Our provincial leaders announced new COVID19 restrictions Monday evening. These restrictions have been introduced in an effort to reduce transmission of COVID19 to avoid the risk where hospitals across our province may be overwhelmed. Under these new measures, churches are limited to a maximum occupancy of 15 people for (at least) the next three weeks.
From the beginning of the COVID19 crisis, I’ve written a number of articles addressing some of the most pressing issues we face as a church. Our course was established one year ago when I wrote an essay on why the church must continue to gather. It addressed texts that have now been etched into our memory like Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. Even though that essay is a year old, it still has application today. At the least, it confirms that our actions are not borne out of “COVID fatigue” or simply having enough of the restrictions. Rather, our actions are borne out of theological commitments to the Lordship of Christ and his instruction to the church as revealed in Scripture. This, above all, is the reason why we have been gathering and will continue to gather.
Another milestone of note was an article I wrote on December 11th in response to health restrictions announced the day prior. Those restrictions limited church attendance to 15% and was to last for three weeks. (This restriction was never eased and has been in place for 22 weeks!) That article laid out the theological, scientific, political, and legal issues around government imposed legislation restricting the gathering of the church. The following is a summary of that theological argument.
Summary of Biblical Argument
- Jesus is King over all the earth, including all kings, powers, and nations (Matt 28:18; Ps 2; Rev 1:5; Col 1:16; 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16). With Christ as head over all, his law rules over all. Everyone will be held accountable to God’s law (Rom 3:19).
- Our civil government including our mayor, premier, and prime minister all answer to God as his servants of justice (Rom 13:1–4).
- Christ is Lord over all and rules directly over the church (Eph 1:20–21). There are no civil magistrates between the church and Jesus.
- We are called to honor and obey our governing authorities in the state (Rom 13:1–7; 1 Pet 2:13–17), the church (Heb 13:17), and the home (Eph 5:22–33).
- We are submit to those in authority over us unless they (1) forbid what God commands; (2) command what God forbids; or (3) command what is not theirs to command (Daniel 3, 6, Acts 5:29).
- We are commanded by the Lord to gather especially as the Day draws nearer (Heb 10:25). We are commanded to practice hospitality (1 Pet 4:9; Rom 12:13), sing to one another (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16), love one another (Rom 12:10), comfort one another (2 Cor 13:11), serve one another (Gal 5:13), greet one another with a holy kiss (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:2; 1 Pet 5:14), celebrate the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:17–34), and care for the elderly, widows, and orphans (Jas 1:27).
- The church, being free from earthly rule under the lordship of Jesus, elects its own leaders who lead, teach, guide, and care for the church (Acts 6:5, 20:28; Tit 1:5).
With these truths, it is clear that the church is not beholden to earthly rulers to regulate its worship, gatherings, ministries, or mission.
These theological commitments make the decision about what to do with these latest restrictions clear—we gather as our Lord commanded.
Objections
Objection: This decision is a result of emotion, politics, selfishness, or some other ungodly passion.
As the articles over the last year will show, this is not a knee-jerk reaction. Rather it is commitment to truth, a clear and historic interpretation of Scripture, that is driving us to love God and neighbor. Following the truth of Scripture is always the most loving thing to do.
Our position as a church is consistent with historic Christianity and our shared confession of faith. Our statement of faith was adopted at the founding of our church in 1960. It originates from the 1930s and is based off the New Hampshire Confession (1833). Two portions of our confession are of note.
“We believe in the entire separation of the church and state.” This statement recognizes the unique role of church government and civil government that are sovereign governments under the rule of Christ. The state does not rule in matters given to the church nor does the church govern in matters given to the state.
And what is the role of the state? Our confession continues and says,
“We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of society; that the magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed except only in the things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience and Prince of the Kings of the earth.”
Two areas are explicitly identified as outside the state’s jurisdiction or authority. Anything opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ and anything which violates the conscience. Restricting the church to 15 people—which essentially restricts the church from gathering—is against the will of Christ and against the conscience of many who desire to worship the Lord of glory according to his word.
Objection: By not following the rules, you are making this crisis last longer.
There is no data given to back up this oft-repeated assertion. Rather, it serves to divert growing frustration toward the government to fellow citizens who are seeking to live in keeping with their God-given freedoms, roles, and responsibilities.
By God’s grace, our church has not had a single transmission of COVID19 in a year of gathering together weekly. We have encouraged those who are sick to stay home and for everyone to be proactive with their health to combat sicknesses we will inevitably encounter.
Objection: What about the seriousness of this disease with the variants of concern?
Certainly COVID19 is a serious disease whether in an old or new strain. The law of God gives us clear direction on handling serious contagious diseases. The law of God gives us direction to quarantine the sick, not the healthy, and certainly not the entire society which comes at a serious cost to health and wellbeing.
We are fundamentally against treating healthy people as if they are sick. This is just as bad as treating innocent people as if they are guilty.
The cure should not be worse than the disease. Many published articles (like this one) list the many damages of lockdown measures which are “related to a weakened immune system, stemming from a loss of purpose in life, social isolation and related mental health issues, leading to outcomes such as excess mortality, increased suicide rates, and an increase in non-Covid related diseases.”
Doctors around the world have been canceled for disagreeing with the prevailing narrative. As Christians we must weigh the arguments and data as we stand for truth. We must always remember that politicians and doctors may be well-intentioned but they are operating according to a Christless worldview that does not recognize the supremacy of God and his law.
Conclusion
In all these things, let’s remember that we serve the risen Christ. God has called us out of the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son. Jesus Christ is King. He calls us to obey him, and it is our delight to do so. He calls us to love him and make his truth known. He calls us to gather together, as his body on earth, to accomplish his will.
During these times the world needs more of the church, not less of it. In a time of fear, we need hope, not isolation. In a time of disease, we need to promote Christ, the great physician. There are gospel opportunities before us and the church must rise up and be bold for the Lord Jesus.
Remember, the church will always prevail. The truth will always prevail. The consequences may be severe. But we stand before Christ rather than bend before consequences.
Be encouraged. Christ will receive the reward for his suffering. He is worthy. His church will gather.
Tim Stephens