God vs. Government: Taking a Biblical Stand When Christ and Compliance Collide
Ebook
“Welcome to our peaceful protest.”
In the spring of 2020, government mandates forced churches across
North America to close their doors in response to the COVID-19
pandemic. As societal fear and unrest increased, Christians were
forced to grapple with how God wanted them to respond to these
state-imposed restrictions. After all, didn’t the closure of
churches pose a serious threat in a time when people needed
spiritual direction more than ever?
God vs. Government follows two churches’ courageous
decisions to reopen despite orders to remain closed. Guided by the
command in Hebrews 10:25 that churches not forsake meeting
together, pastors John MacArthur and James Coates led their
congregations to return to in-person meetings—and were swiftly met
by unsympathetic governing authorities ready to shut them down
again. The ensuing legal battles raised important questions about
religious freedom, and more importantly, illuminated what it looks
like to take a stand when Christ and compliance collide.
How do we react with wisdom and discernment when the state
encroaches upon the church? God vs. Government tells two
incredible accounts that affirm our need to be faithful to the
Lord’s commands no matter the circumstances.
Nathan Busenitz is the executive vice president and
provost of The Master’s Seminary in Los Angeles. He also serves as
part of the pastoral staff at Grace Community Church and has
written or contributed to numerous books, including Right
Thinking in a World Gone Wrong. He and his wife, Beth, have
four children.
James Coates is the pastor-teacher of GraceLife Church of
Edmonton, Canada. He graduated with MDiv and DMin degrees from The
Master’s Seminary. He and his wife, Erin, have two sons.