“All cats die.
Socrates died.
Therefore Socrates was a cat”.
I don’t quite get what the author is trying to say but I’ll trust MacArthur any day.
When Christianity is repressed, it is usually to promote a false religion. Islam, communism, atheist humanism.
Freedom of the press allows bad ideas to be heard but when the press is controlled it is almost always in service to really bad ideas.
bkmk
"Religious freedom" is based on the false idea that all religions are based on faith and there is no way whatsoever for a person to know with certitude which is true. This is incorrect. However, since said religion is not chrstianity, no one wants to hear it.
The only practical excuse for religious freedom is the idea that if a person is going to practice a false religion, let it be his own fault rather than that he was forced to. However, it is a matter of Divine Law that after the Revelation at Sinai, all new religions, religious holidays, religious rituals, and religious beliefs are forbidden.
MacArthur is a Calvinist. Strike one.
He is a leader of a mega church. Strike two.
A disturbing number of people worship him. Strike three.
I despise Calvinism. John Calvin was a murderer and terrorized the citizens of Geneva.
I also distrust “superstar” preachers and am not a fan of mega churches. The cult of personality is disturbing.
John MacArthur isn’t God. He is also completely wrong about this issue.
Pastor MacArthur
this means 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
Mcarthur is some one I don’t trust at all.
I think all MacArthur said was that he would not FIGHT for “religious” freedom. I think his viewpoint is that promulgating the gospel in any society is the main goal.
If Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and life, who cares about religious freedom. RF doesn’t guard against being persecuted for sure. Cuz evil people will not respect “religious freedom” anyway. That being said, it is a benefit...but it is not gonna save people.
How one treats MacArthurs views will tell one who much they respect RF.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Alternative Worship Sites
New Sites Now Available
by HUGAPAGAN
Naamah, mother to King Rehoboam, announced today that the Equal Worship Act just passed was to ensure inclusion and diversity of religions from other cultures. The Judah Supreme Court ruled that other forms of worship should be allowed and even encouraged to foster diversity and inclusion. Naamah, an Ammonite, expressing relief said, “It has been so long since I’ve attended a decent Molech worship service. So what if we burn children to death. That is, after all, our choice in the expression of our religion and gratitude to Molech. Why, even King Solomon eventually joined in and we know how smart he was.”
A nationwide poll taken earlier showed 87% support for the measure including 38% of the Levitical priests. Right-wing extremist Zachariah who immigrated with other Levites from the Northern Kingdom maliciously stated, “Um, this doesn’t seem like such a good idea as we should be worshipping the one true God and it should be done in the temple in Jerusalem.” However, more progressive thinkers like Shemiel, who was heading to the Interfaith Prayer Breakfast said, “A more diverse society makes us stronger. After all, we all worship the same god, just in different ways. Can’t we all just get along?”
As a matter of convenience, King Rehoboam has placed Asherah Poles under every tree and on every high place throughout Judah. This allows for everyone to join in worshipful celebration at the place of their choosing and praying for the prosperity of the nation. Already, Judah is seeing the benefit of this prosperity gospel as we are experiencing an uptick in the stock market and prosperous time. Despite constant wars and pay offs to foreign governments, people rate present conditions as “good”. King Rehoboam approval rating has never been higher.