Part 2: ntcc Holiness Or Hell: What's the Difference? (The Pork Chop Whiskers Hall Of Fame)

"Whiskers"
The Gloating Cat

A moment ago, while posting a comment on the previous thread, the word "holiness" came to mind; and I had to write a new thread; because it dawned on me that there is little difference in the "Holier than Thou" attitude projected by the ntcc leadership and that of the Pharisees. It's not really holiness that is in question here; but it is the policies and doctrines of the ntcc that are very hard to swallow. Holiness that is preached to the masses at the ntcc is based on a few scriptures that deal with customs and what was considered to be appropriate attire and hair length: dressing modestly, long hair on women, and short hair on men. These scriptures were given little emphasis compared to many other subjects in the New Testament; but they were mentioned. From these few scriptures the leadership of the ntcc and its founder have created the "davis doctrine" which encompasses a whole lot more than hair length and dresses on women, and loose fitting pants on men. Let's look at the differences in what God says in His word and what the davis doctrine has to say.

For the purpose of this comparison we are going to use New Testament scriptures. For those of you who don't know this, we are living under the New Testament; hence the name new testament christian churches of america, inc.

1. Modest apparel: 1Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array

The subject of modest apparel is mentioned one time in the New Testament and is not kept, nor has it ever been kept by the ntcc leadership. Let's take a look at the ntcc leadership to see how they "lead the way" in this category. Modest apparel....hmmm. How often have we seen tanya kekel looking like jello poured into a ziplock baggy? What's the difference? Okay so maybe she outgrew her clothing at the time and now she's no longer doing that. We'll give her the benefit of doubt. This Scripture is also used by the ntcc to preach against jewelry. Gold and pearls. It's okay to wear diamond wedding rings and for the men to wear pinky rings? What's the difference? Costly array: Should we even go there?  Lets go there. For this segment we have to look at the leadership of the ntcc to find rebellion against God's word; because the lowly members are made to shop at kook stores and other second hand venues such as flea markets and garage sales; where you have to wash you hands at your earliest convenience; because the clothes are so filthy and stink so bad. Just take a look at how the leadership of the ntcc is adorned in costly array. With their tailored white shirts and gold cuff-links, their expensive silk ties and Hart Schaffner and Marx suits that cost more than a set of new tires on the luxury cars they drive. And the women in their get-ups with Alpaca scarves that cost more than dinner for 6 at the Red Lobster. They shop at the expensive stores and buy dresses and outfits made of the best materials that money can buy. While we were shopping at kook stores and garage sales; they were shopping at Nordstroms and Nieman Marcus; and those are the 'lower end' places that they shop, especially with the internet available; where Saks Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive choices are available. What's the difference?

2. Hair Length: 1 Cor 11:14,15 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given to her for a covering.

These two verses are all that can be found in the new testament that specify hair length and cover both men and women on the topic. I know the ntcc just loves to preach about this topic as if it were the most important subject in the bible. Don't ever ask the question, "How short is short?" or "How long is long?"; unless you want to get thoroughly jacked up. If you have to ask that question than your heart must be full of compromise and the desire for sin. Whatever. No where in either of these scriptures is an exact length specified. The ntcc makes that decision for you by jacking you up if you are a man and your hair gets too long. I believe that common sense is implied here; and that if it were an offense that places people in hell that God would have been more specific about it.  Have you ever noticed that the control mechanisms that the ntcc has created are way more restrictive on women than they are on men? Case in point: The scripture says a woman is to have long hair. No where in the bible does it say that it can't be cut. It's supposed to cover her head; and it's a glory to her when it is long. They have to use cult code words like "chopped off" and "bobbed off" to make it seem exceedingly sinful. In vs. 5-7 it speaks about being shaved or shorn but that refers to her being shaved bald. Of course this also is argued by the ntcc; because if they can't convince women to not cut their hair than they lose a control mechanism. What's the difference? If a woman gets her hair trimmed and prays to God is she going to "split hell wide open" faster than the woman who never gets her hair cut? It's also alright for a woman that has short hair that won't grow to wear wigs so they can put on a facade and pretend to be someone they are not. Just ask verna. Sounds like too much emphasis on the outward appearance to me. Mt. 23:5 "They make broad their Phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments". What's the difference? "Look at us, we are working our way into heaven." "We are special above all other people of the land." The Pharisees live for the praises of their own people and not that of God. I know that many people are not like this and not doing it for the same reasons; but what's the difference?

3. Lasciviousness: Gal 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleaness, lasciviousness

This word that the ntcc uses to preach at men and woman can be found 6 times in the New Testament and is defined in it's original text all six times as: unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantoness, outrageousness, shamelessness and insolence. Also, wanton acts or manners, filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females.

You have to look up definitions of words used to define lascivious to link it to the way people dress. That's okay, lets go down this road. Although the word describes behavior more than a dress code I believe that if you dress obscenely you can fall into that category. It's listed with some pretty bad sins; so again let's use a little common sense here. If a man wears shorts that don't draw attention to his private region are they still lascivious? If a man (kekel's son) wears football pants that are made out of spandex and conform to every curvature of his anatomy, no matter how small, is that lascivious? What's the difference? You be the judge. Shorts nowadays are not cut like the basketball shorts of the 70's. They are knee length and usually fit loosely not exposing the private parts of a man and woman; although women today tend to wear their clothes tighter than men do. Some men like to wear pants and shorts that fall off their butts and expose themselves in a perverse way. I say common sense has to rule here. If a woman wears a dress that in ntcc makes her look modest but you can still see her calves, what is the difference if a man wears shorts down to his knees that fit right and you can see his calves? If you are lusting after calves and elbows you have issues and need God to perform a miracle in your heart. I say the problem is in the heart and not in the outward appearance. All that being said, I have no problem with people living the ntcc's version of holiness if it's of their own free will. But who cares what I think? It's when they flaunt it and say, "Look at how great we are living in comparison to the rest of the world!". Is this really "holiness" as God intended for it to be in the bible?

4. Facial hair 1 dav 1:1 (dav is short for davis in case you were wondering...) "Thou shalt not have a beard or mustache; or thou shalt surely die and go to hell".

Photo Gallery:

The "Porkchop Whiskers" Hall Of Fame:

Alex Kendrick of Sherwood

Bart Millard of Mercy Me 

Mark Hall of Casting Crowns 

Mac Powell of Third Day 

Would Jesus Wear A Beard? 

Don aka "Porkchop Whiskers" 

Try showing up to conference in a beard or mustache and see how that goes for you. Jesus would not be welcome in the ntcc, unless He was willing to shave it off. I've been referred to as Pork Chop Whiskers by those in the ntcc; because they feel they need something to lash out at. That's okay. I can take it. I have thick skin. I learned how to be an outcast when I was in the ntcc. I learned how to dress like a dork, while I was in the ntcc. Next time you think you are so much holier than all those around you, take a look at the Amish and the Mennonites and the Quakers:

They put you to shame with their outward appearance. If you are going to use the same old mantra that "There is no such thing as being too holy." then have the women wear their dresses down to the ground; and cover your elbows, stop wearing wedding rings, and pinky rings, and Alpaca scarves, and all the other junk you wear.

5. Make-up: 1 dav 1:2 If thou paintest thy face thou shalt surely die and go to hell.

This scripture is found no where in the new testament but only in the book of Davis. He refers only to Jezebel painting her face; but nowhere does it say in the entire bible that women can't use make up. Can we bring common sense into the equation again? It's been shared that board members' wives in the ntcc use foundation and wrinkle cream. What's the difference?

What's the difference? This question can be applied to all of the man-made rules and policies of the ntcc. What is the difference in watching tv and listening to audio books with the same stories and language? What's the difference between playing basketball or football with sinners or going over to kekel's house and playing volleyball? What's the difference between staying in touch with family members and letting them know that you love them and are genuinely concerned about them and doing the same for your church contacts? What's the difference in listening to southern gospel and contemporary Christian music? Whose opinions are you going to follow? What's the difference in having a tv or devilvision and watching a good movie and kekel doing the same thing on a computer monitor with a dvd player. Does the ntcc have a monopoly on discretion? What's the difference in kekel going to a dog show and you owning a dog?  What's the difference in kekel going to a bluegrass festival and you going to a country music concert at the park? What's the difference in the ntcc leadership spiritually abusing you over and over again and a wife beater that physically beats his wife over and over again. I think I'd rather receive physical beatings than what I received in the ntcc. What's the difference?

The common denominator between the ntcc and a fiefdom or dictatorship, is that the 'leader' makes harsh rules that others must obey; but that the 'leader' does not follow. In fiefdoms and dictatorships, this double standard and hypocrisy is expected. But such double standards (two sets of rules) and hypocrisy (saying one thing, while living something else) have no place in Christianity. Chirst led by example. He never asks us to do anything that He Himself has not done or is not willing to do. That's the difference between Christ and the ntcc leadership. Frankly, Christ is the One we all need to follow; not the ntcc hypocrites who "say and do not". Jesus walked the walk. ntcc 'leaders' only talk the talk. Let's not be talkers; but walk in the path Jesus laid out for us.