W  hen defending the practice of dining out on the Sabbath, the United Church of God employs what is arguably the greatest insult to God's law in their quiver of points. They contend that seeking out unbelievers who desecrate what God made holy can actually be a better way to honor the fourth commandment than keeping it as God intended from the very beginning, when even He rested from His labor on that day (Ge. 2:2). Our assessment may sound harsh but we exhort all who are genuinely interested in this issue to honestly consider what the UCG is asserting in this phase of their argument. We realize that these men are dedicated servants of the true God and that they sincerely desire to obey Him. However, they are seriously blinded by their own behavior when it comes to what they advocate.

    At this point, it is important to understand that God's position concerning work on the Sabbath has never changed (Mal. 3:6, Heb. 13:8). He was opposed to it at the beginning and He remains opposed to it to this very day. Nothing more graphically illustrates the strength of God's view on this issue than what was expressed in His own law, which was introduced to ancient Israel after they were delivered out of bondage in Egypt. When the Almighty first presented His great moral code to these emancipated slaves, it was His intent that no one would labor on the Sabbath (Ex. 20:8-11). To do so was a capital crime (Ex.31:14). Furthermore, He made no provisions for them to avail themselves of the labor of unbelievers on His Sabbath. This included unbelievers both within the camp and outside the camp. Those inside the camp were bound by the same Sabbath law as the Israelites. And those outside the camp were declared off limits to God's people on the Sabbath. He actually prohibited the children of Israel from going outside the camp on His day.

    Finally, when God's Kingdom is established on earth, under the leadership of Jesus Christ and His saints, no one will be engaging in labor on God's Sabbath. That includes the labor involved in running a restaurant. Why? Because God's great moral law forbids it. And in the Kingdom all will obey His law (Isa. 66:23).

    Today however, the UCG suggests that those who profane God's Sabbath are actually providing a service that helps His people better honor the fourth commandment. To them dining out on the Sabbath is an activity that enhances the day. They even have the gall to call this sin "a wonderful way to spend a portion of the Sabbath."

    What the UCG is employing in this particular argument is human reasoning at its very worst. Their belief on this issue is not driven by what the scriptures say, but rather by the pleasure they derive from a behavior. In other words, they conclude that if it feels good it must be right. Once again, we are not judging these COG leaders. They are probably among the finest in the church. But their wisdom on this particular issue is HORRIBLE. It does not reflect God's word, nor does it express His wisdom. Instead, it is a desperate attempt to make something God hates look like something He loves. The Bible declares that God takes no pleasure in sin (Psa. 5:4) and this holds true for the sins of others. Sadly, the UCG not only takes pleasure in it, but asserts that partaking of its fruit advances the cause of their worship.

    This approach is cynical to the core and is exactly what Protestants employ when defending such pagan customs as Christmas and Easter. Sadly, the UCG applies the identical mindset when justifying their sin. Notice what this team of doctrinal experts present as scholarship. As you do, imagine presenting this to God Almighty when explaining your Sabbath behavior.

United Church of God:

Eating in a restaurant doesn’t violate the principles as given in the Bible about the Sabbath. In fact, to eat in a restaurant after Sabbath services with our spiritual family can be one of the highlights of a person’s week. In many small congregations the entire group goes out together after services, either for lunch or dinner. It is a wonderful way to spend a portion of the Sabbath. Of course, we also need private time together with our families in the home. And we need the fellowship of a Sabbath service to fully appreciate the meaning of the day. The key in these areas is one of balance. It is actually less work for many to eat in a restaurant and pay for the meal than it is to have a group of people in your home to eat on the Sabbath. Even if you work diligently to prepare everything the day before, there will still be work involved when one entertains others in his home.

Our Response:

    The UCG position in favor of dining out on the Sabbath reflected in the paragraph above is laced with so much misinformation that we decided to break it down into several components. As you read each UCG assertion, consider the Biblical truth you must reject in order to accept their argument.

UCG Assertion I

Eating in a restaurant doesn’t violate the principles as given in the Bible about the Sabbath.

Our Response:

    Oh yes it does! When God established the nation of Israel, He specifically forbid labor on His Sabbath (Ex. 20:8-11). He did so in order to preserve the spiritual integrity of this day. The Sabbath is HOLY and work profanes it. What takes place in a restaurant on this holy time is an act of sacrilege and shows utter contempt for what God consecrated at the very beginning (Ge. 2:2-3). God's law not only prohibits His people from working, but also prohibits them from issuing an order to work on the Sabbath. Even the "stranger" (unbeliever) was not to labor on behalf of God's people on this day (Ex. 20:10).

   Furthermore, God's word specifically forbids His people from 1) acquiring their meals on the Sabbath, 2) having them prepared on the Sabbath, and 3) from going outside their community of faith on the Sabbath (See Ex. 16). When one dines out on God's day he or she must violate all three of these commands.

   Finally, God's word forbids His people from buying food from unbelievers on the Sabbath (Neh. 10:31). Dining out on the Sabbath requires the purchase of food and services from unbelievers just like the Jews did when purchasing goods from men of Tyre in Nehemiah's day (Neh. 13:16).

UCG Assertion II         

"In fact, to eat in a restaurant after Sabbath services with our spiritual family can be one of the highlights of a person’s week. In many small congregations the entire group goes out together after services, either for lunch or dinner. It is a wonderful way to spend a portion of the Sabbath."

Our Response:

    Since when is going out into spiritual Egypt where God's law is being desecrated by slaves to sin (Ro. 6:16) under the influence of the great slave master, Satan (2 Cor. 4:4), "a wonderful way to spend a portion of the Sabbath"? The UCG may find pleasure in what takes place at a restaurant when they dine out on this day, but God absolutely ABHORS it (Ezk. 20: 12-13). If one truly loves God they would never participate in an activity that requires contempt for him--no matter how much pleasure it gives.

UCG Assertion III

Of course, we also need private time together with our families in the home. And we need the fellowship of a Sabbath service to fully appreciate the meaning of the day. The key in these areas is one of balance.

Our Response:

    The argument of “balance” advanced by the UCG may sound plausible, but in truth it is nothing more than an attempt to compromise God’s law. The fact of the matter is that God forbids moderation and balance in many areas. Consider just a few: He prohibits lying in moderation, stealing in moderation, coveting in moderation, killing in moderation, cursing in moderation, or building an occasional graven image. Such “balance” is abhorrent to Him. When it comes to the Sabbath, God prohibits working in moderation, doing your own pleasure in moderation, and compelling others, including unbelievers to work on your behalf in moderation. He also prohibits buying in moderation as well as selling in moderation.

     The UCG may feel comfortable dressing up sin in a tuxedo and calling it beautiful, but the Lord of the Sabbath had different words for Israel when they went out to acquire their food on the Sabbath.

And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. (Ex. 16:27-29)
  

     The fact that unbelievers trample on God's holy day by preparing and selling their victuals is no reason for believers to purchase the fruit of their sacrilege. For the UCG to suggest otherwise is shameful.

UCG Assertion IV

"It is actually less work for many to eat in a restaurant and pay for the meal than it is to have a group of people in your home to eat on the Sabbath. Even if you work diligently to prepare everything the day before, there will still be work involved when one entertains others in his home."
 

Our Response:

    This brand of human reasoning is based on the belief that it is better for an unbeliever to work on the Sabbath than for a a believer to do so. However, God makes no such distinction. His prohibition against work on the Sabbath pertained to both (Ex. 20:10). Furthermore, He specifically forbid His people from acquiring or preparing their food on the Sabbath as well as leaving their spiritual community on the Sabbath to acquire their meals (Ex. 16:29).

    Inviting brethren to one's home on the Sabbath does not violate God's law. Even Jesus accepted such invitations (Lk. 14). And contrary to the reasoning of the UCG, hosting a Sabbath meal in your home can absolutely be done without profaning God's day. However, going to a restaurant can only be achieved by seeking out those who trample all over this holy time. Without them, you can't possibly engage in this behavior.

Counter Argument

United Church of God

Advisory Committee for Doctrine

Dear Mr. Fischer,

     Blow the Trumpet states:

"God's position concerning work on the Sabbath has never changed (Mal. 3:6, H b. 13:8)."

     We would agree with this statement in principle. We would disagree that this means that the exact circumstances of what constitutes work and how to keep the Sabbath have never charged. For example, preparing a meal today is much easier than it was before there were modern appliances. So cooking a roast on the Sabbath  requires no more work than warming up a roast that was cooked on Friday.

     Blow the Trumpet states:

"This brand of human reasoning [that eating out on the Sabbath is less work than having members over for dinner] is based on the belief that it is better for an unbeliever to work on the Sabbath than for a believer to do so, However, God makes no such distinction. His prohibition against work on the Sabbath pertained to both (Ex. 20:10)."

     This statement is also based on what we consider as your misunderstanding of the Sabbath commandment. Also, we do not think of an unbeliever working on the Sabbath in terms of "better." But we do consider that eating out on the Sabbath can be a better alternative than preparing and serving a meal at home.

     We have seen examples of ladies engaged in intense labor to the point of profusely perspiring while warming up and setting out potluck dishes on the Sabbath. We would consider that a served meal in the quiet atmosphere of a restaurant owned and staffed by people who do not understand the Sabbath could be a better alternative in the age in which we live.

Sincerely,

Advisory Committee for Doctrine

Response from Mr. Fischer

Dear Friends,

     In the first paragraph of this counter argument, the UCG contends that preparing a meal on the Sabbath is a relatively easy task. I suppose this is done to "prove" that God's people may now prepare their Sabbath meals on the seventh day, despite the fact that God's word forbids it (Ex. 16:23). Then, in the last paragraph they relate examples of people sweating over pot lucks. I suppose this is done to "prove" it is acceptable with God to go out to a restaurant because of the work involved in preparing Sabbath meals. But it doesn't end there. In the middle paragraph, the UCG states that they "do not think of an unbeliever working on the Sabbath in terms of [being] "better" [than a believer working]. Then in the very next sentence they write, "But we do consider that eating out on the Sabbath can be a better alternative than preparing and serving a meal at home."

     As one who has engaged in both practices, when it comes to Sabbath observance, hosting brethren at one's home is hands down a more positive experience than dining with them at a restaurant. First, the time you may spend at a private home is significantly greater than it could  possibly be at a restaurant. Second, the conversation in a private home can be far more open and candid. Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever seen God's people break out their Bibles in a restaurant and discuss a spiritual topic? If you have, it is very rare. Our conversations in such places require us to be more "discrete."

     Finally, the greatest benefit to sharing a Sabbath meal at a private residence is that it is in total keeping with God's word and the example of Jesus Christ. However, seeking out the services of Sabbath-breakers in a restaurant violates every tenant of proper Sabbath observance. There is no example of any man of God doing such a thing in the scriptures.

     What is particularly disappointing in the UCG position is that they not only believe and teach that it is acceptable with God to pay non-believers (the stranger within their sphere of influence) for his or her Sabbath labor, but that it is actually preferable to do so.

Respectfully,

Dennis Fischer

Yeah Buts and What Ifs

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