When Those in Authority of Us Disobey Those in Authority Over Them.

Seeing things as black or white has been both a blessing and a curse for me. Growing up, and even into early adulthood, I did not fully understand that there are grey areas, or areas where rules can be bent or even broken for a higher purpose. For instance, it was ok to lie to the Nazi’s about the Jews who are hiding in the basement. I am sure we all agree that is ok. Sometimes it is ok to tell so called “white” lies to avoid conflict. As an adult I “get it”, but even still, when people drive too fast, evade taxes, twist the truth, or do anything that is against the letter of the law – and they laugh it off or don’t take it seriously – I get stressed out.  So, rather than get stressed out by these people, I simply distance myself and avoid the aggravation. 

However with the COVID pandemic, my rule adhering mind is being torn apart at every turn. It seems that hardly anyone in our circles pays any heed to any of the implemented rules.  

Masks? “Who cares.” “ They don’t work” etc.  

Don’t visit friends and family?  Right. They can’t stop us.

Cancel worship services?  Kinda….but we can still go if we want…

In an effort to understand the restrictions, last week I read several medical journals from various sources, the 33 page document on provincial event and gathering restrictions, as well as all of the links on the government of BC website.  After all of this, I’ve come to the conclusion that I do not agree with the provincial health order regarding the closing of worship services, especially when considering that recovery groups can meet in a church building, but the congregation that worships there can not…even with observing the recommended protocols.

I don’t agree, but it is still an order.  

A rule in place by a government that is ordained by God. 

A rule that is in place, by flawed and sinful people not to persecute us, but to protect the most vulnerable in society.

Recently many Reformed Church councils (and other churches)  have made the decision to defy this order.  And our church councils are also in place by God’s design. In my aspergian brain, there is only room for one truth, and that is the truth of God.  There is only one who is right.  Not two.  How do I reconcile this?  

Most churches state that we are expected to abide by current COVID protocols. BUT….How can a church council expect the members to obey the protocols, if that council is at the same time saying it is ok to disobey the order? Do we get to pick and choose which rules to follow?

Do you see how my brain hurts?

In the Belgic Confession Article 36 we confess that God wants us to be governed by laws and statutes, and to obey the government in all things which do not disagree with the Word of God.

WARNING: LOGICAL PHILOSOPHICAL STUFF AHEAD

If it is the Lord’s will to govern us by their hand, and if it is not against the Word of God, then we ought to have patience in these crazy times and obey them with regard to these health orders.  If however we believe this order goes against the Word of God, then we have a duty to engage in civil disobedience, and the consistory should state that it is calling all members to worship as per usual and in defiance of the order.  However, if a church council is not 100% convinced that this order is against the Word of God, then by reopening worship, and the implied call to the members to attend in person, isn’t the entire congregation guilty of sinning against the 5th commandment by breaking the order?  

WELL? 

Which is it?  

It’s either one or the other – not some grey foggy in between area or trying to walk the line.  

We are either in sin or we are not.

In Lord’s day 39 of the HC we confess that we are to be patient with the weaknesses and shortcomings of those in authority over us:

That I show all honour, love, and faithfulness

to my father and mother

and to all those in authority over me,

submit myself with due obedience

to their good instruction and discipline,

and also have patience with their weaknesses

and shortcomings,

since it is God’s will

to govern us by their hand.

This of course applies to parents, the government, and office bearers in the church…and some would say employers – but that is beside the point of this post. In order to avoid the anxiety trigger, my usual response to rule breakers is to simply avoid them, it is one of the reasons I don’t have many friends. However, I cannot simply avoid church, or my elders. I have been, and will be patient, and I hope that this is respectful to them.

I have remained quiet up until now, being patient, assuming that I simply was not seeing the “grey area” that I often am oblivious to. When my 11 year old would ask why people in our churches break the law by visiting each other, I diverted the question.  When she would ask why she can’t go to a friend’s birthday party I would tell her that we don’t break the law. Now, when my 14 year old asks why our churches don’t care about the vulnerable and are choosing to break the law, I simply answered, “I don’t know.”

I don’t know. 

I don’t know.

That is the point of this post. I don’t know…but…neither do our Church leaders.  

I don’t know…but…neither does the government.  

I don’t know…but God does.  And his rule is sovereign. 

So I will endeavour to follow his Word in these times, as we all ought.

Conclusion: I do not agree with the restrictions on worship. We need worship. I also don’t agree with churches defying an order that is not technically persecution or going against God’s Word. (If that sentence makes you mad – please read the rest of the article.) We need laws and order. I am daily praying for our elders in this difficult task; I am thankful that the Lord spared me holding an office at this time.  I appreciate the work being done by ARPA and several local churches to request the government to review the order and reinstate worship – with protocols in place.  I appreciate the city councillor in Vernon BC who has at the request of a Canadian Reformed Church member stood up in defence of Christians right to worship in our province.  But in my mind, and in my reading of scripture, until the order is proven to be sinful or to have breached our constitutional rights, we ought to remain, as we confess, rule abiding and patient with the weaknesses and shortcomings of those in authority over us.  

For churches that means being patient with the government. 

For members of local congregations that means being patient with our church leaders.

For me that means being patient with my elders.

 And for my 11 year old daughter who desperately wants to attend her friend’s birthday party…that means being patient with me.

I long to return to worship, in person, and partake of the Lord’s supper with my brothers and sisters…without masks…without restrictions…without the polarizing rhetoric. I remain patient.

Come Lord Jesus.  Maranatha.