Mohler: Love Compels Churches to Close During COVID-19

During Mohler’s first briefing of the new season, Dr. Mohler addressed two issues, both surrounding issues surrounding churches closing during COVID-19. In the first case, Dr. Mohler noted the recent Supreme Court cases that pitted Nevada’s Governor against a Calvary Chapel Church. Calvary Chapel sued the Governor for limiting all churches to no more than 50 people gathering while at the same time allowing casinos up to a 50% capacity. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court let stand a lower court’s ruling that kept the restrictions in place. Mohler called the actions of the Supreme Court, “Malpractice.”

However, Mohler then takes aim on the recent decision John MacArthur’s Church to open amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mohler, seemingly addressing Grace Church’s decision to open, says, “We need to call out any malpractice of the Supreme Court and avoid any Malpractice of our own.” Mohler’s argument was rather clear, the reason we should abstain from gathering together is for the love of neighbor and opening against the state ban is “malpractice.”

It is here, I must respectfully disagree. There are many problems with Mohler’s and 9-Mark’s views, but the biggest is that they never define the line when we should disobey the state. Worship itself is a core practice of the church, but both ministries give us no guidance on when that line is crossed. Mohler owes us more than to say that we need to obey our government because of “love.” Let me note, love is the reason churches want to and should gather.

In a recent podcast, Tom Ascol and Jared Longshore outline another problem with the “love” argument. As Tom noted, the most loving thing we can do for any society is the proclamation of the Gospel within the congregation.

Previously, I noted that foregoing the Lord’s Day meeting should be required in only two situations: For acts of mercy and necessity. Once the state begins putting restrictions on us that is neither the least restrictive for mercy or necessity, we have the freedom to disobey. The church should always have a bias towards meeting together.

Mohler’s “love” argument and 9-Mark’s “we should wait for a bigger issue” both fall short. 9-Marks, There is no more significant issue than the gathering of God’s people. Mohler, the most magnificent display of love is the preaching of God’s Word to God’s people, demonstrating God’s grace through the sacraments. Yes, there are times we shouldn’t meet. However, we should always have a bias toward meeting.