Mr. Trump: Calling Churches Essential Reflects Your Ignorance of the Bible

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by Mark Bear

While Mr. Trump is entertaining over-riding the governors who have deemed it wise to keep churches closed in their respective states, I think I ought to make clear just how far those who find themselves in agreement, have strayed from the truth.

First, there is nothing “essential” about the Church being re-opened. The Church does not contribute to the common good of mankind by the paying of taxes, nor does it contribute in any essential way to the economy writ large. In point of fact, the Church being labeled essential by Trump contributes only to him, and the likes of Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, Robert Jeffress, and the slew of megachurch leaders spread across this land.

Second, the Church is NOT a building. It never was. The Church is comprised of those who believe and have faith in the Lord. Period.

Third, truth be told, those of us in the evangelical community had better be concerned moreover how we have behaved throughout our daily lives versus physically being inside a church building for one day out of the week. Case in point; How many of us are crying out for the lives of those children separated from their families due to their fleeing to our nation for refuge? How many of us are focused on the spiritual disciplines we ought to be practicing? Case in point: This woman cried discrimination to a grocery store because no matter which way they tried to accommodate her, nothing was satisfactory. She most likely goes to church each week, because I saw a picture of an individual similar to her. Look at her behavior; Far from Christ-like.

I am often asked what about the text which explicitly tells us we “ought not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together,” as written in Hebrews 10:25? Great question. When you look at the actual translation of the word “forsake” in the original Greek, you cannot escape notice that what the writer is referencing is DESERTING the faith. I do not see in any shut-down order initiated by a global pandemic where this is occurring. More likely however, is as I outlined above: Mr. Trump – not you the believer – and your leaders are the ones who are finding the “essential” terminology a token by Trump for the Church to secure his base.

Never mind that in so doing these ‘lovely witnesses’ are focusing on the exterior of mankind. After all, while they get in their cars on Sunday morning, they feel this sense of privilege, pride, and arrogance, all while being condescending towards the individual(s) who do not see any need to worship God in a Building but more so in “Spirit and Truth.” They get to say: “I went to Church today,” and “Do you see me? I am a good Christian.” Never mind how Christ is clear that when we pray we ought to keep that private, right?

Christ Himself spoke these words and predicted that a time would come where the world would witness this as He says in John 4:23:

“But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him.”

You will notice that I am using the very Book these who weaponize the scriptures against their fellow man in response to this canard because when I do so, it leaves these people without an argument and the Christ of the Scriptures is clear that not one single time throughout the text does he argue how “people MUST be in a Church building to worship Him.”

The Scriptures are replete with examples that “going to a church building” to worship has absolutely zero correlation with one being a better Christian, or even being a Christian at all.

In fact, we are taught to “love one another, as Christ loved us.” More to the point: Christ Himself speaks in John 13:35 teaching His Disciples the following:

“By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” Coughing on another shopper because you believe you hold no obligation to wear a mask, not only reflects a crime but surely does not exemplify love for your fellow neighbor, now does it. While you can find any number of videos on YouTube regarding this disgusting act, I will share one encouraging you to look at the rest on that site.

Don’t miss that point because what Christ is saying is quite clear here: He Himself is saying the metric – by THIS men will KNOW you are my disciples – isn’t church attendance (you do not see THAT in the text now do you) but by LOVING one another.

And for the life of me, I cannot understand how forcing people to go to a church building in the midst of a global pandemic is showing love to our fellow man. At best, we in the evangelical community have taken a very dark meaning to what the word freedom means. Going to a church building, allowing one to be in close proximity to one another, possibly passing a virus you have no clue you may have proved nothing other than you are selfish than selfless.. Do you want to prove your love for mankind? Do the right thing. Understand the difference between faith and folly.

Quit making people feel guilty for not having the same level of enthusiasm for attending the Church Service tomorrow. Pastors: Live stream your services. We have the technology. And for the love of God, evangelicals: Quit allowing Trump and the Republican leaders of this nation to “use you” for the furtherance of their political agenda.

If you cannot see that forcing people to go to Church in areas where Governors believe it unsafe, (by the way don’t forget the mandate to obey your authorities in scripture), then understand the full reason why people on the outside of the Church do not believe you can be considered the “party of pro-life,” let alone a viable truth that our God exists and the church is acting in a sociopathic manner while preparing yourselves to be thrust into irrelevance, which you have nearly achieved already.

I really hope you will consider connecting with me here on Facebook so you can receive all of my work. Following one on this platform does not do the trick. So please: Send along a friend request so we can get this man out of office together.

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Linda
3 years ago

I never could understand adults who think they have a personal relationship with an imaginary friend. But denying facts and choosing to expose yourself to a dangerous virus because your invisible friend will protect you to is beyond tragic. Personally, I don’t find a anything beautiful about arrogant Christians shoving your Imaginary Jesus onto others. Just keep it to yourself., and teach your children to understand science and be rational thinkers.

Manny Castillo
3 years ago

The Abomination of Desolation
If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe it.For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.…

The Return of the Son of Man
So if they tell you, ‘There He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.…

What if Herod made the people pray and worship by law? Would you go, because it’s the law now? And what if I said “There is a snake in the church and they were not able to find it,would you still go?” Would you feel safe to bring your children,would the peace of God instilled in your heart bring you to a safe place to worship? God is not mocked,where did Jesus pray ,in the garden outside the temple,where He fed the multitudes and healed them all! Jesus said in three days He would destroy the temple and raise up a standard! WE ARE THE TEMPLE!
If a friend said “I love you but outwardly he treats others differently” Wouldn’t you feel a strong sense of insecurity and rejection? The sense of safety that the acceptance engenders is accompanied by a growing loss of control.Apart from the do’s and don’ts we become more comfortable with God’s tenderness and feel the reins on our life loosening, right where your at , home driving somewhere, at the dinner table,and the stranglehold on our autonomous self begins to slip, no longer the roar so ferociously, clamoring for its absurd demands for perfection to be satisfied. Lessing the need to broadcast our established verities or to impose them on others as absolutes. Paradoxically speaking ” We are the Temple” Just in case you didn’t know !
Manny

Bill Formby
Reply to  Manny Castillo
3 years ago

It is both strange and inconsistent for the so called Christians to follow their belief in Jesus. Jesus, according to the New Testament, was a brave, kind, loving, and caring person. Yet those that claim to follow him also claim to follow Trump. One who is mean, spiteful, egocentric, with care for noone else but himself. Donald Trump would be a much better fit for Pontius Pilate himself and as they move forward with their blasphemy they will corrupt the very meaning of their beliefs. Those people who I have known tried to live their beliefs are likely weeping in their graves as Trump and the current bunch of his evangelical leader who are putting themselves before their beliefs for power and money.

3 years ago

As an ordained Pastor, journalist and much more you have hit the nail on the head in this article! I have said repeatedly that Trump and the GOP have hijacked Jesus in the name of politics! His encouraging and moreover threats for physical church buildings to reopen for prayer show his pure ignorance of Christianity. As a believer, a relationship with Christ is continuous. We talk to Him anywhere, anytime. It may be silently or out loud in a cry for help or a song of praise. A church building was never necessary. We are to go out and “spread the good news”. I have never understood how that could be done should we keep to ourselves locked away behind walls and doors? I once participated in a street ministry that was so beautiful. It consisted of approaching anyone- regardless of their dress or demeanor. Talking with them. Asking if they have needs for food, clothing, prayer. Being kind to them. Trump doesn’t get it. Mark, you do get it. We are in the midst of a pandemic and the POTUS would have us put the health and well-being of ourselves and our families on the line to congregate in tight groups behind closed doors because he says we need “more prayer, not less.” How little he understands about prayer and faith and God’s love and the fact that God would not have us risk our lives to go inside to worship Him as we can and do worship Him anywhere and at the most intimate of times, alone “in our prayer closets” fervently. It does not need to be formal or arranged nor do we need to follow set services or scripts. Sermons are widely available both on TV and online and are wonderful. The true nature of being a Christian is and will always be our personal relationship with God and this is an ideal time to draw close to Him. No buildings or laws needed. Thank you Mark for this excellent article!!

Bill Formby
3 years ago

One must remember that the Constitution essentially states that the government should stay away from the religious actions of people. The President who only darkened the doorstep of a church when he became president has yet to repent for his hundreds of thousands of sins is only playing to his base by pretending to give a rat’s ass about the people and their religious pursuits. He does. however. care about the leaders of the mega churches and their needs which is the massive amount of money they collect every Sunday morning. They have been hurting like every other business and therefore may not be as useful as they normally would be in giving to Trump’s campaign and asking their flocks to vote for Trump. Such vile and reprehensible behavior shows their lack of caring about their church membership by encouraging behavior ignoring of common sense requests of their state leaders.

Reply to  Bill Formby
3 years ago

Unfortunately, and as he has proven time and again, Trump cares nothing about the constitution, if he even understood it.

Bill Formby
Reply to  Professor Mike
3 years ago

You are right Mike. How foolish of me to think he might even care.

Glenn Geist
3 years ago

In the Hebraic tradition into which I believe Jesus was born, one needs 10 men to conduct certain ceremonies and rituals of worship. That falls under the social distancing guidelines.

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