Throughout the past year of global pandemic, many pastors and faith leaders have appealed to the words of Jesus to argue for social distancing, masking and other precautions against the spread of coronavirus. The appeal to “love your neighbor as…
American Christianity in China also imports gender bias and Calvinism
Imagine if America’s coalition of conspiracy theorist, cowboy Christianity had colonized its way into the world of international politics and sexual abuse cover-ups under the guise of spreading the gospel. Research scholar Mary Li Ma believes this isn’t an imaginary scenario,…
Neither democracy nor religious freedom are biblical concepts, John MacArthur declares
The Bible favors neither democracy nor religious freedom, John MacArthur said in a pair of January sermons where he lamented the perceived persecution of his church by government. The highly influential pastor — who has been at war with Los…
Rick Warren: Churches aren’t being persecuted by COVID restrictions
Christmas week brought more twists and turns to the legal battles in California over coronavirus-forced closures of in-person worship, while the spike in COVID infections, hospitalizations and deaths skyrocketed. In contrast to a few pastors and churches that have made…
American Gospel: Christ Crucified is stuck in a time warp
Based on the heated responses I’ve received to my review of the first American Gospel: Christ Alone documentary, I began to realize I should review producer Brandon Kimber’s second film, American Gospel: Christ Crucified. Kimber had read my first review and reached out…
As COVID cases soar, court’s retreat opens doors of churches
The American legal and political approach to pandemic-era religious gatherings seems to be anything but consistent as Christmas bears down on churches. Challenges to previously approved restrictions on worship attendance are being upheld even as U.S. deaths speed toward 320,000…
California remains a hot spot for churches fighting coronavirus restrictions
California remains a hot spot not only for record-breaking spread of coronavirus but also for churches engaged in litigation over holding in-person services. On Tuesday, Dec. 8, a Northern California church and its pastor were held in contempt of court…
What does the Supreme Court’s midnight COVID ruling really mean for religious liberty?
Has Amy Coney Barrett’s arrival on the United States Supreme Court changed the court’s perspective on houses of worship and COVID-19 restrictions? Or, were the restrictions imposed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo simply more draconian than restrictions in California…
MacArthur and Dever a study in contrasts on COVID church precautions
Two conservative pastors, two different approaches to protesting COVID-19 health restrictions on public gatherings, with two very different outcomes. This is the story of John MacArthur and Mark Dever. Throughout the summer, MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in Los…