By whom?
The unexpected answer is, "By the Church itself."
For proof, all one has to do is drive down the road on Sunday morning in the Bible Belt and see how many church parking lots are completely vacant. Why?
The short answer that is going to irritate most Christians is this – fear. But why do the majority of Christians fear the coronavirus? What ever happened to "we walk by faith, not by sight?"
Before Christians get huffy about the foregoing statement that challenges decisions to hunker down in their homes, bear with me and continue reading. This is not meant to be a condemnation of the Church, but to pose a query that deserves reflection by believers.
First, it's worth the effort to re-examine the statistics coming out of the Center for Disease Control regarding the spread and mortality rate of the COVID-19. These numbers are not posted to be dismissive of the lives that are being lost. There is no way to address these tragic deaths without appearing callous but it is imperative to follow the reports as of the writing of this column, March 31, 2020. CDC lists approximately 164,000 cases in the U.S. with some 3,000 deaths. In order to locate the actual hospitalizations of cases you have to visit each state's health department website individually but here's one very pertinent example of government overreach that is changing the face of American Christianity:
Tampa, Florida – The River at Tampa Bay Church held two services Sunday, March 29, 2020 to minister to congregants. Monday, the Hillsborough County Sheriff issued an arrest warrant for Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne for violating a county order against large meetings. The following makes the pastor's case for invoking First Amendment rights to minister to his flock…
Current COVID-19 case numbers (3/31/2020) in Florida are as follows:
Total tested: 60,639; Positive – 5,704; Negative – 54,285
Influenza/Pneumonia cases: 3072 deaths (2018 latest statistics. Why nothing for 2019/2020?) indicating that flu and pneumonia are far more fatal than COVID-19.
Current US flu/pneumonia numbers of 67.3% hospitalization and 7.3% death rates for the week of March 5, 2020 confirm that COVID-19 is nowhere near as dangerous, yet government has never issued draconian edicts to prevent flu infection.
3/31/20 CDC statistics are evidence that COVID-19 infection rates hit their peak March 16, 2020 despite continuing to confirm positive cases. The illness onset chart testifies: 3557 cases 3/16/20. The total mortalities at the same time were far less than the onset cases for that single date, coming in at approximately 3000. The recovery rate exceeds 90% yet the press will not report that information.
The government cannot prove there's a compelling public interest to close church services based on the meager numbers of infection rates in Florida or anywhere else in the United States.
Support Canada Free Press
This sparks pertinent questions that must be asked of our churches.
Has the Church finally handed over all authority to government by disallowing believers the right to gather for worship, which is ordained scripturally? Those who have been reading my columns for years will know that the first step to abdicating authority to government comes by incorporating to receive a 501(c)(3) letter from the IRS granting non-profit status and implying it can be revoked.
As Christians, what do you say when asked what is the most powerful entity on earth? Answer: the Church, meaning the whole of believers who understand that Jesus' sacrifice, death and resurrection offers believers more than eternal Life. It delivers His power to the faith-filled. Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 18:18-20, Romans 4, Hebrews 11.
Do Christians really believe in the power of God's Word that protects them from all forms of enemy including pestilence? Psalm 91, Psalm 103:3, Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24, etc. Or do they fear gathering to study, worship and pray thinking it will allow disease to spread rather than bind it?
Should churches lock-out members from regular services and is this practice, being enforced by some government agencies, meant to weaken the Church by isolating worshippers and impeding one of the vital aspects of assembling and most powerful expressions of faith – corporate prayer?
Taking just the mentioned passages into consideration, how important is it to come together as the Word exhorts believers to do – to meet regularly for edification, worship, prayer and support?
Scripture calls for the elders to anoint with oil and pray for those who request it to assist their healing. James 5:14. The church appears to be attending to governmental agencies' decrees that override implicit passages of the Bible that promote healing, not disease and infection. Jesus' said "…upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:17-18. The question must be asked of believers if the coronavirus is stronger than the "gates of hell" over which the Church triumphs. Further, Isaiah 54:17 states that "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…"
Are believers, in effect, denying the credence of God's Word in favor of government guidelines? Obviously, where there is doubt and/or fear, it's best to follow worldly wisdom. And much of the church is acting according to that doubt, what Christ called unbelief.
In the end, walking completely by faith isn't as simple as it looks. The situation requires each person and each congregation to consider their teaching about healing and protection from disease. That will be the deciding factor as to whether a church welcomes congregants to gather under one roof during this fear-ridden time or if it is prudent to rely on social media to keep social distances in check. Perhaps some pastors will encourage meetings of a dozen in individual homes "where two or three are gathered together in my name."
Core beliefs, and thus our First Amendment rights, are being challenged.
It comes down to fear or faith. 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
What says the Church?
(Although this column may appear to, it does not question the considered response of individuals suffering from compromised immune systems to self-quarantine just as they would probably do during a virulent flu season. Though they may wish to think about inviting elders in to pray for them.)
Former newspaper publisher, A. Dru Kristenev, grew up in the publishing industry working every angle of a paper, from ad composition and sales, to personnel management, copy writing, and overseeing all editorial content. During her tenure as a news professional, Kristenev traveled internationally as a representative of the paper and, on separate occasions, non-profit organizations. Since 2007, Kristenev has authored five fact-filled political suspense novels, the Baron Series, and two non-fiction books, all available on Amazon. Carrying an M.S. degree and having taught at premier northwest universities, she is the trustee of Scribes’ College of Journalism, which mission is to train a new generation of journalists in biblical standards of reporting. More information about the college and how to support it can be obtained by contacting Kristenev at cw.o@earthlink.net.
ChangingWind (changingwind.org) is a solutions-centered Christian ministry.
