Pounding the Table

There is an old saying that goes, “the man who defines the terms wins the argument.” In this particular segment of his advocacy of going to restaurants on the Sabbath, Mr. George accuses the authors of A Sabbath Test of doing just that. He claims that they are simply manipulating the scriptures to fit their argument. But is this true? Just who is trying to redefine the terms of this debate? Here is Mr. George’s accusation and our response.

Mr. George:

Though you've accused Sabbath diners of specious reasons; it is, in fact, you who are relying on them. Not one of those assertions is validly based on scripture. You have done exactly what the Jewish leaders did, redefining terms and making up unsound rules, then claiming scriptural support. (Like the lawyer joke: "If you have a good case, pound on the legal merits. If you have a weak case, pound on the table.")

Our Response:

After having thoroughly read both A Sabbath Test and Richard George’s letter, we are a little surprised that he would make this accusation. We at Blow the Trumpet encourage everyone to read both of these writings and see for themselves who is making up his own rules. Personally, we never found one example of such a thing in our examination of A Sabbath Test. However, we couldn’t turn a page of Mr. George's letter without running into some form of “new understanding” concerning what God meant about keeping the Sabbath. Throughout it there appeared one modified rendering of the scriptures after another. In some cases verses were completely changed and history rewritten. Consider just a few examples.

Mr. George redefines the Sabbath as a "pilgrimage feast" much the same as the feast of Tabernacles or the Days of Unleavened Bread. In doing so he proclaims that the rules governing it are no longer in effect. Although God's instructions regarding the fourth commandment called for no work to be done on His Sabbath, Mr. George claims that such directives no longer apply today because God's people must travel "great distances" to services. ARGUMENT IV
Mr. George claims that God's law regarding pilgrimage feasts in ancient times were made because He knew that His people would be scattered at the end time. Therefore, He created rules that would enable them to still keep the Sabbath and honor Him. Here is how Mr. George puts it. "Our all-wise Creator probably inspired this timeless provision [rules regarding traveling to His feasts] more for Sabbath-keepers in non-observant societies down through history, like ours today." The fact that God Himself declared the Sabbath as well as the rules governing it part of a "perpetual covenant" doesn't seem to bother Mr. George. SEE ARGUMENT IV
Mr. George argues that because Jesus dined out on the Sabbath at the homes of religious leaders who were trying to trap Him, they were in effect breaking the fourth Commandment. Therefore, Jesus was technically being served food on the Sabbath by Sabbath-breakers. Mr. George then argues that if Jesus was served a meal by Sabbath-breakers, he (Mr. George) may dine out at a restaurant and be served a meal by Sabbath-breakers today. SEE ARGUMENT II
Mr. George claims that great Sabbath banquets will be prepared by millennial chefs when God's Kingdom is established on earth. Therefore because food will be prepared for God's people in the Kingdom, he (Mr. George) may now go out and have it prepared for him and his friends at a restaurant today. By the way the belief that great banquets will be prepared and served on God's Sabbath during the millennium is a total fabrication. No such thing will take place in the Kingdom on the Sabbath. SEE ARGUMENT I
Mr. George argues that because Levites may engage in profane labor on the Sabbath with God’s blessing, then he (Mr. George) may go out into spiritual Egypt where the Sabbath is being desecrated and purchase the services of those who are profaning this day. After all, those who work in a restaurant are serving God's people too. SEE ARGUMENT I
Mr. George defines dining out on the Sabbath "God's gift to us for Sabbath-keeping in the current distress" and that it is a "blessed, beneficial, God-bestowed privilege for the appreciation of His holy Sabbath." What he refuses to accept is that the restaurant he chooses to dine at is in spiritual Egypt and that those who work there are in bondage to sin. He actually condemns such thinking. SEE ARGUMENT VI
Mr. George argues that dining out on the Sabbath "furthers the cause of righteousness and Sabbath observance." This even though God specifically commanded His people to prepare their Sabbath meals on the sixth day. SEE ARGUMENT VII
Mr. George has redefined the purchasing of services from those who desecrate God's Sabbath as a "tool" for better keeping this day holy. SEE ARGUMENT VI
Mr. George argues that although God forbids all buying from merchants on the Sabbath (Neh. 10:31), He was only referring to spending all day purchasing their goods. Therefore if they only did it for an hour or two when buying a meal, God would approve of it. SEE ARGUMENT XIII
Mr. George argues that because those who profane God's law by working in restaurants on the Sabbath are not his bondservants. Therefore, God permits him to purchase the fruits of their sacrilege. SEE ARGUMENT II
Mr. George argues that because Levites serve God's people on the Sabbath and are held blameless by God, then those who work in restaurants by serving God's people will also be held blameless. SEE SEE ARGUMENT V
Mr. George rejects the idea that those who labor in restaurants every Sabbath are in "spiritual Egypt" and the "bondage" of sin. Instead he contends that dining out on the Sabbath is another "tool" for better keeping the Sabbath holy. SEE ARGUMENT VI
Mr. George argues that God's instructions regarding the preparation day have been replaced by his (Mr. George's instructions regarding a "Preparation week." SEE ARGUMENT X
Mr.George argues that because the authors of A Sabbath Test can use the gas and electricity that powers their homes on the Sabbath, he can use the services of restaurants on the Sabbath. He actually referred to restaurants as a "meal utility." SEE ARGUMENT XVI
Mr. George defines what he does when dining out on the Sabbath as "reverent Sabbath observance." This despite the fact that God commands His people to not go outside their place (the spiritual community of faith) on His Sabbath. SEE ARGUMENT XIII

This is just a brief recap of some of the endless spin Mr. George engages in when defending a practice that totally contradicts God's Sabbath law. In his defense of going out into the world and seeking out those who profane the holy, Mr. George redefines God's clear instructions to mean something the Almighty never intended.

Dear Brethren

Pardon the Interruption II