Meaning that Pastor MacArthur - as well as Christians in North Korea etc. if he is correct - can only support freedom of speech and assembly under a theocracy he agrees with, and since he cannot support the allowance of preaching error then this would not simply mean that the likes of JW's be forbidden to preach, but anyone else who he deems is preaching false doctrine. Thus under that gov. censoring all the Calvary Chapels, Assemblies of God, etc. would be required, versus an even playing field. That is where the logic leads and extends to stores and other venues.
Moreover, since the NT church is not constituted to use the sword of men to rule over the lost or enforce compliance with its doctrine, then Pastor MacArthur can only support support freedom of speech and assembly under a secular government that will only allow those who concur with him to preach, thus going back to Calvin's rule and the Puritans, and in principle concurring with the church of Rome which did the same.
We can be in the situation the NT church was (which is where we are headed), and which is what MacArthur actually offers as the alternative (while intending to"obtain appropriate constitutional and legal protections and further relief from the Court” to assemble). However, Pastor MacArthur's church has seen what can be done when we have a government that allows for freedom of speech and assembly (with its necessary limits) but as not requiring assent to theological beliefs, yet which state reflected overall Biblical morality in its laws, and was dependent upon the masses being overall greatly influenced by Biblical faith (thus being stable as controlled from within, not without).
And due to the mass declension from it we are now increasingly faced with a form of secular theocracy, requiring assent to its ever-morphing politically correct perversions of what God ordained and punishing dissent, thus resulting in the remnant contending for freedom of religion.What have we learned from Scripture and history?
Also while MacArthur correctly states “The Apostles turned the world upside down with no help from it. No social action. No alliances," they did not do so simply be preaching, but with many signs and wonders which MacArthur disallows as would his theocracy.
Meanwhile John MacArthur’s Shepherds’ Conference for men in church leadership, which was expected to draw some 3,000 attendees to the megachurch in Sun Valley, California, next month, has been postponed due to “ongoing litigation" and "threats" from the state....
“We will be deposing the key health officers and county officials and requiring them to answer for their oppressive actions under oath, and requesting all documents and information supporting their arbitrary attempts to restrict our religious liberty as a church. Our church leadership remains firmly committed to the truth that Christ is the head of the Church, and we will not yield to government's infringement upon the biblical command to worship and gather together,” the church continued. “We intend to steadfastly defend this truth and obtain appropriate constitutional and legal protections and further relief from the Court.” - https://www.christianpost.com/sponsored/are-you-woke-or-awake.html
ping
They arent fighting for the religious freedom of false religions
They fight for religious freedom in order to practice the one true religion.
The world has always had false religions.
While Christians participate in matters of civil governance, they in no way embrace it as a final arbiter of truth. There is no harm, or sin, in advocating that which is spelled out in the 1st Amendment. Yes, pluralism sucks, but God rules nevertheless, i.e. despite ourselves.
. . . says the guy that does not believe that the Blood of Christ is efficacious in the salvation of a soul.
Sounds like a nut.
I wonder what Martin Niemoeller would think of this attitude.
Because it's the truth.
The advantage that Christianity has over other religions is it has the actual living God behind it.
Boy, what a thread. Let the supernatural Kingdom of God show up in might, and I think that will solve a few things.
I don’t think his point is that he won’t fight either way and that it is irrelevant whether we have religious freedom or not in the law. If there is persecution Christians will still share the gospel and if there isn’t they will as well. We have freedom of religion in America right now in theory but you can still be discriminated against.
It seems more to be about political non-involvement than a blueprint for a theocracy IMHO.
He’s not quite getting the meaning of the word ‘freedom’ is he.
It’s not the freedom to practice Christianity.
Letting the government choose which religion you could follow would be bad
Hes right..
Pastor MacArthur’s perspective is that of God’s, as expressed in His Word, The Bible. Per Jesus, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, you are destined for hell, not heaven. Thus, the only “true” religion is more of a true relationship...a relationship with God through your relationship with His Son, Jesus. If you have not accepted Jesus as your savior, your “afterlife” on earth, which will be for eternity, is going to be hot and full of misery.
Never heard of him though I can understand why some may listen.
How big is his house and what does he drive?