Frequently Asked Questions
Why the Hostility?
Questions
Why must this issue be so contentious? It looks like just another fight in the Church. How could God be pleased with this? You seem so angry at each other. Can you honestly say that you genuinely care about Mr. Pack and the Restored Church of God?
Our Response:
This might surprise some, but we at Blow the Trumpet actually sympathize with the sentiments of this query. The in-fighting that has punctuated much of life in the churches of God today speaks so poorly of our faith and is a sad reflection on the hope we all share. It truly grieves us to be embroiled in such conflict. Quite frankly, it is not our style. If you were to look carefully at our site, you would find considerable evidence of that. Throughout our “To the Church” section you can find numerous positive references to many COG groups, including the Restored Church of God and its leader, Mr. Pack. Consider one of our comments.
“Mr. Pack is one of the most powerful and dynamic voices in God’s Church today. His work although not great in numbers is a reflection of a steadfast commitment to the truth. Few people would have endured the labels many have placed on him, but he may just see them as something that goes with the territory. Personally, I for one think the Church owes Mr. Pack a huge debt of gratitude. He may have been more instrumental in exposing the great apostasy that took place within the body of Christ, than any other minister in the God’s Church. His sermon series Thirty Reasons inspired virtually thousands of God’s people (including myself) to take action concerning the doctrinal changes taking place in the Worldwide Church of God. I can’t imagine God’s hand not being a part of that courageous act. Today he continues to spend all his energies proclaiming a great message to brother and stranger alike.”
Our point in offering the above citation is to convey to our guests that we do not hate Mr. Pack or his organization. On the contrary, we actually care deeply for them and respect the work they do very much. We even believe Mr. Pack may be used in a way far more powerful than he can image. It is because of this respect that Blow the Trumpet has employed a policy in this debate that may be totally undetectable to our website guests. For example: We always advise the Restored Church of God any time we post an article regarding the issue of dining out on the Sabbath. This is done as a matter of respect in order to give them an opportunity to prepare for any questions they may receive. Furthermore, if they requested any part of our essay(s) to be modified, we would seriously consider it based on their reason(s). Additionally, whenever we make reference to their writings, we actually post a link to the specific article being addressed so that our guests may read their material in its entirety. The point here is that we are not trying to slip something over on anyone.
Furthermore, although our words are very strong at times, they are entirely directed at Mr. Pack’s arguments, never at him. If one carefully examines our rebuttal of Mr. Pack’s article, he would find that we addressed the point not the person making the point. It is true that we may call his arguments foolish, silly, and even reckless. In one place we even referred to an argument as an act of cowardice. We did so because we couldn’t find a stronger word. Most of the arguments advanced by advocates of this practice (including Mr. Pack) are totally contrived. These are not “Biblical facts” as they represent. They are an illusion masquerading as fact.
However, with that said, it is important to understand that Blow the Trumpet does not believe Dave Pack or anyone associated with him is silly or a fool or a coward. If we did we wouldn’t invest our time debating this critical issue with him or his group. The point we are making here is that in everything we write we make a huge distinction between the argument and the one presenting it. Therefore, we would never label Mr. Pack with words such as a “one issue critic,” or call him a “gnat” or an “ankle biter.” Such terms, although harmless, lack maturity.
The truth be known, we are engaged in this bitter struggle because it may be the only way it can be fought. We are convinced that the issue of dining out on the Sabbath requires more than anecdotes and human reasoning to be offered in its defense. Regrettably, this is exactly what so many, including the Restored Church of God have done.
Finally, God's people need to understand that we live in dangerous times—not because we say they are, but because the scriptures paint a detailed picture of the last days that has a striking resemblance to the world we live in today. Included in that picture is a Church that has become lazy and self-indulgent. Sadly, we live in that Church and one of the fruits of this fact is our casual approach to the Sabbath. Mr. Pack and others may argue all they want that God approves of His people buying food from unbelievers on the Sabbath, but it simply isn’t true. Furthermore, virtually every argument they advance in defense of this practice is based on an endless stream of human reasoning. We know this because we once used the same arguments ourselves.
This is our message—not because it gives us delight, but because it is so important to this generation of God’s people. And like the prophets of old who shouted (Isa. 58:1 Joel 2:1) and even got in the face of those who thought they could break God’s law, we also SHOUT! We do so because we love God’s people and fear the consequences of this rebellion. We fear it because we have seen it.
Respectfully,
Blow the Trumpet
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