Argument IX
Deception, Distortion and Misrepresentation
At one point in his letter, Mr. Richard George took issue with a message given by Dennis Fischer in the spring of 2002. The message was part of a split sermon addressing the issue of dining out on the Sabbath. Mr. Fischer’s portion covered seven common arguments advanced by those who believe they may purchase the services of those who profane the Sabbath, and do so with God’s full blessing.
At one point in his message Mr. Fischer addressed the argument that restaurants provide an excellent atmosphere for wholesome Christian fellowship on the Sabbath —a point with which Mr. George also agrees. Mr. Fischer acknowledged that the conversation, although very positive and uplifting, does not make the restaurant an appropriate place to go on God’s holy day. Mr. George took exception to his point.
Mr. George:
Although Mr. Fischer gave the appearance of fairness…he basically belittled the idea most members have experienced that fellowshipping over a meal enhances the Sabbath-keeping experience. The fact you mention a valid reason dismissively does not make it wrong.
Note from Blow the Trumpet
By "fellowshipping over a meal" Mr. George is referring to one that is purchased from those who must desecrate the Sabbath in order to provide it.
Our Response:
Mr. Fischer did not "belittle" the conversation at all. He readily accepts the fact that some wonderful Christian fellowship has taken place when God's people were dining out on the Sabbath. He will even openly acknowledge that he used to be a part of such fellowship. However, Mr. Fischer rightly concluded that the quality of the fellowship is not the standard God uses to determine whether dining out on the Sabbath is an appropriate activity. Here is how the book A Sabbath Test makes his point.
Some have argued that going to a restaurant on the Sabbath is acceptable to God because of what is done there. After all, God’s people go there to talk about the Bible and the Kingdom. How could that not please Him?
Once again, this argument employs the same reasoning used by the Protestant world when they justify keeping Sunday as their Sabbath. After all, every Sunday they read the Bible, sing praises to God, and pray for His kingdom to return. That must be pleasing to Him, too, right? What Sabbath-keeping Christian really believes this argument?
Throughout human history, man has always attempted to justify his behavior by cloaking it in acts of goodness. However, when you get right down to it, talking about God while dining out on the Sabbath possesses about the same moral weight as talking about God while eating a ham sandwich. The problem is not with the conversation. It’s with the conduct. A Sabbath Test p. 81
We at Blow the Trumpet couldn't agree more. Good conversation alone will not carry the day with God. Jesus Himself actually illustrated how words of praise can be offset by inappropriate behavior.
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. (Mt. 15:8)
We realize that Mr. George doesn't believe dining out on the Sabbath is inappropriate conduct, but just consider what it requires. Those who engage in this practice must seek out people who are desecrating God's holy Sabbath and then purchase the fruit of this sin. This is a fact that people like Mr. George find difficult to admit, but it is true just ths same. The fact that he thinks that dining out on the Sabbath is a "gift from God' illustrates how far some have come from understanding what the Almighty thinks of the sin that takes place in a restaurant every Sabbath. They just don't see restaurant personnel as desecrating anything. They're wrong.
Mr. George continued:
The Sabbath is, after all, supposed to be a delight. Sabbath diners don't assert the meal is the only delight of that day, as you hinted; but it is an appropriate delight that day. Negativists focus on all you cannot do. God, I believe, wants us to find out how much Sabbath-keeping can accomplish and in how many positive ways.
Our Response:
In response to this point we offer the words of A Sabbath Test. They express the truth on this issue perfectly.
Perhaps the most important instruction recorded by Isaiah concerning the Sabbath is that God wants His people to CALL this day a “delight.” Regrettably, some have put a unique twist on these words. Many have interpreted them to mean that we are to do things to MAKE the Sabbath a delight. In other words, find something that gives pleasure and do it on the Sabbath. After constructing such a premise, many in God’s church contend that going out to eat causes them to do less work, and thus makes the Sabbath more enjoyable. Therefore, going to a restaurant on God’s Sabbath is a delight and is in keeping with the words recorded by Isaiah.
Such an interpretation is a HORRIBLE DISTORTION of the scriptures! God did not create the Sabbath to insure that man would have one day of personal enjoyment every week. He created this day so that our natural pursuit of personal desires would not so consume our lives that they would estrange us from the very God who made us. In other words, the Sabbath is not a day to seek personal pleasures, but rather to reject them. It is a day dedicated to embracing that which is holy. A Sabbath Test p 37
Mr. George continued:
I also question presenting this argument as millennial. While each Sabbath does picture the millennium, picturing the millennium is not the sole purpose for Sabbath dining out. The real assertion is that it enhances the observance of the weekly Sabbath. That alone diminishes the real relevance of his (Dennis Fischer's) arguments against "millennial" reasons for doing so.
Our Response:
Whether Mr. George wishes to believe it or not the argument of "It pictures the millennium" is one of the most popular advanced by those who embrace dining out on the Sabbath. Once again Mr. Fischer challenged this argument most effectively. The fact that Mr. George considers it irrelevant only proves that it is irrelevant to him. However, for those reading this page, here is how Mr. Fischer's point was conveyed in A Sabbath Test.
To be sure, going out to dinner at a fine restaurant is an experience that can bring great pleasure. It is also true that the millennium will be a time of unimaginable abundance and prosperity. But is there a connection between going to a restaurant on the Sabbath and the Kingdom it allegedly pictures? The answer to this question is an emphatic NO! In reality, dining out on the Sabbath not only contradicts God’s Kingdom, it actually embraces the kingdoms of men.
The fact that the meal takes place at an expensive restaurant does not make it any more appropriate than if it were a burger and fries at a local “fast food joint.” Such a practice does not keep this day SACRED or HOLY. It does not show deference to the Sabbath or its purpose. Instead, it is using time that belongs to the Creator of Heaven and Earth for one’s personal enjoyment. A Sabbath Test p. 78
Finally, we at Blow the Trumpet believe there is something very telling in Mr. George's words. He is quick to acknowledge that the Sabbath pictures God's millennial Kingdom. However, he minimizes the connection between dining out on this day and that same kingdom. Here we actually agree with him. Quite frankly, this is our point. We don't think there is any connection between going to a restaurant and celebrating the Sabbath that pictures God's soon coming reign on earth. On the contrary, what takes place in Mr. George's diner is a rejection of that government and the Sabbath that pictures it.
Argument X