Proof Texting Scripture To Mean What You Think It Should Mean

I Corinthians 5:8 as a Prooftext for Christian Observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread

In response to my post Get Ready: The Fall Holy Days Are Almost Upon Us, CGI's Jeff Reed cited I Corinthians 5:8 as a prooftext for the obligation of Christians to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread. I responded by pointing out that Paul was addressing a particular problem in the Corinthian Church - a man was openly in a relationship with his stepmother. I quoted almost the entire chapter in my response and demonstrated that Paul regarded the toleration of this man's sin by the wider community as something that was corrupting/leavening the whole congregation/batch of dough. I went on to underscore the fact that Paul's reference to Christ as the Christian's Passover Lamb - the thing which makes us free of sin/unleavened - is what the apostle intended for them to celebrate.

Nevertheless, Jeff responded: "Lonnie's comments...are an interesting example of how the same text can be viewed so differently. To me, the entire context points to keeping the Festival. It is very clear. It sure sounds like Paul was speaking to people who kept the feast. Or how else would they understand the symbolism he is teaching? Use that same language to a group of Baptists and see if they understand the meaning without additional explanation. What Paul says makes more sense to an audience keeping the feast. Paul even gives instructions in chapters 10 and 11 about proper observance of the Lord's Supper (New Testament Passover), which precedes the Days of Unleavened Bread. Another indication this letter was probably sent shortly before the Festival was to take place."

First, I agree with Pastor Reed that this is a prime example of how a passage of Scripture can be viewed very differently by folks with an agenda (like proving that Christians are obligated to observe the festivals commanded in Torah). However, absent that agenda, if the passage is viewed in context (meaning subject matter and place in the larger epistle), I don't think that there is much room for confusion here. I invite my readers to read Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians (especially chapter 5) and make your own determination about the focus of his remarks. Was he talking about the Feast of Unleavened Bread or was he addressing the situation with a sinning brother and his situation's impact on the larger community?

Also, in so far as the passage is related to any festival, I would like to suggest that it clearly refers to the New Testament Passover - the Lord's Supper! After all, Paul did state that "Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed <for us>" Hence, in this context, Paul's remarks about the proper observance of the Eucharist in the eleventh chapter of the same epistle is much more consistent with the passage from the fifth chapter than any suggestion that he was speaking about the Feast of Unleavened Bread (unleavened bread was also an integral part of the Old Testament Passover). In other words, if Paul was focused on any festival, he was clearly speaking about New Testament Passover.

Finally, of course, these Gentile folks would have been familiar with these references to Torah! They would have been an integral part of Paul's preaching about Jesus Christ! Remember, Christ and his apostles used the Torah, Prophets, and Writings of the Hebrew Scriptures to preach the Good News about salvation through him to everyone - Jews and Gentiles. That does NOT, however, suggest that Christians should observe the Torah festivals - that would be a leap in logic that Scripture simply does NOT make.

Jon Brisby: Wrong Hair Length Will Result In Loss Of Eternal Life!

 

From a Church of God Eternal source:

There's a fine line to walk for those who wish to enter into Armstrong heaven. Jon Brisby of Church of God Eternal (COGE) drew that fine line at hair style. No longer are hair cuts merely an administrative policy, now the wrong haircut will keep you out of the Kingdom of his Armstrongist god. 

 

In Brisby's September 2023 monthly letter to his retarded church "Natural Law and Common Sense" 

 

Brisby quotes 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 

 

"Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering." 

 

Nevemind that the context of the passage is not actually about hair length, instead its about family structure and responsibilities, and Paul is simply using hair length as a metaphor. Brisby overlooks the context and built a doctrine on the literalizing of a metaphor.

The Borg Queen Brisby told his mentally disabled church: 

 

"...rest assured this concept is important to God, because violation of it without repentance will result in the loss of eternal life."

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! 

 

Yes you will now lose your eternal life over hair style. 

 

What hair style will earn you a place in Armstrongite heaven? The hair style divinely revealed to Herbert W. Armstrong from Jesus himself! 

 

This is a far cry from Church of God Eternal's Fundamentals of Beliefs 

 

#22 which states: "We believe free moral agency involves the right of free choice, without coercion from the ministry or lay members. 

 

Therefore, the basis of baptism and the hand of fellowship must not involve conformity to outward appearance. Each member must be given the right to develop individually and is responsible before God for his own actions. It is not the Church’s responsibility to force members into conformity resulting from fear of disfellowship or ostracism." 

 

But Brisby is his own man, no longer restricted by Raymond Cole's constitution, and no outdated document from the founding father of his church is going to tell him what to do.

The 25 Year Heads-up: "But I'll tell you what, I'm not going anywhere..."

As I have noted in the past, one of the easiest ways to know what David C Pack is going to do or claim to be in the near future is to listen to him project what it is he would never do or ever claim to be.  Out of his own mouth, as Marc points out meticulously, the abundance of his heart speaks volumes as his claims to never ever really means watch out here I come. 

 One of the finest examples of projection in the history of religious delusions was written by Dave himself. 

Is “That Prophet” Alive Today? The Rise of False Prophets 

– David C. Pack

 

If he claims titles belonging to the all-powerful living Jesus Christ, then he is no less than a blaspheming idol, seeking to replace Christ with himself. This is serious…

p.32

 

No description of false prophets is complete without explaining one final characteristic. These deceivers always seem to find new ways to elevate themselves to greater offices and roles!

p.51

 

This never-ending acquisition of more titles better secures the false prophet’s followers under his spell.

p.52

 

Next, the blasphemy accelerated, as the leader quickly took more and more divine titles to himself.

p.117

Here we see that Dave has pre-told us exactly what he both is going to do and the internal fears he has in doing it. However, these concerns are only what others who claim such things should entertain. Dave is a special case and an exception to all the rules of scripture.

When Dave says something can't possibly be, then rest assured, it can be and often is. When Dave says can't possibly be any other way, be assured that it certainly can be and no doubt will be. When Dave declares that he has absolutely proved something to himself, then relax as he will soon disprove it and prove something even more seat gyrating that will be discarded when absolute and irrefutable proof of his next delusion presents itself. 

==================

We must never forget Dave's classic quote of what was to come low these many years ago. (Forgive reposting it yet again but it is the foundational insight into Dave's warped theological fantasies to come and his request for those who have the eyes and ears to see and hear it to point it out to him. 

This is the only prophecy that Dave Pack has ever gotten correct in his life. 

Dave Pack, more than any other sliver leader, clearly outlined ahead of time what he was about to do and continues to do by declaring he would never do it.  It's just how the mind of Dave the fake title taker and Apostle, falsely so called, is.  

 "I want to make a statement about...me..."

NOTE: Nothing rare here to see. Every statement since has been about Dave telling us all who Dave believes himself to be. 

"now, if I became deceived, I will never tell you what I'm going to tell you now...I am telling you if I go off into strange ideas, misconduct, rebellion, you name it, don't follow me."

NOTE: Correct, to date, he never has again brought this plea up to his deluded members.   Dave did not really mean this. The "you name it" arrived long ago and Dave has made it more than clear that to not follow Dave and to leave RCG is to consign yourself to either suicide  or the Lake of Fire. 

" want to tell you that now, because if I start doing that I'm gonna try to get you to follow me! I'm gonna come to you and tell you it doesn't apply, it doesn't mean me, no, no, no, no, no, no, it's OK to follow me because ABCD and XY and Z.

NOTE:  Here Dave is struggling with his inner problem child. And to date, Dave has done all this and is about to make every effort to get them all to follow him.  Dave has indeed made it clear that nothing he is now doing is inappropriate, magical thinking or just plain ego centric and authoritarian delusional thinking.  Dave does not have the capacity for self-examination and self-introspection. At least not publicly. 

" Do you understand what I'm saying? Listen to me now, when I tell you don't follow me" 

NOTE: Evidently they did not which was just fine with Dave

"if I go off into weird ideas, or if I get off into other things that are total absolutely unscriptural conduct, because if I do I'm gonna paint it with a different face and try to get you to follow me. Do you understand what I'm saying brethren? "

NOTE: Mission accomplished Dave. And lucky you. The RCG membership, ministry and Board of Enablers has yet to catch on. 

"Please remember that, because I promise you that if I become deceived, I'll forget it, and I'll want you to forget it.."

NOTE: Yes brethren, it's now 2023 and you have yet to remember this. Dave has indeed already forgotten what he said and, so far, is pleased you forgotten it too. 

".And  I hope you'll remember it well enough to quote it right back to me...But I'll tell you what, I'm not going anywhere."

David C Pack

December 12, 1998

NOTE: Well some do and will continue to do so until you give up your fake titles and admit you have been a "type" of "The Foolish Shephard" in the OT where you spend way too much time making a theological fool out of yourself. 

Dave Pack's presence in the real world or religion and theology is miniscule. Ask 1000 people if they ever heard of David C Pack and there is a good chance you will get 1000 "no, can't say that I have."   Dave is huge in his own mind and to a few hangers on who may come to wish they had never heard of David C Pack. Soon, I suspect, this will become abundantly clear. 

While the RCG and Dave Pack are nothing in the real world, they will serve as yet another religion gone wrong precautionary tale.