Do not be Calvinistic about Corona

Over the last few days I have read, heard, and been outright told that some church services will continue, with perhaps some modifications, and with the implication (and sometimes the explicit comment) that we "have to trust God."

I know that God is sovereign.

I know that God is in control.

I know that God, in the sense the Westminster divines meant it, ordains all that comes to pass.

I know that "God helps those who help themselves" is neither biblical or theologically sound. It is aphorism/platitude arising from America's making an idol of extreme human individualism.

But I also know that we are told, on high authority: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

Furthermore, as local municipalities are asking that there be no gatherings of more than (in our area) 50 people, I'll remind you that we are supposed to be in submission to our authorities.

Time to step on some toes: If you are facing this crisis with a "God is in control of every atom, molecule, ^[1] and virus, so business as usual" attitude and

• When in church in normal times a person comes up to you and says: "I'm not going to shake your hand, I have a cold" and you do not respond: "I don't care, come give me a big hug!" then you are a hypocrite. 

• If you practice birth control, then you are a hypocrite. 

Churches are considered at high-risk for the spread of corona. This is not surprising considering the intimacy of church services and the fact that not only are there large numbers of people in close confines speaking, they also are singing. ^[2]

We have to sacrifice the intimacy we love and crave until corona is contained. If you are holding service, you are putting your congregation at risk and, by extension everyone they come in contact with. You are acting irresponsibly. You are part of the problem, not the solution.

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^[1] Hopefully you are theologically savvy enough to distinguish the true microscopic view of God's Sovereignty: no molecule is outside of God's control (i.e., as Sproul put it: "No Maverick Molecules") with an incorrect, fatalistic (and in this case, dangerous) view that God actively controls the path of every subatomic particle. You must distinguish between what God could do from what, as presented in scripture, he chooses to do.

^[2] I once went to a live musical play at the university and had front-row seats. I soon realized my error. You constantly get spat upon by the performers. Singing projects saliva. Enough said.