Why I Think a Temporary Suspension of Church Services During the Coronavirus Plague is Practical
I was reading through The Spurgeon Center and found an article where it talked about Charles H. Spurgeon and the cholera epidemic. One of the most striking points by Pastor Geoff Chang on his article are as follows:
Pastors need to exercise wisdom when it comes to gathering as a church, especially when the health and lives of people are at stake. Certainly, adjustments will need to be made and priority will have to be given to only the most important aspects of our gatherings. But when such gatherings are possible, pastors should realize that they can be tremendous opportunities for preaching the gospel to those who are desperately looking for hope.
The case of Spurgeon was that his side of the community was not quarantined. I would say that the grace of God was at work that allowed Spurgeon to have gatherings in spite of the plague. However, what if God won't grant pastors today that privilege today as Spurgeon had it? What if the government would temporarily put certain towns on quarantine because of a contagious virus. Cholera is contagious and so is the recent Coronavirus case. The problem with contagious diseases is that it doesn't select any community where it goes. A wedding party, a birthday party, and a church service are all crowds of people.
Somebody can go ahead and say, "Well, if we don't gather then we're not trusting God for our provision or protection!" Sometimes, I feel like some people are inserting Roman Catholic superstition into fundamental Bible beliefs. I'm afraid some people may take the Lord's supper too seriously as to avoid throwing a piece of unleavened bread that fell on the floor. Some may even think that the church is such a holy place of protection. Well, some Bible-believing churches have been blown up in Muslim and Communist countries. Other Christians died for their faith on Sunday services. Nothing that enters a congregation of God's people becomes miraculously holy. The water supply of the church doesn't become miraculous. Eating anything dirty even within church premises may land you in the hospital. Church members with Coronavirus are advised to stay home or get checked into the hospital. The wonders of apostles healing the sick are gone. Today, you only genuine men of God who can't heal you physically or quack preachers who claim that they can heal you.
So when should Christians disobey human authority with politeness and respect? It's when the state tells the church to do something unethical. Nazi Germany outlawed saving Jews and Christians broke that law because it was evil. Daniel's three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden idol. John the Baptist dared to rebuke Herod Antipas' marriage of adultery and incest with Herodias because it was scandalous. The apostles preached in spite of being forbidden to preach. Meanwhile, if the government ordered a temporary ban on mass gatherings due to a highly contagious epidemic then Christians ought to obey it for practical reasons.
Somebody can go ahead and say, "Well, if we don't gather then we're not trusting God for our provision or protection!" Sometimes, I feel like some people are inserting Roman Catholic superstition into fundamental Bible beliefs. I'm afraid some people may take the Lord's supper too seriously as to avoid throwing a piece of unleavened bread that fell on the floor. Some may even think that the church is such a holy place of protection. Well, some Bible-believing churches have been blown up in Muslim and Communist countries. Other Christians died for their faith on Sunday services. Nothing that enters a congregation of God's people becomes miraculously holy. The water supply of the church doesn't become miraculous. Eating anything dirty even within church premises may land you in the hospital. Church members with Coronavirus are advised to stay home or get checked into the hospital. The wonders of apostles healing the sick are gone. Today, you only genuine men of God who can't heal you physically or quack preachers who claim that they can heal you.
So when should Christians disobey human authority with politeness and respect? It's when the state tells the church to do something unethical. Nazi Germany outlawed saving Jews and Christians broke that law because it was evil. Daniel's three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden idol. John the Baptist dared to rebuke Herod Antipas' marriage of adultery and incest with Herodias because it was scandalous. The apostles preached in spite of being forbidden to preach. Meanwhile, if the government ordered a temporary ban on mass gatherings due to a highly contagious epidemic then Christians ought to obey it for practical reasons.
Then another example of prudence can be done like this. I don't know if we should praise believers assembling in a flooded area. Personally, I tend to applaud it, feel guilty, then part of me thinks it's just stupid. I could understand those typhoon victims who assembled under a tent in a safe location to worship. Then you can think is it wrong to avoid church when there's a calamity beyond one's control like earthquake, flood, typhoon, or a war? Then the answer isn't no. The difference between not going to church when you could and not going to church because you can't is clear. Let's avoid being like the Pharisees who failed to see that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.
God bless!