It is gross and unseemly to see so many pastors and theologians squabbling over John McArthur’s resumption of church services. If you have not read it, you can read his letter here about why his church is going to defy California’s orders. McArthur makes a biblical argument for resuming church services. He does not even cite the First Amendment other than to note he is not using it as a defense.
This is exactly why 77% of Republicans & 59% of Independents are afraid to voice their political opinions publically, per the Cato Institute survey. Silences by intimidation.
I support MacArthur's decision. Our church is quite small at this time and we now regularly meet--and yes, we have the room to socially distance and we observe the cleaning protocols recommended. Our congregation has many seniors, some of which I have advised to remain home and watch the streaming service.
Yet what is going on in California is, in essence, the first volley of an out-and-out war on Christianity. MacArthur did not follow the initial guidelines because little was known about the virus; he followed the initial guidelines because they were generally applied across the society. Now the government is specifically singling out churches for what can only be described as Machiavellian demands.
Believers will not be prosecuted (or persecuted) because we are religious; we will experience persecution because we will not go along with society and the culture. Christians in the first century were persecuted because they were deemed to be "bad citizens" because the would not bow to Caesar and call him "Lord."
We will face persecution again because we will not bow to Lewis' "spirit of the age" and call evil good against the teachings of Scripture.
You say MacArthur best knows how to shepherd his flock. I have no idea if that’s true or not (and I can’t believe you do, either). It seems quite clear he thinks he does. Did the pastor of the church in Cleveland TN whose congregation contracted the disease at such a rate that he said he quit keeping tabs on which parishioners had it know what was best for his flock, too?
It sounds like MacArthur, et al, are saying that they observed the first shutdown because so little was known about the virus, but now they don’t have to, because they know better. Sodom’s sin was arrogance.
I read MacArthur's statement, and while I don't agree with all of it, I understand his position. Andy Stanley closed his church doors until January, opting for fully online ministry. I don't agree with his action either, but I get it. In neither case is anyone forced to do anything (well, I guess if you want to listen to Stanley's sermons you are forced online, but there are other good churches in the South.) Not comfortable going and sitting elbow to elbow? That's okay! The purpose of church is not found in crowded pews.
In California, Newsom has singled out churches for special treatment (no singing? Whaaa?) MacArthur recognized Newsom's distain for what it is. His action is less about the virus and more about the overreach of Newsom's government.
I do hold mainstream commercial media (MCM) responsible for fear mongering and incendiary coverage that is more editorializing than informing. But, titillation sells. As a culture we are largely immune to sex and violence in the media, so COVID19 has become the next draw for viewers and advertisers. Fear sells. Outrage sells. Truth? That's boring.
Regarding Tom Cotton’s comment on slaver being a necessary evil, “As the Founding Fathers said, [slavery] was the necessary evil...,” it is at best ambiguous and at worst supportive. If he had wanted to say what you claim he said, he should have written, “The Founding Fathers said slavery was a necessary evil,” thus clarifying that it was the Founding Fathers, and not he, who were saying it. He’s a Harvard law graduate. He knows how to write.
This is the same thing that happens with Trump (though Trump is not nearly as articulate as Cotton). First, the president says something between ambiguous and offensive, then his minions try to explain that, of course we ought to assume only the best intentions by the president.
Cotton betrayed his true thoughts. You’re providing cover.
It's all sound and fury signifying nothing, except that there was only one man who ever lived who actually understood what the hell was going on, and look what they did to Him.
Nevertheless, our best course will be found in following Him instead of the yayhoos on both sides who think they can manipulate the devil and the Lord at the same time.
And that One man said love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully strive to use us for political fodder. . . or something like that.
When Jesus, post Resurrection, met a couple of his followers on Emmaus road they did not recognize him. Maybe it was because he was wearing a mask.
The mask is human nature: once created in the image of Creator, but post-Eden and now post-social media, that nature is totally contrived by the yin and yang of politics.
The media will come gunning for anybody who opposes Democratic policies, whether it is John MacArthur or Tom Cotton or Donald Trump. Trump's twitter account may be a good excuse to bash him, but if Trump were clean as the driven snow, and more honest than George Washington allegedly was, the media would still bash him because he stands in the way of progressive power.
Once again John Roberts demonstrates that he has little desire to issue rulings based upon the Constitution. Trump critics can mockingly claim "But Gorsuch" all they want, but if constitutional conservatives don't stand up together to stop the appointment of liberal judges and insist on conservative judges that are committed to constitutional rulings, then our Constitution will have no meaning.
This is exactly why 77% of Republicans & 59% of Independents are afraid to voice their political opinions publically, per the Cato Institute survey. Silences by intimidation.
I support MacArthur's decision. Our church is quite small at this time and we now regularly meet--and yes, we have the room to socially distance and we observe the cleaning protocols recommended. Our congregation has many seniors, some of which I have advised to remain home and watch the streaming service.
Yet what is going on in California is, in essence, the first volley of an out-and-out war on Christianity. MacArthur did not follow the initial guidelines because little was known about the virus; he followed the initial guidelines because they were generally applied across the society. Now the government is specifically singling out churches for what can only be described as Machiavellian demands.
Believers will not be prosecuted (or persecuted) because we are religious; we will experience persecution because we will not go along with society and the culture. Christians in the first century were persecuted because they were deemed to be "bad citizens" because the would not bow to Caesar and call him "Lord."
We will face persecution again because we will not bow to Lewis' "spirit of the age" and call evil good against the teachings of Scripture.
You say MacArthur best knows how to shepherd his flock. I have no idea if that’s true or not (and I can’t believe you do, either). It seems quite clear he thinks he does. Did the pastor of the church in Cleveland TN whose congregation contracted the disease at such a rate that he said he quit keeping tabs on which parishioners had it know what was best for his flock, too?
It sounds like MacArthur, et al, are saying that they observed the first shutdown because so little was known about the virus, but now they don’t have to, because they know better. Sodom’s sin was arrogance.
I read MacArthur's statement, and while I don't agree with all of it, I understand his position. Andy Stanley closed his church doors until January, opting for fully online ministry. I don't agree with his action either, but I get it. In neither case is anyone forced to do anything (well, I guess if you want to listen to Stanley's sermons you are forced online, but there are other good churches in the South.) Not comfortable going and sitting elbow to elbow? That's okay! The purpose of church is not found in crowded pews.
In California, Newsom has singled out churches for special treatment (no singing? Whaaa?) MacArthur recognized Newsom's distain for what it is. His action is less about the virus and more about the overreach of Newsom's government.
I do hold mainstream commercial media (MCM) responsible for fear mongering and incendiary coverage that is more editorializing than informing. But, titillation sells. As a culture we are largely immune to sex and violence in the media, so COVID19 has become the next draw for viewers and advertisers. Fear sells. Outrage sells. Truth? That's boring.
Regarding Tom Cotton’s comment on slaver being a necessary evil, “As the Founding Fathers said, [slavery] was the necessary evil...,” it is at best ambiguous and at worst supportive. If he had wanted to say what you claim he said, he should have written, “The Founding Fathers said slavery was a necessary evil,” thus clarifying that it was the Founding Fathers, and not he, who were saying it. He’s a Harvard law graduate. He knows how to write.
This is the same thing that happens with Trump (though Trump is not nearly as articulate as Cotton). First, the president says something between ambiguous and offensive, then his minions try to explain that, of course we ought to assume only the best intentions by the president.
Cotton betrayed his true thoughts. You’re providing cover.
To me, it all sounds like Communist China during the Cultural Revolution. To Venezuelan refugees, it sounds like the rise of Chavez. Be warned!
It's all sound and fury signifying nothing, except that there was only one man who ever lived who actually understood what the hell was going on, and look what they did to Him.
Nevertheless, our best course will be found in following Him instead of the yayhoos on both sides who think they can manipulate the devil and the Lord at the same time.
And that One man said love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully strive to use us for political fodder. . . or something like that.
When Jesus, post Resurrection, met a couple of his followers on Emmaus road they did not recognize him. Maybe it was because he was wearing a mask.
The mask is human nature: once created in the image of Creator, but post-Eden and now post-social media, that nature is totally contrived by the yin and yang of politics.
God help us.
The media will come gunning for anybody who opposes Democratic policies, whether it is John MacArthur or Tom Cotton or Donald Trump. Trump's twitter account may be a good excuse to bash him, but if Trump were clean as the driven snow, and more honest than George Washington allegedly was, the media would still bash him because he stands in the way of progressive power.
Once again John Roberts demonstrates that he has little desire to issue rulings based upon the Constitution. Trump critics can mockingly claim "But Gorsuch" all they want, but if constitutional conservatives don't stand up together to stop the appointment of liberal judges and insist on conservative judges that are committed to constitutional rulings, then our Constitution will have no meaning.