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COVID Church Closures, The First Amendment vs Government Orders

by John Clark 
10/03/20
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Christians are facing a decision today of whether to obey God or government, when it comes to restrictions placed upon religious gatherings and closing down churches. Some pastors have strictly abided by the government mandate; others have defied it. Is one pastor more right than another? This issue took center stage recently when Dr. John MacArthur made the decision to keep his Grace Community Church open in the face of fines and possible imprisonment. To find some insight into this issue, let’s turn to the divinely-inspired Holy Bible.

     In the Old Testament Book of Daniel we find two stories that are relevant for today. The first is recorded in the third chapter of Daniel. The King made an image of himself. He told all the people that when they heard music to fall down and worship his image. Three men who were high up in his administration refused. The consequences would be casting them into a burning furnace. While in the fiery furnace, an additional personage was seen protecting the three men. Perhaps it was God or an angel.

     Turning to Daniel, chapter 6, we find the second story of Daniel and the lion’s den. Daniel was a young man of impeccable character and high up in government command. Others were jealous of him and tried their level best to find fault with him. Since they could not, their focus shifted to his faith in God. (Doesn’t that sound familiar today?)

     Government officials got together and decided to ask the king to establish  a decree that anyone who makes petitions to any god or man other than the king, shall be cast into a lion’s den. Daniel not only defied it, but made it very obvious. The king was informed and Daniel was thrust into the den of ferocious lions. The narrative says that God sent an angel in their midst to close the mouths of the lions. Daniel was not harmed, but the story does not end there. The king took note of God’s divine intervention and ordered Daniel’s accusers to be given to the lions.

     Now, here are some applications for today. In both cases it was government telling people what to do with fear of punishment if they did not comply, that would restrict their freedom of conscience and religious expression.

     In our present situation with COVID, which won’t end anytime soon, Christians need to be bold like Daniel, live by faith and not in fear, and leave the consequences to God. God can intervene if he chooses.

     While it is true that one should obey God rather than men, it is equally true that in America, at least (I am writing to a global audience), citizens have a First Amendment constitutional right to peaceful assembly and freedom of religious expression. Scripture also exhorts Christians to not forsake their assembly together (Hebrews 10:25). It is interesting that both the First Amendment and the above verse mention the word “assembly.” 

     In the case of the pandemic there does not have to be a conflict between “serving God not man” and “Congress shall make no law ...prohibiting the free exercise” of religious expression. Should not gathering together peacefully for worship be considered “essential” simply because it is a constitutional right?

     Churches that have defied the order not to assemble have been well within their rights. According to the 10th Amendment, governors also have authority to manage a crisis within their respective states, keeping in mind the restraints of the 1st Amendment, but some governors have gone way beyond what is reasonable, and have clearly singled out religious gatherings. If church congregations choose to forfeit their rights in the interest of public health, that can be their decision, in line with the recommendations of the CDC. But should it be government-mandated?