Occam's Razor
"If you have two theories that both explain
the observed facts, then you should use the simplest until more evidence comes
along"
"The simplest explanation for some
phenomenon is more likely to be accurate than more complicated
explanations."
"If you have two equally likely solutions to
a problem, choose the simplest."
"The explanation requiring the fewest
assumptions is most likely to be correct."
. . .or in the only form that takes its own
advice. . .
"Keep things simple!"
The other day the owner of where I work came
in distressed over losing the corporate check book. He asked if I had seen
him come in with it. No, I had not. I asked if he had it when he was
home and got in the car. He said he thought he had but must be mistaken
because he looked in the car too. I said to go back to the car where he'd
probably find it. He did .......and he did. Occam's
Razor! That is where it had to be and simplest place to look.
I misplaced a key to a locker at work last
week and started the usual, "someone stole the key..blah blah." I caught
myself and went back to Occam. I had the key in my hand. I just got
back from the restroom. I washed my hands and threw the paper towel into
the newly emptied trash can. "It's in the trash can,"
I realized. It was. I had thrown it out with the paper
towel. Thank you Occam.
In the COG we have been and continue to be
supplied with any number of interesting people who simply can't stand not
rising to some lofty position in the spirit and power of Elijah, John the
Baptist or Herbert Armstrong. We have the antics of those that since they
have no other person willing or able to ordain them because they are their own
Church leader, have to proof text and twist history long past or just
past their way through the Bible and come up with...."and yes brethren...I
am an Apostle." They don't call it "His-story" for nothing.
Others, pulling the same stunts in the
privacy of their self important minds come up with other titles for
themselves. One is "That Prophet," and two others are the Two Witnesses
who better hurry and make good on it because there are ten more waiting in the
wings to be the Two. But they just tell everyone this is who they are or
the office they hold AND that it was given by GOD of all things, and evidently
thousands believe them!!!
Of late, we have been somewhat taken back by
Bob Thiel's self ordination and misapplication of having hands being laid on
him, being given a "double portion" whatever that meant to him and coming
into home plate a Prophet. Really? It's that
easy? I have watched his prophetic ministry videos several times and, not to be unkind but...really? I have read his rationale for
getting to be the Lone Ranger Prophet for the age here and again can only come
up with...really? Such complicated stuff and the kind of self
promotion that the faithful or brain dead, whichever one it really is
according to Occam...(guess?), simply get to accept without question it
seems. Actually COG members never seem to question much. That button
has been disconnected evidently long ago.
Would it not be hilarious if a COG member
after just being told "I am an Apostle" said "Oh no you
aren't!!"
I only know of one time when this
happened. It was after THE tape sermon where Joe Tkach announced "the
Changes." Mostly, Sabbath was out if need be etc. In one local
congregation a rather average , good old boy type was called on to lead the
final song. He said...and I wish I had been there, "Well if that
ain't the biggest load of shit you ever heard! Let's all take our hymnals,
stand and sing to the REAL God!" LOL, I fell out hearing that
from a relative who was there and think the boy should get a medal.
A current example of the Razor might be
whatever the heck is going on in the mind of Manti Teo and the tale of his poor
not dead not girlfriend. This evidently mythological tale that he has
spun is so complicated I won't repeat it but when it is all said and done, what
will Occam's Razor say? Probably he made it all, may have some mental
problems and can't explain what he was thinking when he did that. That of
course will come until all the convoluted tales fall
apart.
In the same way, I am sure Lance
Armstrong had amazing explanations for his amazing performance but from the git
go, Occam would have simply said, "He's doping." Pretty simple
actually. It also would have been the correct answer long
ago.
So, let's get back to the Apostles, Watchers,
Evangelists, Prophets and Witnesses of the Church of God. I won't tell you
what I think is the simplest answer for me. You decide which is for
you.
While a pretty pared down version of Occam's
Razor says, "the simplest explanation is usually the most correct," let's go
with that as it is the simplest.
1. Dave Pack is truly the only God Ordained Apostle in this age and RCG is
the one true Church on earth.
1a. Dave Pack made up a prooftexting sermon
spread over four hours to solve some problems of possible Evangelists defecting
to him and as a Pastor "rank" guy had to have more Bible umpf. Dave is
probably not who he thinks he is and RCG is just one more example of a minister
not wanting and never able to work for or under anyone else.
2. Ron Weinland is truly, along
with his wife, one of the Two Witnesses of Revelation no matter what's going
on.
2a. Ron had deluded himself and God probably
has not chosen him for a such a time as this and can't wait around for him to
get out of prison.
3. Gerald Flurry is truly that
Prophet spoken of in Malachi and heads up the one true remnant of the Church of
God which is the Philadelphian in nature and calling.
3a. Gerald Flurry is kidding himself, is NOT
the prophet spoken of in the Bible and has no clue what brotherly love is if you
go by the horror stories.
4. E.W. King is the reincarnation
of the one true WCG and Herbert Armstrong still lives.
4b. E.W. King is bonkers.
5. Dr. Robert Thiel has been set
apart as a prophet because when anointed for a minor malady noticed the
unsuspecting and sincere minister mentioned a "double portion." This was
then taken as the sign he was called to be a Prophet and his rejection by the
Living Church of God proves he is correct and what he noticed about LCG getting
off track is true.
5a. Dr. Robert Thiel is delusional, a
little weird and just another misguided person who is a little God haunted and
overly Bible soaked. He's not a prophet and if he doesn't do better in his
presentations probably won't even make one.
I think we get the point. I'll spare
you using Occam's Razor to question fantastic stories in the Bible that just
don't ring true much as Lance Armstrong's or Manti Teo's don't.
We could ask, which is easier to
believe...Children who growl, gnash, writhe and throw themselves often in the
fire are possessed by a wicked spirit in high places...or....they had an
epileptic episode which no one could explain medically?
We could ask which is easier to
believe.. The Old Testament accurately predicts the very things that
happened in the New Testament. Or...The writers of the New Testament used
the Old Testament to write the stories which is why they seem so accurate.
We could ask, and some do, was Jesus
Lord, Liar, Lunatic or Legend? I spare you.
We could ask, "Which is more logical?
The New Testament Gospels, Epistles and Letters that talk as if soon really
meant soon and the day being at hand really meant their day was at hand...and
goofed. Or...The NT scriptures that talk about Jesus coming as soon are
dual and those days were only a type for our day which really is the final soon
2000 years later."?
We could use Occam's Razor to ask if the Book
of Revelation, upon which the COG's base their entire existence was written to
show "things which must shortly come to pass," for the "them" of their time
, OR...is really for us today because Jesus didn't really mean those
listening to him then should be taken for the generation that
shall not pass until the Son of Man appears.
We can even go for the details with Occam's
Razor and ask if we really think Roman guards fell asleep at the tomb so
disciples can steal the body and so that's the excuse why Jesus body is
gone. Or we can think, "The Roman's would execute any soldiers that
fell asleep on guard to prevent this with such a famous rebel and would not
really do or say something so stupid.
Anyway,
6. I and the very small number of
actual members of my Schism, Splinter or Sliver COG are the only true Christians
following the only true ministers with the only true explanation and
interpretation of scripture on earth today.
6a. I may be kidding myself and missing
out on many wonderful opportunities to explore things my current Apostle,
Prophet or Witness would not approve of.
7. All these men will live to see
Jesus Second Coming and be proven right
7a. All these men will die in time and the
beat will go on.
"The simplest explanation for some
phenomenon is more likely to be accurate than more complicated
explanations."
