Make a Donation

Some Perspective

Dennis Paul Fischer

Summer, 2007

Dear Brethren

On April 16, 2007, the United Church of God's Advisory Committee for Doctrine sent me a 17 page letter addressing Blow the Trumpet's position concerning dining out on the Sabbath, and our strong opposition to a study paper they published on this subject in 2003. To better understand why they would take the time to produce such a letter, as well as understand the letter's content, a little background is necessary.

In the fall of 2004 Blow the Trumpet appealed to various COG leaders, including those in the UCG, to rethink their position concerning God's people seeking out those who profane the Sabbath and Holy days, and actually paying them for this sin—which is exactly what takes place when they dine out in restaurants on Holy time. Regrettably, this practice has grown dramatically over the past several years.

For the most part our appeal has been rejected. However, what is truly disappointing is that the arguments these leaders advance in defense of this practice are saturated in contorted logic and human reasoning, not Biblical wisdom. At every turn, these men have discarded the clear instruction revealed in God's word, and have instead, embraced the most self-justifying collection of nonsense ever offered in defense of a theological position in this era of the Church. It is simply mind boggling to think that their arguments would ever resonate with any of God's people. Sadly, most people believe what they want to believe. This now brings us to the United Church of God.

Taking Our Case to UCG

Because of the close relationship many of us at Blow the Trumpet enjoy with the United Church of God, as well as numerous requests from UCG members to press this issue, a decision was made to commission a response to their study paper. After several months, Blow the Trumpet produced a comprehensive rebuttal titled "The United Church of God vs A Sabbath Test." This work represents a thorough examination of the UCG position on this issue. In it, we present the fallacy of their arguments and expose them to be nothing more than a desperate attempt to justify a behavior that flies in the face of God's Sabbath law. Quite frankly, their defense of this practice is built on a foundation of "What ifs?" and "Yeah buts" and reflects a mindset that is so foreign to the scriptures it shouldn't be called "research." On a personal note I have never been more embarrassed for God's Church than I am over this. At one point these leaders actually suggested that if it is acceptable with God for one of His children to go to a hospital on the Sabbath, then it must be acceptable with Him if they go to a restaurant. After all, both acts require non-believers to labor on their behalf. Can you imagine such reasoning? I can't.

Presenting Our Case

Upon its completion, we posted our rebuttal on Blow the Trumpet's web site. We also sent a copy to Mr. Clyde Kilough, UCG's president, repeating our appeal for him to address this issue. The cover letter attached to our rebuttal was signed by me and Mr. Randy Vild. We offered our signatures because of the roles we play at Blow the Trumpet as well as our personal relationships with, and respect for, the UCG.

Mr. Kilough advised us that it was UCG policy that such papers go through a submission process and that in order for it to be considered, we would have to submit it through our local pastor. Because I attended UCG's Seattle, Washington congregation, I submitted our rebuttal to Mr. Dennis Luker. Mr. Luker has been a minister in God's service for several decades and is highly respected among numerous COG groups. He also serves as a UCG regional pastor. On a personal note, I have never known a finer man in God's Church. Both he and his wife serve with grace and dignity and I consider it a great honor to be a part of their congregation. This is not to suggest that we agree on everything, for indeed, we do not. However, we do have a mutual respect for each other and consider ourselves friends. I certainly am his.

Even though Mr. Luker does not share my view regarding dining out on the Sabbath, he informed me that Blow the Trumpet's paper warranted a response and that he would send it on to UCG's doctrinal group. He actually said something to the effect of "The Sabbath is important and this topic deserves to be addressed." This was done in January of this year (2007). Approximately a month later he informed me that I could expect a response in two months. Almost two months to the day, I received the UCG letter. Additionally, during this period I requested that Blow the Trumpet pull our rebuttal from its web site as a courtesy to Mr. Kilough and the UCG Doctrinal Committee. This was done to give them an opportunity to seriously address the issues we raised concerning their position.

At this point it is important to understand that I don't believe for one second that the UCG wrote their counter argument because of me or Blow the Trumpet. They did it as a courtesy to Mr. Luker, and for that I am thankful. What is disappointing is that instead of offering genuine Bible based arguments for their belief, they simply paraded out the same old excuses. Their arguments ring a very Protestant tone, only Protestants employ them in defense of not keeping the Sabbath at all.

Three Differences

As I carefully read the UCG letter it occurred to me that it is vastly easier for God's leaders to explain away passages that threaten what they wish to do, or say, or think, than it is to face up to the reality that they have done wrong, and have taught others to do so. This is where the UCG finds itself today. Additionally, it also occurred to me that there are three basic differences between the United Church of God and Blow the Trumpet with respect to this particular issue.

  • First, we can understand the UCG position on this issue because we once thought as they do. However, they cannot understand our position because they have never agreed with it. This is similar to a Protestant's view of Christmas. We understand their position because we came out of that sin, but they can't relate to ours because they are still in it.
  • Second, the UCG does not want their membership, or any of God's people for that matter, to read A Sabbath Test or any other material that challenges the practice of dining out on Holy time. Although they will offer many reasons for this, the reality is that they fear the persuasive arguments presented in them. We, on the other hand, want people to examine arguments like those produced by the UCG because they illustrate how contrived they are.
  • Third, the UCG will never publicly debate this issue with those who offer a contrary view because they know they would be thoroughly embarrassed in such a forum. Blow the Trumpet, on the other hand, is totally confident in the true Biblical position on this subject and is prepared to present it at any time, in any place, and in any COG forum.

    • Because the UCG declined our invitation to publically address this issue in the spirit of Acts 15, we are compelled to continue our defense of God's word over the internet. Therefore, we are re-publishing our rebuttal to the UCG study paper with one notable addition. We have also included the counter arguments they presented in their letter to me, as well as my personal response to their counter points. Although this presentation is quite lengthily it is extremely thorough and well worth investigating. I encourage you to read each point carefully.

    Finally, it gives me no pleasure in pressing this issue with the leaders of God's Church. Quite frankly, it grieves me to do so. However, this issue is simply too important to dismiss. The stakes are just too high.

    Respectfully,

    Dennis Fischer

    ~~~

    Note from Blow the Trumpet

    What follows is the initial series of arguments presented by Blow the Trumpet when refuting UCG's 2003 study paper defending the practice of dining out on the Sabbath. Our rebuttal was submitted to them in January 2007.

    Additionally, we have provided the "Counter Argument" offered by the UCG in their letter to Mr. Fischer, as well as Mr. Fischer's response. This series begins with an introductory letter by Blow the Trumpet.

    Introduction

    Dear Brethren