There are parallels between the story found in Daniel six and the modern church. Lately Daniel 6 is often referenced in light of COVID-19 restrictions to church gatherings.
To summarize the context to Daniel six:
Daniel – who was living in Babylon under the authority of King Darius – was set up by the governors and satraps. When they couldn’t find any charges against him, they tricked the king into signing a decree that anybody who petitioned any god or man – other than Darius – should be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel openly refused to comply. His first duty was to pray to and worship the true God, not comply with an earthly king’s demands. Daniel was snitched on by the governors and satraps, and thrown to the lions. But God intervened.
You can read John MacArthur’s sermon on Daniel 6 HERE, as well as a few other resources.
The lesson in Daniel 6 and the modern church could be applied to John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church’s decision to meet inside for Sunday morning worship (26th July 2020), contra the Californian state guidelines and directives. The reasoning behind GCC’s decision to meet indoors is articulated in their online Christ, not Caesar, Is Head of the Church statement.
As expected, GCC’s decision attracted criticism. In these cases an application of Daniel 6 to COVID-19 restrictions is strongly rejected. Christian objectors often preach that churches (GCC in this case) ought to do better, and that one way to show Christian love is to obey the Government social distancing guidelines so more people aren’t infected.
One response to GCC came from 9Marks’ Jonathan Leeman A Time for Civil Disobedience? The Heidelblog also took issue in its article: Between Conscience And Defiance: Questions For Grace Community Church. Personally I applaud GCC’s move to meet indoors, and worship the Lord together. While I sensed a spirit of castigation in critical responses, I didn’t detect any criticism of others in GCC’s statement.
However I also appreciate why some churches haven’t. There are nuances (demographics, age, available outside space etc) to consider. The church I attend has not elected to meet indoors. It has an outside Sunday evening service, weather permitting. Churches which elect not to meet indoors should not be summarily criticized.
But, as the saying goes: Something rotten in the State of Denmark…
There has been an ongoing war on biblical Christianity. I used the word biblical, because I don’t mean the Christianity which is influenced by the culture. Interestingly, there’s a telling exchange between John MacArthur and Gavin Newsom (before he became governor) discussing same-sex marriage on the Larry King Show. MacArthur stressed Scripture; Newsom accommodated the culture.
Biblical Christianity preaches against cultural demands such as same-sex marriage, LGBTQ, pro-choice etc. It is at odds with culturally “safe” progressive Christians and progressive political leaders. Therefore biblical Christianity is being suppressed in the public square through various means.
Some argue – with good reason – that COVID-19 restrictions on churches have been unfairly implemented. Why are churches restricted from gathering when authorities consistently overlook social-distancing violations by protestors and rioters (often not wearing masks)?
In one state Christians were arrested while practicing social-distancing in their cars and attending an outside church service. The Collegian’s Zachary Palmer shares further examples in this article. Excerpt:
This hostility to Christians is further complemented by direct calls for state crackdowns on church leaders. Joseph Gerth at the Louisville Courier Journal compares church-going Christians to cultists who care more about their invisible God than the public health. The government “needs to padlock the doors of the churches before members show up” or “send in the National Guard to take over the churches for use as makeshift field hospitals” or even “arrest the pastors and have police in the churches’ parking lots,” he writes.
For more see Lifesite News’ article US Supreme Court won’t intervene as Nevada limits church services but casinos can host thousands.
There were several articulate responses to the 9Marks Leeman article. Jon Harris observed that Leeman had participated in BLM protest marches (on the Lord’s Day). Aside from possible health implications, there was the question about “loving others” versus “loving God” and how that plays out in doing marches, yet not meeting to worship God.
I recommend watching Harris’ video. See also Dr James White’s response HERE. There is an interview with Phil Johnson on CrossPolitic. Doug Wilson has paid a tribute to MacArthur in a recent article called Our Galvanizing Grandfather:
We live in a time when the evangelical world is disintegrating. Countless pastors are going woke, and countless others are simply accepting the contradictory edicts of our government officials as though they were gospel. Some are revealing themselves as shepherds in the devil’s pay, and others, orthodox enough, are revealing themselves to have been orthodox hirelings. ~ Doug Wilson
Whatever one’s view about GCC’s decision and whether it fits a Daniel six analogy; one day (perhaps very soon, if not now) the church will be in Daniel’s position in other grave matters. Are we ready to serve Christ or will we bow to a New Caesar?
Let’s all pray for wisdom and discernment, regardless of what decisions churches elect to take. Pray for blessings and safety for churches that elect to meet indoors, and sing and partake of the Lord’s Supper. And also pray for churches which elect not to do so.
One final thought – MacArthur has been criticized for “defying Caesar.” Ironically one particular ministry has made it a mission to call out J Mac and some of his associates as being facilitators for the coming Antichrist. This premise is built around the fact that MacArthur believes it is possible to repent once taking the Mark of the Beast.
I’ve discussed this before and won’t further elaborate here, other than to say that some of the criticisms tell me more about the critics than of GCC or John MacArthur. But that’s my opinion.
Maranatha!
Further reading:
Christ’s Call to Reform the Church
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