66-book Protestant canon; Old Testament fully applicable to Christians today
Armstrongism affirms the 66-book Protestant biblical canon as the complete written Word of God. The Old Testament is fully authoritative and applicable to New Testament believers, not abrogated or superseded. God's law, including the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath, and the feasts, continues to bind Christians. The Apocrypha and other extrabiblical texts are rejected as non-canonical.
However, Armstrong's writings, particularly Mystery of the Ages, are presented as definitive doctrinal interpretation and summary of Scripture. While not formally equated with Scripture, Armstrong's works are treated with near-canonical authority, especially in the Philadelphia Church of God. This creates a functional dual-canon in practice: the written Scripture plus Armstrong's authoritative interpretation. Nevertheless, the official position maintains the closed 66-book canon.
Key Distinctions
- Ot canon:
- 39 books fully authoritative and applicable today
- Deuterocanonical status:
- rejected as apocryphal
- Additional scripture:
- Armstrong's Mystery of the Ages as definitive doctrinal summary (PCG); no formal additional scripture
- Canon open:
- closed written canon; ongoing apostolic teaching clarifies Scripture
Scripture References
Sources
- Herbert W. Armstrong, Mystery of the Ages
- Philadelphia Church of God doctrinal statements