Some pastors and their congregations have refused to follow government public health directives to practice social distancing and refrain from participating in large gatherings of people. They say that these directives are an infringement on their religious freedom and force them to eliminate a practice that is essential to the practice of their faith. Moreover, the fact that most other groups have found ways to continue their worship services that do not involve gathering in large groups has not persuaded them to modify their own practices. They insist that it is more important for them to obey God than to obey men.
Are these holdouts right? Should Christians be defying government directives and gathering together for worship?
Christianity Today weighed in on this question a couple of weeks ago and noted that "Christians shake hands, embrace one another, and kiss cheeks. Some are liturgically directed to drink from a common cup; others pass the peace with a warm touch. Our bodies do naturally what our souls do supernaturally. We connect. And we do so intergenerationally." To Cancel or Not To Canel see https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/march-web-only/walter-kim-nae-timothy-dalrymple-cancel-church-or-not.html
The authors of the article point out that Christians are instructed by Scripture to obey the governing authorities (Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Pet. 2:13–17). But they go on to point out that "there are other Biblical principles that help us embrace this difficult decision." They point out that Jesus taught that a critical component of Sabbath worship was the care of needy and vulnerable people (Mark 3:1-5).
And they pointed to an even larger principle related to the Sabbath. They wrote: "Sabbath observance was never just about what worshipers gained personally, but also what they gave communally. Sabbath encompassed the well-being of others. In Deuteronomy 5:12–15, the Israelites were instructed to observe the Sabbath by not working and also not allowing others to work. In the ancient world, it was astounding to be commanded to regularly release your household, servants, animals, and even the immigrant workers and refugees from work. Sabbath answered on a weekly basis the age-old question, 'Am I my brother’s keeper?' Yes! We are called to ensure the flourishing of those within our sphere of influence.'"
In addition to the excellent points made in this article, I would add a principle that should be very familiar to all of those who profess to be Christians: LOVE! Just a few lines down from Paul's instructions about submitting ourselves to the governing authorities, we read: "Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, 'You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.' These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law." (Romans 13:8-10) The application of that principle in this instance seems pretty straightforward to me.
We are also reminded of the fact that Jesus Christ is reported to have said, "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:12-13) Are we willing to lay down our lives for the sake of our friends? Are we willing to interrupt our routines and preferences for the sake of others? OR Do we selfishly insist on pursuing our own interests?
For me, this should be a no-brainer for Christians. The Christian thing to do in the midst of this pandemic is to temporarily cancel services!
Are these holdouts right? Should Christians be defying government directives and gathering together for worship?
Christianity Today weighed in on this question a couple of weeks ago and noted that "Christians shake hands, embrace one another, and kiss cheeks. Some are liturgically directed to drink from a common cup; others pass the peace with a warm touch. Our bodies do naturally what our souls do supernaturally. We connect. And we do so intergenerationally." To Cancel or Not To Canel see https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/march-web-only/walter-kim-nae-timothy-dalrymple-cancel-church-or-not.html
The authors of the article point out that Christians are instructed by Scripture to obey the governing authorities (Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Pet. 2:13–17). But they go on to point out that "there are other Biblical principles that help us embrace this difficult decision." They point out that Jesus taught that a critical component of Sabbath worship was the care of needy and vulnerable people (Mark 3:1-5).
And they pointed to an even larger principle related to the Sabbath. They wrote: "Sabbath observance was never just about what worshipers gained personally, but also what they gave communally. Sabbath encompassed the well-being of others. In Deuteronomy 5:12–15, the Israelites were instructed to observe the Sabbath by not working and also not allowing others to work. In the ancient world, it was astounding to be commanded to regularly release your household, servants, animals, and even the immigrant workers and refugees from work. Sabbath answered on a weekly basis the age-old question, 'Am I my brother’s keeper?' Yes! We are called to ensure the flourishing of those within our sphere of influence.'"
In addition to the excellent points made in this article, I would add a principle that should be very familiar to all of those who profess to be Christians: LOVE! Just a few lines down from Paul's instructions about submitting ourselves to the governing authorities, we read: "Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, 'You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.' These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law." (Romans 13:8-10) The application of that principle in this instance seems pretty straightforward to me.
We are also reminded of the fact that Jesus Christ is reported to have said, "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:12-13) Are we willing to lay down our lives for the sake of our friends? Are we willing to interrupt our routines and preferences for the sake of others? OR Do we selfishly insist on pursuing our own interests?
For me, this should be a no-brainer for Christians. The Christian thing to do in the midst of this pandemic is to temporarily cancel services!
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