Response to a letter

 

In a recent letter sent to church leaders across the province (and possibly nation) a minister of the gospel wrote urging essentially more of the same.   He wasn’t calling so much for submission to the government as for churchmen to settle down and get along.  After all, as he put it, “This is a matter about which faithful Christians can differ in some respects” and therefore there is no need - nor is it appropriate - to call one another to repentance.  I disagree. 

Actually I couldn’t disagree more!  

I was talking with someone the other day about Sabbath keeping.  I have godly brethren who do not observe the Christian Sabbath.  On that point they are wrong, and the way forward is repentance.  It won’t do for us to simply say that on such things Christians disagree.  They certainly do, but the one side is in error and brings dishonour to Jesus Christ.  Actually, I am personally convinced that our persistent desecration of the Sabbath is one of the main reasons God has withheld blessings from the Church in North America.  Similarly, I have friends who refuse to baptize the children of believers.  Again, I believe they are wrong.  In fact, our disagreement over baptism (while friendly) means that we labour in different denominations and will continue to do so.  But here - as we discuss Covid regulations as they touch on the life of the Church - we are not talking about the Sabbath (the 4th commandment) nor are we talking about baptism (a matter which relates to the 2nd commandment).  We are talking about the worship of God.  This isn’t a debate which touches on but one of the commandments.  It touches on at least 4 of them! 

When discussing churches complying with government regulations we are talking about the foundation of most everything else that we have historically said is important.  Whether you baptize babies or not doesn’t matter when no one is allowed to get baptized.  How the Lord’s Supper is conducted hardly matters when people aren’t even allowed to come to the table.   Similarly, Sabbath debates are irrelevant when people are unable to gather for worship.  Even Christian fellowship, a hallmark of the life of the early Church, is non-existent where churches are compliant. 

But the letter (referred to above) was also strong in its critique of ministers who are noncompliant.  I am not one to object to strong words.  I believe it is unhealthy when men tiptoe around issues and speak with flattering lips.  We ought rather to be stoutly contending for the faith as manly men once did.  Ironically, while strong in its critique of those who are noncompliant, the letter demanded something other than strength.  He didn’t appreciate the words we have been using.  Words like, sin, repentance, cowardice, compromise and so on.  He isn’t alone.  I remember hearing another minister urge that we must not be dogmatic.  I can’t help but wonder if these men have forgotten what the reformers were like as men.  We build their monuments but what would we do to them if they were here?  Rest assured, the reformation would never have taken place if men then were unwilling to be dogmatic and forceful in their language!  

When I first read the letter I considered simply ignoring it.  However, on second reading I realized that some of the one liners he was objecting to were coming from me.  Not long before this same man had graciously invited me (along with other ministers) to briefly explain to the group why each of us was doing what we were doing.  And in an effort to be brief I used some of these very one liners that he thought “ring hollow”.  Had he brought these things to me directly I might have saved him a letter.  At very least I could have clarified where he has obviously misunderstood.

Here, then, I would like to respond briefly to his comments on four of those one liners.

1. ‘This is persecution’.   He writes, “the danger is that we develop a persecution mindset and have a chip on our shoulders that goes paired with a contemptuous impugning of the motives of those in authority over us. I have sat in a pastors meeting in a communist country where the pastor was missing 3 fingers on his hand because of being in prison labor camps for 7 years. He risks jail time every time he teaches a course or preaches a sermon, or travels to other districts without the necessary travel permits, and has for the last 40 years. He would say, I wish I had a government as friendly as yours. I found myself wondering what the Christians in China, who gather in parks and pretend to be on group walks, and other settings in order to worship discreetly – would think of our discussion.”  

I wonder what it would take for this minister to consider what some of us are facing as persecution.  Must they remove some of James Coates' fingers before this counts?  Every time I go to church during these lockdowns I wonder if I will return home.  I am facing a maximum of 2 years in prison and 200,000 in fines for gathering my congregation for worship.  My friend Jacob is facing up to at least 6 years.  Of course anyone facing persecution (whether in China, Turkey or Canada) must be careful of the “chip on the shoulder” and “contemptuous impugning of motives of those in authority over us,” but that is a different matter and ought to be addressed separately. 

Yes this is persecution. 

Of course, it matters little to me or anyone else what the rest of the Church decides this is.  We know our duty and will carry it out regardless of consequences because Christ is worthy!   But I would urge you to remember that persecution is defined in Scripture as the suffering that Christians endure for righteousness’ sake (see Matthew 5).  Ironically, I grew up hearing pastors speak as if name calling on the school ground and challenges at the workplace were a kind of persecution.  Now we have ministers and elders facing massive fines and jail time for their obedience to Jesus Christ.  They are not in trouble for preaching the gospel, they are in trouble for righteousness sake. And until 2020 going to church was among the things considered "righteousness".

2. ‘The soul is more important than the body.’  The minister writes, “another false dilemma that comes across to me as Gnostic dualism. This dualism has sometimes unconsciously affected our pietistic circles more than we realize...·We don't have to become Gnostic in response, because that is an over-reaction.”  

Of course I reject gnostic dualism, but I do find in the Scriptures an emphasis on the soul over the body.  I do find that the salvation of men is given more priority than his physical health.  In fact, the New Testament writers offer almost no advice on how to protect the physical lives of their brethren; but their letters are full of advice on how to save the soul, how to grow in godliness, how to prepare for heaven and so on. 

Take for example the priority of missions.  It isn’t the needs of the body but the soul.  Take also the mission of the Church.  It is not the temporal well being of its people, the community or the world but the glory of God in the salvation of souls.  Consider the marks of the Church.  Do they serve the soul or the body?  

Take as a sample the following passages. 

Matthew 6: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 16: But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

1 Timothy 4: But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

2 Corinthians 4:16: For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Philippians 2: Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:  Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.

Colossians 3: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

1 Peter 1: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

2 Peter 1: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;

3. ‘This is simply about believing in Christ’s kingship.’  This one must have come from someone else.  I don’t believe I would have put it quite like that.  But I would like to respond to his comments anyway.

He writes, “I wonder if it oversimplifies the matter. When you take into account all the Bible says on the subject, it is possible to struggle with discerning precisely what the Lord would have you do in such times as these. Those who want to honor our government as much as possible during Covid are doing so precisely because they see Christ's kingship requiring them to do so.” 

I can understand men struggling to discern “precisely what the Lord” would have them do in a time like this.  The point missed by the author is simply this: that the elders - not the magistrate - should be deciding.  I have yet to hear of church courts gathering (or even 'zooming') to fast and pray about their response.  On the whole churches have simply done exactly as told.

Ironically, many of the leaders of these same churches (pastors and elders) break the rules to get together with family.  So who is King?

4. ‘The same principles govern worship today as did 5 years ago’.  The pastor writes, "name me one person in our circles who would deny this?”  How about almost every other Canadian NAPARC church?  Paul to Titus notes that some make profession with their mouths while their works deny what they have confessed.  "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him."  Five years ago everyone was allowed to come to worship.  Five years ago only the properly excommunicated were refused entrance.  

He writes, “Public health could restrict worship 5 years ago, 500 years ago, and 3000 years ago.”  I would like proof of this statement.  I don’t know any single church that turned people away when they reached maximum capacity as per the fire code.  Ordinarily - if not in every single instance - they turned a blind eye and then began looking for larger facilities!  No one was refused entrance then, and no one had to sign up.

He asks, “Why else would sick people stay home?”  But we didn’t kick them out when they came to church sick!  Over the years all our churches have had people coughing and sneezing running high fevers and no one was disciplined or put out for it.  Certainly quarantines happened in the Old Testament, but they were those who demonstrably sick with a deadly disease.  

Many who have visited our church have expressed relief at what they have experienced.  They often say it is like worship before 2020.  What do they mean? 

They mean simple practical things. 

• They are allowed to come. 
• They aren’t required to register. 
• They aren't told where to sit. 
• They aren’t required to wear masks. 
• They can sing and participate and greet one another with a holy kiss or in the case of most with a hug or handshake.

 These practical differences flow from principles held before the arrival of Covid and government sanctions.  These practical differences flow from principles which have been largely dropped.  

Here’s what I mean.  We believe everyone should be allowed to come to worship unless they have been excommunicated.  We believed it then - 5 years ago - and we believe it (and therefore act on it) now.  We believed then (as we do now) that what went on in worship should be governed by Jesus Christ and so (for example) we shared a loaf of bread at the communion table.  We still do!  We believed then that it was appropriate for believers to greet each other with a holy kiss.  We still believe it.  

We believed then that in-person, face to face Christian  fellowship is a critical part of the Christian life and we still believe it.  So we get together just like we did before.  We believed then that online worship was not worship.  We still believe it.   

We believed then that gathering for worship was worth doing whatever men think of it.  We still believe it.   

We believed then that gathering for worship was worth the price.  We still believe it.  

We believed then that our witness consisted of gospel proclamation and godly conduct and we believe it now.  We believe then that we would not win the world by being liked by them and we believe it now.  

Etc.

It is incredible to me that a man could actually claim that the reformed churches in this country are still governed by the principles that governed them pre-covid. 

Doctrines have legs.  Principles have consequences.  So here's a question for him and every compliant pastor/elder: why - if governed by the same principles - do your churches look so different?? Why do people that come to us from your churches ask us if they are allowed to come? They would never have asked 5 year ago. Why do they ask what is required of them when they do come? And why, after all, are they coming to us? Isn't because you have left them with no option?

If we are doing things just like we did them 5 years ago and your practices have completely changed, it seems more than likely that your principles have indeed changed!   

One of the ironies of the current situation is that ministers doing as I am doing are being labelled radicals by our colleagues.  It isn’t meant as a compliment, though I suppose we are in good company.  The irony is that we aren’t the ones who have changed.  We may not be the brightest among our colleagues, we may not be the most articulate, but we are seeking to act on the principles we have always held; which explains why we are still doing what we were doing 5 years ago even though the majority of churches have stopped.

So I would simply invite you to join us. I mean simply that if you are a pastor or elder get back to doing things the way you did 5 years ago! Gather your congregation, let the people come. We pray for the day when others will be brought to repentance, and the Church will again place the crown upon Christ's head.

- Steve Richardson