You can finish the rest of this 70-page letter from Orlin Grabbe on The Painful Truth.
Friday, November 23, 2018
Thursday, November 22, 2018
The Museum of the Bible and the Worldwide Church of God
In November of 2017, the Museum of the Bible opened in Washington DC. For those that have been to visit it, they say it is an extremely interesting place to visit. It is certainly a far more scholarly attempt than the epic failure of The Ark Experience in Kentucky that draws in people from various COG splinter groups in the Eastern part of the country.
A reader here sent me the following photographs of a display in the museum. Low and behold it has a display featuring the work Basil Wolverton. Thankfully it is not the Bible Story that the Worldwide Church of God published, but a book designed by Monte Wolverton as a tribute to his father. It is a vast collection of Basil Wolverton's illustrations that were published by the Worldwide Church of God and other sources over the decades.
Dave Pack vs. Tin Foil Bob Thiel on Football
It is a typical day in COGland as many members are settling in for a Thanksgiving meal and watching a game of football on TV. That is except in Arroyo Grande, CA where Tin Foil Bob is having another meltdown over American football.
Give thanks to God, but not for American tackle football
Today is the national holiday in the USA called Thanksgiving. And despite certain claims, its specific origins are not pagan. But, of course, no Christian needs to celebrate national holidays like it if they do not wish to (cf. Romans 14). And the Bible does condemn gluttony.
Yet, whether on this day or others, the Bible teaches that people should give thanks:
4 Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name (Psalm 30:4).
The Bible is full of admonitions to give thanks to God. The New King James Version of the Bible has the word ‘thank’ 25 times, ‘thanks’ 75 times, ‘thankful’ 3 times, and ‘thanksgiving’ 32 times. It also has the word ‘praise’ 237 times and ‘praises’ 11 times.
One thing that I have noticed on the day called Thanksgiving by those in the USA, is when I have been at many other places than the home I lived in, American football has been playing on television.
For many, other than food and family, football is a major focus of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Christians should give God thanks, but not encourage violence in sports like American tackle football.
To close, perhaps I should mention that we do not ‘add a day’ to God’s holy days if we somehow observe Thanksgiving or other national holidays. National observances are NOT holy days, nor does anyone have to keep them. Jesus, however, observed at least one (cf. (John 10:22-23), setting an example that we can if we so choose. But not through encouraging violence.Dave Pack, at least, had a more historical history of Thanksgiving posted about why we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States, something Tin Foil Bob never does since all of his articles are always about him.
Dave Pack seems to be ok with football:
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, ponder and consider the many wonderful blessings you enjoy. Be grateful for these wonderful benefits. (To learn more, read our article “The Sin of Ingratitude.”) Realize that these material blessings were not given to us because of anything we have done—we do not deserve them. God has bestowed them on us—simply because of His mercy, and His promise to Abraham, the father of the faithful (Gal. 3:6-9).
Before you and your family enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, or begin watching a parade or football game, be sure to take time to truly thank God in prayer and thought for the national wealth, power and prestige He has given this nation.
While there is still time, make certain that you and your family are not partaking in the nationwide, unthankful attitude. Be sure to give thanks to God in the same heartfelt, sincere manner that the pilgrims did on the first Thanksgiving in North America! Should You Celebrate Thanksgiving Day?
Gerald Weston on Living the Way
So what do you have to say about the following from Gerald Weston? There are things I could be snarky about but will let you decide.
True Christianity is a way of life (Acts 18:25; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). That way encompasses many things. In the context of these references to “the way,” the most obvious application is that those walking in it were followers of Jesus Christ, their Savior. They understood Him as the Messiah who came to die on our behalf, but also understood that He is coming again. Keeping the Sabbath and Holy Days would not have differentiated them from millions of Jews living in the Middle East and Mediterranean countries in the first century. “The way” goes beyond those observances.That way was and is different in many respects, and one is how we treat our neighbors (John 13:34–35). We are to do what Christ commanded and walk as He walked (Luke 6:46; 1 John 2:6). He expects a higher standard under the New Covenant. We are not only to love our neighbor, but even our enemies, and that love is expressed in what we do. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you… for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:44–46; see also Luke 6:27–36). Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20).During my first few years in the ministry, we visited many “GOTO’s,” people who had requested a visit or wanted to know about baptism or attending services. Street numbers are not always easy to read, but there was a common denominator when looking for a home: We could look for the most run-down property on the block! Yes, this is an exaggeration, but it was not a rare occurrence. The Apostle Paul would understand this (1 Corinthians 1:26–29). Yes, God calls the weak of the world, but nowhere does it say that we are to remain the weak.The world often judges by outward appearance, and let us be honest: We often do the same. Is this not what James warned us against in James 2:1–9? Does this mean that our outward appearance is not important? Is it not being a good neighbor to take care of our property and so lift the value of our neighborhood? Did not God command Adam “to tend and keep” the garden (Genesis 2:15)?Being a good neighbor involves many things, far more than this article can list, but with a little thought, we can all come up with ways to show genuine concern for those around us. Practiced thoughts and actions eventually become part of our character—again, “second nature,” as we often say. Godly character is expressed in the two great commandments. And who knows what long-term good may come from your example (1 Corinthians 7:16; Ecclesiastes 11:5–6)?Our best friends and greatest service efforts ought to be among the family of God, but there are also plenty of opportunities to serve our closest neighbors: the homes around us, co-workers on the job, classmates, and let us not forget those who share our abode. Let us not forget Jesus’ admonition, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Gerald Weston on loving your neighbor, if you think you must
Gerald Weston and other COG leaders have been regularly taken to task for running insular churches who only look inward at themselves whether it be with their time, money, or deeply held religious beliefs. The Church of God has had a long history of its leaders and certain ministers who loved to mock other Christians who assist the homeless, feed the hungry, care for the sick and those on the margins of society. The belief has always been, as widely blasted from the pulpit, that why waste time and tithe money in this present age on these people or issues of life when God will eventually fix all of the problems in the Kingdom to come. Besides, why waste money feeding the homeless when a new jet or auditorium is more important!
The constant criticism of their insular activities apparently gets to them every once in a while. So much so that Gerald Weston has to write about it.
Who Is Your Neighbor?
This brings us to a vital question: How much love do we have for our neighbor?
Love is more than an emotion. Godly love requires action! Yet, some members do all they can to avoid their earthly neighbors. Perhaps you have heard one of these justifications: “Familiarity breeds contempt, so I keep my distance.” “We are to come out of this world and my neighbors are in this world.” “I don’t want to have to deal with questions about Christmas or the Sabbath.” Some churches go so far as to command their members not to fellowship with those outside of their organizations! How misguided! How sad!
It is true that we should prioritize helping those who are spiritually like-minded. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). We all have limited time and resources, and yes, our first concern is to those of the household of faith, but the Bible tells us to “do good to all,” and there are numerous admonitions in Scripture to care for outsiders.
One of the most well-known parables is that of the Good Samaritan. Jesus gave it in response to a self-justifying lawyer who asked, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). The parable is so well recognized that it requires little rehearsing. Jesus used it to demonstrate that our self-assumed status is not what matters. Rather, how we treat others is what matters. We read how a priest and a Levite passed by a man robbed and beaten by thieves, but a Samaritan, one despised by the Jews, went out of his way to give aid (vv. 30–35). Concluding the parable, Jesus asked the lawyer, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And the lawyer replied, “He who showed mercy on him” (vv. 36–37).
We ought to be the best neighbors in our communities, helping where needed. Does this mean we should volunteer our time at “skid row” food kitchens? No one can deny that a warm meal is a service to a hungry person, but we need to make sure our heads work with our hearts. Such programs may make us feel good, as though we are doing something significant, but is there any lasting benefit? Have we done anything to help anyone off skid row and into a more productive life? Are we even capable of doing such a thing at this time? Is this how we should spend our energy and resources? Each of us must evaluate our own circumstances and opportunities.It is quite obvious that Weston has never set foot in a facility that assists the homeless by feeding and providing housing. Those using these facilities for food or housing have to fulfil many requirements that they are actively looking for jobs, staying clean and sober, and much more. These organizations who do this DO look towards lasting benefits that their clients have physical and mental health issues met. These organizations DO get people off skid row and homeless families into homes so they can lead productive lives. Weston's flippant remark is just another easy-out so LCG members do not have to do any things.
The important comment above is in the second to last sentence. "Is this how we should spend our energy and resources?" Why spend money feeding people when we can dump millions of dollars into failed advertising campaigns, personal appearances, cable channels that failed to draw in viewers with income streams, and endless remodelling of church HQ offices?
Consider whether there are better ways to help. Are there closer neighbors? Checking on an elderly neighbor, mowing her lawn or shoveling his snow, may be of genuine benefit to someone who has a need and who may live as close as next door. Cooking a meal for a sick neighbor may also be appropriate. Watching over someone’s home while he is on vacation and walking and feeding his dog may be much appreciated. Of course, this requires knowing our neighbors well enough to understand their needs, and well enough to be trusted by them. These may seem small deeds, but they can be meaningful.Then to further intimidate members into doing nothing, Weston makes the claim that most of those who help the less fortunate of society only do it because they want to be seen doing it. Because this is a common trait within the Church of God does not mean everyone outside the church is guilty of this.
If you look at LCG, RCG, PCG,, and other COG sites/member papers, etc., you will see one story after another about church members who do good deeds for their churches. They send in the stories with pictures and want to be seen doing it. After all, being seen raising money to send into HQ is more important than feeding a homeless man. There ARE priorities!On the night of Jesus’ last Passover, He instructed His disciples—and those of us who follow in their footsteps—in the importance of expressing love by observable actions. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). How can anyone know that we “have love for one another” unless they observe acts of love? But this brings up another question. Did Jesus not tell us not to let our charitable deeds be shown? “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1).The key is in the final phrase of the sentence: “to be seen by them.” In other words, “showing off” should not be the motivation for our good deeds. Calling up the television station to let them know you have organized a work party in a flood zone is not the thing to do. This happens all too often during natural disasters, as I have seen firsthand. So, it is a delicate balance. Or is it?
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