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    O n June 16, 2005, Mr. David C. Pack of the Restored Church of God issued a scathing indictment of a book entitled A Sabbath Test which is showcased in our library. Additionally, Mr. Pack assailed the book’s co-authors, accusing them of being “self appointed critics” and “pharisaical Laodiceans” driven by a desire to discredit Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. His condemnation of the book and its premise as well as those who wrote it appears on his web site, http://www.thercg.org/articles/doots.html.

    Last year, Blow the Trumpet sent a copy of this book to him and other leaders of God’s Church in hopes that he, and they, would prayerfully examine its message. Based on the tenor of his response, Mr. Pack appears to have chosen a different course. The vitriol unleashed in his essay reflects an anger of extraordinary degree and is totally inconsistent with Christian charity. One almost gets the impression from Mr. Pack’s words that he was genuinely frustrated by the clear logic presented in a book he so passionately condemns. As a result, instead of addressing the avalanche of scriptural support presented in A Sabbath Test, Mr. Pack’s rebuttal was limited to a series of contorted human arguments and circular reasoning followed by a stream of personal attacks and insults. Noticeably absent from his words was an appeal to God’s wisdom, although he claimed he was going to debunk the book with “scriptural facts.”

    Although Mr. Pack is a recognized leader in God’s Church, we feel compelled to address his characterization of A Sabbath Test and his representation of its message. In fact, his defense of dining out on the Sabbath was not remotely based on “scriptural facts” as he had promised. On the contrary, his defense of this practice could only be supported with an extraordinary distortion of the Biblical record as well as a total misrepresentation of a book he clearly was unable to refute on its own merits.

Why Are We Doing This?

    With this said, it is important to understand that Blow the Trumpet derives no pleasure out of what you are about to read. Furthermore, it sickens us to engage in what many may construe as just another fight in God’s church. Quite frankly, it is not our style. One only has to examine our web site to see the deference we show to all of God’s Church and its leaders. However, we were truly shocked that Mr. Pack would be so aggressive in his essay. We genuinely feel that such an approach is beneath him and the dignity of his office. But there is more.

    We at Blow the Trumpet are now convinced that God’s Sabbath cries out to be heard on this issue. Furthermore, its voice will not passively accommodate those who think they can call the holy profane and the profane holy. As you proceed through our response, you will hear that voice thunder, and it will be blunt, to say the least. Also, because we believe the ministry has the power as well as the responsibility to correct this sin which has infested God’s Church, our indictment is directed at them—the leaders.

Taking the Test

    Throughout his essay, Mr. Pack used numerous anecdotes to counter serious issues woven throughout the scriptures regarding going to restaurants on the Sabbath. Perhaps he believed that if he screamed loud enough and employed a “bait and switch” approach to this critical end-time issue, he wouldn’t have to take this test. But lo, now that test has taken him. What follows is an examination of Mr. Pack’s arguments versus those presented by A Sabbath Test.  To access a particular argument click the corresponding link . 

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