"Family Radio" , Harold Camping, Robert A. Cook

question

[withteeth]

Two months ago I stopped passing by our local FM "Jesus" station and discovered a listener supported Christian radio network that has been in existence since the 1950's. Now I fall to sleep with it everynight and listen to it with my morning coffee. It has music, which is quite nice, but I listen for the talk. At Six a.m. "The late Robert A. Cook" gives a friendly 15 minute sermon called "Walk With The King". At night, a "Mr. Harold Camping" has an open phone forum and takes Biblical questions. Following that, for 30 minutes, a man reads from the Bible. Then there is 30 minutes of "Bible Study" with Mr. Camping again, a man I'd never heard of before.

I've used several internet search engines looking for information on Family Radio, but all I find are their own sites, and one or two sarcastic web pages about Camping. (He prophesied the END in 1994 with a book entitled "1994".)

I'd appreciate any Freeper comments , about what they know of Family Radio (it is out of Oakland CA), Camping, and this loveable Late Dr. Robert A. Cook.

[withteeth]

I'm a new believer, a Christian, but have not joined a church yet. Everyday I read the bible, and listen to Family Radio's 30 minutes of King James (reading Ezekial now.) To be as clear as I can be: I'm somewhat wary, especially of Mr. Camping's theological teaching which is very interesting and engaging. (His mission is to show that the Old Testement anticipates the Gospel perfectly, and usually he is quite compelling.)

If I had the mysterious 'lexus-nexus' and could search newspaper articles I would. But maybe asking the good folk at Free Republic would be even better, I figure.

I'm curious to know what sort or reputation this network has (deserved or not). I've listened long enough to know I am not being taken in by a cult, but I'd still like to know people's impressions. Also any links to other information, of course. Thanks.

[Robert A. Cook, PE]

Nice to see my name in lights .. but THAT Robert A. Cook (the Priest) isn't THIS Robert A. Cook, PE.

Figured some might be curious. I'll let him take all the credit he is due for his work, and hope he has as much pun doing it as I do.

[Tribune7]

I listen to it. I like Night Watch and the Bible readings. I often disagree with Camping's call-in program and I've pretty much stopped listening to it.

They used to carry a radio drama called Unshackled which I enjoyed, but I think they stopped. i understand it had to do with a dispute over editing

[Rustynailww]

check out their web site. it is great, thank you for calling and sharing.

[RnMomof7]

BUMP

[Gman]

We've listened to Family Radio for years. Some things I've enjoyed, some I've managed to just get through... "Walk with the King today! And be a Blessing!"

[withteeth]

"thank you for calling and sharing"

hehe. Camping has such a humorless monotone, but when he closes with "May the Lord richly bless you", I think he's not so stingy as he sounds.

[RnMomof7]

We have several Christian radio stations in our area..and I listen to most of them for at least part of the day..(I like Mc Arthur and Kay Arthur and a few others that are not on family radio)

Like you I especially like the uninterupted scripture reading and the music..now as for Harold Camping...well he is a little rigid on his call in show for me..but the teachings are good..

[withteeth]

How in the world are you?

Cook himself is no longer in the world or 'of the world', but I'm still relieved each morning that...well, he sounds good!

[Gal.5:1]

If you are able to get Family Radio in the Bay Area, you might also try KFAX 1100 AM and also KCBC 770 AM. They do not have any music, but have tons of great teaching/Bible study programs. These are both good sources of of teaching and encouragement.

[Hank Kerchief]

So what's the URL?

Thanks! Hank

[tigerlady]

I don't know anything about Mr Camping, but I do know about Dr Cook. Many years ago, before he became the President of King's College in New York, he was on the pastoral staff of Midwest Bible Church in Chicago. I grew up in that church, and we LOVED Dr Cook. He was a great pastor and a great teacher of God's Word. He was on target and spoke the truth from the Bible. He truly lived the Christian life. as did his family. After he left Chicago and was in New York, we eagerly listened to him on the radio. He is now with the Lord in heaven, and I remember him ever so fondly. A great man who loved his Lord. I am glad to hear his sermons are still on the radio.

[withteeth]

"Like you I especially like the uninterupted scripture reading and the music"

It is a refuge from the all the news and the rumors, that is for sure. They give about 2 minutes of headlines, just what they know for certain is true, I guess. They are Conservative (refer to their network that way) and decently (small c) conservative, I find.

Thanks for calling your Christian friends to this thread, Mom of 7!

[BibChr]

I'm glad you asked, and glad for the ping to get me to respond. I do have some informed input I hope you find helpful.

Here's the brief version: Family Radio is mostly terrific, and you should listen; Harold Camping is a terrible nutcase, and you should avoid him.

In more detail:

Family Radio plays great classic hymns, and sacred concerts, and good edifying Christian programs. They sometimes play really wonderful, Christ-exalting preachers in the "Conference Echoes." I don't personally care for the fellow who reads the Bible so sepulchrally (and pronounces "Israel" as "Izhrel"), but I like that they read the Bible, Bible, Bible. It's a great station.

Harold Camping is a layman with an over-inflated opinion of himself who, rather than being a teacher, is in need of the yoke of discipleship. He may be the first date-setting amillennialist in history. He's extremely idiomatic, lacks the dues-paying and judgment to be a good Bible guide.

If you have a Salem radio station near you (I don't know where Otumwa or whatever is, sorry! < g >), listen for folks like Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, J. Vernon McGee, R. C. Sproule, Chuck Colson, J. Montgomery Boyce (if they still play him), and others I could mention.

But I really would encourage you to steer clear of Camping.

Dan
Biblical Christianity web page

[Swanks]

To be as clear as I can be: I'm somewhat wary, especially of Mr. Camping's theological teaching which is very interesting and engaging

Ignore Harold Camping. He is not a theologian, nor is he even trained at any Bible college. He ownes the station -- which entitles him to play one, thats the extent of it. Plus he gets so twisted in knots (escolotogically speaking)because he must protect his Calvinist; "the church is spiritual Israel" nonsense.

No one takes him seriously. He's on-the-air cause he's the boss.

Now Dr. Cook; there was a man of God. Heard him many times at various chuchs in the NY/NJ area. Great sense of humor too. He would have found Harold Camping humorous.

[exit82]

Whenever you can hear a tape of Dr. Cook's, you will be blessed. I listened to him all the time while he was alive--on Earth. He had tremendous insights to God's word and he could explain them with a layman's touch.

Now that Dr. Cook is alive in Heaven, I am thrilled when I hear his voice on the radio when a tape of his is played--it's like listening to a dear and trusted friend. And, of course, when he signed off, we always said the signatory phrase together " Walk with the King today--and be a BLESSING!" Always made you stop and think.

[RnMomof7]

I'm glad you asked, and glad for the ping to get me to respond. I do have some informed input I hope you find helpful.
Here's the brief version: Family Radio is mostly terrific, and you should listen; Harold Camping is a terrible nutcase, and you should avoid him.
In more detail:
Family Radio plays great classic hymns, and sacred concerts, and good edifying Christian programs. They sometimes play really wonderful, Christ-exalting preachers in the "Conference Echoes." I don't personally care for the fellow who reads the Bible so sepulchrally (and pronounces "Israel" as "Izhrel"), but I like that they read the Bible, Bible, Bible. It's a great station.
Harold Camping is a layman with an over-inflated opinion of himself who, rather than being a teacher, is in need of the yoke of discipleship. He may be the first date-setting amillennialist in history. He's extremely idiomatic, lacks the dues-paying and judgment to be a good Bible guide.
If you have a Salem radio station near you (I don't know where Otumwa or whatever is, sorry! < g >), listen for folks like Chuck Swindoll, John MacArthur, J. Vernon McGee, R. C. Sproule, Chuck Colson, J. Montgomery Boyce (if they still play him), and others I could mention. But I really would encourage you to steer clear of Camping.

LOL..Dan tell us how you really feel *grin*

You were a "little "blunter" than I was..but that man is a really poor representive of the church of Jesus Christ..I used to have him on when I drove home from school...I just couldnt take it..I now listen to cd's..

I had never looked at it as a need for some accountibility...but that sounds right..and whiteteeth that is true for all of us..if you are not in a good church you need to be :>)

Mc Arthur and McGee get my vote too..I also like the Hank Hentargraf (sp)...

[Rustynailww]

http://www.familyradio.com/index.html

[rwfromkansas]

CAmping is now a heretic. That is unfortunate, as Family RAdio is a good Calvinist radio network in many cases.

[rwfromkansas]

and for you non-Calvinist Christians, it is a great network overall for those who love the Lord and want Him glorified. The blotch is Camping.

[Tribune7]

I'll say this in Camping's defense: he did start the network as I understand it. And that is quite an accomplishment.

I still can't listen to him, however.

[M. Thatcher]

I knew Dr. Cook (he was a friend of the family for years, and I once wrote a profile of him for the now-defunct Christian Herald). He was just the warmest and most endearing bear of a man you could ever meet. You just had to grin around the guy, he was ebullient and genial and genuine. In the old days, when I used to doubt the reality of the Christian experience, first-hand knowledge of the lives of men like Dr. Cook and my own father nuked those doubts.

[epow]

I knew Dr. Cook (he was a friend of the family for years, and I once wrote a profile of him for the now-defunct Christian Herald).

I had almost forgotten the Christian Herald magazine. My mother subcribed to it when I was a kid back in the 1940's, but I haven't seen one in many years.

I used to listen to Dr. Cook almost every morning on my way to work. After I retired and moved I couldn't get him on the only Christian radio I can hear in this area.(a Moody Bible Institute FM station) I really miss hearing him and J. Vernon McGee.

OTOH, the Moody station occasionally runs old tapes of Vance Havener's(sp?) sermons, and even, rarely, some old wire recordings of Dr. Harry Ironside's sermons. So that makes up for a lot of the other things I can't get.

[withteeth]

Thanks for your replies. I have a new hero in Robert A. Cook , and any stories/information about him are greatly appreciated.

Walk with the king! And be a blessing.

[JHL]

Thank you for posting and sharing, and may we have our next reply please...

[withteeth]

That voice! :-O

(is a little bit scarey ;-)

[Siouxz]

Good post. When I was first saved, I went to a very charismatic church. The Lord steered me from that aspect of Christianity, and I started going to a Presbyterian Church (in America), and found Family Radio. Family Radio is a great, conservative radio station with wonderful programs and music.

Unfortunately, it also has Harold Camping! That man did more to get me tangled up in legalism than anything. Of course, I ultimately blame myself for not being more discerning, but I was a new Christian, and he was so authortative and convincing.

My advice would be to enjoy Family Radio, and turn it off whenever Camping comes one.

[BibChr]

My advice would be to enjoy Family Radio, and turn it off whenever Camping comes one.

As they say in the 'hood, I'm down wid dat.

Camping could be a poster boy for the saying, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." He's what happens when one disregards Romans 12:3.

Dan

[withteeth]

I was delighted this week to receive a personal reply to a fan letter I sent to Dr. Cook's ministries. From his daughter Lois. There is a website.

www.walkwiththeking.org

(Fan mail isn't like it used to be! I love the internet :-)

[InvisibleChurch]

I’m listening to him right now on moody radio.

[exit82]

I’m listening to him right now on Moody Radio.

Wow, IC, thank you for your note--I wrote the post about Robert A. Cook back on October 20, 2001, almost ten years ago, that you responded to.

I remembering writing that post, because I so enjoyed listening to Dr. Cook when he was alive--on Earth.

He still lives in Heaven, but thanks to Moody Radio and others, he can stll be heard and his wonderful voice still ministers to those caught in the frailities of life, and points then towards the Savior.

On that date we were only a little more than a month removed from 9/11/01--a time that made us all the more reflective. Three Christian friends were taken home that day--two on Flight 93 and one, a fireman in NYC who perished at the WTC.

Thank you for "resurrecting" that thread from so long ago.

Here's the long ago post:

To: withteeth Whenever you can hear a tape of Dr. Cook's, you will be blessed. I listened to him all the time while he was alive--on Earth. He had tremendous insights to God's word and he could explain them with a layman's touch. Now that Dr. Cook is alive in Heaven, I am thrilled when I hear his voice on the radio when a tape of his is played--it's like listening to a dear and trusted friend. And, of course, when he signed off, we always said the signatory phrase together " Walk with the King today--and be a BLESSING!" Always made you stop and think. 16 posted on Saturday, October 20, 2001 12:33:42 AM by exit82 [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies | Report Abuse] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------