thestream--2020-08-08--Critical Thinking for Confused Times

Critical Thinking for Confused Times

Pessimists such as myself are seldom startled by realizing things are worse than they ’ d supposed .
It happened to me recently , though .
I was in a conversation with my pastor when the unhappy thought jolted me : “ Maybe people don ’ t know that having an unfalsifiable position is an intellectual defect !
” In other words , if you take a position that can ’ t be proved wrong even if it is , that ’ s not good thinking .
My pastor agreed .
We ’ re in the middle of a fallacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People are rioting in the streets .
Others are afraid of dying from a pandemic .
Everyone has a place to state their opinion ( or at least memes ) on social media .
So it ’ s a ripe time for critical thinking to break down .
I ’ m a philosopher by trade , so please indulge me as I say a few words about the fallacy pandemic .
Philosophers are always — or should be — bothered by poor reasoning .
We try to offer rational arguments , anticipate criticisms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topics .
Sometimes , though , we have to get back to the basics .
Thus , for forty years , I have been arguing for what I take to be of ultimate concern ( and for some lesser concerns ) .
Meanwhile , though , I have also tried to teach principles and practices of critical thinking .
There is no better time than now to do so again .
This time I do it with an eye toward trends I find to be irrational and thus unhelpful to solving our social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
One of the better ways to teach critical thinking is by showing how not to think well , which means teaching about logical fallacies .
I won ’ t try to be comprehensive here , but I do have some principles for sound thinking to offer .
I will illustrate each fallacy with an example from apologetics and one from social issues .
Without clear definitions , we literally don ’ t know what we are talking about .
Suppose you are arguing for God ’ s existence .
What do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that the word “ God ” was the most ill-defined word in English .
It can mean the Trinity , Allah , a pantheistic substance , a finite god , and more .
Or suppose you ’ re arguing that America suffers from “ systemic racism.
” What does that term mean ?
Once you ’ ve defined it , what indicators do we find to support the claim ?
Suppose you ’ ve concluded that America does suffer from this malady .
What counter-evidence could persuade you otherwise ?
Thomas Sowell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently asked if he believed that the U.S. suffered from systemic racism .
He answered that no reliable indicators of such have been offered , so the theory could not be tested .
He could well be right about that .
Even if he is wrong , though , you should appreciate the intellectual rigor he brought to the question .
2 .
Do not argue against a straw man .
You commit the straw man fallacy when you argue against a caricature of a position .
Just as a straw man is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man argument attacks a false representation of a position .
Consider the person who says , “ You Christians must appeal to blind faith .
You ’ re afraid of rational arguments.
” This person misrepresents the Bible and the history of the church .
There is an entire discipline for defending Christianity as true , rational , and meaningful ; it ’ s called apologetics .
Or if someone says , “ You political conservatives support the Confederacy , and you don ’ t even care that the Confederate flag stands for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a straw man , being a conservative doesn ’ t require supporting the Confederacy .
It is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for conservatism .
This may be the king of the fallacies .
If not , then it ’ s co-king with ad hominem .
It speaks its lying voice everywhere .
First , consider true dichotomies .
You are either an American citizen or you aren ’ t .
You are either a Christian or you aren ’ t .
A false dichotomy claims that it is either A or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are no other alternatives , when , in fact , there are others .
So , we hear many say , “ Don ’ t do apologetics , preach the gospel !
” Why not do both well ?
There is no contradiction between them , and the Bible calls us to do both .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Or , someone might say , “ You are either with Black Lives Matter or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the field of non-racists is larger than the set of people who adhere to the basic tenets of Black Lives Matter .
It is an organization , after all .
Much of what it affirms is open to question .
This is Latin for “ arguing against the man.
” In place of rational argument it offers personal insult .
A thinking response should assess the facts and logic of an argument .
This fallacy attacks the character of the person making the argument instead .
It is extremely common in politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rational to reject a position simply on the basis of finding fault with the person who states the position .
The atheist Richard Taylor once debated Christian apologist William Lane Craig on the existence of God .
Craig has two earned doctorates , yet Taylor insisted on calling him “ Reverend Craig.
” He thought the religious title would discredit Craig ’ s arguments .
But what if Craig actually were a pastor instead of a professional philosopher ?
His job title would have no bearing on the power of his arguments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the way ? )
By way of social issues , if someone says , “ He voted for Reagan , so you can not believe what he thinks about race.
” That person has committed the same fallacy .
Things can get tricky , though .
What happens when someone has genuine character flaws that cast questions on the truth of what they say .
Maybe John was found guilty in a court of law for libel .
Then if he makes a statement on a controversial issue it ’ s worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character is epistemically connected to his statement .
The term has to do with how we know things .
If we ’ re counting on John to let us know something , and if he has a history of telling malicious lies , we have to think of the possibility that the next thing he says could be one , too .
Still , if your physician is corpulent and advises you to lose weight , his advice is still good .
This fallacy is essentially the ad hominem fallacy applied to groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular social , religious , or political group , then his or her views are immediately discredited .
“ You can ’ t believe what Buddhists say about stress , because they hold to a false religion.
” The Buddhist may still say something true about stress .
Her knowledge of it may have nothing to do with her religion , or it could be that Buddhism understands a thing or two about stress and how to relieve it .
You can admit this without saying Buddhism is a way of salvation !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ You can not believe that story because it was on Fox News or CNBC or National Public Radio or… ” Many of my Facebook friends seem to think that The New York Times is wrong about literally everything !
But it isn ’ t that simple .
Yes , one ’ s race or ethnicity or gender should not automatically discredit that person ’ s views on anything .
Still , yes , one ’ s race , ethnicity , and gender affects how we view the world .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s not where we end it .
However , as with the ad hominem consideration , membership in a particular group may be pertinent .
If David Duke makes a statement about race , we have reason to question the statement .
He was a member of the Ku Klux Klan — a racist organization if there ever was one — and has continued to advance white supremacist , anti-Semitic , and anti-black ideas throughout his life .
If anyone ’ s view is considered immune from criticism , impervious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be unfalsifiable .
This makes it not rationally credible .
This is not one of the canonical fallacies , but it seems increasingly common .
It can be supported by several of the fallacies I mentioned above .
In this case , any and every challenge to one ’ s viewpoint can be dismissed through the use of the straw man , false dichotomy , ad hominem , or poisoning the well fallacies .
In matters of biology , Darwinists often assume this viewpoint .
All criticism of Darwinism is considered “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Darwinism immune from questioning , which in turn makes it unfalsifiable .
Richard Lewontin , a noted biologist , said as much in print in The New York Review of Books .
( I take this up in “ Origins , Design , and Darwinism , ” in Christian Apologetics ) .
Even the resurrection of Jesus is falsifiable in principle , if not in fact .
The Apostle Paul knew this and argued accordingly ( 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 ) .
Some proponents of critical theory ( sometimes called critical race theory ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are racists and part of systemic racism , and no evidence to the contrary can exonerate them .
Even if this claim is true , there has to be a way at least to admit the possibility of counter-evidence .
When a claim is taken to be impervious to criticism , it loses rational status given its dogmatism .
I may be a pessimist , but I keep hoping and fighting for clear thinking .
That is what philosophers do .
Logic is the friend of the wise person , so fallacies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whenever they are found .
Let ’ s not add a fallacy pandemic to the biological pandemic .
And let ’ s not try to solve difficult social problems through sloppy thinking .
Douglas Groothuis , Ph.D. , is Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary where he heads the apologetics and ethics masters degree program .
He is the author of 12 books , including Christian Apologetics : A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith .

Pessimists such as myself are seldom startled by realizing things are worse than they’d supposed. It happened to me recently, though. I was in a conversation with my pastor when the unhappy thought jolted me: “Maybe people don’t know that having an unfalsifiable position is an intellectual defect!” In other words, if you take a position that can’t be proved wrong even if it is, that’s not good thinking. My pastor agreed. We’re in the middle of a fallacy pandemic.
Emotions are running high. People are rioting in the streets. Others are afraid of dying from a pandemic. Everyone has a place to state their opinion (or at least memes) on social media. So it’s a ripe time for critical thinking to break down.
I’m a philosopher by trade, so please indulge me as I say a few words about the fallacy pandemic. Philosophers are always — or should be — bothered by poor reasoning. We try to offer rational arguments, anticipate criticisms, and bring intellectual clarity to important topics.
Back to Basics
Sometimes, though, we have to get back to the basics. Thus, for forty years, I have been arguing for what I take to be of ultimate concern (and for some lesser concerns). Meanwhile, though, I have also tried to teach principles and practices of critical thinking. There is no better time than now to do so again. This time I do it with an eye toward trends I find to be irrational and thus unhelpful to solving our social ills — especially related to disease and race.
One of the better ways to teach critical thinking is by showing how not to think well, which means teaching about logical fallacies. I won’t try to be comprehensive here, but I do have some principles for sound thinking to offer. I will illustrate each fallacy with an example from apologetics and one from social issues.
1. Define your terms.
Without clear definitions, we literally don’t know what we are talking about. Suppose you are arguing for God’s existence. What do you mean by God? Francis Schaeffer wrote that the word “God” was the most ill-defined word in English. It can mean the Trinity, Allah, a pantheistic substance, a finite god, and more.
Or suppose you’re arguing that America suffers from “systemic racism.” What does that term mean? Once you’ve defined it, what indicators do we find to support the claim? Suppose you’ve concluded that America does suffer from this malady. What counter-evidence could persuade you otherwise?
Thomas Sowell, a prolific black economist, was recently asked if he believed that the U.S. suffered from systemic racism.
He answered that no reliable indicators of such have been offered, so the theory could not be tested. He could well be right about that. Even if he is wrong, though, you should appreciate the intellectual rigor he brought to the question.
2. Do not argue against a straw man.
You commit the straw man fallacy when you argue against a caricature of a position. Just as a straw man is not a real man, a straw man argument attacks a false representation of a position.
Consider the person who says, “You Christians must appeal to blind faith. You’re afraid of rational arguments.” This person misrepresents the Bible and the history of the church. There is an entire discipline for defending Christianity as true, rational, and meaningful; it’s called apologetics.
Or if someone says, “You political conservatives support the Confederacy, and you don’t even care that the Confederate flag stands for racism,” she is arguing against a straw man, being a conservative doesn’t require supporting the Confederacy. It is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for conservatism.
3. Beware the false dichotomy.
This may be the king of the fallacies. If not, then it’s co-king with ad hominem. It speaks its lying voice everywhere.
First, consider true dichotomies. You are either an American citizen or you aren’t. You are either a Christian or you aren’t. A false dichotomy claims that it is either A or B and that’s it, there are no other alternatives, when, in fact, there are others. So, we hear many say, “Don’t do apologetics, preach the gospel!” Why not do both well? There is no contradiction between them, and the Bible calls us to do both.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Or, someone might say, “You are either with Black Lives Matter or you are a racist.” But certainly the field of non-racists is larger than the set of people who adhere to the basic tenets of Black Lives Matter. It is an organization, after all. Much of what it affirms is open to question.
4. Avoid the argumentum ad hominem.
This is Latin for “arguing against the man.” In place of rational argument it offers personal insult. A thinking response should assess the facts and logic of an argument. This fallacy attacks the character of the person making the argument instead.
It is extremely common in politics, but appears everywhere. It is not rational to reject a position simply on the basis of finding fault with the person who states the position.
The atheist Richard Taylor once debated Christian apologist William Lane Craig on the existence of God. Craig has two earned doctorates, yet Taylor insisted on calling him “Reverend Craig.” He thought the religious title would discredit Craig’s arguments. But what if Craig actually were a pastor instead of a professional philosopher? His job title would have no bearing on the power of his arguments. (Guess who won the debate, by the way?)
By way of social issues, if someone says, “He voted for Reagan, so you cannot believe what he thinks about race.” That person has committed the same fallacy.
Things can get tricky, though. What happens when someone has genuine character flaws that cast questions on the truth of what they say. Maybe John was found guilty in a court of law for libel. Then if he makes a statement on a controversial issue it’s worth a second look. Philosophers say his character is epistemically connected to his statement. The term has to do with how we know things. If we’re counting on John to let us know something, and if he has a history of telling malicious lies, we have to think of the possibility that the next thing he says could be one, too.
Still, if your physician is corpulent and advises you to lose weight, his advice is still good.
5. Don’t poison the well.
This fallacy is essentially the ad hominem fallacy applied to groups: If a person belongs to a particular social, religious, or political group, then his or her views are immediately discredited. “You can’t believe what Buddhists say about stress, because they hold to a false religion.” The Buddhist may still say something true about stress. Her knowledge of it may have nothing to do with her religion, or it could be that Buddhism understands a thing or two about stress and how to relieve it. You can admit this without saying Buddhism is a way of salvation!
In political matters, one might say, “You cannot believe that story because it was on Fox News or CNBC or National Public Radio or…” Many of my Facebook friends seem to think that The New York Times is wrong about literally everything! But it isn’t that simple. Yes, one’s race or ethnicity or gender should not automatically discredit that person’s views on anything. Still, yes, one’s race, ethnicity, and gender affects how we view the world. That is where to begin the discussion, though. It’s not where we end it.
However, as with the ad hominem consideration, membership in a particular group may be pertinent. If David Duke makes a statement about race, we have reason to question the statement. He was a member of the Ku Klux Klan — a racist organization if there ever was one — and has continued to advance white supremacist, anti-Semitic, and anti-black ideas throughout his life.
6. Avoid impervious arguments
If anyone’s view is considered immune from criticism, impervious to any counter-evidence, that view claims to be unfalsifiable. This makes it not rationally credible. This is not one of the canonical fallacies, but it seems increasingly common. It can be supported by several of the fallacies I mentioned above. In this case, any and every challenge to one’s viewpoint can be dismissed through the use of the straw man, false dichotomy, ad hominem, or poisoning the well fallacies.
In matters of biology, Darwinists often assume this viewpoint. All criticism of Darwinism is considered “unscientific” and irrational. This makes Darwinism immune from questioning, which in turn makes it unfalsifiable. Richard Lewontin, a noted biologist, said as much in print in The New York Review of Books. (I take this up in “Origins, Design, and Darwinism,” in Christian Apologetics).
Even the resurrection of Jesus is falsifiable in principle, if not in fact. The Apostle Paul knew this and argued accordingly (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).
Some proponents of critical theory (sometimes called critical race theory) apply this idea to racism. White people are racists and part of systemic racism, and no evidence to the contrary can exonerate them. Even if this claim is true, there has to be a way at least to admit the possibility of counter-evidence. When a claim is taken to be impervious to criticism, it loses rational status given its dogmatism.
No More Fallacy Pandemic!
I may be a pessimist, but I keep hoping and fighting for clear thinking. That is what philosophers do. Logic is the friend of the wise person, so fallacies should be identified and rejected wherever and whenever they are found. Let’s not add a fallacy pandemic to the biological pandemic. And let’s not try to solve difficult social problems through sloppy thinking.
Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary where he heads the apologetics and ethics masters degree program. He is the author of 12 books, including Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith.


thestream--2020-08-08--10 Tips for Maintaining Sexual Integrity

About 20 years ago , I put together these “ tips ” in answer to the question of what steps a man should take to “ keep it clean.
” Well , considering the amount of stimulation and temptation we ’ re confronted with daily , common sense tells us today more than ever , to both be and stay prepared .
Here are 10 ways I think you can help make that happen .
Recognize that sexual temptation is unavoidable in our sex-obsessed culture .
Erotic images on billboards , films , television and a thousand other stimulants are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t exempt you from temptation — the godliest of men can fall prey to it .
So the first step towards maintaining sexual integrity is to get real .
Admit to yourself that sexual temptation is a problem that you have to reckon with .
Remember John ’ s warning : “ If we say we have no sin , we deceive ourselves ” ( 1 John 1:8 ) .
Two : Get SERIOUS You should know by now that sexual sin ravages everyone connected with it .
What you may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you entertain , every flirtatious conversation you keep up , or every “ second look ” you indulge in is the seed for AIDS , adultery , a broken heart , a shattered life .
Get serious — if you ’ re entertaining lust , you ’ re dancing on a cliff .
Take concrete action now while you can .
“ Lust , when it is conceived , brings forth sin , and sin brings forth death.
” ( James 1:15 ) If you really believe an earthquake is coming someday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency plan .
If you really believe sexual temptation is both common and can become lethal , you ’ ll make an “ emergency plan ” for it , too .
Decide in advance what to do when you ’ re tempted : how to distract yourself , who to call , how to escape close calls .
Even St. Paul admitted : “ Like an athlete I train my body to do what it should , not what it wants to do .
Otherwise , I fear that I myself might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Can you really afford to do less ?
Sexual sin thrives in the dark .
If you ’ re caught up in any sexual vice , one thing is certain : The secrecy surrounding your behavior is what strengthens its hold on you .
However ashamed you may feel about admitting your problem to another person , the reality is this : You can ’ t overcome this on your own .
If you could , wouldn ’ t you have done so by now ?
Take a hint from James : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and pray for one another , that you might be healed.
” ( James 5:16 ) Find a trusted , mature Christian friend to confide in .
Make that friend a partner in your recovery , and NEVER assume that you ’ ve reached a point where you no longer need accountability .
For information on Joe ’ s upcoming webinar click HERE .
I believe there ’ s an eleventh commandment somewhere that says “ Thou Shalt Not Kid Thy Self.
” If you ’ re serious about sexual integrity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the particular sexual sin you ’ re most prone to ( fantasizing , pornography , affairs , prostitution ) but you ’ ll also distance yourself from any person or thing that entices you towards that sin .
Sometimes , even a legitimate activity ( certain movies , music or clubs , for example ) may be okay for other people to indulge in , but not for you .
Get brutally honest about your lifestyle : anything in it that makes you prone to sexual sin has to go .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Paul said , “ but not all things are edifying .
I will not be brought under the power of anything ” ( 1 Corinthians 6:12 ) .
Six : Get HELP Sexual sins are often symptomatic of deeper emotional needs that a man is trying to satisfy in all the wrong ways .
Repenting of the sin itself is necessary first step , but recognizing the conflicts or needs that led you into that behavior may be the next step , requiring some specialized care from a Christian professional .
Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Don ’ t hesitate to seek Godly counsel if you ’ re trapped in cycles of ongoing , out-of-control behavior .
The answer you need may be more than just “ pray and get over it !
” King David ( who was no stranger to sexual sin , by the way ) found refuge in Samuel ’ s wise mentoring ( 1 Samuel 19:18 ) .
If you ’ re willing to seek professional help for taxes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ll be willing to do the same to maintain your sexual integrity .
The problem of sexual temptation isn ’ t going anywhere .
It ’ s been with us since time immemorial , and no doubt it will plague us until Christ comes .
So get comfortable with the idea that you ’ ll need to manage your sexual desires throughout life , always remembering that your sexual integrity is but a part of the general life-long sanctification process all Christians go through .
“ I count myself not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Philippians .
“ I am still not all I should be.
” ( Philippians 3:12-13 ) So learn to love the process of pressing on , not perfection .
“ I ’ ve been looking for love in all the wrong places , ” an old song laments .
The sexual sin you ’ re drawn towards may indeed be a cheap ( though intense ) substitute for love .
You can repent of the sin , but not of the need the sin represents .
So get love in your life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow believers .
A man who truly loves , and knows he ’ s truly loved , is far less likely to search for what he already has in places he ’ ll never find it .
“ Why do you spend your money on that which is not bread , or your labor on that which can not satisfy ?
” Isaiah asked ( Isaiah 55:2 ) .
Learn to be intimate and authentic .
It ’ s one of the best ways to protect your heart and your integrity .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes it to the end ; rather , it ’ s the man who ’ s learned to pick himself up after he stumbles .
If your struggle seems relentless , remember this : when you commit yourself to sexual integrity , you commit yourself to a direction , not to perfection .
You may stumble along the way — that ’ s no justification for sin , just a realistic view of life in this fallen world .
What determines the success or failure of an imperfect man is his willingness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and continue in the direction he committed himself to .
Remember Paul ’ s approach : “ Forgetting those things that are behind , I press on towards the mark of the high calling ” ( Philippians 3:14 ) .
What ’ s your passion ?
What ’ s your calling ?
How clear are your goals ?
And , by the way , do you have any fun ?
The man who doesn ’ t have a life — a passion , a sense of meaning , an ability to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a man with an emptiness tailor-made for sexual sin .
Life is about more than keeping yourself sexually pure , as important as purity is .
It ’ s about knowing who and why you are , where your priorities lie and where you ’ re headed .
If you don ’ t know that much about yourself , you have some serious thinking to do .
Commit yourself to developing your life as a good steward of your gifts and opportunities , and make that the context in which you seek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for it ’ s own sake is a good thing ; sexual integrity for the sake of a higher calling is better .
So by all means turn from your sin .
But as you do , turn towards a goal-oriented , passionate , meaningful life .
That is repentance in its truest , finest sense .
Joe Dallas is the Program Director of Genesis Biblical Counseling and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors .
His daily blog is Joe Dallas Online .
He is the author of Desires in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Homosexuality Hits Home .
His latest book is Five Steps to Breaking Free from Porn .
Follow him on Twitter at @ JoeDallasTGP and follow The Stream @ Streamdotorg .

About 20 years ago, I put together these “tips” in answer to the question of what steps a man should take to “keep it clean.”
Well, considering the amount of stimulation and temptation we’re confronted with daily, common sense tells us today more than ever, to both be and stay prepared. Here are 10 ways I think you can help make that happen.
One: Get REAL
Recognize that sexual temptation is unavoidable in our sex-obsessed culture. Erotic images on billboards, films, television and a thousand other stimulants are bombarding you daily. Being a Christian doesn’t exempt you from temptation — the godliest of men can fall prey to it. So the first step towards maintaining sexual integrity is to get real.
Admit to yourself that sexual temptation is a problem that you have to reckon with. Remember John’s warning: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8).
Two: Get SERIOUS
You should know by now that sexual sin ravages everyone connected with it. What you may not know is that every sexual fantasy you entertain, every flirtatious conversation you keep up, or every “second look” you indulge in is the seed for AIDS, adultery, a broken heart, a shattered life.
Get serious — if you’re entertaining lust, you’re dancing on a cliff. Take concrete action now while you can. “Lust, when it is conceived, brings forth sin, and sin brings forth death.” (James 1:15)
Three: Get READY
If you really believe an earthquake is coming someday, you prepare for it by developing an emergency plan. If you really believe sexual temptation is both common and can become lethal, you’ll make an “emergency plan” for it, too. Decide in advance what to do when you’re tempted: how to distract yourself, who to call, how to escape close calls.
If you really believe sexual temptation is both common and can become lethal, you’ll make an “emergency plan” for it, too.
Even St. Paul admitted: “Like an athlete I train my body to do what it should, not what it wants to do. Otherwise, I fear that I myself might be declared unfit.” (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Can you really afford to do less?
Four: Get CONNECTED
Sexual sin thrives in the dark. If you’re caught up in any sexual vice, one thing is certain: The secrecy surrounding your behavior is what strengthens its hold on you. However ashamed you may feel about admitting your problem to another person, the reality is this: You can’t overcome this on your own. If you could, wouldn’t you have done so by now?
Take a hint from James: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you might be healed.” (James 5:16) Find a trusted, mature Christian friend to confide in. Make that friend a partner in your recovery, and NEVER assume that you’ve reached a point where you no longer need accountability.
For information on Joe’s upcoming webinar click HERE.
Five: Get BRUTAL
I believe there’s an eleventh commandment somewhere that says “Thou Shalt Not Kid Thy Self.”
If you’re serious about sexual integrity, you’ll distance yourself not only from the particular sexual sin you’re most prone to (fantasizing, pornography, affairs, prostitution) but you’ll also distance yourself from any person or thing that entices you towards that sin. Sometimes, even a legitimate activity (certain movies, music or clubs, for example) may be okay for other people to indulge in, but not for you.
Get brutally honest about your lifestyle: anything in it that makes you prone to sexual sin has to go. “All things are lawful for me,” Paul said, “but not all things are edifying. I will not be brought under the power of anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Six: Get HELP
Sexual sins are often symptomatic of deeper emotional needs that a man is trying to satisfy in all the wrong ways. Repenting of the sin itself is necessary first step, but recognizing the conflicts or needs that led you into that behavior may be the next step, requiring some specialized care from a Christian professional.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Don’t hesitate to seek Godly counsel if you’re trapped in cycles of ongoing, out-of-control behavior. The answer you need may be more than just “pray and get over it!” King David (who was no stranger to sexual sin, by the way) found refuge in Samuel’s wise mentoring (1 Samuel 19:18). If you’re willing to seek professional help for taxes, medical care or career counseling, surely you’ll be willing to do the same to maintain your sexual integrity.
Seven: Get COMFORTABLE
The problem of sexual temptation isn’t going anywhere. It’s been with us since time immemorial, and no doubt it will plague us until Christ comes. So get comfortable with the idea that you’ll need to manage your sexual desires throughout life, always remembering that your sexual integrity is but a part of the general life-long sanctification process all Christians go through.
“I count myself not to have attained perfection,” Paul told the Philippians. “I am still not all I should be.” (Philippians 3:12-13) So learn to love the process of pressing on, not perfection.
Eight: Get LOVE
“I’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places,” an old song laments. The sexual sin you’re drawn towards may indeed be a cheap (though intense) substitute for love. You can repent of the sin, but not of the need the sin represents. So get love in your life: friendships, family, spouse, fellow believers.
A man who truly loves, and knows he’s truly loved, is far less likely to search for what he already has in places he’ll never find it. “Why do you spend your money on that which is not bread, or your labor on that which cannot satisfy?” Isaiah asked (Isaiah 55:2). Learn to be intimate and authentic. It’s one of the best ways to protect your heart and your integrity.
Nine: Get GRACE
It isn’t the sinless man who makes it to the end; rather, it’s the man who’s learned to pick himself up after he stumbles. If your struggle seems relentless, remember this: when you commit yourself to sexual integrity, you commit yourself to a direction, not to perfection. You may stumble along the way — that’s no justification for sin, just a realistic view of life in this fallen world.
What determines the success or failure of an imperfect man is his willingness to pick himself up, confess his fault, and continue in the direction he committed himself to. Remember Paul’s approach: “Forgetting those things that are behind, I press on towards the mark of the high calling” (Philippians 3:14).
Ten: Get a LIFE
What’s your passion? What’s your calling? How clear are your goals? And, by the way, do you have any fun? The man who doesn’t have a life — a passion, a sense of meaning, an ability to play as hard as he works — is a man with an emptiness tailor-made for sexual sin.
By all means turn from your sin. But as you do, turn towards a goal-oriented, passionate, meaningful life. That is repentance in its truest, finest sense.
Life is about more than keeping yourself sexually pure, as important as purity is. It’s about knowing who and why you are, where your priorities lie and where you’re headed. If you don’t know that much about yourself, you have some serious thinking to do.
Commit yourself to developing your life as a good steward of your gifts and opportunities, and make that the context in which you seek to maintain your sexual integrity.
Sexual integrity for it’s own sake is a good thing; sexual integrity for the sake of a higher calling is better. So by all means turn from your sin.
But as you do, turn towards a goal-oriented, passionate, meaningful life. That is repentance in its truest, finest sense.
Joe Dallas is the Program Director of Genesis Biblical Counseling and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. His daily blog is Joe Dallas Online. He is the author of Desires in Conflict, The Game Plan, and When Homosexuality Hits Home. His latest book is Five Steps to Breaking Free from Porn. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeDallasTGP and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.


thestream--2020-08-08--Christ, Not Caesar, Is Head of the Church

Editor ’ s Note : This statement was written and unanimously approved by Pastor John MacArthur and the 45 Elders of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley , CA .
It was first published on their website on July 24 in response to California ’ s ludicrous and discriminatory restrictions on public worship .
We are honored to republish it here with their permission , and we encourage all faithful Christians to read it and to heed its message .
Christ is Lord of all .
He is the one true head of the church ( Ephesians 1:22 ; 5:23 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also King of kings — sovereign over every earthly authority ( 1 Timothy 6:15 ; Revelation 17:14 ; 19:16 ) .
Grace Community Church has always stood immovably on those biblical principles .
As His people , we are subject to His will and commands as revealed in Scripture .
Therefore we can not and will not acquiesce to a government-imposed moratorium on our weekly congregational worship or other regular corporate gatherings .
Compliance would be disobedience to our Lord ’ s clear commands .
Some will think such a firm statement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be subject to governing authorities laid out in Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 .
Scripture does mandate careful , conscientious obedience to all governing authority , including kings , governors , employers , and their agents ( in Peter ’ s words , “ not only to those who are good and gentle , but also to those who are unreasonable ” [ 1 Peter 2:18 ] ) .
Insofar as government authorities do not attempt to assert ecclesiastical authority or issue orders that forbid our obedience to God ’ s law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether we agree with their rulings or not .
In other words , Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 still bind the consciences of individual Christians .
We are to obey our civil authorities as powers that God Himself has ordained .
However , while civil government is invested with divine authority to rule the state , neither of those texts ( nor any other ) grants civic rulers jurisdiction over the church .
God has established three institutions within human society : the family , the state , and the church .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with jurisdictional limits that must be respected .
A father ’ s authority is limited to his own family .
Church leaders ’ authority ( which is delegated to them by Christ ) is limited to church matters .
And government is specifically tasked with the oversight and protection of civic peace and well-being within the boundaries of a nation or community .
God has not granted civic rulers authority over the doctrine , practice , or polity of the church .
The biblical framework limits the authority of each institution to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the right to meddle in the affairs of individual families and ignore parental authority .
Parents do not have authority to manage civil matters while circumventing government officials .
And similarly , government officials have no right to interfere in ecclesiastical matters in a way that undermines or disregards the God-given authority of pastors and elders .
When any one of the three institutions exceeds the bounds of its jurisdiction it is the duty of the other institutions to curtail that overreach .
Therefore , when any government official issues orders regulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , caps on attendance , or prohibitions against gatherings and services ) , he steps outside the legitimate bounds of his God-ordained authority as a civic official and arrogates to himself authority that God expressly grants only to the Lord Jesus Christ as sovereign over His Kingdom , which is the church .
His rule is mediated to local churches through those pastors and elders who teach His Word ( Matthew 16:18–19 ; 2 Timothy 3:16–4:2 ) .
Therefore , in response to the recent state order requiring churches in California to limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the pastors and elders of Grace Community Church , respectfully inform our civic leaders that they have exceeded their legitimate jurisdiction , and faithfulness to Christ prohibits us from observing the restrictions they want to impose on our corporate worship services .
Said another way , it has never been the prerogative of civil government to order , modify , forbid , or mandate worship .
When , how , and how often the church worships is not subject to Caesar .
Caesar himself is subject to God .
Jesus affirmed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You would have no authority over Me , unless it had been given you from above ” ( John 19:11 ) .
And because Christ is head of the church , ecclesiastical matters pertain to His Kingdom , not Caesar ’ s .
Jesus drew a stark distinction between those two kingdoms when He said , “ Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar ’ s , and to God the things that are God ’ s ” ( Mark 12:17 ) .
Our Lord Himself always rendered to Caesar what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered to Caesar what belongs solely to God .
As pastors and elders , we can not hand over to earthly authorities any privilege or power that belongs solely to Christ as head of His church .
Pastors and elders are the ones to whom Christ has given the duty and the right to exercise His spiritual authority in the church ( 1 Peter 5:1–4 ; Hebrews 13:7 , 17 ) —and Scripture alone defines how and whom they are to serve ( 1 Corinthians 4:1–4 ) .
They have no duty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to regulate the worship or governance of the church .
In fact , pastors who cede their Christ-delegated authority in the church to a civil ruler have abdicated their responsibility before their Lord and violated the God-ordained spheres of authority as much as the secular official who illegitimately imposes his authority upon the church .
Our church ’ s doctrinal statement has included this paragraph for more than 40 years : In short , as the church , we do not need the state ’ s permission to serve and worship our Lord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Christ ’ s precious bride ( 2 Corinthians 11:2 ; Ephesians 5:23–27 ) .
She belongs to Him alone .
She exists by His will and serves under His authority .
He will tolerate no assault on her purity and no infringement of His headship over her .
All of that was established when Jesus said , “ I will build My church ; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it ” ( Matthew 16:18 ) .
Christ is Head of the Church Christ ’ s own authority is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power and dominion , and every name that is named , not only in this age but also in the one to come .
And [ God the Father has ] put all things in subjection under [ Christ ’ s ] feet , and gave Him as head over all things to the church , which is His body , the fullness of Him who fills all in all ” ( Ephesians 1:21–23 ) .
Accordingly , the honor that we rightly owe our earthly governors and magistrates ( Romans 13:7 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to subvert sound doctrine , corrupt biblical morality , exercise ecclesiastical authority , or supplant Christ as head of the church in any other way .
The biblical order is clear : Christ is Lord over Caesar , not vice versa .
Christ , not Caesar , is head of the church .
Conversely , the church does not in any sense rule the state .
Again , these are distinct kingdoms , and Christ is sovereign over both .
Neither church nor state has any higher authority than that of Christ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth ” ( Matthew 28:18 ) .
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
Notice that we are not making a constitutional argument , even though the First Amendment of the United States Constitution expressly affirms this principle in its opening words : “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion , or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
” The right we are appealing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is one of those unalienable rights granted solely by God , who ordained human government and establishes both the extent and the limitations of the state ’ s authority ( Romans 13:1–7 ) .
Our argument therefore is purposely not grounded in the First Amendment ; it is based on the same biblical principles that the Amendment itself is founded upon .
The exercise of true religion is a divine duty given to men and women created in God ’ s image ( Genesis 1:26–27 ; Acts 4:18–20 ; 5:29 ; cf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , freedom of worship is a command of God , not a privilege granted by the state .
An additional point needs to be made in this context .
Christ is always faithful and true ( Revelation 19:11 ) .
Human governments are not so trustworthy .
Scripture says , “ the whole world lies in the power of the evil one ” ( 1 John 5:19 ) .
That refers , of course , to Satan .
John 12:31 and 16:11 call him “ the ruler of this world , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this world ’ s political systems ( cf .
Luke 4:6 ; Ephesians 2:2 ; 6:12 ) .
Jesus said of him , “ he is a liar and the father of lies ” ( John 8:44 ) .
History is full of painful reminders that government power is easily and frequently abused for evil purposes .
Politicians may manipulate statistics and the media can cover up or camouflage inconvenient truths .
So a discerning church can not passively or automatically comply if the government orders a shutdown of congregational meetings—even if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and safety .
The church by definition is an assembly .
That is the literal meaning of the Greek word for “ church ” — ekklesia — the assembly of the called-out ones .
A non-assembling assembly is a contradiction in terms .
Christians are therefore commanded not to forsake the practice of meeting together ( Hebrews 10:25 ) —and no earthly state has a right to restrict , delimit , or forbid the assembling of believers .
We have always supported the underground church in nations where Christian congregational worship is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials restrict church attendance to a certain number , they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible for the saints to gather as the church .
When officials prohibit singing in worship services , they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible for the people of God to obey the commands of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 .
When officials mandate distancing , they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible to experience the close communion between believers that is commanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2 Corinthians 13:12 , and 1 Thessalonians 5:26 .
In all those spheres , we must submit to our Lord .
The Church Has Been Persecuted Throughout History Although we in America may be unaccustomed to government intrusion into the church of our Lord Jesus Christ , this is by no means the first time in church history that Christians have had to deal with government overreach or hostile rulers .
As a matter of fact , persecution of the church by government authorities has been the norm , not the exception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Scripture says , “ all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted ” ( 2 Timothy 3:12 ) .
Historically , the two main persecutors have always been secular government and false religion .
Most of Christianity ’ s martyrs have died because they refused to obey such authorities .
This is , after all , what Christ promised : “ If they persecuted Me , they will also persecute you ” ( John 15:20 ) .
In the last of the beatitudes , He said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you and persecute you , and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me .
Rejoice and be glad , for your reward in heaven is great ; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you ” ( Matthew 5:11–12 ) .
As government policy moves further away from biblical principles , and as legal and political pressures against the church intensify , we must recognize that the Lord may be using these pressures as means of purging to reveal the true church .
Succumbing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain closed indefinitely .
How can the true church of Jesus Christ distinguish herself in such a hostile climate ?
There is only one way : bold allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ .
Even where governments seem sympathetic to the church , Christian leaders have often needed to push back against aggressive state officials .
In Calvin ’ s Geneva , for example , church officials at times needed to fend off attempts by the city council to govern aspects of worship , church polity , and church discipline .
The Church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precisely because the British Crown and Parliament have always meddled in church affairs .
In 1662 , the Puritans were ejected from their pulpits because they refused to bow to government mandates regarding use of the Book of Common Prayer , the wearing of vestments , and other ceremonial aspects of state-regulated worship .
The British Monarch still claims to be the supreme governor and titular head of the Anglican Church .
We Will Not Bow But again : Christ is the one true head of His church , and we intend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings .
For that preeminent reason , we can not accept and will not bow to the intrusive restrictions government officials now want to impose on our congregation .
We offer this response without rancor , and not out of hearts that are combative or rebellious ( 1 Timothy 2:1–8 ; 1 Peter 2:13–17 ) , but with a sobering awareness that we must answer to the Lord Jesus for the stewardship He has given to us as shepherds of His precious flock .
To government officials , we respectfully say with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God , you be the judge ” ( Acts 4:19 ) .
And our unhesitating reply to that question is the same as the apostles ’ : “ We must obey God rather than men ” ( Acts 5:29 ) .
Our prayer is that every faithful congregation will stand with us in obedience to our Lord as Christians have done through the centuries .
Click here to add your signature to the statement .
John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , California , as well as an author , conference speaker , chancellor of The Master ’ s University and Seminary , and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry .

Editor’s Note: This statement was written and unanimously approved by Pastor John MacArthur and the 45 Elders of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA. It was first published on their website on July 24 in response to California’s ludicrous and discriminatory restrictions on public worship. We are honored to republish it here with their permission, and we encourage all faithful Christians to read it and to heed its message.
Christ is Lord of all. He is the one true head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). He is also King of kings — sovereign over every earthly authority (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). Grace Community Church has always stood immovably on those biblical principles. As His people, we are subject to His will and commands as revealed in Scripture. Therefore we cannot and will not acquiesce to a government-imposed moratorium on our weekly congregational worship or other regular corporate gatherings. Compliance would be disobedience to our Lord’s clear commands.
Some will think such a firm statement is inexorably in conflict with the command to be subject to governing authorities laid out in Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. Scripture does mandate careful, conscientious obedience to all governing authority, including kings, governors, employers, and their agents (in Peter’s words, “not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable” [1 Peter 2:18]). Insofar as government authorities do not attempt to assert ecclesiastical authority or issue orders that forbid our obedience to God’s law, their authority is to be obeyed whether we agree with their rulings or not. In other words, Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 still bind the consciences of individual Christians. We are to obey our civil authorities as powers that God Himself has ordained.
As His people, we are subject to His will and commands as revealed in Scripture.
However, while civil government is invested with divine authority to rule the state, neither of those texts (nor any other) grants civic rulers jurisdiction over the church. God has established three institutions within human society: the family, the state, and the church. Each institution has a sphere of authority with jurisdictional limits that must be respected. A father’s authority is limited to his own family. Church leaders’ authority (which is delegated to them by Christ) is limited to church matters. And government is specifically tasked with the oversight and protection of civic peace and well-being within the boundaries of a nation or community. God has not granted civic rulers authority over the doctrine, practice, or polity of the church. The biblical framework limits the authority of each institution to its specific jurisdiction. The church does not have the right to meddle in the affairs of individual families and ignore parental authority. Parents do not have authority to manage civil matters while circumventing government officials. And similarly, government officials have no right to interfere in ecclesiastical matters in a way that undermines or disregards the God-given authority of pastors and elders.
When any one of the three institutions exceeds the bounds of its jurisdiction it is the duty of the other institutions to curtail that overreach. Therefore, when any government official issues orders regulating worship (such as bans on singing, caps on attendance, or prohibitions against gatherings and services), he steps outside the legitimate bounds of his God-ordained authority as a civic official and arrogates to himself authority that God expressly grants only to the Lord Jesus Christ as sovereign over His Kingdom, which is the church. His rule is mediated to local churches through those pastors and elders who teach His Word (Matthew 16:18–19; 2 Timothy 3:16–4:2).
Caesar is Subject to God
Therefore, in response to the recent state order requiring churches in California to limit or suspend all meetings indefinitely, we, the pastors and elders of Grace Community Church, respectfully inform our civic leaders that they have exceeded their legitimate jurisdiction, and faithfulness to Christ prohibits us from observing the restrictions they want to impose on our corporate worship services.
Said another way, it has never been the prerogative of civil government to order, modify, forbid, or mandate worship. When, how, and how often the church worships is not subject to Caesar. Caesar himself is subject to God. Jesus affirmed that principle when He told Pilate, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11). And because Christ is head of the church, ecclesiastical matters pertain to His Kingdom, not Caesar’s. Jesus drew a stark distinction between those two kingdoms when He said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). Our Lord Himself always rendered to Caesar what was Caesar’s, but He never offered to Caesar what belongs solely to God.
And because Christ is head of the church, ecclesiastical matters pertain to His Kingdom, not Caesar’s.
As pastors and elders, we cannot hand over to earthly authorities any privilege or power that belongs solely to Christ as head of His church. Pastors and elders are the ones to whom Christ has given the duty and the right to exercise His spiritual authority in the church (1 Peter 5:1–4; Hebrews 13:7, 17)—and Scripture alone defines how and whom they are to serve (1 Corinthians 4:1–4). They have no duty to follow orders from a civil government attempting to regulate the worship or governance of the church. In fact, pastors who cede their Christ-delegated authority in the church to a civil ruler have abdicated their responsibility before their Lord and violated the God-ordained spheres of authority as much as the secular official who illegitimately imposes his authority upon the church. Our church’s doctrinal statement has included this paragraph for more than 40 years:
We teach the autonomy of the local church, free from any external authority or control, with the right of self-government and freedom from the interference of any hierarchy of individuals or organizations (Titus 1:5). We teach that it is scriptural for true churches to cooperate with each other for the presentation and propagation of the faith. Each local church, however, through its elders and their interpretation and application of Scripture, should be the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. The elders should determine all other matters of membership, policy, discipline, benevolence, and government as well (Acts 15:19–31; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4–7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1–4).
In short, as the church, we do not need the state’s permission to serve and worship our Lord as He has commanded. The church is Christ’s precious bride (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23–27). She belongs to Him alone. She exists by His will and serves under His authority. He will tolerate no assault on her purity and no infringement of His headship over her. All of that was established when Jesus said, “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18).
Christ is Head of the Church
Christ’s own authority is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And [God the Father has] put all things in subjection under [Christ’s] feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:21–23).
Accordingly, the honor that we rightly owe our earthly governors and magistrates (Romans 13:7) does not include compliance when such officials attempt to subvert sound doctrine, corrupt biblical morality, exercise ecclesiastical authority, or supplant Christ as head of the church in any other way.
The biblical order is clear: Christ is Lord over Caesar, not vice versa. Christ, not Caesar, is head of the church. Conversely, the church does not in any sense rule the state. Again, these are distinct kingdoms, and Christ is sovereign over both. Neither church nor state has any higher authority than that of Christ Himself, who declared, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Notice that we are not making a constitutional argument, even though the First Amendment of the United States Constitution expressly affirms this principle in its opening words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The right we are appealing to was not created by the Constitution. It is one of those unalienable rights granted solely by God, who ordained human government and establishes both the extent and the limitations of the state’s authority (Romans 13:1–7). Our argument therefore is purposely not grounded in the First Amendment; it is based on the same biblical principles that the Amendment itself is founded upon. The exercise of true religion is a divine duty given to men and women created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27; Acts 4:18–20; 5:29; cf. Matthew 22:16–22). In other words, freedom of worship is a command of God, not a privilege granted by the state.
Christ is Faithful and True
An additional point needs to be made in this context. Christ is always faithful and true (Revelation 19:11). Human governments are not so trustworthy. Scripture says, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). That refers, of course, to Satan. John 12:31 and 16:11 call him “the ruler of this world,” meaning he wields power and influence through this world’s political systems (cf. Luke 4:6; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12). Jesus said of him, “he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). History is full of painful reminders that government power is easily and frequently abused for evil purposes. Politicians may manipulate statistics and the media can cover up or camouflage inconvenient truths. So a discerning church cannot passively or automatically comply if the government orders a shutdown of congregational meetings—even if the reason given is a concern for public health and safety.
The church by definition is an assembly. That is the literal meaning of the Greek word for “church” — ekklesia — the assembly of the called-out ones. A non-assembling assembly is a contradiction in terms. Christians are therefore commanded not to forsake the practice of meeting together (Hebrews 10:25)—and no earthly state has a right to restrict, delimit, or forbid the assembling of believers. We have always supported the underground church in nations where Christian congregational worship is deemed illegal by the state.
When officials restrict church attendance to a certain number, they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible for the saints to gather as the church. When officials prohibit singing in worship services, they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible for the people of God to obey the commands of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. When officials mandate distancing, they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible to experience the close communion between believers that is commanded in Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, and 1 Thessalonians 5:26. In all those spheres, we must submit to our Lord.
The Church Has Been Persecuted Throughout History
Although we in America may be unaccustomed to government intrusion into the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is by no means the first time in church history that Christians have had to deal with government overreach or hostile rulers. As a matter of fact, persecution of the church by government authorities has been the norm, not the exception, throughout church history. “Indeed,” Scripture says, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Historically, the two main persecutors have always been secular government and false religion. Most of Christianity’s martyrs have died because they refused to obey such authorities. This is, after all, what Christ promised: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). In the last of the beatitudes, He said, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12).
As government policy moves further away from biblical principles, and as legal and political pressures against the church intensify, we must recognize that the Lord may be using these pressures as means of purging to reveal the true church. Succumbing to governmental overreach may cause churches to remain closed indefinitely. How can the true church of Jesus Christ distinguish herself in such a hostile climate? There is only one way: bold allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even where governments seem sympathetic to the church, Christian leaders have often needed to push back against aggressive state officials. In Calvin’s Geneva, for example, church officials at times needed to fend off attempts by the city council to govern aspects of worship, church polity, and church discipline. The Church of England has never fully reformed, precisely because the British Crown and Parliament have always meddled in church affairs. In 1662, the Puritans were ejected from their pulpits because they refused to bow to government mandates regarding use of the Book of Common Prayer, the wearing of vestments, and other ceremonial aspects of state-regulated worship. The British Monarch still claims to be the supreme governor and titular head of the Anglican Church.
We Will Not Bow
But again: Christ is the one true head of His church, and we intend to honor that vital truth in all our gatherings. For that preeminent reason, we cannot accept and will not bow to the intrusive restrictions government officials now want to impose on our congregation. We offer this response without rancor, and not out of hearts that are combative or rebellious (1 Timothy 2:1–8; 1 Peter 2:13–17), but with a sobering awareness that we must answer to the Lord Jesus for the stewardship He has given to us as shepherds of His precious flock.
To government officials, we respectfully say with the apostles, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge” (Acts 4:19). And our unhesitating reply to that question is the same as the apostles’: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
Our prayer is that every faithful congregation will stand with us in obedience to our Lord as Christians have done through the centuries.
Click here to add your signature to the statement.
John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, chancellor of The Master’s University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry.


thestream--2020-08-08--50 Questions for Christians #23: ‘What About All the Other Gods?’

Part of an extended series of answers to Guy P. Harrison ’ s book 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian .
Read the series intro here .
So here ’ s the problem with Christians , at least according to Guy P. Harrison .
This one ’ s big : millions or who-knows-how-many big !
Our problem is that we ’ ve decided to believe in one God when we haven ’ t investigated all the other gods .
It ’ s both a moral and an ethical problem .
How ignorant of us !
How arrogant !
And there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gods of the animists , inhabiting the wind and the trees and the rocks and the seas .
There are the hundreds of millions of Hindu gods .
There ’ s Ramses , Alexander the Great , and Julius Caesar — they were gods , too , you know !
And Christians pick just one .
Worse yet , we ’ re “ polytheists ” ourselves : “ Most Christians think and speak of multiple gods , ” he writes .
“ Jesus did not flood the world , in the minds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not suffer on the cross.
” Funny thing about it : He dismisses Christian thinking as “ intellectually indefensible , ” “ arrogance ” and “ ethnocentric.
” “ Believing inside a protective bubble may feel good , ” he says , “ but it ’ s not worthy of anyone who values integrity and reason.
” Few Christians have ever “ paused and [ given ] the matter some thought.
” That ’ s how he views Christians , yet he also faults us for thinking other religions ’ followers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idiots ” or “ morons.
” It ’ s wrong if we do think that way about some people , but it ’ s not wrong if he does it .
Convenient , no ?
Yet he himself calls it “ convenient ” that we pass by the question of whether other gods might in fact exist .
So let ’ s take this one step at a time .
First , the polytheism charge .
Do Christians believe in three Gods ?
No .
We believe in one God in three Persons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carelessly about the relation of the three Persons , Christianity itself has this thoroughly worked out .
The Church spent centuries doing so , using the best tools of theology and Greek philosophy .
This is such basic history , it ’ s intellectually irresponsible to write a book about Christianity without taking it into account .
Second , how do we know other gods don ’ t exist ?
That depends on what the word refers to .
If a god is any powerful preternatural being , then other gods do exist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hardly the question Harrison has in mind .
( If it is , it ’ s a trivial one , which wouldn ’ t surprise me ) .
Here ’ s the question that matters : Are Christians correct to believe there is no other “ god ” that can compete for our allegiance with the God we follow ?
And is it safe for us to believe it without first investigating the other possible gods ?
The answer is easy .
I ’ m stunned that Harrison doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He views himself as something of an expert in world religions , but he missed the simple answer .
If our God is God at all , then He is the only God ; no other could possibly exist .
And if Jesus is a Savior at all , then He is the only possible Savior ; no other way is even possible .
Only One Sacrifice for Sins Christians believe Jesus died on the Cross for our sins .
If that ’ s true , and if His sacrifice provides the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only way to God .
If there ’ s another option , that makes the Cross itself optional .
If the Cross is optional , then Jesus didn ’ t have to suffer the brutal humiliation and torture of His trial and death for us .
But if He didn ’ t have to , why did He ?
Why would He suffer so ?
Why would God the Father watch in approval ?
Why would the Holy Spirit have led Him to the Cross ?
None of it would have happened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political , Economic and Moral Issues of Our Day .
The Cross is good because it ’ s the means by which God reconciled us to Him in love .
Jesus endured it for the joy set before Him ( Hebrews 12:1,2 ) , meaning , our restored relationship with God .
So it was good — very , very good .
If there were any other option , though , it would have been wrong .
The Cross would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other way in any other human religion , surely God would have let us all come to Him that way instead .
The Cross is good , absolutely !
But it ’ s only good because it ’ s the only good .
It ’ s only a way of salvation because it ’ s the only way of salvation .
Besides that , Jesus Himself is strong evidence that there is but one God .
In Too Good to be False I go into great depth exploring His magnificent uniqueness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Jesus is the only Savior who offers a way to God by grace rather than by our feeble efforts .
• He is the only Savior who loves us infinitely so that we may love Him and others .
• He is the only Savior who gives us more than mere philosophies .
Jesus gives us Himself !
• He is the only Savior who died for our sins .
• He is the only Savior who rose from the dead .
Finally , if our God is God , then He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tells us , “ I am God , and there is no other.
” If He speaks truly , that ’ s our answer , and our God does not lie .
Not satisfied with that ?
There are significant philosophical reasons , too , to be sure there ’ s only one God .
Here ’ s one of them , stated informally .
If there were another self-existent , eternal , uncreated being equal to the God of Christianity , that other being would have to exist in some kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The two would have to inhabit some kind of multiple-god-space created by neither of them .
That god-space would in turn require another being greater than either of them ( in some senses , at least ) to create and/or to manage it .
Neither of the two could be ultimate in any sense of the word ; neither could be God in the way Christians conceive of God .
If that seemed confusing , be of good cheer : It ’ s actually just confusion , incoherence , and logically impossible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He is the only Ultimate .
He can not share that status with anything or anyone .
How do we know all this is true ?
That ’ s a fair question , but it ’ s not the one we ’ re dealing with today .
The point for now is , if it ’ s true , it ’ s sufficient : Our God is the one God , and we know it safely and securely without having to eliminate even one other “ God , ” much less millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious , doesn ’ t it ?
I still think it ’ s strange that Harrison showed no evidence of even thinking about it this way .
It ’ s even stranger — or “ convenient , ” maybe — that He would think we were mindless , “ intellectually irresponsible ” idiots for it .
Tom Gilson ( @ TomGilsonAuthor ) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books , including the recently released Too Good To Be False : How Jesus ’ Incomparable Character @ @ @ @

Part of an extended series of answers to Guy P. Harrison’s book 50 Simple Questions for Every Christian. Read the series intro here.
So here’s the problem with Christians, at least according to Guy P. Harrison. This one’s big: millions or who-knows-how-many big! Our problem is that we’ve decided to believe in one God when we haven’t investigated all the other gods. It’s both a moral and an ethical problem. How ignorant of us! How arrogant!
And there are many to investigate. There are the gods of the animists, inhabiting the wind and the trees and the rocks and the seas. There are the hundreds of millions of Hindu gods. There’s Ramses, Alexander the Great, and Julius Caesar — they were gods, too, you know! And Christians pick just one.
Dismissive View of Christians
Worse yet, we’re “polytheists” ourselves: “Most Christians think and speak of multiple gods,” he writes. “Jesus did not flood the world, in the minds of most Christians. God the Father did not suffer on the cross.”
Funny thing about it: He dismisses Christian thinking as “intellectually indefensible,” “arrogance” and “ethnocentric.” “Believing inside a protective bubble may feel good,” he says, “but it’s not worthy of anyone who values integrity and reason.” Few Christians have ever “paused and [given] the matter some thought.”
That’s how he views Christians, yet he also faults us for thinking other religions’ followers are “insane or stupid,” “idiots” or “morons.” It’s wrong if we do think that way about some people, but it’s not wrong if he does it. Convenient, no? Yet he himself calls it “convenient” that we pass by the question of whether other gods might in fact exist.
Polytheism? No.
So let’s take this one step at a time. First, the polytheism charge. Do Christians believe in three Gods? No. We believe in one God in three Persons. While some believers think or speak carelessly about the relation of the three Persons, Christianity itself has this thoroughly worked out. The Church spent centuries doing so, using the best tools of theology and Greek philosophy. This is such basic history, it’s intellectually irresponsible to write a book about Christianity without taking it into account.
Second, how do we know other gods don’t exist? That depends on what the word refers to. If a god is any powerful preternatural being, then other gods do exist: angels and demons. But that’s hardly the question Harrison has in mind. (If it is, it’s a trivial one, which wouldn’t surprise me).
If He speaks truly, that’s our answer, and our God does not lie.
Here’s the question that matters: Are Christians correct to believe there is no other “god” that can compete for our allegiance with the God we follow? And is it safe for us to believe it without first investigating the other possible gods?
The answer is easy. I’m stunned that Harrison doesn’t seem to have thought of it. He views himself as something of an expert in world religions, but he missed the simple answer. If our God is God at all, then He is the only God; no other could possibly exist. And if Jesus is a Savior at all, then He is the only possible Savior; no other way is even possible.
Let’s start with Jesus.
Only One Sacrifice for Sins
Christians believe Jesus died on the Cross for our sins. If that’s true, and if His sacrifice provides the way to God, then necessarily it provides the only way to God. If there’s another option, that makes the Cross itself optional. If the Cross is optional, then Jesus didn’t have to suffer the brutal humiliation and torture of His trial and death for us.
But if He didn’t have to, why did He? Why would He suffer so? Why would God the Father watch in approval? Why would the Holy Spirit have led Him to the Cross? None of it would have happened — unless it had to happen.
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The Cross is good because it’s the means by which God reconciled us to Him in love. Jesus endured it for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:1,2), meaning, our restored relationship with God. So it was good — very, very good.
If there were any other option, though, it would have been wrong. The Cross would have been pointless brutality. If there were any other way in any other human religion, surely God would have let us all come to Him that way instead.
The Cross is good, absolutely! But it’s only good because it’s the only good. It’s only a way of salvation because it’s the only way of salvation.
Only One Savior
Besides that, Jesus Himself is strong evidence that there is but one God. In Too Good to be False I go into great depth exploring His magnificent uniqueness. I’ll summarize quickly here:
Jesus is the only Savior who offers a way to God by grace rather than by our feeble efforts.
He is the only Savior who loves us infinitely so that we may love Him and others.
He is the only Savior who gives us more than mere philosophies. Jesus gives us Himself!
He is the only Savior who died for our sins.
He is the only Savior who rose from the dead.
Only One God
Finally, if our God is God, then He is the only God. He Himself tells us, “I am God, and there is no other.” If He speaks truly, that’s our answer, and our God does not lie.
Not satisfied with that? There are significant philosophical reasons, too, to be sure there’s only one God. Here’s one of them, stated informally.
If there were another self-existent, eternal, uncreated being equal to the God of Christianity, that other being would have to exist in some kind of relation to the God we follow. The two would have to inhabit some kind of multiple-god-space created by neither of them. That god-space would in turn require another being greater than either of them (in some senses, at least) to create and/or to manage it. Neither of the two could be ultimate in any sense of the word; neither could be God in the way Christians conceive of God.
If that seemed confusing, be of good cheer: It’s actually just confusion, incoherence, and logically impossible. If our God is ultimate, then He is the only Ultimate. He cannot share that status with anything or anyone.
A Sufficient Answer
How do we know all this is true? That’s a fair question, but it’s not the one we’re dealing with today. The point for now is, if it’s true, it’s sufficient: Our God is the one God, and we know it safely and securely without having to eliminate even one other “God,” much less millions of gods.
And it all seems so obvious, doesn’t it? I still think it’s strange that Harrison showed no evidence of even thinking about it this way. It’s even stranger — or “convenient,” maybe — that He would think we were mindless, “intellectually irresponsible” idiots for it.
Tom Gilson (@TomGilsonAuthor) is a senior editor with The Stream and the author or editor of six books, including the recently released Too Good To Be False: How Jesus’ Incomparable Character Reveals His Reality.


thestream--2020-08-09--Media Calls Biden a ‘Devout Catholic,” But Does He Hold to Teachings of the Church?

• Staff at CNN and other outlets called Joe Biden a “ devout Catholic ” Thursday after President Donald Trump said the former vice president would “ hurt the Bible , hurt God.
” • Biden has frequently spoken about his Catholic faith as “ the bedrock foundation ” of his life .
He has been spotted holding rosary beads and has referenced the solace his faith has given him .
• Biden publicly supports abortion and same-sex marriage , positions contrary to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church , and has promised to reinstate Obama-era policies requiring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay for employees ’ birth control .
CNN and reporters called 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden a “ devout Catholic ” Thursday after President Donald Trump said the former vice president would “ hurt the Bible , hurt God.
” Biden has frequently referenced his Catholic faith throughout his political career , describing his faith as “ the bedrock foundation ” of his life .
The former vice president also supports policies that are explicitly opposed to Catholic teaching , such as abortion and same-sex marriage .
During a rant Thursday , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He wants to take away your guns , destroy your Second Amendment .
No religion , no anything , ” Trump said Thursday .
“ Hurt the Bible , hurt God .
He ’ s against God .
He ’ s against guns .
He ’ s against energy , our kind of energy.
” Biden Says His Faith Brought Him “ Comfort in Moments of Loss ” Biden responded to Trump ’ s remarks in a statement saying that his faith has provided him “ comfort in moments of loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grounded and humbled in times of triumph and joy.
” “ And in this moment of darkness for our country — of pain , of division , and of sickness for so many Americans — my faith has been a guiding light for me and a constant reminder of the fundamental dignity and humanity that God has bestowed upon all of us , ” he added .
Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates also said that Biden ’ s faith is at “ the core of who he is , ” noting in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only president in our history to have tear-gassed peaceful Americans and thrown a priest out of her church just so he could profane it — and a Bible — for his own cynical optics as he sought to tear our nation apart at a moment of crisis and pain.
” Journalists and media figures responded to Trump ’ s allegations on Twitter by calling Biden a “ devout Catholic.
” “ Trump claims Joe Biden , a devout Catholic , wants to ‘ hurt God , ’ ” CNN ’ s “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s comments .
“ Biden is a practicing Roman Catholic , ” adds CNN ’ s Pamela Brown during the CNN segment .
“ Biden is a devout Catholic who has quoted Scripture on the campaign trail , ” tweeted Politico ’ s Quint Forgey .
Los Angeles Times opinion writer Virginia Heffernan called Trump ’ s comments a “ sicko travesty , ” emphasizing that “ Biden is a lifelong practicing and devout Catholic and , if elected , would be only the second Catholic president.
” CNN fact checker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will ‘ hurt the Bible , hurt God , ’ Trump says in Ohio of his practicing Catholic opponent.
” Biden has frequently interacted with Pope Francis , the head of the Roman Catholic Church , as The Washington Post noted Friday .
He was the first Catholic to become vice president , the publication reports , and was reportedly spotted holding rosary beads during the 2011 raid on Osama Bin Laden .
“ My religion is just an enormous sense of solace , ” Biden said in 2015 , discussing the tragic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 1972 car accident as well as the death of his son Beau Biden , who died of cancer in 2015 .
“ What my faith has done is it sort of takes everything about my life with my parents and my siblings and all the comforting things and all the good things that have happened , have happened around the culture of my religion and the theology of my religion , and I don ’ t know how to explain it more than that , ” Biden added .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Catholic Holy Days of Obligation .
“ I made 9 o ’ clock , ” he said in 2008 of going to mass on All Saints Day , a holy day in the Catholic Church .
“ My mom is 91 years old .
I ’ ll call my mom sometime today and the first thing she ’ ll ask is ‘ Joe , did you go to Mass ?
’ ” Despite Biden ’ s frequent references to his faith , the former vice president has drawn criticism for supporting and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explicitly opposes .
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has warned that Catholics in politics “ have an obligation in conscience to work toward correcting morally defective laws , lest they be guilty of cooperating in evil and in sinning against the common good.
” Earlier in his career , Biden frequently referenced his faith as a reason for his pro-life votes in the Senate .
“ I ’ m probably a victim , or a product , however you want to phrase it , of my background , ” Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a pro-life amendment .
The Catholic Church teaches that abortion is “ a crime against human life , ” “ constitutes a grave offense ” and that a person who obtains an abortion is automatically excommunicated from the Catholic Church .
Biden has since changed his abortion stances and today champions almost unlimited abortion access as a presidential candidate , prompting a priest to deny Holy Communion to Biden during mass at a Catholic church in South Carolina in October 2019 .
“ Sadly , this past Sunday , I had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden , ” Father Robert E. More told the Morning News .
“ Holy Communion signifies we are one with God , each other and the Church .
Our actions should reflect that .
Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching.
” The former Vice President later refused to discuss the incident , telling MSNBC ’ s Andrea Mitchell : “ I ’ m not going to discuss that , that ’ s my personal life and I ’ m not going to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Agency reported in October 2019 that the Diocese of Charleston , South Carolina , has a policy requiring priests to refuse to give pro-abortion politicians communion .
“ Catholic public officials who consistently support abortion on demand are cooperating with evil in a public manner , ” says the 2004 decree , signed by the bishops of Atlanta , Charleston , and Charlotte .
“ By supporting pro-abortion legislation they participate in manifest grave sin , a condition which excludes them from admission to Holy Communion as long as they persist in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Catholics serving in public life espousing positions contrary to the teaching of the Church on the sanctity and inviolability of human life , especially those running for or elected to public office , are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in any Catholic church within our jurisdictions , ” the decree adds .
Biden has also promised that as president , he will reinstate Obama-era policies requiring the Little Sisters of the Poor to give employees access to birth control — though this violates the Catholic religious beliefs of the sisters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court ruled July 8 that the Catholic nuns are exempt from Obama ’ s contraceptive mandate .
The former vice president also advocates for same-sex marriage , though the Catholic Church teaches that marriage should be between a man and a woman .

Staff at CNN and other outlets called Joe Biden a “devout Catholic” Thursday after President Donald Trump said the former vice president would “hurt the Bible, hurt God.”
Biden has frequently spoken about his Catholic faith as “the bedrock foundation” of his life. He has been spotted holding rosary beads and has referenced the solace his faith has given him.
Biden publicly supports abortion and same-sex marriage, positions contrary to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, and has promised to reinstate Obama-era policies requiring the Catholic Little Sisters of the Poor to pay for employees’ birth control.
CNN and reporters called 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden a “devout Catholic” Thursday after President Donald Trump said the former vice president would “hurt the Bible, hurt God.”
Biden has frequently referenced his Catholic faith throughout his political career, describing his faith as “the bedrock foundation” of his life. The former vice president also supports policies that are explicitly opposed to Catholic teaching, such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
During a rant Thursday, Trump described a potential Biden presidency as anti-religion.
“He wants to take away your guns, destroy your Second Amendment. No religion, no anything,” Trump said Thursday. “Hurt the Bible, hurt God. He’s against God. He’s against guns. He’s against energy, our kind of energy.”
Biden Says His Faith Brought Him “Comfort in Moments of Loss”
Biden responded to Trump’s remarks in a statement saying that his faith has provided him “comfort in moments of loss and tragedy” and kept him “grounded and humbled in times of triumph and joy.”
“And in this moment of darkness for our country — of pain, of division, and of sickness for so many Americans — my faith has been a guiding light for me and a constant reminder of the fundamental dignity and humanity that God has bestowed upon all of us,” he added.
Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates also said that Biden’s faith is at “the core of who he is,” noting in a statement: “Donald Trump is the only president in our history to have tear-gassed peaceful Americans and thrown a priest out of her church just so he could profane it — and a Bible — for his own cynical optics as he sought to tear our nation apart at a moment of crisis and pain.”
Journalists and media figures responded to Trump’s allegations on Twitter by calling Biden a “devout Catholic.”
Joe Biden is a devout catholic and regularly attends Sunday service. The last time Trump went to church, he gassed peaceful Americans. — The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) August 7, 2020
“Trump claims Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, wants to ‘hurt God,’” CNN’s “The Lead” tweeted with a clip of Trump’s comments.
“Biden is a practicing Roman Catholic,” adds CNN’s Pamela Brown during the CNN segment.
Trump claims Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, wants to ‘hurt God’ @JDiamond1 reports @PamelaBrownCNN pic.twitter.com/aMBTSaLmrR — The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) August 6, 2020
“Biden is a devout Catholic who has quoted Scripture on the campaign trail,” tweeted Politico’s Quint Forgey.
Los Angeles Times opinion writer Virginia Heffernan called Trump’s comments a “sicko travesty,” emphasizing that “Biden is a lifelong practicing and devout Catholic and, if elected, would be only the second Catholic president.”
“Even Trump’s evangelical supporters consider Trump irreligious,” she added.
CNN fact checker Daniel Dale tweeted: “Joe Biden will ‘hurt the Bible, hurt God,’ Trump says in Ohio of his practicing Catholic opponent.”
Joe Biden will “hurt the Bible, hurt God,” Trump says in Ohio of his practicing Catholic opponent. “He’s against God.” — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 6, 2020
Biden has frequently interacted with Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, as The Washington Post noted Friday. He was the first Catholic to become vice president, the publication reports, and was reportedly spotted holding rosary beads during the 2011 raid on Osama Bin Laden.
“My religion is just an enormous sense of solace,” Biden said in 2015, discussing the tragic deaths of his wife and daughter in a 1972 car accident as well as the death of his son Beau Biden, who died of cancer in 2015.
“What my faith has done is it sort of takes everything about my life with my parents and my siblings and all the comforting things and all the good things that have happened, have happened around the culture of my religion and the theology of my religion, and I don’t know how to explain it more than that,” Biden added.
He’s also discussed going to mass on Sunday and Catholic Holy Days of Obligation. “I made 9 o’clock,” he said in 2008 of going to mass on All Saints Day, a holy day in the Catholic Church. “My mom is 91 years old. I’ll call my mom sometime today and the first thing she’ll ask is ‘Joe, did you go to Mass?’”
His Policies Directly Contradict Church Teaching
Despite Biden’s frequent references to his faith, the former vice president has drawn criticism for supporting and advocating for policies which the Catholic Church explicitly opposes.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has warned that Catholics in politics “have an obligation in conscience to work toward correcting morally defective laws, lest they be guilty of cooperating in evil and in sinning against the common good.”
Earlier in his career, Biden frequently referenced his faith as a reason for his pro-life votes in the Senate.
“I’m probably a victim, or a product, however you want to phrase it, of my background,” Biden said in 1982 of his decision to vote for a pro-life amendment.
The Catholic Church teaches that abortion is “a crime against human life,” “constitutes a grave offense” and that a person who obtains an abortion is automatically excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
Biden has since changed his abortion stances and today champions almost unlimited abortion access as a presidential candidate, prompting a priest to deny Holy Communion to Biden during mass at a Catholic church in South Carolina in October 2019.
“Sadly, this past Sunday, I had to refuse Holy Communion to former Vice President Joe Biden,” Father Robert E. More told the Morning News. “Holy Communion signifies we are one with God, each other and the Church. Our actions should reflect that. Any public figure who advocates for abortion places himself or herself outside of Church teaching.”
The former Vice President later refused to discuss the incident, telling MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell: “I’m not going to discuss that, that’s my personal life and I’m not going to get into that at all.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden was denied communion Sunday at a Catholic church in South Carolina over his support for abortion rights. https://t.co/eCT1jTFz1P — CNN (@CNN) October 29, 2019
The Catholic News Agency reported in October 2019 that the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina, has a policy requiring priests to refuse to give pro-abortion politicians communion.
“Catholic public officials who consistently support abortion on demand are cooperating with evil in a public manner,” says the 2004 decree, signed by the bishops of Atlanta, Charleston, and Charlotte. “By supporting pro-abortion legislation they participate in manifest grave sin, a condition which excludes them from admission to Holy Communion as long as they persist in the pro-abortion stance.”
“We declare that Catholics serving in public life espousing positions contrary to the teaching of the Church on the sanctity and inviolability of human life, especially those running for or elected to public office, are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in any Catholic church within our jurisdictions,” the decree adds.
Biden has also promised that as president, he will reinstate Obama-era policies requiring the Little Sisters of the Poor to give employees access to birth control — though this violates the Catholic religious beliefs of the sisters, and despite the fact that the Supreme Court ruled July 8 that the Catholic nuns are exempt from Obama’s contraceptive mandate.
The former vice president also advocates for same-sex marriage, though the Catholic Church teaches that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
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