The opening of churches and places of worship is in dispute in America and at the same time it is reported over 40 became sick in a single Baptist church service in Germany.
With very little observation we can notice faith leaders have been prominent among those that have died. There is a perception that the faithful think God is with them and will preserve them. If they indeed speak the true faith of the God of the Bible, if they daily and humbly seek the God of the Bible, they may well be protected, if it is God's will.
BUT let us understand risk and wisdom. The Bible is extensive in length, in depth and in places on the surface seems contradictory, so it requires thought and considerable consideration to understand. There is nothing of 'unthinking' faith in it: the Bible requires a thinking faith. A thinking faith, searches out every matter.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. (Proverbs 25:2)
Let us consider practically the risks, which have not been hidden. There was very early news that a South Korean church involved super spreading of the virus. Not a shopping centre, not a night club, but a Church. There was early information to not hug and not shake hands, both actions prominent in faith congregations. There was early information that face to face communication transmitted the virus, which resulted in the 'social distance' rule (1.5m, 6ft, 2m). All faith congregations talk face to face, pastors, rabbis and leaders foremost. Yet even knowing this, many faith leaders as evidenced by their deaths seem to have thought they had a force field of protection, or that God would control the virus' power for their good.
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. (Proverbs 14:15)
Then we have news now that singing and voice projection, even where all seem well, none coughing and sneezing, has led to sickness and death in choirs.
On 17 May The Guardian reported on four choirs. In the Netherlands:102 of 130 became sick including the conductor, one died. Washington state Skagit Valley Choral is reported to have infected 52 of 61 people, 2 died. A choir in Berlin was affected and one in Yorkshire. None reported touching each other. There are reports some ate there and stacked chairs. abc.net.au
All these choirs were singing religious songs, many in churches. Is it God's judgement?
Let us consider our Lord's thought.
Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:2-5)
We know there was no wall about all of these, yet some have been spared, and many may not have been too unwell. But it has ramifications for the wisdom of a leader gathering people to worship with speaking, reading and song. Also for the standard social behaviour afterwards, where in the foyers the people speak above each other, where it can be as noisy as any party.
For example, the UC Davis study suggested, “airborne infectious disease might spread more efficiently in a school cafeteria than a library, or in a noisy hospital waiting room than a quiet ward.”elemental.medium.com
For the servant of Christ, let us consider that the Temple in Jerusalem had songs, yet the servants of Christ were never asked to build cathedrals or sing. We are not asked to build any temples, but rather to consider our body part of a temple.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)
If we are not our own and if we consider others, what do we think? Let us go back to first principles.
The Servants of Christ were only asked to meet to eat bread and drink wine in remembrance.
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. (1 Cor. 11:23-26)
Nothing more was asked of the weekly meeting on the first day, except it be orderly (1 Cor 14:40). This act of remembrance was in small groups, as they were in houses. This Apostolic model is not affected by this virus or any virus. How small a group can this be? Not ten, but two or three!
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)
The gathering of two or three in households to remember the death and resurrection of the Lord was the Apostolic model. There likely was a short talk, as Paul's actions show (Acts 20:9), but it wasn't asked for. There was gathering at a house for prayer on occasion (Acts 12:12). This house meeting allowed the gospel to go forth to all the world, even where the true gospel was persecuted and where the state religion was against it. What regime can keep track of every family in their own home? But would those who meet in secret, in a house, sing loudly a song of faith? The last directive of the Lord to his disciples was,
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20)
Could the persecuted sing? Yes, if it was to themselves. Do we sing? Yes - but not perhaps together.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col 3:16)
James indicates that singing is personal, something we should do day by day, as well as pray.
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (James 5:13)
To gather to sing in great groups, is that to the Glory of God – or to the glory of the choir? To raise the rafters with a refrain- is that to the Glory of God or to make us feel fine?
A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; (Psalm 108:1-5)
If worship is not firstly about giving God glory from our hearts, from a life of praise, as Paul says, then it is the vanity of nothing, as soon as the sound departs.
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:2)
Many may assume that Christ is with them, with all power. BUT the real question we should ask is “Are we with Christ?” Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (John 15:14)
What did Christ do
when asked to presume he would be kept safe? He rebuked the
idea, saying, “It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy
God.: (Luke 4:12)
There is no doubt that all corona virus, even the common cold ones are transmitted in the same way. Faith communities do share sicknesses. Mostly this makes communities physically more resilient in the face of constant return of communicable diseases, the cold viruses and flu. But this Covid-19 virus is different. It was different from the first frantic reaction in Wuhan, and the reports of ongoing issues of those who recovered dropping dead in the streets. This virus calls for a re-thinking of what is important.
This virus asks Christians to return to the Apostolic traditions of simplicity, or else take a risk, a chance with the lives, the many of the one body of Christ (Romans 12:5). The people who worship in Spirit and Truth are to be the dwelling place of Deity. It is not about great gatherings in large buildings. Here we are in exile awaiting the Kingdom, and in exile, how can we sing?
How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. (Psalm 137:4-5)
Here we are reminded of our mortality. Now none can safely gather in any human made building, especially if they wish to sing. We are to wait for the new House of Prayer for all nations, we cannot build it yet. We seek it and trust.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. (Psalm 84:9-12)
Shall we sing in the future? Yes, even those born with no voice!
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. (Isaiah 35:5-6)
Even those of far-off sea faring nations shall sing...
Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. (Isaiah 42:10)
Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. (Isaiah 48:20)
Even the Chinese shall sing, at the time when the affliction of the curse on Adam passes away.
Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. (Isaiah 49:12-13)
