COVID is a concern that calls for some minor adjustments in life, but not drastic and draconian orders from civic leaders. It may have 3-5 months ago, but not now.
Keith Mathison, a Ligonier affiliated author I respect, has
written on COVID here.
It’s worth the read.
Matheson’s main point is that masking and refraining from
singing is a small, non-Gospel issue that will preserve life, a la the
Westminster Catechism’s interpretation of the sixth commandment. So we should not flout Romans 13 and civil
authority for our own convenience.
I respect this view, but disagree. Masking isn’t about my convenience and
comfort, pitted against love for God and neighbor, as most seem to think.
I realize COVID is wide-scale, and life-threatening for some,
and thus a legitimate and serious concern.
But COVID-19 pales in comparison to other epidemics like the Bubonic
plague or Spanish flu, which would truly warrant such governmental emergency
measures, calling for wide-scale quarantines, mask-wearing, and alteration to religious
services.
Several aspects inform this view:
1. The experts
Matheson is rather inconsistent to assert that he should “stay
in his lane,” which is not epidemiology but theology, but then seems to adopt
the media hysteria and over-inflated fears over this pandemic. He might say he is trusting the experts, but
free citizens ought not be required to adopt their risk tolerance level of this
disease. For many, like me, the relatively
low recent number of cases and deaths does not warrant their restrictive
measures.
2. Political
agendas
The Leftist media wants the population fearful, anxious, and
discontent with the state of things going into this election. We are enabling an agenda that is opposed to
our convictions.
3. View of
government’s role
We have high expectations for the state to provide for us cradle to grave (Medicare for all!), and keeping us completely safe from disease.
Too high.
And we are too willing to accept orders from the state, as free and innocent citizens. During the Spanish Flu of 1919, which saw far more death and contagion, governments were careful only to ASK churches not to meet.
4. Medical
analysis
The data is not all that strong that masks make a huge
difference, though it seems they help some. Masking and not singing does not make an
evident and huge difference to preserve life.
It’s an “abundance of caution” thing.
I do mask when going into a store where I’ll be close to others for a
while. I'm not totally against them - I think it's weird to argue they are BAD for you, as some do.
5. The raw and
local data.
The death rate, scientific consensus tells us, is below 1%.
I encourage everyone to look up the stats for their own
county. Here are mine, as of a few days
ago:
(total means cumulative since the beginning of the pandemic)
47,382 population
710 total cases, confirmed and probable
551 total cases confirmed
88 total hospitalized
28 total deaths
50 new cases in the last week
1.2% case per population rate (551/47.382)
.19% hospitalization rate (88/47.382)
.059% death rate (28/47,382)
Media coverage gives us the false and vague sense that a
quarter to a third of the whole population have COVID. Nowhere nearly true. Why
is the church (and whole economy) to shut down or radically change its practice,
to protect .19% of us from serious harm, when those few can self-quarantine and
watch a service provided online? Those more at risk can act on an abundance of caution, and the rest of us should be free NOT to. Is my "basic caution" setting allowed?
6. The Romans 13
angle
The government is grossly over-stepping its authority in
issuing draconian orders, given how low-risk this is for the general populace,
statistically. For certain cities and states where COVID is more prevalent, sure, call for more measures, but to lock everyone in the state/nation down and order masks and/or no singing in all public spaces is a severe overstepping of civil authority. That protests are exempt while church services are not reveals that this is not as important to THEM as they claim it is.
Also, governors in several instances issue unconstitutional orders,
without the advice or even against the consent (the case in my state) of their legislatures.
Such orders should be resisted, not complied with out of “love for neighbor.” Love for neighbor today would go forth, interact,
and worship with our neighbor, albeit safely.
(“Safely” doesn’t always mean masking and no singing – it depends on a
variety of factors.)
When Paul called
the Roman Christians to comply with Nero’s authority, he did not mean for them to
acquiesce to Nero’s restrictions forbidding or tampering with Christian
worship. Every earthly authority has a limit it may not cross.
Conclusion - charity
Several churches in my denomination are calling for masks in
worship, either because the virus is more prevalent near them, or out of a
sensitivity to the Romans 13 argument, agreeing with Matheson. I bear no ill will toward them. Nor do I assume they are dupes to a liberal
agenda, or overly fearful. My local
paper ran a big feature titled “Mask Rage,” implying that the refusal to wear
masks is motivated by anger. This is a
calumny, to smear all those with whom they disagree. Justice Kennedy did the same in Obergefell,
when he assumed that disagreement with homosexual behavior must stem from “animus”
against homosexual persons.
COVID is a concern that calls for some minor adjustments in
life, but not drastic and draconian orders from civic leaders. It may have 3-5 months ago, but not now.
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