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An article by Rev. Andy Foster, Penticton Free Presbyterian Church

The Covid-19 crisis that has shaken the world for many months now has had a profound impact on the life of the Church of Christ. Christians have wrestled particularly with the restrictions that government authorities at various levels in society have placed upon their public assemblies for worship.

The interface between political and spiritual affairs is particularly controversial. However, the child of God must learn to distinguish between a Biblical, spiritual response and a political reaction to these things. The Christian will find that there are legislative issues they can oppose from a political perspective but must submit to for spiritual reasons. It is easy to confuse these two reactions. I fear that many have adopted a political position with regard to the government’s public health orders but have presented it as being a spiritual response. I am concerned that many Christians who defy their government’s health orders do so out of a carnal rebellious spirit that simply indicates they resent being told what to do. Read more…

“When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. . . . . . And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha . . . . Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand,” John 19:13, 17, 41-42.

When I read this chapter a few days ago, I was carried back to my first year as a Christian. I sat in old Ravenhill Free Presbyterian Church in a meeting at which the late Pastor Willie Mullan was preaching. He took us to this chapter and dealt with its contents in a most innovative and thrilling manner. I have never forgotten the gist of what he said.

It came back to me as I read the chapter and I happily put down these thoughts, which doubtlessly owe a lot to what I heard back then, some 57 years ago! Read more…