There is no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has raised tensions in America between church and state. In an especially egregious ruling the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Nevada mandate that allowed casinos and other businesses to reopen while applying greater restrictions on houses of worship.
There is no constitutional right to gamble while the right to free exercise of religion is enshrined in the first words of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church started holding services again in defiance of the California governor’s mandates similar to those in Nevada. MacArthur initially went to online services then reopened for in person services on July 26, 2020.
I agree with MacArthur that the real Supreme Court does not convene down here, but when he purportedly said other pastors and churches should do as he and Grace Community Church have done or is disobeying Christ, I must point out he is not that Supreme Court either.
I have said each church should make their own prayerful decisions about how to address the issues presented by this pandemic based on their own specific context and set of circumstances and I stand by that statement.
I find it a curious fact that when it comes to the church influencing government many are quick to cry “separation of church and state,” but when it comes to the state interfering with the church that wall of separation disappears.
I find it a curious fact that when it comes to the church influencing government many are quick to cry “separation of church and state,” but when it comes to the state interfering with the church that wall of separation disappears.
The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 is one of the finest doctrinal statements ever penned. The following is quoted, in part, from the section titled Religious Liberty:
“God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God … A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.”
Government is ordained of God, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God,” Romans 13:1, but when men exceed their God-given authority, “We must obey God rather than men,” Acts 5:29.
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