMERGING PURPOSE DRIVEN MOVEMENT by Warren B. Smith
- RUNNING AGAINST THE WIND (The Transformation of a New Age Medium and His Warning to the Church) by Brian Flynn
- THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF THE RAINBOW by Constance Cumbey
Much on the New Age movement; includes front organizations. - INSIDE THE NEW AGE NIGHTMARE by Randall N. Baer
Book may be purchased used. The first few chapters of this book may be read online. - NEW AGE CULTS & RELIGIONS by Texe Marrs
“This outstanding work carefully analyzes these groups, revealing substantial, detailed information to convincingly answer the questions most asked.” (The 1990 edition covers Worldwide Church of God.) - THE DEADLY DECEPTION (FREEMASONRY EXPOSED BY ONE OF ITS TOP LEADERS By Jim Shaw and Tom McKenney
- PLEASE TELL ME–QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK ABOUT FREEMASONRY AND THE ANSWERS By Tom C. McKenney
- MASONIC AND OCCULT SYMBOLS ILLUSTRATED by Dr. Cathy Burns
Uncovers the hidden meanings behind the symbols that we see around us every day. Hundreds of illustrations along with their explanations.
SPECIAL INTEREST
- 7 MEN WHO RULE THE WORLD FROM THE GRAVE by Dave Breese
These men have altered the thinking of society. They generated philosophies that have been ardently grasped by masses of people but are erroneous and antiscriptural. Today these ideas pervade our schools, businesses, homes, and even the church. The author warns of the dangers of believing unreservedly the ideas of these seven men and reminds us of the only man whose life and words we can trust completely–Jesus Christ. - SOCIALISM – THE REAL HISTORY FROM PLATO TO THE PRESENT: HOW THE DEEP STATE CAPITALIZES ON CRISES TO CONSOLIDATE CONTROL by William J. Federer
Is socialism the dream of an ideal society? Is it a wonderful “utopia” or a totalitarian nightmare? Will cover how the deep state capitalizes on crises to consolidate control. - THE GREAT EVANGELICAL DISASTER by Frances Schaeffer
Have Christians compromised their stand on truth and morality until there is almost nothing they will speak out against? Has the evangelical church itself sold out to the world? - NEW NEUTRALISM II: EXPOSING THE GRAY OF COMPROMISE by John E. Ashbrook
New evangelicalism has proven to be an enemy of the sound doctrine, reverent worship and holy living which marked Biblical Christianity fifty years ago. The author sees new evangelicalism as taking former fundamental ministries back to a reunion with the apostasy which their forefathers left in the 1930’s.
Order used from Goodreads.com or eBay. - THE CODEPENDENCY CONSPIRACY (How to break the recovery habit and take charge of your life.) by Dr. Stan J. Katz and Aimee E. Liu
The first hard hitting and constructive expose` of America’s recovery movement. reexamines the theory of codependency; reveals the psychological damage that self-help methods can inflict; explores the similarities between the codependency movement and fundamentalist religions and cults. - MY JOURNEY INTO CALVINISM (PDF) By Brenda Nickel
Brenda’s Testimony: Her 14 years in Calvinism. - THE GOD MAKERS: A Shocking Expose of What the Mormon Church Really Believes by Ed Decker and Dave Hunt
Reveals the true nature of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its hidden worldwide agenda. - TALKING IN TONGUES! by J. Vernon McGee
The Modern Tongues Movement – Babel or Pentecost? And Walking in the Spirit
Order from Amazon. - THE TONGUES DECEPTION & THE LINE DRAWN by Thomas R. Durgin and Miles J. Stanford
The second part by Stanford is the most concise refutation of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement ever written. Chapters IV, VII, & VIII focus upon the true and false tongues.
This book will open in PDF with Acrobat Adobe Reader.