God, The Absolute

 

God, The Absolute

By Skepsou

 

God is absolute.  And the problem with trying to describe the absoluteness of God is that all of the vocabulary we might use is human and limited.   We try to dress this human language up in an attempt to express the state of being absolute but the result is just awkward.  Let me give you an example.  We can take a limited human concept like being “potent” and dress it up with the prefix “omni-“ to create a word that might be descriptive of God.  We try to manufacture the infinite from the finite.  So we say that God is omnipotent.  But this is just an extension of the base word potent.  Omnipotent now means something like “all-potent.”  It is similar to taking the word human and transforming it into the word superhuman.  The problem is that it merely stretches a human-bound attribute. 

But God is absolute.  He is not limited to potency at all.  God is not like a strong man only much more so.  God does not exist on the same scale as human beings.  We can’t say at the lower end of the human potency scale there is the weak man and at the upper end there is the strong man and then beyond the strong man, yet on this same scale, there is God.  To say that God is omnipotent is a category error.  Omnipotence is just an exaggeration of a human condition.   God owns the Cosmos completely and perfectly.  He created it.  He did not fabricate it - he called it into existence by fiat.  At one time the Cosmos existed only in his mind. And he can make it go out of existence in the twinkling of an eye without using any kind of force or potency inherent in the Cosmos itself.   God may work with physical agencies – like sending a plague against the Assyrians – but he does not need to.  That is just done in our realm for our instruction and in terms we can understand.     

God is absolute.  This is going to sound very odd but it is an index of how constrained our thinking is by our human vocabulary.   Here goes.  God is not alive or dead.  Humans can be alive and humans can be dead but God is pure and absolute existence.  Human life is an analogical derivative of that divine existence.  Humans are a triune combination of sarx, pneuma and psuche – Koine Greek for flesh, spirit and animating principle, respectively.  If the synergy between these three components works, we are alive.  If the synergy is disrupted, we die.   God is not bound by such contingencies.   God is self-existent (see how awkward is the vocabulary) and we are contingently existent.  The Hebrew word “chay” is used in the Old Testament to provide the expression “living God.”  But chay seems to be used of creatures.  Its application to God seems inelegant – like many of the anthropomorphisms in the Old Testament. We can be alive and conscious but God transcends that category.   We are in the category of imparted, conditional existence.  He is in the category of absolute existence. Our being alive is an analogy of God’s absolute existence. 

Words like “omnipotent” are really just analogies.  We know God only through analogy.  To describe God in human vocabulary is to analogize.   Take out your tablet and write a one paragraph description of God.  The wording will all be analogy – human terms applied to a being that transcends all that your words can convey.  You might point out that the Bible uses such language.  But the Bible, too, speaks in analogies.  One of the Bible’s chief literary forms is anthropomorphism – talking about God as if he were human.  I used to take great exception to the fact that Rupertism-Armstrongism believed that the anthropomorphic language of the Bible described God in his essence.   I felt like terms such as “omnipotent” were really the solution.   Now I believe that both Old Testament anthropomorphic language and brewed up words like omnipotent or omniscient or omnipresent are all human-based and analogical.  The latter is only a little better than the former.  But we must use these words.  We have nothing else.  And above all we must remember that this analogical language does not define God as he really is: absolute.

But an important question is why should we be able to make sense of the analogies that tell us about God?  An analogy about something that is unintelligible is still unintelligible.  It is because we are created in God’s image.  What is meaningful to him can be in some way meaningful to us if he wants it to be.    We only know about him what he wants us to know.  That we know anything about him at all is because of our analogical similarity.  We are limited, fleshly analogs of God.  He created all of us so that his salvation means something to us.  We are all salvable because he has created us all to be salvable.   Since God is ultimate reality and we live in an analogical cosmos then we are God’s walking, breathing poetry, we are God’s literature written in flesh. 

Note:  Some may label what I have written as “liberal.”  The term “liberal” is often used inappropriately to castigate others with a different view.   But what I have presented is quite conservative.  It recognizes the surpassing glory of God.  To the contrary, to believe that humans are capable of becoming “God as God is God” is radically liberal. 

LCG: Is It Possible To Have True Friends In The Church?

 

Anyone who has ever been part of any of the Churches of God knows what happens with "loyal" friends when they start asking questions or leave the church. Those friends disappear so fast it is shocking. Loyal friends do not exist. You soon discover you have lots and lots of acquaintances, but only a few loyal friends, if any at all.

Loyal friends stick by you no matter what and do not care what some ministers say to do. Those that leave soon find that there are far more friends OUTSIDE the church that will stick by you than you ever had when in the church. That alone is a curse on the Churches of God.

Keys to Friendship: The Bible tells us that “There are friends who bring ruin, but there are true friends more loyal than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24, New American Bible, Revised Edition), and that true friends are supportive during difficult times (Proverbs 17:17). Jesus shared important thoughts and concerns with His friends (John 15:15). Real friends may not always agree with us, but they will tell us what we need to hear because they care for us (Proverbs 27:6, 17). The Bible warns that we need to choose our friends carefully because we are influenced by the company we keep (Proverbs 12:26). Abraham was a friend of God because he chose to obey God’s instructions (James 2:23; Genesis 12:1–4; Genesis 26:5), and he understood that friendship with the world would alienate him from God (James 4:4). If we choose to be a friend of God and Jesus Christ, and we work to build friendships with those we come into contact with, we can be lights to the world. 

 

Have a profitable Sabbath, 

Douglas S. Winnail

 

Restored Church of God: Dave Pack Continues To Stall

 

David C. Pack Is Stalling

 

After seven weeks of build-up, Jesus Christ did not return on December 24 at 9:40 AM EDT.

 

The night before, Member Services posted the announcement of “The Greatest Unending Story! (Part 411)” to be given by David C. Pack on Christmas Eve. That actually happened.

 

You will shake your head if you listen to the whole 81 minutes. Wow. How stupid does he assume the people of The Restored Church of God are?

 

Pretty stupid.

 

 

Imagine you discover your spouse committed adultery a week ago. The spouse tells you how riveting the story will be. You will come to appreciate how right on track your marriage is if you are willing to be a little more patient. So, you agree to sit for 81 minutes and hear them out.

 

The spouse tells you how awful parking was that night. The service at the restaurant was terrible. The meal was overcooked and overpriced. The conversation was okay, but not what the spouse hoped for. The “clicking” was not happening as it did on the phone, but more wine helped with that. The spouse did not really want to be there, but those were the circumstances that were dealt. So, they made the best of it.

 

The hotel lost the reservation, and the only room available had a full-sized bed in a smoking room. Not ideal, but the facts being as they were, they went with it. The pillows were short and squishy. The mattress slumped in the middle big-time. The toilet made a gurgling sound all night and the shower water in the morning never got quite hot enough.

 

Work was a bear the next day. The spouse was not well-rested and had to blow off a client to leave the office early. It was a remarkable coincidence that you got home from the overnight with your parents at exactly the same time your spouse got home from the office. And life went on.

 

That story takes up 81 minutes of your time. You ask your spouse, “But what about the adultery? Why did you do it? Who is this other person?”

 

The spouse responds, “Huh?”

 

 

That is David C. Pack during Part 411 explaining why Jesus Christ did not return on Tevet 1.

 

What about Tevet 1 on Christmas not happening again until 2068? – Huh

What about Tevet 1 on Christmas on a Sunday not happening again until 2136? – Huh

What about Jesus Christ only being able to return on Tevet 1 or Tammuz 1? – Huh

What about “in the midst of the years” being crucial? – Huh

What about “touching the day” being a Sabbath? – Huh

What about “rushing to call out a final message?” – Huh

What about God hating Christmas more than any other holiday? – Huh

What about the Two Witnesses preaching during the Christmas season? – Huh

What about God’s servant knowing his message is finished? – Huh

What about the Series being inspired preaching? – Huh

What about the entirety of the last seven weeks? – Huh

What about “if this doesn’t happen, it was a ruse by God?” – Huh

Why didn’t God’s Kingdom come yesterday? – Huh

What is the new date for the return of Jesus Christ? – Huh

 

Dave touches on NONE of those topics during Part 411. It is a master class in gaslighting.

 

It would also be of little comfort to remind the audience of what was said one week ago.

 

Part 410 – December 17, 2022

@ 1:44:21 Now, if Tevet 2 comes without Jesus Christ, I just wanna say something very plainly. I want everybody to hear me. I’ll have no idea the year God’s Kingdom comes. I won’t…I’ve stress-tested the living daylights outta this picture. I have no idea. There wouldn’t be a 411 explaining something.

 

@ 1:48:28 If the Mystery of God is not over…I wouldn’t know how to explain it.

 

The words of David C. Pack do not age well.

 

 

Does he offer any remorse, shame, or responsibility for salvation not coming the day before? Ha. That’s funny. Except that is not funny.

 

Part 411 – December 24, 2022

@ 00:57 I’ll open as I did a week ago. All is still well. We are still on track. The Mystery of God is not ended.

 

@ 01:48 And we’re gonna look at a lotta wonderful things today. Really exciting. I can’t wait to get this all out to you. Have a certain amount we have to cover because I think I’ll need a message Tuesday, as well.

 

@ 36:01 I hope all of this inspires you and you never see this little extra wait as a problem again.

 

By thirty-six minutes into the message, those paying attention should realize that David C. Pack was stalling. He was not addressing the latest failure but throwing new shiny stuff to keep people distracted.

 

After closely examining these messages for the past eight months, this is the first one that screamed, “Dave is stalling.” If you listen to the topics he covers, it amounts to smoke and mirrors. Not even street magician-level tricks. Part 411 is watching a YouTube video in your bedroom practicing in front of a mirror skill level. You can see the ball between his fingers. You can see the card move under his sleeve. You can still see string poking out of his breast pocket.

 

Part 411 is that bad.

 

Dave assumes the members of RCG are pretty stupid, and he pushes through with that assumption. He ignores the reason anyone endured the harsh cold to hear him. Nope. Not going to address it. But here is a bunch of other stuff to fill the timeslot.

 

Speaking on December 24 was pure Damage Control. No substance. Just a fluffy, hollow spin so Brian Jackson and Larry Cockshutt would not have to endure a silent night after a severe failure.

 

@ 54:59 On Tuesday, I'ma blow your mind with what I've learned. We're right on track. Trust me. Just believe me. I've found a smoking gun and a gold standard to know exactly when the 10 days begin.

 

Dave was not ready to explain what went wrong because he had no answers. He knew this but refused to admit it. This is all placation. He knew he could not get through Christmas without saying SOMETHING. And Part 411 is full of some things.

 

This is the appearance of leadership. This is the impression of confidence. This is the illusion of knowledge. The ruse by Dave’s god continues in the hopes of holding off any further resignations until after Tuesday. He knows those on the fence are willing to hang on for a few days. Then, after a new date is given on Tuesday, they will continue to hang on for a few more days.

 

This technique has worked since spring. Why stop now?

 

@ 1:11:05 I don't mean to be a tease. It'll be kind of a little bit of a thing I wanna tell ya. Just to put us on track. We're gonna have an amazing message on Tuesday. Maybe a little shorter than this one…

 

@ 1:12:03 …let's just review a couple things just to be sure nobody gets discouraged and has any doubt we're right on track. I'm gonna tell you amazing things on Tuesday, and you'll know that then there's no more time for anything else.

 

I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.

 

David C. Pack is stalling. His comforting reassurance is an empty food wrapper. You may be starving, but there are not even bits of melted cheese or sauce to lick.

 

Part 411 is like a meeting that was scheduled solely to keep everyone in the office. By the time it is over, the central purpose is never covered, and the boss skips out the door before you realize it was a hoax.

 

Dave knows how to eat time. He says many words hoping the audience does not catch on that he did not admit to failing the day before. If he can make it to his car without getting stopped in the hallway, it will be a good evening.

 

He did not give any answers because he had none. If he had them, he would have said them.

 

 

People are leaving RCG, and Dave is not happy. He repeats a ridiculously audacious concept.

 

The mindset of those leaving The Restored Church of God is the same as those who want to murder the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11.

 

If you think this is an exaggeration, do not skim these quotes.

 

@ 04:10 And some among us have gotten tired. They didn’t want to be “a people prepared for the Lord.”

 

@ 04:53 Now, today, people cannot kill me because they don't wanna hear anymore. But they can bail out. And many do.

 

The people of Revelation 11 are tired of the bad news the Two Witnesses bring, so they murder them. The people inside RCG get tired of Dave never getting it right, so they leave. How is that the same?

 

@ 05:28 So, obviously, people can get tired. Now or later. And blow it. Much easier for us, really. And people still wouldn’t bear with it. Easier days. Simpler. But many still got tired and quit.

 

He said “many” twice. I cannot help but wonder if this was a slip-up. There must be enough leaving to get under his skin because he brings it up a few times.

 

@ 07:29 Others wanna kill the Two Witnesses and shut off the bad news. Kill the messengers. So, I hope that helps you maybe understand some who left us. They didn’t care. They didn’t wanna be enlightened. It’s easy to see.

 

Nobody leaves RCG because they “don’t care.” They leave because David C. Pack is a false apostle and false prophet who sets a date for their salvation that never comes. Like on Friday.

 

@ 08:01 And people [in Revelation 11] say, “I’ve had enough of them.” Then, it’s pretty easy to understand people who would sit among us and bail out because they first tuned out and said, "I don't want this anymore." And they go out to the devil’s world.

 

Leaving RCG is akin to murdering the Two Witnesses because they are tired. Dave is desperate to discredit any logical reason to resign. Every motivation he can accept is evil. Sadly, some in the audience will buy into that.

 

@ 35:09 Idn't it sad some people tuned out? They didn't stay long enough to learn this. The greatest things that we learned, we learned at the very end of the Series.

 

Would you believe me if I said you did not miss anything? You could skip Part 411 entirely, and your Christian walk would be as rich and full as possible. He says nothing of consequence. He gives no wisdom that you can use in any meaningful way. Nothing.

 

A message from him is as spiritually nutritious as plastic fruit.

 

David C. Pack is an empty well. A cloud without water. A fountain that only knows how to be bitter.

 

@ 1:07:15 …and the slow-pokes, the hard-heads are gonna go on, and some of them'll get killed, and they'll wake up in the long haul just like some saints have to go through the whole ten days [Day of the Lord]. Don’t get the Petra off-ramp [Place of Safety]…And they’ll be some just like those who bailed outta this Series who blow off the Two Witnesses. They'll be some like that later on who will bomb, and it won’t make any difference…They die blaspheming God.

 

The unsound thinking behind these concepts is staggering. The possibility that he is directly at fault for departures cannot be entertained, or it will shatter his fragile snowflake reality the spineless Headquarters enablers polish. Shame on the whole lot of them.

 

 

@ 55:58 The 1335 is not what we are waiting for, and it's spectacular news for all of you to understand…It is not for us.

 

Dave reverts to the Worldwide Church of God understanding taught by Herbert W. Armstrong. The 1335 is way into the future and not a part of God's plan for RCG, but is for their relatives later.

 

How many percentage points does this restore to HWA’s prophetic understanding? Is the “generous” 5% now a “solid” 5%? Dave did not say. We could hope for 7% because that is the biblical number for completion and would be a big deal.

 

@ 57:56 You’ll be amazed at how simple it became once it was time for God to show it.

 

Unless this is just another ruse by Dave's god, that is. Given the pattern of history, it is likely.

 

@ 1:10:14 So, that is the mystery of the 1335. You know, when you run into all of this new knowledge, I made some mistakes. One of them was I shoulda left the 1335 exactly where it was.

 

Whoopsie-Daisy. Dave first meddled with the 1335 with his 8-part sermon “The 1,335 Days of the Son of Man,” which started on March 12, 2011. Note that they cannot be found in the Member Services Sermon Library. 

 

 

What Dave taught for twenty-five minutes is presented as a flaccid excuse for the Friday no-show. But he presents it in a way that avoids directly addressing it.

 

@ 34:29 I hope you are as inspired as I am when I read these descriptions of what God's people would be like. I don't know how the Book of Revelation, as much as I wanted the Kingdom not this week, I wanted it last week. I wanted it a year ago and three years ago…But, until you get through all of these things…the Mystery of God has not expired…These are big things for people prepared for the Lord to learn.

 

Words fall from Dave's mouth, and he does not fathom what he is really saying.

 

The implication is Part 411 was REQUIRED for salvation because Jesus Christ COULD NOT return until the members of RCG learned this information.

 

Call me a skeptic, but I have trouble believing that. Since I heard the whole thing, my vote of “no confidence” hovers between 90-95%.

 

It seems impossible to believe anyone inside RCG was remotely satisfied with the content of Part 411. Especially considering the “why-how-what’s next” was deliberately not covered.

 

If only Dave conducted an anonymous 3x5 card poll of the audience to ask them, “Now that you heard the content of Part 411, do you agree Jesus Christ could not have returned until we understood all of this?” He does not do that in RCG because he knows the results would sour the rest of his weekend.

 

 

@ 04:10 And some among us have gotten tired. They didn’t want to be “a people prepared for the Lord.”

 

@ 35:05 These are big things for people prepared for the Lord to learn.

 

Preparing a people for the Lord used to mean building holy, righteous character in RCG. But now it means understanding prophecy. If I were the devil, I would love to have it so.

 

Since this “knowledge” changes every week, brethren will spend decades never getting a stable answer. If you keep their minds away from building character but instead distract them by what "the little book" is or how long "a little season" is, or what the “falling stars” of Revelation are, they will NEVER get fully prepared.

 

If the people are not prepared, then Jesus Christ cannot return. If I were the devil, then "The Greatest Unending Story!" is precisely what I would want, and David C. Pack would totally be the right guy for the job.

 

 

Someone in the comments section will be tickled pink to know Dave mentioned the Fast of Tevet 10 that began when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. Tevet 10 is January 3, 2023. Dave might have let the cat out of the bag. We will know for sure on Tuesday.

 

But that depends on how much longer he needs to dilly-dally, which could be tied to the number of resignations that flood inboxes today and Monday.

 

Part 411 is an incredible example of David C. Pack stalling.

 

He bought himself some time. He did a little Damage Control. He demonized those that had already left as a warning to the on-the-fencers. He spoke many words about prophetic ideas that have zero implications for those seeking salvation.

 

And all the while, he did not have to address why Friday morning failed after driving it hard for seven weeks. He was banking on a mass outbreak of Stiff-person syndrome, or he thinks the members of The Restored Church of God are pretty stupid.

 

For those trapped inside The Restored Church of God, you need to quit stalling and get out while you still can.

 

For anyone who would like assistance with their exit letters, reach out at exrcgwebsite@gmail.com. I would be happy to assist and I will keep your information confidential.

Marc Cebrian

See: David C Pack Is Stalling