A rarity for me is the decision to delve into a somewhat more esoteric subject, however keeping entirely within the context of the British monarchy. That being the relationship of the doctrines of British Israelism and Armstrongism to the British monarchy and to monarchism.
British Israelism is a doctrine and movement that developed in the 19th Century arguing that the English-speaking nations were somehow descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel and that the Royal Family is of Davidic descent. It gained some currency during the height of Britain's imperial power, and even the support of some of our elites, although it remained a minority current. Still, organisations like the British Israel World Federation (BIWF) and Brit Am, as well as a number of small churches, espouse the doctrine to this day.
Perhaps the controversy around British Israelism revolves around the alleged racial connotations of the doctrine, and also its complex and uncertain relationship to Zionism, although many British Israel advocates are quite supportive of Israel today. An ideologically similar movement developed in the US known as the Black Hebrew Israelites espouse similar theories about the origin of Africans, though they remain apart from both mainstream black religion and from actually racialist religious movements (such as the Nation of Islam and the Nuwaubians).
Likewise, British Israelism is sometimes confused with more explicitly racialist forms of Christianity like Christian Identity (most notably espoused by the neo-Nazi Aryan Nations) and Kinism, while other white nationalist movements have lately tried to adopt the cloak of "traditional" Christianity (mainly Catholic, Orthodox or Calvinist). However, British Israel groups consciously distance themselves from this.
However, one of the most prominent exponents of a British Israel doctrine was the pioneering radio evangelist Herbert W. Armstrong (1892-1986) of the Worldwide Church of God.
The Worldwide Church of God became famous for its practices like Sabbath and belief in British Israelism (including the Davidic descent of the Royal Family), and other beliefs that put it outside the mainstream of Christianity. The WCG reached its peak during the 60s and 70s until Armstrong's death in 1986, in common with the fad for embracing New Religious Movements.
Like some other movements, such as the Unification Church (aka Moonies), its heterodox beliefs did not preclude it from seeking mainstream reach and respectability. Armstrong himself met many world leaders including royalty. The WCG became known for its extensive media operations - The World Tomorrow on radio and TV, The Plain Truth magazine - and also educational institutions. This brought it considerable income and property and a global reach. Although in common with other NRMs there was no lack of controversy and scandal, they seemed/seem less objectionable than many NRMs are, and that includes some larger and more famous ones.
When Armstrong died in 1986, his successor Joseph W. Tkach transformed the church into a mainstream evangelical Protestant denomination. A transformation even more radical than Vatican II, and essentially embracing a new religion. Unsurprisingly, this did not sit well with traditionalists who adhered to Armstrong teachings. Already, Armstrong's son Garner Ted Armstrong split for the church for other reasons in the 70s to form his own church which continues today. But the result of the WCG's transformation was to repudiate all its traditional beliefs and legacy of its founder, and thus changing its name to Grace Communion International in 2009.
We have seen the result of what happens when you do that. The WCG/GCI no longer has the media presence it once had, and no longer has the property, media and educational enterprises it had under Armstrong, and lost a great deal of its membership as a result.
Thus, a host of Armstrongist churches emerged as a result of schisms from the WCG. One of the first post-1986 schisms is the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) led by Gerald Flurry and his son Stephen. Based in Edmond, Oklahoma, the Philadelphia Church of God is known for its media operations with the website The Trumpet, with the Philadelphia Trumpet magazine, Key of David TV show and Trumpet radio shows.
The PCG as a traditionalist schism adheres to Armstrongist and British Israel beliefs, and supports the British monarchy. Numerous articles on its website and broadcasting bear witness to this. As the church is viewed (or views itself) as the legitimate heir to Armstrong and his teachings, they have also emulated the educational and cultural institutions established by the WCG, with a school, college and auditorium.
Other WCG schisms include the United Church of God (UCG), Global Church of God (GCG), Living Church of God (LCG) and Restored Church of God (RCG), all of whom adhere to traditional Armstrongist beliefs including British Israel. Many of these sects also run their own media and educational operations. It is worth noting that a certain reverence for the British monarchy exists among many of these sects and is evident in their numerous publications. Through these, the splinter churches seemingly dwarf the parent WCG/GCI in profile even if they do not match WCG at its peak. A lesson to be learned there.
So what do we make of British Isralism and Armstrongism in relation to the monarchy and monarchism? Most of us adhere to a traditional, orthodox form of Christianity and thus will have no time whatsoever for religious sects which are heterodox and have modern origins. Yet at the same time we cannot ignore their support for the British monarchy and belief in Britain and its place in the world.
Category: British Isles and the Commonwealth