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Featured Has California Told Christians, including John MacArthur, to Sin

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Steven Yeadon, Sep 16, 2020.

  1. Steven Yeadon

    Steven Yeadon Well-Known Member
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    This is very simple. Evangelicals have long argued that the best way to interpret Romans 13, which teaches obedience to governing powers, is to disobey those powers only in the case of a command to sin against God. In Ancient Rome, the command to sacrifice to idols by all its people was one reason people were even martyred for refusing to sin, by sacrificing to such idols.

    Has the State of California ordered Christians to sin against God by having outdoor services? If you think so, or think not, then please explain your reasoning vis-a-vis whether we have been told to sin or not.
     
  2. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    No. But IMHO churches (congregations, assemblies) have become too dependent on infrastructure and professional/ business models and restrictions hamper operations.
     
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  3. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    So what is the alternative?
     
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  4. Steven Yeadon

    Steven Yeadon Well-Known Member
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    This brings up a good point, if a lockdown is so severe churches go out of business for lack of funds, then is obeying the government a sin against God?
     
  5. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I don't know. I guess congregations living in community. What do they do in places where they do not have church buildings?

    I'm not sure, @Salty, of a solution. But I keep thinking resources could be used better.
     
  6. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    1. A church is not a business.
    2. A building is not a church.

    Rob
     
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  7. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    That's the mess we are in. Many churches have already failed as it ceased to function during the Pandemic (during a situation where historically churches were very active).
     
  8. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Exactly. But what is the church without its building and business structure? That is my concern here.
     
  9. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    Have you listened to John explain it for himself?
    He plainly says he is defying a command from Ceasar to disobey God.
     
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  10. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    We are commanded to gather together.
     
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  11. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    Actually, we are told not to forsake gathering together.

    Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
     
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  12. Reynolds

    Reynolds Well-Known Member
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    Not forsake means to do.
     
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  13. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I agree with it is not a busness

    Now - the Church is the organization of the group of people
    but in additions
    a church is also a building (secondary meaning)
    Yes, I realize that in the Bible - Church always refers to the organization
     
  14. church mouse guy

    church mouse guy Well-Known Member
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    The lockdown is a crime.
     
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  15. asterisktom

    asterisktom Well-Known Member
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    This is a verse taken out of context. Read the context. Notice what happens to the forsakers.

    Audience relevance is often overlooked here.
     
  16. xlsdraw

    xlsdraw Active Member

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    Spin Doctor
     
  17. Wesley Briggman

    Wesley Briggman Well-Known Member
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    1) A church SHOULD NOT be a business.
    2) A building is not THE church.
     
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  18. xlsdraw

    xlsdraw Active Member

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    In each and every situation, Faith goes along way with God. God is Sovereign and everything we do should be based on that fact. The just shall live by Faith.
     
  19. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    Little miss can't be wrong.

    :Biggrin
     
  20. Steven Yeadon

    Steven Yeadon Well-Known Member
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