Matthew 23 and Covid-19
There is currently much discussion in the church regarding civil disobedience - in large part fuelled by Grace Community Church (‘John MacArthur’s church’ to you and me) and their decision to defy California State restrictions due to the spread of Covid-19 - see here.
I am not sufficiently educated on the state of government in California, or the precise nature of their restrictions, to feel able to either condone or condemn this decision. Their decision, however, creates ripples for the church in the UK that need to be navigated wisely.
In the UK, churches are permitted to gather but with certain restrictions - no singing and, now, mandatory masks. These restrictions cause considerable frustration - masks are uncomfortable and singing is enjoyable (and, more importantly, believed by many to be an essential aspect of worship). It is natural, therefore, that we should ask - are we obligated to obey? And it is this that makes Grace Church’s decision relevant to churches in the UK, especially also given articles such as this from influential pastor and blogger Doug Wilson regarding the wearing of masks and governmental overreach.
In answer to the question ‘are we obligated to obey?’ I have to stretch my neck out and say the answer is; yes. We must obey the Government in these matters. The fundamental reason for this is Romans 13:1-2:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
It seems fairly clear, doesn’t it? But John MacArthur responds that the authorities in California have exceeded their authority stating that “government officials have no right to interfere in ecclesiastical matters in a way that undermines or disregards the God-given authority of pastors and elders.” For this reason, MacArthur argues, they are no longer obligated to obey.
In so doing, MacArthur essentially sets up the church as, potentially, a rival state to the Government. This is a highly debatable position - Christ Himself said that His kingdom is NOT of this world (John 18:36) and it is Christ who has placed us under the authority of earthly authorities (Luke 20:25 cf. Romans 13:7; Romans 13:2). Pastors and elders do not have a God-given authority over the government but only over the church of which they are a pastor or elder.
This is what lies behind Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:2-4. Here, Christ states:
The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Jesus instructs the people to observe what the scribes and Pharisees tell them because they were the governing authorities in moral matters (they sat “on Moses’ seat”). But he warns them not to be like them. This is the answer to the article by Doug Wilson. For the record, I think I essentially agree with Wilson’s critique of the powers that be. What I disagree with is the inference that just because we can point out hypocrisy and inconsistency in governing authorities, we are therefore somehow released from our obligation to obey them. Such hypocrisy should cause us to loudly protest - but in an obedient, submissive way until we are instructed contrary to Christ. It is in this way that we provide a contrast to the BLM protests that Wilson speaks of - by being different to them not by being like them. This may feel weak, and even humiliating, but it is, after all, the meek who will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
The central issue is this: Are we being instructed to disobey Christ by being instructed to wear masks and not to sing? As far as masks are concerned, the answer has to be; no. Those who worship Christ must do so in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24) and a mask does not prevent this. Furthermore, it seems perfectly reasonable that a mask may help prevent the spread of an airborne disease so the wearing of one may even be an act of uncomfortable, and therefore sacrificial, love. Some argue that this is not the case but, unfortunately (perhaps), they are not the ones with God-given authority and to obey them is to ignore those who do.
But what of singing? does that not contradict Christ’s instructions? Perhaps an illustration will bring clarity. A road may have a speed limit of 60mph but if, for example, there is an oil spill in the road only a fool would drive at the speed limit because it is their ‘right’ to do so. We have been told that singing risks spreading a new, still largely unknown and highly contagious virus, and for this reason singing has been restricted. Until this can be shown not to be the case then it seems reasonable to view it as an ‘oil spill’ and comply until we know more.
Again, like Doug Wilson, I suspect there is a certain amount of over-reaction and even politicalisation in all of this and the applicability of the above illustrations will before long start to wear thin. Not even the Government can keep crying wolf - and it may be that the governing authorities in California have crossed that line. But, here in the UK, before we proclaim that the Emperor has no clothes we must be very sure that he doesn't - and, indeed, that we do - for the sake of others and of conscience (Romans 13:5).