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This is in response to Lloyd Omdahl’s claim that “Christian churches are challenging God because of COVID”. Omdahl calls himself “someone who knows the Scriptures.” Unfortunately, he seems to trust the so-called “health experts” more than the one “who cures all your diseases”. (Psalm 103: 3)
Omdahl falsely named Pastor John MacArthur for resisting government-imposed restrictions based on “one verse from Acts†(chapter 5, verse 29). Grace Community Church’s “Facing COVID-19 Without Fear” web page lists many other scriptures supporting their position. MacArthur said: “We are convinced that the government’s encroachment on basic human freedoms poses a more intimidating threat to individuals, a greater obstacle to the work of the church and a greater calamity to all of society than any plague. or other natural disaster.
In response to Omdahl’s call for Christians to submit to government authorities, I agree with this to some extent. For example, no one should break the speed limit except for police officers who catch criminals and first responders trying to save lives. However, sometimes civil disobedience is necessary when a law contradicts the superior laws of God. These people in the Bible would not have fulfilled their divine destiny if they had followed all the ordinances created by man …
- The Hebrew midwives were ordered to throw the newborns into the Nile (Exodus 1:16). A mother hid her son for three months and then sent him floating down the river. Moses eventually led the Israelites out of captivity.
- Esther went against protocol by appearing before King Ahasuerus even though it could have cost her her life. His actions saved the Jewish people from extermination.
- Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to worship the king of Babylon and instead prayed to the one true God. Their lives have been supernaturally spared by the lion’s den and a fiery furnace.
- The apostles were ordered not to preach in the name of Jesus. As mentioned earlier, Peter replied, “We are to obey God rather than men.
Would Omdahl consider John the Baptist “arrogant” for having faced King Herod’s illegal marriage to his brother Philip’s wife? The prophet was beheaded because of it. Yet Jesus called John the greatest of all prophets (Matthew 11:11).
Currently, I attend a church whose pastor contracted COVID but recovered. He has never had a mask mandate or enforced social distancing guidelines. Worshipers who are sick or fearful of coronavirus have the option to stay at home and watch services online. I choose to “not forsake the gathering of ourselves…†(Hebrews 10:25)
Omdahl concluded his letter by saying, “As believers, we have a lot of repentance to make. Hopefully he will start on his own so as not to “divide the word of truth correctly.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Todd R. Post is a missionary living in Ashland, Virginia.
This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Forum editorial board or the property of the Forum.
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