I'm looking around online and knew that he was a heretic but I want to get some good info put together. Apparently there's a family who left our church a few years ago but they still attend our homeschool group (of which I am one of the leaders) and it seems she's been telling two of the other ladies (both members of our church, one is my co-leader and the other helps to run classes) that they need to leave our church because the church is being used by Satan and that churches today are unbiblical. Of course she is also telling them that the new swine flu shot has a microchip in it which is the mark of the beast and if we don't get the shot, we'll be sent to concentration camps. :BangHead: I'm guessing this may come to a head soon and I want to be armed and ready to deal with it.
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Can someone give me a basic run-down on Harold Camping?
- Thread starter annsni
- Start date
I know that he's the one who came up with the 1994 date for Christ's return (right as that 1992 date by the Korean group was failing), and that you see his "Family Radio" tracts a lot here in the city.
His Family Radio was what the anti-CCM fundies here used to listen to, regardless.
Then, all of a sudden, he came up with this teaching about the church, and he seems to base it on the "false gospels" which I think are supposed to mean Arminianism. (I'm sure he still hasn't given up his church organization, though!)
His Family Radio was what the anti-CCM fundies here used to listen to, regardless.
Then, all of a sudden, he came up with this teaching about the church, and he seems to base it on the "false gospels" which I think are supposed to mean Arminianism. (I'm sure he still hasn't given up his church organization, though!)
I've been reading up on him tonight and he's totally against churches - they're all apostate according to him. But of course his own ministry is what God is going to use to spread the Gospel.
One interesting thing I see is that there's not one leader, one "elder" or anyone other than some ignorant followers who support him. I find that to be telling. If you're right on, there will be others who will be right on. May 2011 would be noted by atleast ONE other person, wouldn't it??
Ugh - I'm having a feeling this is not going to be a pretty discussion with this person.
DrRandyGrace
New Member
Here is some information that I found interesting. I hope that it is helpful.
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Wolves/harold_camping.htm
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Wolves/harold_camping.htm
There seems to be a lot of these guys running around of late.
OK, so that's it! I didn't realize this current rejection of the Church was tied into that date. Just like the JW's and Millerites before him. I didn't hear him with this new teaching until years later. Must have been a long pondered afterthought!
People just never learn. Why would it come true this time after all the other failed dates listed on the other site?
Hear him "debate" James White:
http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3406
http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3407
http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3406
http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php?itemid=3407
Back in the 70's I listened to Family Radio, and enjoyed some of their shows, such as the one that came from the Pacific Garden Mission. They played drama's about people's stories of their conversions, and they were very encouraging, and uplifting.
Back then Family Radio had a schedule that included many pre-taped sermons from various churches around the country.
Also, their music was very nice; which included many choir, songs, and symphonic pieces that were very beautiful to listen too.
*****
I think what really concerned me was when I listened to Campings forum, where he took calls from listeners on the air.
I began to pick up from his answers/discourses that he was extremely "rigid" lacking the "grace" of the Christian message.
He held to this belief that if a person was divorced and remarried, they were committing adultery. I called him up and asked him if there were any conditions for remarrying? The only condition he approved-of was in the case of the death of a spouse. I asked him if he approved of remarriage if one's spouse was unfaithful, and committed adultery, in a big way? He again said that if the victimized spouse were to file for divorce, and remarry they were adulterer's.
This was a very difficult thing for me to understand, or accept. No doubt it caused much confusion and travail withing the Family Radio audience.
I called him because I had married for the first time, a woman who had been divorced due to her ex's adulterous conduct, and unrepentance. This woman had a little toddler, whom I adopted with the biological father's consent shortly after I married.
Camping had the "gall" to tell me on-air before the whole Family Radio listening audience, that I and my new wife were "living in sin". I was absolutely floored! I asked him if he were recommending for me to have my marriage annulled? He hemmed and hawwed, and wouldn't recommend or commit to that, but just went on and said I was in sinful violation along with my wife.
So Camping's approach was that my wife stay in this marriage with this blatant adulterer, and raise her and their child the best possible way, being a good Christian wife and mother. Only death of a spouse was green-lighted by Camping to allow remarriage.
I was not the only Christian caller who was hit with this, though we all tried to rebuttle him, he/Camping was steadfast. We were all adulterer's; end of discussion.
*******
I still listened to the beautiful music and some of the shows that were broadcast; i.e. stories of famous Christians, "Unshackled"......etc...
Gradually these shows disappeared, and also the taped sermon messages from various churches.
I finally drifted away from listening to Family Radio, and just tuned into a Salem Broadcasting AM frequency Christian station that carried the well-known Christian shows, such as Swindohl, Stanley, MacArthur, etc.....
*******
It was some years later that I also heard about Campings end of world predictions, and that settled it for me. This guy was a crackpot, and false teacher to the nth degree.
When the world didn't end, Camping just said that his calculations were off, but really didn't apologize to the Christian body for misleading so many. I believe he still is pushing an end of world date.
*****
Interestingly, Family Radio still broadcasts beautiful Christian vocal, choir and symphonic music. What I find ironic is that much of that music has to eminate from recorded church choirs, and special Church sponsored symphonic shows. If Camping is so "down" on all churches being apostate, why does Family Radio still play music that is often from churches?
******
Also, I've noticed that there are still some recognizable voices that do the hosting on F.R., but I never hear them talk of or propagate Camping's false gospel.
For the life of me, I can't understand how his staff can even continue to work there and tolerate Camping's teachings.
He indeed runs and owns that station heard all over the U.S., and with an iron fist.
If he finally passes away, maybe some major changes will happen at F.R.. Never the less, the staff at that station has a lot to answer for too.
******
Back then Family Radio had a schedule that included many pre-taped sermons from various churches around the country.
Also, their music was very nice; which included many choir, songs, and symphonic pieces that were very beautiful to listen too.
*****
I think what really concerned me was when I listened to Campings forum, where he took calls from listeners on the air.
I began to pick up from his answers/discourses that he was extremely "rigid" lacking the "grace" of the Christian message.
He held to this belief that if a person was divorced and remarried, they were committing adultery. I called him up and asked him if there were any conditions for remarrying? The only condition he approved-of was in the case of the death of a spouse. I asked him if he approved of remarriage if one's spouse was unfaithful, and committed adultery, in a big way? He again said that if the victimized spouse were to file for divorce, and remarry they were adulterer's.
This was a very difficult thing for me to understand, or accept. No doubt it caused much confusion and travail withing the Family Radio audience.
I called him because I had married for the first time, a woman who had been divorced due to her ex's adulterous conduct, and unrepentance. This woman had a little toddler, whom I adopted with the biological father's consent shortly after I married.
Camping had the "gall" to tell me on-air before the whole Family Radio listening audience, that I and my new wife were "living in sin". I was absolutely floored! I asked him if he were recommending for me to have my marriage annulled? He hemmed and hawwed, and wouldn't recommend or commit to that, but just went on and said I was in sinful violation along with my wife.
So Camping's approach was that my wife stay in this marriage with this blatant adulterer, and raise her and their child the best possible way, being a good Christian wife and mother. Only death of a spouse was green-lighted by Camping to allow remarriage.
I was not the only Christian caller who was hit with this, though we all tried to rebuttle him, he/Camping was steadfast. We were all adulterer's; end of discussion.
*******
I still listened to the beautiful music and some of the shows that were broadcast; i.e. stories of famous Christians, "Unshackled"......etc...
Gradually these shows disappeared, and also the taped sermon messages from various churches.
I finally drifted away from listening to Family Radio, and just tuned into a Salem Broadcasting AM frequency Christian station that carried the well-known Christian shows, such as Swindohl, Stanley, MacArthur, etc.....
*******
It was some years later that I also heard about Campings end of world predictions, and that settled it for me. This guy was a crackpot, and false teacher to the nth degree.
When the world didn't end, Camping just said that his calculations were off, but really didn't apologize to the Christian body for misleading so many. I believe he still is pushing an end of world date.
*****
Interestingly, Family Radio still broadcasts beautiful Christian vocal, choir and symphonic music. What I find ironic is that much of that music has to eminate from recorded church choirs, and special Church sponsored symphonic shows. If Camping is so "down" on all churches being apostate, why does Family Radio still play music that is often from churches?
******
Also, I've noticed that there are still some recognizable voices that do the hosting on F.R., but I never hear them talk of or propagate Camping's false gospel.
For the life of me, I can't understand how his staff can even continue to work there and tolerate Camping's teachings.
He indeed runs and owns that station heard all over the U.S., and with an iron fist.
If he finally passes away, maybe some major changes will happen at F.R.. Never the less, the staff at that station has a lot to answer for too.
******
Last edited by a moderator:
Alive in Christ
New Member
Eightball...
I too have heard many many of those "Unshackled" broadcasts. Usually while driving on the interstate tuning the dial for something good.
I have found every one of them to be terrifically edifying and a great blessing. Just wonderful.
I had no idea they came from Campings organization.
Ya just never know, I guess.
I too have heard many many of those "Unshackled" broadcasts. Usually while driving on the interstate tuning the dial for something good.
I have found every one of them to be terrifically edifying and a great blessing. Just wonderful.
I had no idea they came from Campings organization.
Ya just never know, I guess.
The "Unshackled" show wasn't created by Harold Camping's Family Radio. It was carried by his stations. No doubt other Christian stations carried that show throughout the U.S..
They weren't affiliated with Family Radio.
Also, keep in mind that when this show was carried by F.R., Harold Camping wasn't going off into "La La" land with his doctrine; at least as extreme....yet...
F.R. started losing shows like "Unshackled" and many solid daily/weekly ministries that used their airwaves, as Camping's messed-up doctrine started to emerge and become clearly identified as unbiblical.
I often wonder what will come of F.R. when Camping passes on. He's getting up there in age. I just wonder if those who do work for him or manage the station will be able to turn the ship around and getting on a better course.
I attend BSF(Bible Study Fellowship), and there is a gentleman in our study who just thinks F.R. is the next best thing to sliced bread. He is a fairly new Christian, though he isn't young in years. He often will tell individuals or the group as a whole how much he really likes listening to F.R.. I've at times wanted to talk to him in private about Camping, but haven't the heart. I think that it might be better if he discovers this himself. It is possible that he doesn't listen to the Pastor's Forum shows where Camping takes answers from listeners live on the air. If he did listen to that show, Camping's unbiblical beliefs will undoubtably be revealed.
If one doesn't listen to Camping on F.R., it would be difficult to realize that they have this unbiblical founder. The other shows carry beautiful Christian music in vocal, and symphonic format, and there are daily bible readings, etc...
*****
Anyway, "Unshackled" isn't part of F.R. or Camping. It's its own ministry. I don't even know if it is still going on stations anymore. Guess I could look it up on the web.
*****
Alive in Christ
New Member
Last edited by a moderator:
Well, thank you very very much! I'll check it out.
There is a fellow in my Church (www.1stperu.org) who has followed him for years and says that he used to be a great teacher and of late has fallen into lots of "strange doctrines" and is fond of declaring the time of Christ's return... unsuccessfully thus far of course... :thumbs:
He's gone far, far, beyond his failed predictions of Christ's return, and is now teaching that the "Church" is totally in a state of apostasy, and that all Christians should "flee" the organized church. Basically, he teaches as I understand that the H.S. has left the Church. His Family Radio is one of few possible ways for the Christian to receive sound H.S./biblical doctrine.
CRI has quite a write-up on Camping, as well as many other Christian-based sights; none of which is positive for Camping.
Basically, he's considered a false teacher.
Even though I don't see formal theological education as the only prerequisite for teaching the Word, Camping has no degree in that area. In fact he was a general contractor back in the 1940's when he was approached by a person suggesting they start a radio ministry. As far as I know since he left the construction industry, he never tried to attend seminary, bible college, etc....
Debby in Philly
Active Member
"Unshackled" is from the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, who bought air time on Family Radio. It was and is not produced by Camping.
And you are right about the music. I know of older folks who still keep it on in the car and at home because they play only Old, old music recorded long ago. They have no clue about his beliefs. I guess he figures that old records from when the church wasn't apostate are OK.
And you are right about the music. I know of older folks who still keep it on in the car and at home because they play only Old, old music recorded long ago. They have no clue about his beliefs. I guess he figures that old records from when the church wasn't apostate are OK.
Marcia
Active Member
Just fyi, my story was dramatized on "Unshackled!" back in '93. Some people have told me they have heard it more recently, so I think they replay those.
However, Family Radio refused to air it at the time (other stations aired it). I called them and they said that the story involved the occult so they wouldn't play it. Can you believe that? I told them it was deliverance from the occult!
Interestingly, I met a gentleman at a non-denominational Christian lay counseling training seminar in Denver who's salvation-story was also featured on "Unshackled". He was a Messianic Jew, I.E. He was Jewish and came to Christ for salvation. His family, being Jewish in religion, immediately rejected him. It was really something to hear this fellow tell the story in-person, and also having heard it on the radio some time before.
*****
F.R. not airing your salvation story: I'll bet the heavy hand of Camping was on that decision. He is a most strange bird.
So sad that a station can air so much biblical material, yet be tainted by the owner's apostasy.
Marcia
Active Member
Interestingly, I met a gentleman at a non-denominational Christian lay counseling training seminar in Denver who's salvation-story was also featured on "Unshackled". He was a Messianic Jew, I.E. He was Jewish and came to Christ for salvation. His family, being Jewish in religion, immediately rejected him. It was really something to hear this fellow tell the story in-person, and also having heard it on the radio some time before.
*****
F.R. not airing your salvation story: I'll bet the heavy hand of Camping was on that decision. He is a most strange bird.
So sad that a station can air so much biblical material, yet be tainted by the owner's apostasy.
Right, it's kind of ironic, isn't it? Not airing a true testimony because it has to do with the occult but then becoming unbiblical.