David C. Pack
vs
A Sabbath Test
Thirty Deceptions
"The First Five Lies"
The First RCG Deception:
“A book was recently published, arguing that Christians must not eat in restaurants on the Sabbath. Entitled A Sabbath Test, the authors devoted 136 pages to disputing virtually all objections that they anticipated might be raised. Yet, the authors were mindful not to mention Mr. Armstrong by name, only referencing him indirectly. This was done in a carefully crafted attempt to reprimand him for holding to traditions and past teachings, as opposed to “progressing” to their “enlightened” point of view.”indirectly.
Response From Dennis Fischer:
This is simply NOT TRUE—nor do the RCG writers have one speck of evidence supporting this accusation. Despite this fact, they offer it as an objective truth—free of any personal bias.
HERE IS THE REAL TRUTH!
At no time did we ever conspire to undermine Mr. Armstrong in our book. To suggest such a thing reeks of bias. It is driven by a pre-determined conclusion the RCG was committed to, regardless of where the facts took them. Therefore, because they thought we were jerks from the start, they were going make that claim loud and often, starting with what we thought of Mr. Armstrong.
The truth of the matter is that A Sabbath Test is not about “carefully crafted” reprimands of anybody, let alone this extraordinary man. It is rather, an affirmative defense of honoring God’s Sabbath as prescribed in the scriptures. At no time did we ever, for one moment, strategize about how to chastise Mr. Armstrong in this matter. It simply didn’t happen.
Furthermore, our respect for this man is very real. Both Mr. Braidic and I have produced comprehensive libraries dedicated to Mr. Armstrong’s work. Included in them are numerous books, booklets, articles and sermons as well as several television and radio broadcasts given by this remarkable servant. There isn’t an objective mind on the planet that could examine these libraries and draw the conclusion advanced by the RCG.
By the way, it just occurred to me that the Restored Church of God doesn’t have one piece of Mr. Armstrong’s writings posted on their website. This despite the fact that they could have done so without encroaching on any copyright laws. I’m not accusing here, just making an observation.
Finally, here is something to think about: It is easy to impute the motives of others, but the scriptures offer a stern warning to those who engage in this practice (Mt. 7:1-2). By the way, if the RCG writers truly desired to know our motivation in writing this book, they could have simply asked us.
The Second RCG Deception:
“It appears that the writers of the book sensed that a movement was beginning in the splinters without a spearhead. Hence, it appears that these followers aspired to the lucrative position of quasi-leaders of this trend, by virtue of offering a much bigger publication expounding their idea. Since they so obviously desire to lead this movement, one must ask, are they “teaching things they ought not for filthy lucre’s sake” (Tit. 1:11), and thus “making merchandise of” (II Pet. 2:3) unsuspecting brethren? “
Response From Dennis Fischer:
Few observations could be more consumed with hate and less filled with truth. I honestly wonder if God were to ask the writers of this essay if they would be willing to stake His judgement on their words. I am prepared to do just that on the words that follow. Neither Mr. Braidic nor myself have drawn one cent for our labor on A Sabbath Test. Furthermore, our motivation has never been about “lucrative positions.” On this I will stake the second death. I am not now nor ever have been the slightest bit interested in leading some splinter movement. What these RCG writers have engaged in, with this comment, is nothing short of cruelty in print. Instead of giving someone the benefit of the doubt, they have sought the moral low-ground. They offer speculation that better belongs on Al Jazeera, not on a Christian website.
The Third RCG Deception:
“This towering question arises from the outset: Would Christ allow His apostle to be wrong on such a crucial point and then to be set straight or corrected, after the fact, by self-appointed “leaders” (actually lay members) arriving in the age of Laodicea? Such a prospect would be laughable, were its effects not so serious. Yet, significant numbers of weak or relatively new brethren across the landscape of God’s people seem to have bought in.”
Response From Dennis Fischer:
By the words, “His apostle,” I assume that the RCG writers are referring to Mr. Armstrong. If this is the case they are making a great assumption. The fact of the matter is that Mr. Armstrong NEVER presented a definitive statement on the subject of dining out on the Sabbath. Therefore, he was neither right nor wrong on this issue. No matter how hard some may try to argue that he spoke boldly on this, it is simply NOT TRUE.
Furthermore, despite what the RCG believes, we are not “self-appointed” in this issue, nor are we even “leaders” of some movement, for that matter. This might come as a surprise to the RCG, but we do not now nor have we ever sought a following based on this vital truth. Personally, I am a member of major COG organization and am honored to be so. If you were to speak to those who know me, including my pastor, they would paint a far different picture than you have. Once again, our purpose in writing A Sabbath Test was to chronicle God’s wisdom on this vital truth. I know these words gall you, but they are true nonetheless. What is totally untrue is your assertion that we are some type of “self-appointed” profiteers. You can’t imagine how desperately we wished someone else had done it
Speaking of self-appointed leaders, I understand that Mr. Pack is now considered an apostle by the RCG. I’m curious, who laid hands on him? And who made the decision that he should hold this position? I am told that he made the announcement himself. I am not passing judgement here. For indeed he may be one. I was just offering you something to think about.
The Fourth RCG Deception:
“It appears that the leaders of this thinking have extended mercy “to whom they would show mercy,” in this case Mr. Armstrong, because they know this makes their doctrines more palatable to independent-minded potential converts, many of whom view him favorably and who are the ones most likely to send contributions. Yet, the facts are that they have leveled character assassination (John 8:44) at any who dare bring their doctrines to the light of the Bible, as would Mr. Armstrong.”
Response From Dennis Fischer:
Once again these RCG writers look into the hearts of others and deliver their judgement. Unfortunately, their vision isn’t remotely as close to piercing as their condemnation.
NOW FOR THE REAL TRUTH!
Once again I have not drawn one cent from this very important project. Furthermore, I am not now, nor ever have been, compensated by any COG organization or affiliate, including Blow the Trumpet. To suggest that this is my or my co-author’s motivation is a tale borne out of some distorted world view. I’m just curious, but did it ever occur to these RCG writers that there are people who are driven by things other than wealth or power? Once again a question needs to be asked here. Are you willing to stake God’s judgement on the accuracy of your statement? I am prepared to stake everything on its total absence of accuracy.
The Fifth RCG Deception:
“One reason some advocates of particular doctrines react with viciousness when their positions are brought into question is that their single-issue doctrines often represent 95 percent or more of what makes them unique, and thus their identity. Those condemning Sabbath dining out are primarily single-issue religionists set to defend their turf against any who would bring their lone doctrine into question.”
Response From Dennis Fischer:
I assume the reference to “viciousness” is based on certain observations offered by Blow the Trumpet when rebutting the RCG article. However, if one truly examines this rebuttal carefully, he will find that it courageously attacks RCG’s arguments, as opposed to attacking their people. It is true that Blow the Trumpet characterizes these arguments as “silly”, “foolish,” “reckless,” and even “cowardice,” (for indeed they are) but at no time were those terms leveled at anyone associated with the RCG.
On the other hand, the RCG writers spend the majority of their attack not on A Sabbath Test, but on its authors. This despite the fact that their website states that it is against RCG policy to do so.
With respect to the suggestion by the RCG writers that my co-author and I are “single issue religionists,” this is nothing other than a bad guess disguised as the product of solid investigative lournalism. These men could actually have ascertained the fallacy of this accusation simply by employing a standard of truth established by none other than Jesus Christ. Notice His words: “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Lk. 6:45)? This being the case, consider what I and my dear friend and co-author, have spoken out of the abundance of our hearts. First consider Mr. Art Braidic.
Mr.Braidic is one of the most prolific writers in God’s Church today. In addition to co-authoring A Sabbath Test, he has written or co-written over 15 other works. Many in God’s church regard his 300 plus page book The 144,000, to be the definitive statement on the identity of those described in the seventh and fourteenth chapters of the book of Revelation. In addition to that, Mr. Braidic has delivered virtually hundreds of messages to God’s people and only ONE has addressed the issue of dining out on the Sabbath. Furthermore, in his weekly television broadcast, The World to Come, Mr. Braidic has presented scores of messages on a wide range of topics but has yet to cover A Sabbath Test. Based on this alone, it is clear that if he is obsessing about anything, it is God’s work and not “one issue” as the RCG claims.
Although my credentials are not nearly as comprehensive as Mr. Braidic’s, I too have stayed very busy with numerous projects that go far beyond this debate. For example: I have written two books and co-written several booklets as well as over one hundred articles appearing on various COG, and non COG websites. My first book It Came Without Warning addresses the importance of preaching the gospel as a witness. It is interesting that there are even some who believe this to be my “single issue.”
However, If you ask me, my faith is declared in a book entitled A Vision, A Plan and A Destiny. I completed this last year and it is my greatest joy as far as any project I have ever been associated with.
The point I am trying to make is that the “one issue critic” accusation leveled by the RCG is not based on evidence, but rather on emotion. It is simply an attempt by Mr. Pack through his surrogates to define me and my co-author as extremists, and therefore not to be trusted. This is not a “Biblical Fact,” it is a non-biblical deception.
Just out of curiosity. Where did the RCG writers get their 95% statistic? Or, was that just snatched out of thin air?
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