Part I

    T he following is the first of nine arguments advanced by David C. Pack of the Restored Church of God when refuting A Sabbath Test. Each argument is responded to by Blow the Trumpet.

Argument I:
Mr. Armstrong Sanctioned It
   

    Mr. Pack spends the greatest portion of his argument in defense of dining out in restaurants on the Sabbath by invoking the memory of Mr. Herbert W Armstrong. He implies that Mr. Armstrong was in agreement with his (Mr. Pack’s) understanding of this issue. Furthermore, he attempts to eviscerate anyone who would suggest that Mr. Armstrong may not have possessed all knowledge on all things. Here is what Mr. Pack says.

 

In researching Mr. Armstrong’s member/co-worker letters and literature, dating back to 1947, nothing was found in reference to whether Christians should avoid eating at restaurants on the Sabbath—either for or against. Though restaurants were mentioned quite often in Mr. Armstrong’s personals, articles and letters, they were virtually always in reference to his dining with various dignitaries such as the Mayor of Jerusalem, the President of Hebrew University and others. Nothing was written against dining out on the Sabbath—rather, other sources supported it. For example, when discussing special events at Spokesman’s Club, the Pastor General’s Report stated, “Such occasions are often held at a banquet room in a restaurant where the Club members and their wives or dates simply sit down to a served meal and fellowship until the end of the Sabbath” (Sept. 3, 1982).

In order to promote their theories, advocates of this new movement must discredit Mr. Armstrong and portray him as having compromised on this issue. As a result, he is presented as having fallen short on their “yardstick” for measuring righteousness.

We must ask: Do you see how utterly ridiculous their thinking is? Are you able to see why Mr. Armstrong never bought into this confusion?

 

Our Response:

    To suggest that those who question the practice of going to restaurants on the Sabbath are somehow attempting to “discredit” Mr. Armstrong is nothing short of paranoia. Furthermore, it dishonors the very man they claim to respect so greatly. Here’s a news flash for Mr. Pack! Mr. Armstrong was not perfect. This is a fact that he was more than willing to admit.  His invocation  “Don’t believe me believe your Bible” was not some marketing ploy. It was real. This great man saw the Bible as trumping him 100% of the time. His words declare to all who were affected by him to prove all things through the scriptures.

    Furthermore, it is clear that Mr. Armstrong never made an exhaustive study of this subject. Mr. Pack’s own words reveal this truth.

“In researching Mr. Armstrong’s member/co-worker letters and literature, dating back to 1947, nothing was found in reference to whether Christians should avoid eating at restaurants on the Sabbath—either for or against.”

    The fact that Mr. Armstrong never produced any substantive work on this subject leads Mr. Pack to declare that he has spoken powerfully on it. This is utter nonsense!

   Here is something to ponder. Is it possible that this issue belongs to the last era of God’s church? Furthermore, will we truly honor the memory of the greatest servant of God in his generation by blowing the dust off our Bible and letting God’s wisdom fall where it may. 
  
   Our suggestion to Mr. Pack is to trust God’s word on this—not some convoluted argument that claims, “If Mr. Armstrong didn’t know it, it couldn’t be known.” He would be utterly ashamed of such thinking and Mr. Pack knows it.

Argument II

The Authors Have an Agenda

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