His Reformation Crumbling at Christ’s Appearing
You can come out of the church systems of men, but that doesn't mean the works of men have come out of you. Buff Scott is the perfect example, a preacher who fancies himself “The Reformer” of men's artificial churches because he doesn't belong to a religious group. Yet without being born again into the Church of God, all Buff does is rearrange the deck chairs of the Titanic. See what happens when he runs into the Iceberg of Truth.
Greetings, readers of “Reformation Rumblings” and all others coming by way of Buff Scott, Jr. What makes us the most noteworthy of cults in Buff’s eyes, as profiled in his latest newsletter, is the fact that we know and speak by the Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we’ve addressed Buff’s hypocrisy, bitterness, error, and anti-Christ spirit.
In response, Buff published a long laundry list of fabrications and perverted notions about us. The common denominator of his charges is that none are verified – they’re only proclaimed as true on his authority. That authority turns out to be nil as you are about to see by hearing “the rest of the story” in our recent communications. We publish both sides so you may know the truth.
The current chain of correspondence began with a reply to the following newsletter (you may read it or skip ahead; the response tells what you need to know):
Reformation Rumblings
BUFF SCOTT, JR.
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The Universal Reign of God
Ambassador Paul was a zealous partisan, a Pharisee (Acts 26:5). He abandoned this separatist religion to live for Jesus. In our day, the redeemed community includes believers who are still caught up in the web of “Churchianity,” for God’s children are scattered over a diversity of partisan terrains. However, God’s new reign stretches far beyond the borders of any sect, church, religious party, or cult. “Churchianity” reigns over a restricted territory. God’s reign is universal.
And while it may be wise to remove the apostate church entirely and start over, considering how grave “mad church disease” has plagued her, nonetheless many of her children may choose to remain where they are and work for reform. This is not always possible, however, because the apostate church “would rather fight than switch.” Reformers are not always welcome within her ranks. They are usually accorded the “left boot of fellowship.”
Martin Luther wanted to work within the Roman Catholic Church for reform, but the scandalous Vatican would have no part of it. Instead, they sought his life. He escaped the “Holy See’s” murderous hounds, but the sinister Vatican continued their efforts to find him and “do him in.”
Let it be understood that Jesus did not die for religious parties, churches, denominations, or cults. Instead, He died for Jews, He died for Gentiles, He died “for all the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one” (John 11:52). Jesus is not interested in uniting churches, denominations, and cults. He’s interested in uniting all of God’s scattered children, wherever they are, to bring them together into one body of believers, “so that they may be united as we [Son and Father] are united” (John 17:11).
Let it be emphasized: Religious factions that march under partisan labels were founded by men centuries after Jesus ushered in His new reign. These include the Baptist Church, Methodist Church, Church of God, Church of Christ, Assembly of God, Catholic Church, Christian Church, Lutheran Church, Presbyterian Church, and all of the others.
If I might ask: To which of the above churches is Jesus aligned? Which of the above churches did Jesus found? Did He establish and authenticate all of them? If yes, what was the purpose, then, of the apostle Paul’s question to the Corinthian believers, as per 1 Corinthians 1:13? He asked them, “Is Christ divided?” If Jesus authored all of our schisms, He is indeed divided! And if He is divided, why would He then pray for unity among God’s children, as recorded in John 17:6-25?
But another question: To which of the above factions were Paul, Peter, John, and other apostles associated? The answer is obvious: None of them.
What, then, is the solution? Dismantle and dismiss all of our factional creations and march together under the banner of Jesus the Messiah. If our flag bears anything other than the blood of our Lord, it is an apostate flag. The only flag I will ever fly again, and the only label I will ever wear again, will portray Jesus the Messiah. All other flags and labels are bogus. To wave any other flag, whether Baptist, the a cappella Church of Christ (my “mentor” church), Church of God, Assembly of God, Methodist, or Catholic would compromise my relationship with my Lord and jeopardize my allegiance to Him. I will have no part of it.
So let’s tell it like it is. If Jesus ascended to heaven without being a Baptist, and He did, and if Paul, Peter and others were taken to paradise without being aligned with any of the above factions, and they were, I, too, can enter paradise without being a Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Mormon, Roman Catholic, Muslim, Church of Christ proponent, Jehovah’s Witness, or without being tainted with any of the other partisan colors. I think I’ll just be a “believer at large”—a Christian only. Surely that will be sufficient. God’s grace will fill in the gaps, if any need to be filled.
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INTERESTING & TOTALLY TRUE— “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.”—Thomas Paine.
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“Reform your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place.”—Jer. 7:3.
Paul wrote:
Hi Buff,
I have some questions for you.
You write:
“And while it may be wise to remove the apostate church entirely and start over, considering how grave ‘mad church disease’ has plagued her, nonetheless many of her children may choose to remain where they are and work for reform.”
Are you suggesting that the children of the apostate church can actually accomplish something worthwhile before God by their efforts at reform?
What kind of “reform” did the prophets and righteous kings of old perform on the manmade churches of their time?
How do you see the works of Josiah, in putting away the idols and false works of men in 2 Kings 23, applying to what you say about the “apostate church” of today? Of him it was written: “Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him” (2 Kings 23:25 ESV).
You write:
“Martin Luther wanted to work within the Roman Catholic Church for reform, but the scandalous Vatican would have no part of it.”
Was Luther right in trying to reform the Roman Catholic Church? How can you reform that which is illegitimate to begin with? Do you believe that Luther, while a great man, was responsible for much of what is false in men’s churches today, leading them to be enemies of Christ no less than the Catholic Church (from which they came)? See Luther’s Legacy – Unleashing the Man of Sin.
Doesn’t “apostate” imply a one-time allegiance to the Lord, which the Catholic Church and all the other works of men never had, as you point out in your article? Therefore these works haven’t been formed and aren’t populated (in the main) by apostates, but by tares, the seed of the enemy, not the Seed of God. Isn’t that so?
And what did the Lord say about the tares?
Matthew 13:27-30 EMTV
(27) “So the servants of the master of the house approached and said to him, ‘Sir, was it not good seed you sowed in your field? From where then does it have tares?’
(28) He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.‘ So the servants said to him, ‘Do you wish then that we should go and gather them up?’
(29) But he said, ‘No, lest gathering up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.
(30) Leave both to grow together until the harvest; and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, First gather together the tares, and bind them into bundles to burn them, but gather together the wheat into my barn.’”
So there needs to be the gathering of tares in their respective religious works for God to complete His work, right? His call isn’t for Babylon to dismantle herself, but for His people to come out of her:
Revelation 18:4-8 MKJV
(4) And I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, “Come out of her, My people, that you may not be partakers of her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues.
(5) For her sins joined together, even up to Heaven, and God has remembered her unjust deeds.
(6) Reward her as she has rewarded you, and double to her double, according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix double to her.
(7) As much as she has glorified herself and has lived in luxury, so much torment and sorrow give her. For she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen, and I am not a widow; and I do not see mourning at all.’
(8) Therefore her plagues will come in one day, death and mourning and famine. And she will be consumed with fire, for the Lord God Who judges her is strong.”
There’s the fire again, reserved for the tares and all those listed in Revelation 21.
“But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars will have their part in the Lake burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8 MKJV).
Finally, how does one “march… under the banner of Jesus the Messiah”? Dismantling and dismissing all religious creations isn’t enough, as we all know some who have come out of those things, yet are still independent of God. What is the unifying factor shared by all members of Christ’s Body?
Paul
Buff replied:
Paul:
Wherever God has a child, I have a brother or a sister. God has children in most sects, scattered among the apostate church. And He also has reformers in many, if not most, of those sects. Should they decide it best to remain where they are and strive for unity and reformation, with the Spirit’s guidance, of course, I’m confident the Lord will bless their efforts.
The apostate system itself is a work of Satan, yet the Lord has children in the apostate system who have not apostatized but are striving for reform.
Yes, Martin Luther tried to work for reform within Catholicism. Perhaps it is unwise to labor to reform the sectarian systems. Instead, reform those who are caught up in the systems and, as a result, the systems will no longer exist.
How does one march under the banner of Jesus the Messiah? By placing his allegiance in Him only.
Hope this is helpful,
Buff
Victor responded:
Buff, we can agree there have been God’s people in the systems of men because God has said so, as for example in the verses in Paul’s letter and those I present here. I was there as a believer for a time. (Read Victor Hafichuk’s Testimony.)
Would you agree those systems of men are symbolized by Mystery, Babylon the Great and her harlot daughters (as we believe)? If so, what is the counsel of God concerning such? Is it to remain and reform, or is it:
“And I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, ‘Come out of her, My people, that you may not be partakers of her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues. For her sins joined together, even up to Heaven, and God has remembered her unjust deeds’” (Revelation 18:4-5 MKJV)?
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 MKJV
(14) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness? And what partnership does light have with darkness?
(15) And what agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever?
(16) And what agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are the Temple of the living God, as God has said, I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
(17) Therefore come out from among them and be separated, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing. And I will receive you
(18) and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.
We offer the Word of God calling on His people to come out, in order that they may become His sons and daughters. What can you offer from the counsel of the Scriptures to justify His people staying in and trying to reform, or remain for any reason within, “the apostate system itself,” which you rightly call “a work of Satan”?
How does one place allegiance to Christ only by remaining in the systems against His command to come out? Are we missing something here?
And as Paul mentioned, there are people who come out of religious works without faith, independent of Christ yet professing allegiance to Him. How can you tell whether one is marching under the banner of Jesus or to the beat of his own drum? You can’t take a person’s word for it or judge by the appearance. What distinguishes authentic faith and unites all believers?
Victor
Buff’s response:
Dear Victor:
I have said for many years that to "come out of her" is equivalent to denying her our allegiance and by surrendering the sectarian spirit. It does not mean to "come out of her" physically, else we would have to get out of the world, as Paul noted on one occasion.
Paul "fellowshipped" the ekklesia at Corinth in spite of the corrupted nature it had adopted, such as some who denied the resurrection, others abused the Lord’s Supper, and the entire congregation tolerated the brother who was having an affair with his father’s wife. Not once did he instruct the faithful ones to leave the unfaithful and go off and start a "faithful church," whatever that is. Love and reform solved their problems.
I do not direct my messages to that segment of humble believers who are with the apostate church but not necessarily for her, or in her but not of her, except to give them encouragement and strength, and encourage them to work for reform. Hope this helps.
Buff
Victor’s reply:
Buff, your explanation doesn’t help.
The Lord expressly commanded me in March of 1976 to come out of the religious systems of men – all of them – and to “touch not the unclean thing,” to leave it all behind as I would my own dung. I came out physically because I came out spiritually; the two are one. I am one man, not two or three. As one companies physically and socially, so one companies spiritually. It is the inescapable law of the nature of the creation of man.
Concerning your argument, God commanded that the Israelites not take wives of the nations about them. Solomon took many; he loved them and physically joined himself to them as he pleased. Play with fire and you’re sure to get burned. God warned them not to do such things, for those pagan spouses would lead them to worship other gods. It happened.
How is it all right for you to remain in bed with a harlot as long as you don’t marry her? What does Paul say about that?
“Do you not know that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of a harlot? Let it not be! Or do you not know that he being joined to a harlot is one body? For He says, ‘The two shall be one flesh’” (1 Corinthians 6:15-16 MKJV).
I left the systems of men in obedience to God. Am I out of the world, then, as you assert? Or am I still of it? I’m here, standing against the prince of this world, preaching the Gospel to all, anywhere I’m given, having taken up the cross and hearing from the Lord daily.
You cite Corinth and its evils. The young church of God had its faults and problems and went through the process of chastening and correction. Paul directed that church, as he did others, to deal with the flesh and to cease toleration of any evil as a body in Christ. That is far different from working with a false foundation from the get-go and continuing in a work of men and of Satan, trying to change it.
One is grooming a sheep; the other washing a pig.
The sure pattern in the correspondence between you and Paul Cohen and me is that we give you the Scriptures, rightly divided, while you give us your reasonings, as you do in this last letter. The carnal mind is indeed at enmity with God.
So why use your rationale to counter the Word of God and His will, Buff? What has happened in your life that you’ve turned to be so intransigent, so implacable and incorrigible? Why do you stand as light according to the one who comes as an angel of light, presenting yourself as a minister of Christ?
Why preach to justify yourself, instead of doing the will of the Lord Who loved you and gave Himself for you? Why serve doctrine to prove yourself (not that you don’t preach some true things, as we’ve acknowledged in the past)? Why do you insist on maintaining your own righteousness, instead of taking up the cross and serving the Lord Jesus Christ?
You claim allegiance to Christ, but at the same time deny there needs to be wholesale repentance by coming out from the works of the flesh. You contradict yourself. Do you know the difference between a flock of sheep and a herd of pigs? With sheep, He’ll leave the ninety-nine and search out the wayward one to bring it home, but the herd of pigs He sends over the cliff to its destruction.
Paul and I both discern bitterness with you. Why is that? How is it you contradict yourself so? How is it you’re in great darkness, “weeping and gnashing your teeth”? Is there any hope for you in this present age? It seems not.
There may be a reformation of sorts going on in your works, Buff, but sadly, it’s merely a rearrangement of the old and the doomed, like that of the proverbial deck chairs on the Titanic. You’ve never denied yourself and taken up the cross. You don’t need reformation of the old, Buff, but repentance from it altogether, if you’re to be received of the Lord and brought to possess the new.
You need to take the lifeboat (the cross) and separate yourself physically and spiritually from the Titanic you’re still trying to reform.
You need to die so that the One you endeavor to serve in the flesh may be glorified, not you or your understanding.
You haven’t forgiven certain people. You need to do that, Buff. Until then, you won’t have forgiveness from God.
You’ve never forsaken yourself for Him. You’ve insisted upon serving the Lord your way, not His. You live a life of self-justification before men. To such as have thus laid claim to His approval and blessing, He has said and does say, “Depart from Me, you that work iniquity. I never knew you.”
Victor
Buff’s response:
"The sure pattern in the correspondence between you and Paul Cohen and me is that we give you the Scriptures, rightly divided, while you give us your reasonings, as you do in this last letter. The carnal mind is indeed at enmity with God."
Totally false. Don’t cause me to lose my trust in you by making such counterfeit accusations.
We’re doing nothing now but repeating ourselves, and that takes us nowhere. We’ll disagree without being disagreeable. Goodbye.
Buff
Paul’s reply:
Victor’s statement is false only according to your opinion, Buff, the same by which you substitute your reasonings for the Word of God. You don’t and can’t give any evidence to back up your opinion because there isn’t any.
Your dismissal of us smacks of the bitterness we’ve mentioned, which we tell you about not because we’re your enemies, but because we’re your friends. Whether others you’ve dismissed (or who’ve dismissed you) may or may not have meant you evil, we’ve meant you good. Furthermore, God has always meant you good in all your circumstances, but because you’ve been living for yourself and not Him, you’ve found His good to be evil. Evil holds sway over your life to this very day.
It’s your choice to remain in the gall of bitterness, walking away empty-handed in self-justification and defeat. Slapping a “Christian” face on it by saying let’s “disagree without being disagreeable” only whitewashes a tomb filled with dead man’s bones. Buff, it won’t work; you can’t get away with it.
Paul
Buff’s reply:
Irrelevant
Buff’s next newsletter related to the subject, so we continued our answer. Victor wrote:
Buff, it’s true one doesn’t need his doctrinal statement in good order to enter the Kingdom or have it immediately corrected in order to remain, like someone submitting papers to the government in some process for approval. That isn’t what salvation is all about. All true.
It isn’t about doctrinal, but of spiritual, perfection. We don’t expect an intellectual doctrinal agreement of others, but we are assured that as people walk in faith and look to the Lord, they will know (comprehend) good doctrine by revelation. This we must allow to happen as only the Lord can give it. We can’t impart spiritual revelation and understanding. What is at issue is one’s spiritual character made in His image, by His workmanship – no pretense, no presumption, no duplication, no…reformation.
You are on the wrong track, a track of the works of the flesh, one of self-perfection and spiritual refinement. That isn’t what working out your salvation with fear and trembling is about. It’s about believing on Him and obeying Him in those things He requires of you, both generally and personally. It’s about serving Him where you’re at, where He has you, and not where you prefer to be. It’s not about knowledge of doctrine, but about Him; it’s about worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.
You may think you do worship Him in spirit and in truth, seeing you aren’t worshipping in this mountain, that one, this city or that, in this building or that denomination, or even in Jerusalem, but it’s not an external matter. Men can be great idolaters in contempt of these places, structures, and systems, just as when they’re in favor of them. They can worship their independence of these works while walking in a state of bitterness, as we perceive is the case with you.
Buff, stop taking the Lord’s Name upon yourself in vain. You only serve to harm yourself and others with colored doctrine of your own making. You can’t fight God. It won’t work, no matter how much you justify yourself and presume to love and serve Him.
Luke 13:26-30 MKJV
(26) “Then you shall begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You have taught in our streets.’
(27) But He shall say, ‘I tell you, I do not know you; from where you are. Depart from Me, all workers of unrighteousness!’
(28) There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you will see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves being thrust out.
(29) And they will come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and will recline in the Kingdom of God.
(30) And behold, there are last ones which will be first, and there are first ones which will be last.”
This isn’t about our reforming, but of His transforming. Our works won’t cut it.
Buff, this isn’t about putting you down. We have no profit in, or desire of, that. It’s about lifting you up.
Victor
Buff replied:
Irrelevant
Paul’s response:
Here’s the question you were answering in your newsletter:
“Can a man obey false doctrine and be saved? If a man is ‘accepted in spite of his defects,’ as you teach, are the Mormons correct? Are Jehovah’s Witnesses correct? When these people teach false doctrine, will they be ‘accepted in spite of their defects’? Just how far will you ‘stretch your net’? Would you try to teach a Mormon more clearly or would you embrace him as a brother in Christ?”—From a Reader.
Buff, you’ve sidestepped the main topic of the questioner, concluding, “Let us not reject those the Lord accepts.”
Nevertheless, that’s absolutely true:
Romans 14:1-4 HNV
(1) Now accept one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions.
(2) One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
(3) Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.
(4) Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand.
What of those outside the faith, however, like the Mormons and JW’s the questioner asks about, who don’t belong to God?
The issue isn’t rejecting those the Lord accepts, but accepting those He rejects. And that’s why He calls His people to come out from among them (all manmade religion), in order to become His sons and daughters who will then see the difference:
Malachi 3:16-18 HNV
(16) Then those who feared the LORD spoke one with another [NOTE: They didn’t speak to those who don’t fear the LORD]; and the LORD listened, and heard, and a book of memory was written before Him, for those who feared the LORD, and who honored His Name.
(17) They shall be Mine, says the LORD of Armies, My own possession in the day that I make, and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son who serves him.
(18) Then you shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serves God and him who doesn’t serve Him.
Paul
We had been copying this correspondence to other believers, two of whom had things to say to Buff. Dan Randolph wrote:
Buff said
“I will recognize and embrace any brother who has experienced the new birth and is honestly striving to serve his Lord as he understands His will.”
To Buff I must say my first born again experience was counterfeit just as was the Jesus I knew in the harlot systems You can’t see it till you are drawn out of it by the real Jesus. Buff is Bluffin like I did for many years proud for what and who I knew but not thankful for the who came to know me. Amen Paul and Victor You are correct in this matter. Sometimes age does not give insight it is only by the hand of God Buff!
Dan Randolph
And Eric Courtemanche responded to the same letter:
Hi Buff,
To understand and rightly divide the Scriptures you need to be with the One God, the Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Truth, not any of us, and without Him we are stuck with our version of the truth which is ‘dung.’ I’ll tell you ‘dung’ smells great until the Lord comes to show you reality which He has done for all of us here.
You need to repent of your trust in yourself, doctrines, and all you think you’ve gained in years of study, because those are just idols that you’re holding onto. We know, because we’ve all been there, done that. The Lord’s more than up to the task of saving everyone, including you, yet only in His timing.
He’s given Paul and Victor to dispense His Truth to you, and now it’s up to you to stop trusting in the version of god that you’ve made yourself. Pray for His will and understanding, instead of yours, on what has been said to you in all these letters, and if it’s His will, He will remove the blinders so that you can see.
Eric Courtemanche
Buff replied:
"Let the opinions of others flow,
For my Savior I do know."
Buff
And he said:
"He’s given Paul and Victor to dispense His Truth to you, and now it’s up to you to stop trusting in the version of god that you’ve made yourself. Pray for His will and understanding, instead of yours, on what has been said to you in all these letters, and if it’s His will, He will remove the blinders so that you can see."
Bull dung of the worst kind! Take your wares to the Mormons, for their demeanor is quite similar to yours.
Buff
Dan wrote back:
I do hope Buff stays at the table to discuss this more. Something I have seen over and over is so called people of faith, claimers to know and behold the love of God for all mankind getting angry and leaving the discussion. I told a Minister last year about the wonderful truth that in due time God will bring all into his Kingdom, He was not receiving of this and thought for sure I was deceived and headed for eternal flames and torment, I told him If that’s what he really believed by all means don’t abandon me and let me slip into hell but continue the discussion, he never came by again or returned my calls. I hope Buff is not this careless of others who he may believe has erred. I have yet to see Paul or Victor abandon a discussion.
Dan Randolph
Giving Jesus all the Glory
Buff responded:
Fellows, something I have seen over and over are so-called people of faith, claimers to know and behold the love of God for all mankind, forcing others to cease dialogue with them because of their know-it-all attitude, unfounded accusations, undue pressure, and looking down on those who do not accept all of their belief system.
I have gone through this thing numerous times with those who allege to have had a personal talk with God. I have found that in some cases they are paranoid and need professional psychiatric help.
I hope Victor, Paul, and their fellows are not so careless as to either destroy or weaken the faith of those who do not share their demeanor, rigidity, and "I’m right and you’re wrong."
Buff
Dan’s response:
Buff said
I hope Victor, Paul, and their fellows are not so careless as to either destroy or weaken the faith of those who do not share their demeanor, rigidity, and "I’m right and you’re wrong."
Buff you fail to understand the Faith, Victor, Paul, and their fellows have, is what we want to share with you and others. When you receive this Faith you will never need to worry about someone weakening it or destroying it. For it is the Faith of Christ as mentioned here
1 Corinthians 2
5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
When you know this Faith Buff you’ll never again reduce it to something the harlot church system has, a faith that can be destroyed or weakened based on the wisdom of man. One day you’ll have the real Faith trust me you’ll never go back!
Dan Randolph
Giving Jesus all the Glory
Paul and Victor’s reply:
Buff, you compare us to Mormons. Just what sort of “Mormon” demeanor are you talking about? Do you object to being disagreed with? Are Mormons known as disagreeable? Do we try to win men to Christ or to an organization, as they do? Are you speaking of an attitude peculiar to them? You don’t say. You simply denounce with opinion, generalities, and no substance. Is that wise or Christian?
You’ve described yourself perfectly as follows in your most recent email:
“I have seen over and over are so-called people of faith, claimers to know and behold the love of God for all mankind, forcing others to cease dialogue with them because of their know-it-all attitude, unfounded accusations, undue pressure, and looking down on those who do not accept all of their belief system.”
Do we not have cause to rest our case with you? Your god is so real to you, but he will fail you and already has. We have tried to introduce you to the Christ risen from the dead, the One in Whom Alone is life, the One Who paid for our sins, so that you may know Him, not just about Him. We have given you many Scriptures and Words of Christ that expose deadly errors you espouse (including previous correspondences this year). You have adamantly refused to soberly consider them.
Wrong doctrine doesn’t necessarily corrupt true believers, but corrupt believers always produce wrong doctrine. We caused no damage to true faith by speaking the truth to you, a man walking in his carnal works and corruption, but have made room for Christ’s faith by coming against the black faith of your false god. Not being able to defend your god (what chance does darkness stand against light?), you’re forced to “cease dialogue” because you won’t come to the light to consider the truth.
In your latest letter, you express the hope that we aren’t weakening the faith of others. We can let the others here speak up, as Dan and Eric previously volunteered, about what our ministry in the Lord has meant for their faith.
Besides, all faith must be tried by fire. That which falls off with exposure to testing must be insufficient. We try the false by the true, and the Fire of the Word destroys only the false, never the true.
All glory to Him, Who loved us first,
Paul and Victor
Beryl Knipe responds to the invitation to share:
Hi Buff,
As one of Paul and Victors “fellows” as ‘you’ decide to label us, I’m writing to you from Johannesburg, South Africa. The notion that Paul and Victor might destroy or weaken the faith of others – is simply your reckoning. Nothing could be further from the truth, Buff.
Your words, Buff: “I have gone through this thing numerous times with those who allege to have had a personal talk with God. I have found that in some cases they are paranoid and need professional psychiatric help.”
Do you think your findings are the beginning and end of it all, Buff? As a supposed man of God, how does your wording sound to you? YOU have found? Some cases?
I, personally, have been through ALL of it: Mormons, JWs, Christadelphians, WWCG, Chick, Methodists, Presbyterians, Synagogues, Kaballah and a myriad others – ALL, to no avail and ALL, against the Word of God, while they believe otherwise.
Another thing, please understand, the “fellows” are not forced into anything – at all! I don’t believe you’ve read much on The Path of Truth’s Website. Humble yourself, Buff. Sit back, have a cup of tea, ask our Lord and Saviour to show you and to help you understand, as you read the writings.
I’m no youngster and believe me – I felt exactly the same as you feel. One of the most important things I’ve been shown is, our opinions, really, mean diddly-squat. Even at my age, I’m being renewed. Take heart Buff and remember, anger is one letter away from “d”anger. Also, I’ve read much on your Website and I do agree with many things you point out regarding the mess society finds itself in.
2 Tim. 4:3-4
Beryl
From your Website:
“Reform your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place.”
— Jer. 7:3.
Jason Lee wrote:
Buff,
We know exactly where you are coming from and it isn’t from Jesus Christ. We don’t misunderstand you. Your fruit has exposed you for what you really are, a self-appointed reformist walking and ranting about while trying to exercise an authority you do not have. Indeed, you have rejected the Lord every step of the way, throwing the counsel of God in the trash and making false accusations against His prophets. Buff is speaking from Buff and that’s the way it always has been, hasn’t it? Your god has failed you, subtle beast and we won’t be swayed by your crafty pleas for acceptance and understanding, including this one. This isn’t to be rude or nasty but to tell you the truth, which is what you need to hear. Whether you know or not, we are not here to condemn you. You say:
"The only prerequisites were that I cast aside my sectarian, partisan shackles and open my mind and heart."
No man can do that for himself and we know it. He alone holds the keys to the shackles and moves the hearts. How can you claim to meet a prerequisite that you cannot possibly meet before God grants you freedom? If that actually were to happen (and it didn’t in your case. You simply remained religious via an alternative method) then it would only be possible by Him and not at all by Buff. Therefore, it would be His doing entirely. A problem with religious man is that he likes to take some credit for that which he does not achieve for himself. Religious man just has to have a boast, a "something I did" thrown into the mix. It doesn’t work that way.
So what if you have left partisan religion? So what if you are sincere? What does it matter when you know nothing as you ought to know still? What does it matter when you are ever learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth, the very truth that you call lies? You say that no partisan group or human being does your thinking for you. That’s a lie. The church of Buff does your thinking for you and that is part of your problem, if not most of it. Of John and Jesus, you say:
"Both men were outspoken, outgoing, and bold, but lovingly kind to those with receptive hearts."
What about those without receptive hearts, such as yourself? How did Jesus address the Pharisee? How did John address the crowd? How did Jesus deal with Ananias and Sapphira? How did Jesus address Satan by Peter? Was Elijah wrong or rebuked by the Lord when he openly mocked the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings? Better the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy, isn’t that so? According to how you have regarded and treated true teachers appointed by the Lord who call your bluff for your sake, you don’t think so.
Regardless of your sincerity and departure from nominal Christianity, it seems that you are no better off than those in such institutions. You are your own religious institution, Buff, highly-esteemed unto yourself under the formal banner and denomination of ‘Christian Reformist.’ If you were one of God’s children, you would have been hearing us and not rejecting us:
"We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error." 1 John 4:6 ESV.
I think it may do you well to reconsider what Victor, Paul, Dan and Eric have given you by the Lord. We only speak for your sake.
Jason Lee
Eric Starnes responded:
Buff,
Another Eric here, telling you to put aside all that YOU have concluded, decided, chosen and done so that He can set you free. Truly only the Lord Jesus Christ can set us free. For over forty years I have been taught the "doctrine" of "coming out from among them", but it is what is within me that must be overcome. In all circumstances our "self" wants to rule and the associations of our life don’t matter until that issue is addressed. All the groups and individuals I heard from have not helped, though they, in various methods, tried to escape the restrictions of denominational rule. I did not need to change my membership nor did I need to reform, I needed to die.
Need to die even yet, but I have, for the first time, been made aware by the Holy Spirit, through those He has sent to me, the path I need to walk. Victor and Paul have discerned my need and they and others with them have discerned your need. It is in God’s hands and your most sincere and considered opinions matter not a whit until God moves in your life. When asked about doing the works of God, Jesus said, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent". Jn 6:29 Buff, you need to receive those sent to you, as Jesus said in Jn 17:18 "As thou hast sent me into the world even so have I sent them into the world".
In hope,
Eric Starnes
Not all correspondence is included here, due to length and repetition. We pick up with Buff looking for something to fault us with:
Attention, All:
I just now connected to the Path of Truth Website and read portions of it, enough to convince me you’re all of the Calvinist persuasion. Consequently, it would be to your "delight" to connect to my Website feature on www.mindspring.com/~renewal/Calvinism.html. It just might enlighten your faith!
Buff Scott, Jr
Martin Van Popta replied:
I guess you missed this section:
https://www.thepathoftruth.com/false-teachers/calvin/index.htm
Buff backtracked, but didn’t retract:
Well, Everyone:
After reading the following statement, perhaps I should revise my previous conclusion about each of you being of the Calvinist persuasion.
PATH OF TRUTH WEBSITE: "John Calvin was one of the most vicious of wolves ever to pose as a lamb of God. His supremely self-righteous spirit lives on in those who lionize and follow him, even unbeknownst to themselves. Truly, ‘that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.‘"
The reason I concluded all of you might be Calvinists is the Website’s statement about Free Will. This, of course, is one of the principal doctrines of Calvinists. So I’ll backtrack on my conclusion and just say that it seems all of you have adopted some of the teachings Calvinists advocate.
Cheers,
Buff Scott, Jr.
More from Beryl:
Hullo Buff – thanks for writing to me and please, accept my reply in love and in good faith. One of the reasons I’m replying stems from your paragraph, which isn’t Scriptural: “As to the Jewish Sabbath, which you referred to and apparently honor, indicates you and your fellows are of the Seventh Day Adventist sect, or something akin to it. My take on this is that the Jewish Sabbath was issued to the Jewish community only under Moses. Without doubt, Paul in Galatians had the Jewish Sabbath in mind, alongside other Jewish holidays, when he said, ‘I’m afraid I have labored over you in vain.’ As I see it, heaven will be the Christian’s only Sabbath rest, as per the Book of Hebrews.”
No, no, nothing to do with Seventh Day Adventists.
My main reason for writing you, in the first place, is because I felt and saw and read the passion, commitment and the enthusiasm you show in the work that you do. I was also drawn to your lovely face and to the fact that we’re more or less the same age in Roman calendar terms.
I felt, kind of, close to you, if you will … I mean in many of your writings. Strangely enough, I was on the very verge of starting a Website of my own, to “spread the word” – when – seriously and honestly, our Lord and Saviour in His wonderful Wisdom led me on another path. Hence, no Website for me.
I was affiliated to a ministry, here in South Africa, (there were only about seven or eight of us) and “I” was absolutely convinced that that was the way to go – taking the narrow path, you know? I had much to learn at that ministry and I was most definitely learnt new and valuable lessons. For many years I worked tirelessly sending out sermons and articles to hundreds and hundreds of prisoners (by mail) and others who wanted to “know.” I still have mounds and files of correspondence and articles, both sent and received. When I prayed and read the Scriptures, I felt kind of uneasy – that there was much more to “this” that I didn’t understand. On top of it, I was “ordained” as “pastor” (which I found out – thankfully – is taboo!)
I was sharing all this “ministry” stuff with my daughter and she in turn shared it with her son. I’ve confessed to them and to whoever else I could confess to, that what “I” thought was the truth about our Saviour – wasn’t the truth. Needless to say everyone looked at me as though I’d gone bonkers!
One day and completely out of the blue, my thoughts led to a booklet I received as a child, which was called: The Path of Truth (would you believe?) I waited anxiously for this little booklet as I felt so happy and content, as a child, when I received it month in and month out. Year in and year out.
Anyway, not to bother you with “my” feelings too much, I then Googled those words, exactly as the title of the booklet, The Path of Truth as I wanted to find out if it was, perhaps, still in production. The very first Site that popped up was, The Path of Truth! I don’t believe in coincidence. I immediately checked out the Site and its authors and spent many months – dare I say – arguing with what was being shown to me. I prayed about it. I prayed some more!
Over the years (about three now) I spent and spend time reading from the Path of Truth’s Website and, slowly, but definitely surely, I was and am still being shown the light – the true light – Christ’s Light and His glorious way – not “mine.” Questions are being answered daily; God’s light is shining and is so bright.
The men, running the Website, are just that – men. They do not elevate themselves, at all. They ask nothing of me or others and it’s certainly not a case of “join us or else!” God, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour is the Head and the Leader. The Alpha and the Omega and my prayer to Him, this morning, is that you, Buff, take this letter from whence it comes, sent to you with true and honest sincerity, knowing, deep within the heart He gave me that I expect no favours from Him and that I remain, by His Grace, on the correct path – never to stray.
Beryl
Buff replied and asked a revealing question:
Beryl:
Question: Since I don’t believe the new scriptures teach that Christian believers are to honor and celebrate the Jewish Sabbath, and I hold that view sincerely, is it your conception, based upon what you think the scriptures teach, I will be lost or saved in heaven? Please answer.
Buff
Paul responded to Beryl:
Beryl, in case you don’t see it, that’s a trick question about being lost or saved in heaven. It comes from the wrong thinking that your fate is decided when you die. But you’re either in death or life presently, which physical death doesn’t alter. Right now Buff is in death and physically dying won’t save him.
We can’t conclude anything, however, by virtue of whether one keeps the Sabbath or not. Buff’s thinking and adherence to arguments even after they are refuted by the Scriptures tell us where he’s at, not his non-observance of the Sabbath.
For example, the Sabbath isn’t “Jewish.” It goes back to the beginning, when God sanctified the seventh day. Buff presents himself as a minister of God, yet doesn’t know that?
Have you red our Sabbath correspondence with Buff? We’ve been over some of these things with him already.
And Victor adds:
The question he poses is a silly and foolish one. Think about it and you’ll see it makes no sense. For instance, being saved is entering Heaven. As Paul says, it happens here, not after physical death. It is here that we receive the “earnest of our inheritance.”
And he has steadfastly refused to hear us out or read our materials. But he hasn’t escaped.
Simon Simba relates his story:
Hi Buff,
Just to add to all the good that’s been said to you though you may not see it as so for a time.
I was considering whether you have come across people who have told you before that you have nothing to do with the Lord being your own god. Many may have disagreed but maybe not told you of your delusion.
I may relate in a way concerning what you face here as many others who have taken time to respond to you. My first encounter with the Lord at The Path of Truth (TPOT) was just as yours though the reactions differ by the grace of God. I would have rejected it all.
It was around February 2nd, 2012. I read a teaching at TPOT and I knew I was a phony despite all my works. I thought I was a godly person though we differ in the fact that I was in the churches. I did everything and anything that "I believed" was right before God while there. It’s what I had chosen of my own righteousness. I was in a church that suited ME. It was really all about me though in reality it isn’t.
I remember what the Lord gave me to know and it was that I never knew Him and He didn’t know me. It was heartwrenching! "After all the works I had done, He didn’t know me?" I couldn’t believe nor receive that but He gave me to. I am so thankful He did. I was in so much delusion and darkness, NOT KNOWING IT. I would still see darkness as light if it wasn’t for His grace.
Buff, your works are as "filthy rags" and of no value to the Lord. It’s all dung before Him as are mine and many of us here. Only His work by faith counts. Our best works bring death while faith that He gives brings life.
We can’t see nor lay our filthy rags down except He give us both to "will and do of His good pleasure". We are dead without Him.
The Lord’s will is and will be done with you, Buff.
Simon
And to that testimony of God’s grace, Buff replied:
Hogwash & Bull Dung of the Third Dimension from a Third Party candidate!
Paul’s reply:
Hi everyone,
Question: Who can argue with Simon’s testimony? Answer: None intelligibly by conviction of truth.
Interestingly enough, Buff’s response is well described by the quote he sent us today:
“To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.”—Thomas Paine.
The only thing Paine didn’t know, being an avowed atheist, is that the truth isn’t spoken in vain. Not only does the truth feed the hungry who have ears to receive it, but the truth also serves in breaking down the barriers of hearing in those who are deaf:
“Is not My Word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29 ESV)
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV).
“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, You have ordained strength, because of the ones distressing You, to cause the enemy and the avenger to cease” (Psalms 8:2 LITV).
Amen!
Paul
Buff avoided answering the substance as he continued to accuse us of being Pharisees:
Like I’ve thought from the beginning, you guys are right and everyone else whose views do not coincide with yours is wrong. See the story of the self-righteous Pharisee in Luke 18 and learn from it. Careful that you "leaders" don’t become another Jim Jones.
Buff
Deborah Ennis responded:
Hi everyone, I’m a little behind on emails, but… when I read Buff and his mention of Jim Jones, I have to say… wonder what cool-aid he is drinking from. His warns of Luke 18, wonder who he is following???? The Path of Truth has not ask us to drink deadly poison, just needed correction of the Truth which is life, grace and peace once received. It does divide and separate, did not Jesus say that is what He came to do? Oh look go a few vrs down:
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Mt 10:41 KJV
Of course one has to be empty of self, but may the Spirit water you with these words, not mine – John 7:14-39.
Let the Spirit drench you with Truth, set you free indeed. I’ve heard it said when you point a finger at someone, that you have three pointed back at you. So when "Pharisee" is mentioned, I would think to self examine just who the "Pharisee" is???? And if you’re going to "reform" sorry, but you’ll or anyone else will always be "reforming". (But God! Eph 2:4) I can think of so many written Words that would address this and I know you are bothered about universal salvation, seems to me as written warned, many will come in My name and will be told to "depart".
Mt 7: 21-23 KJV
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
May doctrines of men be removed and the Truth set free, halleluYay!
Deborah
Eph 1:6
Buff announced his intention to post us and challenged us to tell him the difference between our attitude and the Pharisees (Luke 18):
FOR THE LEADERS & FOLLOWERS OF
The PATH OF TRUTH
["Two Men Went up to the Temple to Pray"]
"Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners,unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
"But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat upon his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:9-14).
Question: What is the difference between the Pharisee’s attitude and your attitude?
Inasmuch as you come over as having attained complete doctrinal knowledge; and as you consider yourselves as "not being like other men"; and as you carry a mindset of having arrived while others "who are not of you" are stranded in the valley of ignorance, you are, as per your walk and the Pharisee’s walk, in the same category—condemned by the Master.
P. S. My weekly column goes out to about 2,000 readers on Sunday of each week. The upcoming column will revolve around the belief system of the Path of Truth and it’s leaders. Whatever irks you about said column, write me personally, as you have done thus far, or respond through ThePathOfTruth Website.
Buff Scott, Jr.
Redeemed Sinner
Sara Schmidt answered Buff:
Everything you have said here, Buff, applies to yourself.
We know Who has been making (or has made) us clean, and we give Him all credit, praise, glory, and honor. You honor yourself in knowledge and self-righteous works, condemning others who haven’t "attained" to your level of "righteousness," even declaring that God will extinguish them.
We, however, know that we could not save ourselves; we only believe by His grace. It would follow that others would receive that same grace from Him, in His time, even as the Scriptures declare.
Sara
Eric S. answers Buff:
Hi Buff, Eric S here again. May I quote you, Buff?
"Like I’ve thought from the beginning, you guys are right and everyone else whose views do not coincide with yours is wrong." " Inasmuch as you come over as having attained complete doctrinal knowledge; and as you consider yourselves as "not being like other men"; and as you carry a mindset of having arrived while others "who are not of you" are stranded in the valley of ignorance, you are, as per your walk and the Pharisee’s walk, in the same category—condemned by the Master."
So help me understand, please. If Victors says I am of the opinion, but not sure, and if someone has views that do not coincide with mine, they may be right and I may be wrong, then Buff says Victor is A OK. Right? So which of your views are you not sure of, admitting that others might be right and you are wrong, or possibly wrong?
If God has given you "some" truth while other views are just Buff’s opinions and therefore worthy of dispute, why should anyone listen to you? Do you say all teachers should just give their opinion and let the hearers and readers decide if they want to believe if it is the truth or not? Is that what the Holy Spirit proclaimed through the apostles you quote from the Bible? Is there anything that you "know" is from God and which is not open to dispute? Other than that The Path of Truth folks are condemned by the Master. You sound pretty sure of that!
You have a problem with Victor and Paul, not because they claim to have sure revelation, but because they proclaim that Buff is in error and like a child, rebuked by an adult, you spew protest words – yes I am right and you are wrong-and then stamp your feet and say I’m going to tell on you(to 2000 of MY READERS)-, saying, you were mean to me!
You advise us to respond if your column "irks" anyone. I have never seem Victor and Paul irked so far. They have irked me and, at times, I wanted to throw a childish temper tantrum, but in my heart I knew they were only speaking the truth in love and what they said to me was what God knew I needed. May God reveal what you need in your heart. When that happens those that have rebuked and corrected you will have, the Lord helping, a good response then also.
Eric Starnes
Buff’s reply to Sara:
Sara:
Your words translate into lies and deception. No condemnation, just facts. I could help you, as I’ve had 34 years of psychiatric experiences in psychiatric institutions, treating all kinds of mental disorders, such as the one you apparently have, if you will give yourself in to a receptive heart. If you’re unwilling, you’re on your own.
May the good Lord have mercy upon your brainwashed heart and mind. The apostle Paul said to flee all evil. I say flee all cults. Yes, I have had enough information from all of you to diagnose your system as a cult. This idea will be covered in my next Reformation Rumblings column.
Beryl replied:
Buff… when I saw one of your replies, equating The Path of Truth with Jim Jones and now, accusing Sara of perhaps having a mental disorder? We know you! Go your way.
Beryl
Buff replied to Beryl:
Oh, I’m not finished with you and your fellow cult members yet, Beryl. Just hang on. I’ll block you and others later from contaminating my computer screen. You and other cultists have opened up a can of worms.
Buff
Victor advised Beryl not to speak for all of us when bidding Buff to “go away,” and he said to Buff:
And those worms are eating away even as we speak the Word of fire to you that can’t be quenched, no matter how hard you try, Buff. I’m not being sarcastic or smart-mouthed, as you might perceive in your bitterness, but speaking truth as it exists and displays itself. This is for you and for everyone else here, a wondrous occasion for instruction.
Does not darkness present the ideal occasion to shine the Light of God?
Edwin Romero answered:
It’s clear Buff doesn’t really believe Sara has a mental disorder…. It’s simply the most substantial argument he can come up with after what he’s been told.
Edwin
And Jason responded:
True, Edwin, and Buff has left nearly everything unanswered. He’s making off-the-wall, absurd claims without backing anything up. That isn’t mentally sound, is it? He’s reaching now because he’s beginning to realize that he really has nothing, so what can he do but fabricate things in an attempt to save face? He’s too prideful to do otherwise. He’s going to write an article to his 2,000 readers in order to salve his conscience, with any support that he can possibly get. He now needs validation from others to bandage his wounds but it won’t work. His accusations without substance is the equivalent of trying to shoot and kill someone with a gun that isn’t loaded.
Buff isn’t the only one with a background in psychology.
Victor replied to Jason’s letter:
Jason, though what you say is true, it won’t do to come with a spirit of criticism or condemnation. It’s one thing to criticize in the Lord, but another to criticize from the flesh. Learn from this.
Buff, in another string of conversation, you said, “By the way, don’t put positions in my mouth I haven’t taken, please. Nowhere have I said the OT is for Jews and the NT is for Christians.”
It’s true; Beryl wasn’t accurate there, but she wasn’t altogether wrong. Pride would pick at the wrong for self-defense, but humility would acknowledge the true. Someone has already pointed out that the Sabbath wasn’t just Jewish, but created in the very beginning for all mankind. And God doesn’t do away with the Law – not one jot or tittle of it – that is, it is immutable, which means no other day, no other way.
As for the Law of God by Moses, yes, that changes – no more ceremonies and blood sacrifices, Tabernacle or Temple or priesthood. We don’t fall back to those things that are fulfilled in Christ, but we are to remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
You’ve forgotten, haven’t you? No problem – we had, as well, being taught the doctrines and traditions of men who substituted them for the Law of God. Antidote? Repentance toward God, turning from sin – the breaking of the Law – to honoring and establishing it:
“Do we then make the Law void through faith? Let it not be! But we establish the Law” (Romans 3:31 MKJV).
Is that falling from grace, going back to the Law of Moses, or is it that we are granted grace to establish the Law?
Buff, be reasonable. You aren’t right at all before God.
Victor
Paul replied to Buff:
As usual, you have it backwards, Buff. You have no facts here, just proud and foolish words of condemnation. You never have proof or godly witnesses to back your opinions and crude assertions. It’s just Buff, in the buff, exposed for all to see in his nakedness and shame, though in his delusion presenting himself as an angel of light. Thank God we have light to see this disgusting spectacle, all by His grace. What a wretched sight before Heaven is the man of sin in all his glory.
Paul
Victor described Buff’s folly and sin:
Buff knows better, and that’s his sin now. Better not to have known better, than to know and still scorn the truth. We see before us a day of reckoning, an accounting of one’s ways and actions and attitude. It’s not pretty, but it’s the judgment of God.
Will you preach, Buff, and not require your teaching of yourself? Will you hold high and lofty the principles of God for others and not require them of yourself? Is that not the way of the Pharisee, who lays heavy burdens, but won’t lift a finger to carry them?
That night, Buff dropped this line:
Good night, all of you cultists. See you in my next column (Reformation Rumblings).
Buff
To which Victor replied:
Good Sabbath, everyone!
Now which man was it that responded? Saint or mocker? Repentant publican or Pharisee? One sober or a scoffer? One who “threatens not,” or one who threatens? One who is humble, or one who is proud? One who can learn, or one who deems himself to know it all and teach everyone? One who cares for others, or one who cares only for himself?
Was it flesh or Spirit?
Is it difficult to see? Does it even take the Spirit’s gift of discernment to do so?
In response to Buff’s note to Sara, Victor wrote:
Is this the wisdom of God speaking now? Should not the Lord have recruited a team of trained and experienced psychologists and psychiatrists to preach the Kingdom of God and repentance?
Sara bears witness of the Lord, of His grace and His goodness, taking no credit for herself, us her elders, or for any man, and for that, our “man of God,” Buff Scott Jr., bears witness to Sara’s need for psychiatric help! Go figure the ways of the children of darkness – proud, arrogant, foolish, and vicious. Can anything be more anti-Christ than that?
If any are giving you the impression it’s about doctrine, whether intentionally or mistakenly, I must correct them. It’s not about doctrine, but about a relationship with the Lord.
And it’s not about how far advanced one is in that relationship. It’s about whether or not one has that relationship to begin with. If we are wrong in telling you that you don’t have that relationship, then Jesus was wrong in telling the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and others that they didn’t have it.
Sara wrote of the repentant publican’s state in us, and in perfect Pharisaical stance, you condemned her as mad. “You are mad!” the Pharisees said to Jesus. And if they said that to Him, how much more to His disciples, who aren’t greater than their Master?
Buff, how you expose yourself! How you viciously put down others to preserve yourself, while they speak honest truth to you! Now you pull rank with your credentials, the very kind the apostle Paul called dung. Can’t you see yourself and your great contradiction? But what can bitter children of darkness see? Are they not dead in pride and sin?
Is there not a difference between one who truly sees a need with another and is willing to share it, and one who simply despises another? Do we despise you, Buff, or do we believe we have good things to give you? And why are you offended at our effort to do so? Did the Pharisee try to share with that publican? I don’t see that.
How about you? Have you not treated us with contempt? And you ask us the difference? See your contradiction, man, not for our sake, but your own.
Yes, Buff, you do evil before God against all Heaven, defaming those who are right before Him, and condemning the things of God just to save yourself. How awful is that? Is that not blasphemy?
Still, Buff, do your worst. “Go and do that which you do quickly.”
Buff continued bluffing with innuendo, having nothing solid:
I have known many liars and deceivers with mental problems. "Trust me, been there, know that."
Buff
And tried to get a rise with another of his jibes:
Say, you cultists, would at least one of you answer the question I asked earlier today? Here’s a repeat of it:
Question: What is the difference between the Pharisee’s attitude and your attitude?
Buff
Beryl answered:
Answer: What is the difference between the Pharisee’s attitude and your attitude?
Beryl
And William (a new believer – God reveals himself to the babes) showed Buff how he’d already been answered:
Sara replied to your question Buff, I know its hard to keep track amidst all the exchanging of emails:
"Everything you have said here, Buff, applies to yourself.
We know Who has been making (or has made) us clean, and we give Him all credit, praise, glory, and honor. You honor yourself in knowledge and self-righteous works, condemning others who haven’t "attained" to your level of "righteousness," even declaring that God will extinguish them.
We, however, know that we could not save ourselves; we only believe by His grace. It would follow that others would receive that same grace from Him, in His time, even as the Scriptures declare.
Sara"
What is your definition of a cult sir?
More to read: https://www.thepathoftruth.com/teachings/are-we-a-cult.htm
Simon had things to add:
So we are cultists now, Buff? What other insults and accusations without substance do you have up your sleeve? Do you merely insult and label people when confronted and have no substance from scripture to back up your thoughts?
It would be good to post what you have in mind about the Path of Truth, only dont post just your parts of the correspondence but everything said here. Let people see everything or do you have something to hide?
As for the Pharisee question, maybe you should reread the correspondence, its answered as already said.
Had this thought about you this morning:
Luke 14:7-11 KJV
7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher:then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Simon
Victor called out Buff again on his bluffing:
Buff, are we liars and deceivers with mental problems? Truly? Do you honestly mean that? Would you say so in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ?
And said this:
How remarkable this is that you should mock us as one who is better than us, derisively condemning us as “cultists,” and then ask us the difference between you and us.
Is your question in the spirit of the publican beating his breast in sorrow and repentance before the Lord? Really? How remarkable a demonstration of the parable we have here, Buff!
Oneil Richards answered Buff in general:
Hi Buff,
Oneil here i red you letter and i must admit you are a man of great intellect and you seem to have a very good reasoning ability but here comes the truth
(Isa 44:24 [ESV2011])
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,
(Isa 44:25 [ESV2011])
who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish,
Yes Buff He makes the knowledge of those wise in their own eyes foolish which is what you are.
I particularly notice all reference to your ministry as "my Ministry" which is quite correct, it is your ministry and not of or from the Lord Jesus, you seek the acceptance of men and hope they will not condemn you should they find out you errors which are enormous something men sent by the Lord Jesus don’t do.
You claim to be a reformer like most of the men you claim you are not like, you then go on to compare your self to the Lord Jesus and His fore runner John the emercer who preach repentance and the kingdom of heaven. The Lord Jesus nor John His Forerunner never preach reform Buff they preach repentance, you don’t put new wine in old wine skin Buff. one other thing you can’t give what you don’t have and it’s very hard to stand when you don’t know where and who you stand with.
Oneil
Dan Lysthauge answered Buff’s question on being a Pharisee:
Hi Buff,
The Lord has given me to answer your question. This answer applies only to me, I am not allowed to answer for others on this matter.
The reason my attitude is different then Pharisee’s is this, I am not at enmity with God The Father any longer. It has nothing to do with me, He did it all. Does that make me better then you Buff? No.
I know what I am, creation. My God has given me a gift, the gift of life (His). All the glory is His!
That’s my answer.
Dan
But Buff couldn’t comprehend what Dan wrote, blocked by his self-serving agenda:
Dan, you missed the substance of the entire question. You danced around it. Perhaps it was an evil power that "gave you the answer."
Buff
Dan responded, not in kind, but kindly:
Hi Buff,
I think you want me to have an attitude toward you, I don’t. I can’t make you hear, only The Lord can give you to hear.
These are for you Buff.
Faith is a know not a show. If you are putting on a show or going to a show, you don’t know.
The religious are scared, they think all their rituals will save them. They try to convince you of the same, trying to place their fear on you, that you must do as they.
There is no fear with The Lord.
Dan
Dan added:
Buff,
One more item. God is life and I thank Him for you and everyone else with these emails. I have learned much as I do every day with The Lord.
God is Good,
Dan
Ephesians 2:14-18
Victor replied:
Dan, Buff doesn’t believe in hearing personally from the Lord. And how can he? He isn’t part of a “cult.”
“I am the Good Shepherd, and I know those that are Mine, and I am known by those who are Mine” (John 10:14 MKJV).
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give to them eternal life, and they shall never ever perish, and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28 MKJV).
Those and only those who are His hear His voice and have eternal life.
Victor also pointed out Buff’s method of making evil accusations by insinuation without committing himself to a “yea” or “nay”:
Buff suggests: “Perhaps it was an evil power that ‘gave you the answer.’”
“Perhaps,” Buff? You don’t know, but are prepared to risk blaspheming?
When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser – Socrates
Buff replied to Beryl’s answer to his question, in which she asked him the difference between him and a Pharisee:
Beryl, that’s no answer, but I’m glad you asked the question. Here’s the correct answer:
- The Pharisee thought he was righteous and everybody else unrighteous.
- I do not feel that other believers are unrighteous because their walk with the Lord does not harmonize with mine.
- The Pharisee thought his good works would save him (fasting, tithing, etc.).
- My "good works" are like filthy rags, for as my Lord said, "After you have done all of this, say, ‘I am still an unworthy servant.’ "
- The Pharisee thought he had a relationship with God that no one else had.
- I do not possess such an ungodly attitude.
- The Pharisee no doubt thought his doctrinal agenda surpassed all others.
- My take is that all of us, to one degree or another, is doctrinally defective.
Now, how do I see you guys in this matter? You’re just the opposite of my attitude. Now you know.
Buff
Victor asked Buff:
Is not Beryl’s answer an appropriate one, Buff? How is it you look into a mirror thinking to see someone else? Not that you should be condemned by us for it because the job is done – you’re condemned already: “And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19 MKJV).
Buff, you haven’t been told these things before, have you? Consider.
Paul described how Buff’s explanation of why he isn’t a Pharisee proves the very opposite:
Buff proposes a series of premises about how Pharisees behave, and declares how each one doesn’t apply to him by his own estimation. Hmmmm… this process of self-justification sounds familiar:
Luke 18:10-12 MKJV
(10) “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-collector.
(11) The Pharisee stood and prayed within himself in this way: ‘God, I thank You that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector.
(12) I fast twice on the Sabbath, I give tithes of all that I possess.’”
Let’s look more closely at Buff’s premises, and declarations of his righteousness, to see what’s there:
Premise: The Pharisee thought he was righteous and everybody else unrighteous.
Not correct. A Pharisee accepts those who accept him. As Jesus said to them: “How can you believe, you who receive honor from one another and do not seek the honor that comes from God only?” (John 5:44 MKJV)
Therefore he doesn’t think everyone else is unrighteous. It’s true, however, that he sees himself as righteous, like Buff does, and that’s all that matters to him.
Declaration of Righteousness: I do not feel that other believers are unrighteous because their walk with the Lord does not harmonize with mine.
Buff calls us liars and deceivers – cultists with mental problems. If that’s not saying we’re unrighteous, what is? And why does he say it, if not because our walk with God doesn’t harmonize with him?
So who is out of step? It’s never about harmonizing with another man’s walk, but with God. Those granted the grace and faith to walk with Him can tell whether others are in the faith or not. That’s why the Lord commanded to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and to judge righteous judgment. Does He not provide the wherewith to do so?
Buff seeks the approval of men, which is why he speaks out of both sides of his mouth, claiming not to judge others while judging them unrighteously if they don’t suit him. Here’s what he’s essentially saying by his words and actions:
“Religious organizations are wrong, but if you don’t feel like coming out of them, you can stay and reform them from within, even though God commands those who believe to come out from among them. I would rather be approved by men by giving them what they want to hear, than be approved by God by believing and acting on what He says.”
Doesn’t the Word of God condemn such a stance? We have judged Buff on many things, but never by our opinion or standards, only by the Living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Premise: The Pharisee thought his good works would save him (fasting, tithing, etc.).
More to the heart of the matter would be to say that the Pharisee believed he was good, like Cain, whose countenance fell when his self-righteous offering was rejected. It’s this presumptuousness and confidence in the flesh that makes the works evil.
Declaration of Righteousness: My "good works" are like filthy rags, for as my Lord said, "After you have done all of this, say, ‘I am still an unworthy servant.’ "
Buff’s good works are as filthy rags because they come from his flesh and presumption of being good, regardless of what he says about them or himself in false modesty. The Lord wasn’t speaking of such works when He said His people should consider themselves unworthy servants. He was speaking of righteous doing, not unrighteous:
“So likewise you, whenever you do all the things having been commanded to you, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what we ought to do‘” (Luke 17:10 EMTV).
Buff doesn’t understand or distinguish this crucial difference because he is relying on his own righteousness, just like the Pharisee he vigorously denies he is. He has never walked in the Lord’s righteousness or experienced the works of faith. He therefore has never known he is unprofitable, for only those given by God to walk in what is profitable will be able to see their unprofitableness.
Shakespeare said it well of the guilty, “Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”
Premise: The Pharisee thought he had a relationship with God that no one else had.
Whether or not the Pharisee thought others had a relationship with God wasn’t the point of the parable. The point was that the Pharisee trusted in himself that he was righteous and judged others by appearance, in this case a repentant sinner.
Declaration of Righteousness: I do not possess such an ungodly attitude.
“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men…’” (Luke 18:11 EMTV).
Premise: The Pharisee no doubt thought his doctrinal agenda surpassed all others.
Doctrine isn’t the issue in the parable. So why does Buff bring it up? Because his doctrine doesn’t agree with the Lord’s, but he thinks his “doctrinal agenda” does indeed surpass all others; otherwise why would he so adamantly defend it?
Declaration of Righteousness: My take is that all of us, to one degree or another, is doctrinally defective.
“My take” is exactly the problem for Buff the Pharisee. He goes by his take and not the Lord’s.
He says that everyone is doctrinally defective. Was the Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh doctrinally defective? Are His servants defective, who are sent in His Name?
“Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you. As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:21-22 MKJV).
Is the Holy Spirit doctrinally defective?
“But the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and no lie, and as He has taught you, abide in Him” (1 John 2:27 MKJV).
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things” (1 John 2:20 MKJV).
“For a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit, neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit” (Luke 6:43 MKJV).
The Good Tree is the Lord, the Tree of Life, and His servants are grafted into Him:
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 MKJV).
Teachers of defective doctrine are of the corrupt tree, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, from which they eat and feed others. These are the transgressors, without the fruit of the Spirit or the doctrine of Christ:
“Everyone transgressing and not abiding in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9 MKJV).
Which explains Buff’s ending statement:
Now, how do I see you guys in this matter? You’re just the opposite of my attitude. Now you know.
For this we are very thankful, being made partakers of God’s goodness and mercy through the Lord Jesus Christ; all praise and honor to His Name. Lord, You are glorified by Your work!
Paul
Victor replied:
Paul, truly spoken. And there’s so much more that could be said about Buff’s assessment and great praise of himself, both of letter and spirit. This is truly amazing. Perhaps you are jealous of our fellowship you call a “cult,” Buff. It sounds like you wouldn’t mind one of those yourself. In all your words and ways, are you not calling men to worship you, though you hypocritically deny it? That’ certainly what I see. You are like Simon, who wanted the power of God to impress men, are you not?
Paul replied to Victor:
You’ve struck a point here about Buff. He wants a following but doesn’t have one. I was going to answer Beryl about that, who talked about Buff’s 2,000 followers. I doubt many (if any) of the recipients of his newsletter follow Buff. They agree with him on some things, that’s all.
I notice Buff isn’t answering us any more. He’s retreated behind “Reformation Rumblings,” the religious works of men being the last refuge of scoundrels. The rumbling he’s hearing now isn’t reformation of the old, but its destruction.
Meanwhile, Buff had published his article on us. Surya Tarigan answered:
This is garbage, the writer of this article presume to know in depth what is The Path of Truth web site all about. The content of this column is similar to the general mistake what superficial journalists had always made. I am in the other part of the world, I’ve never met Victor and Paul and they’d never proselityzed me, never brainwashed me,they never asked me to join their fellowship. But, we have the same HOLYSPIRIT, who join and bind us together, we can sense the similar scriptural truth. We are devoted to the TRUTH not to Victor and Paul. You are totally misunderstood.
Don’t be proud of your article in this column..it is jush fleshly expression…Surya from Indonesia
Buff replied:
Wow, you are upset, aren’t you? I suspect my "truth serum" column will (have) upset all of your Path of Truth friends. Thanks for your input, however.
Buff
Dan Randolph wrote:
The hidden blessing in all this is If Buff is telling the truth that he has 2000 folks he sent his letter to about the Path of Truth, there may some there that may have ears to here and eyes to see and be set free and eventually join us in Christ also understanding all will be saved in the end through what Jesus has done.
After all this discussion I must say it has confirmed my belief that Until
You Know He Saves all You Don’t Know Him At All
God Is Good
Dan
Terri Cabreros also responded:
Buff, you say "I suspect my "truth serum" column will (have) upset all of your Path of Truth friends."
Actually no…it doesn’t upset us…we expect it and are blessed:
Matthew 5:11 KJV ~ Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake.
Terri Cabreros – Keaau, Hawaii
Paul wrote in response to Surya and Terri:
Thank you for passing this along to the others, Surya. You don’t come across as upset at all in your letter. Your plain and honest testimony of your personal experience (which others can attest to) stands in stark contrast to the many fanciful and unsubstantiated lies fabricated by Buff in his newsletter. We are thankful for both, light and darkness. As Terri said and quoted from Matthew 5:11, we rejoice in being evil spoken-of for the Lord’s sake. What an honor to be identified with Him! Bless and praise His Name! Thank You, Lord Jesus – Your will be done with all.
Paul
Victor replied:
And I say, BLESS THE LORD! Amen and amen!
1 Peter 1:3-11 KJV
(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for you,
(5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
(6) Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
(7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
(8) Whom having not seen, you love; in Whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
(9) Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
(10) Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
(11) Searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ Who was in them did signify, when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Martin told Buff his story:
Buff, I was raised in a "Reformed" church. My father is a pastor, as was his father before him (who died at 40 because he would not see the doctor about a liver infection). I am very familiar with reformed doctrines. The Lord is still in the process of washing my brain of that nonsense.
When I was 19 (I am 26 now), I left the church. I thought I was better. I scorned the reformed theology, mocking it often. And yet, I did not reject it. For five years I wandered into increasing darkness, filled with bitterness and cynicism. I attended several churches. I never joined any of them because I felt "above them". I thought they were frauds. I thought they were jerks. I thought they were gossips. And I thought they were hypocrites.
I pointed my finger and accused, and settled into the darkness I accused others of living in. I never escaped the spirit of Calvin, and neither have you. We are both self-righteous, cynical, sarcastic, and hateful.
The difference between you and I, the Pharisee and the Republican, is that the Lord has shown me my ways, but He has not shown you. We are both cut from the same worthless rags, but you see yourself as purple robes. You point your finger and accuse, but the Lord has not opened your eyes to see yourself standing in the mirror in front of you, filthy and naked.
Jesus came for the sick, and the needy. Do you know how sick you are Buff? Has the Lord shown you?
Praise be to God that He continues to expose me. He diagnoses me. He treats me, and He heals me.
Will you go and see The Doctor, or will you perish as my grandfather did, in his ignorance and pride?
Martin
Jason responded to Martin’s testimony, confessing his shortfall, a hallmark of the Pharisee according to Buff, who has things backwards:
Well said, Martin, and amen. This part spoke to me personally:
"I pointed my finger and accused, and settled into the darkness I accused others of living in……We are both self-righteous, cynical, sarcastic, and hateful."
I’m also beyond guilty of this, not only in my responses to Buff but to others. Thank the Lord for showing me!
Jason
Victor wondered at Buff’s gracious claims on his website compared to the reality experienced in this correspondence with him:
Buff: “I will gladly absorb and happily accept advice from godly men if it coincides with what I conscientiously believe is truth and understand as heaven’s grace.”
Buff: “We must accept one another, just as Jesus accepted us—warts and all (Rom. 15:7). I love all of those who are caught up in the web of organized religion. When permitted, I will happily work with them in areas that do not violate my conscience. I will try not to be inconsiderate, ugly, or rude. I will speak from my heart out, not from my teeth out. If you can accept me on that level, we’ll embrace each other and serve the Lord together.”
Wow! Really, Buff? Really?
“Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6 MKJV)
Mislabeled a Cult
After a lengthy discourse, an embittered preacher labels us a cult and writes a generic paper listing many subjective characteristics of a cult. We show how these characteristics often don’t apply to us, but when they do, it’s in godliness. And when they apply to him, it’s in ungodliness, because he is in the contradiction of sin and all wrongness.