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Acceptance into mainstream evangelicalism has come slowly—and there has been, in some instances, opposition, largely from "cult-watching groups" that, in the words of Joseph Tkach, Jr., "made the journey ten times more difficult."

But there have been exceptions. Hank Hanegraaff of the Christian Research Institute, successor to the late Walter Martin on The Bible Answer Man broadcast, speaks with a different voice: "Rather than developing hurdles for these guys to jump over, our job is to facilitate the process." In a recent radio interview with Tkach, Jr., and Albrecht, Hanegraaff introduced them as "brothers in the Lord."

D. James Kennedy, senior minister of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida, says: "This is the most astonishing change that I have ever seen or heard of in any religious group, for which I, for one, praise God."

Adds Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary: "I have met with the leadership of the church, and without reservation consider them brothers in Christ. I am profoundly moved by their testimonies of what God has done for them personally and in the movement. These people have led the most courageous, inspiring, and Christ-centered movement into biblical Christianity that I have ever seen."

The turnaround in this movement shows how hungry people are for an authentic Christian gospel. The legalism that characterizes so many of the cultic and sectarian movements—and segments of the evangelical church—simply does not satisfy people spiritually.

Likewise, the broader Christian community would do well to take note of the vitality of faith that is so evident in this church. Pastors and lay Christians alike are digging into the Bible to check out this "new covenant" teaching for themselves.

This article originally appeared in the July 15, 1996, issue of Christianity Today. Ruth A. Tucker is and was visiting professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and the author of several books, including Another Gospel: Alternative Religions and the New Age Movement (Zondervan).

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

On its Web site, the Worldwide Church of God also offers a brief history of its changes.

The Worldwide News offers back issues chronicling the changes as they happened, from Joseph Tkach Jr's appointment as deputy pastor general in September 1995 to current financial difficulties.

Tkach also wrote a book about the church's overhaul, Transformed by Truth (Multnomah, 1997).

Christianity Today's other coverage of the Worldwide Church of God includes:

Weblog: Worldwide Church of God Wins Control of Controversial Book (Sept. 28, 2000)

Splinter Groups Dismiss Leaders (Mar. 2, 1998)

Worldwide Church of God Joins NAE (June 16, 1997)

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March (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45