Some time ago I had a conversation with David Tulis and he mentioned a lawsuit he was pursuing against the state over the assertive practices around the Panid-Demic. I wrote him an email which is below. In the voicemail there are some additional details. However, you might want to avoid it if the Scripture scares you, especially because I describe repentance. However, if you know the Lord’s grace…

My Lady, I still love you!

David,

I did read your article “Christian motivation for lawsuit to halt CV-19 police power” and remember a brief discussion we had on it. Rather than comment on the site, I thought it would be best to write you directly.

Many years ago I would have been right with you, however, as I have matured as a follower of Christ, and with study of the Scripture, I find my earlier work and stand was wrong. It is like being “pro-life”, but practicing birth control, there is a bit of inconsistency there. I see my maturing on that question as I moved from proclaiming Psalm 139 to Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply”.

I have become a repentant voter, as the study of Deuteronomy 17 makes it clear that there is no one qualified to be in authority. More importantly 1st Samuel 8 which directly describes democracy essentially using the words “demos” and “archy”. The real dread comes from verse 18: “And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

When it comes to the Panic-Demic, I agree that what the state has done is cruel. It is a combination of thief, a power grab, and eugenics. However, I do not see where in Scripture we are to fight the state with the state’s ways. It seems we are better off to sit on the wall and let the Lord fight (2Ki 18:36 “But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king's command was, "Do not answer him."”

For me I have been struggling with the mask question, as I have never worn one, if it is a Romans 14 issue or a Daniel 3 issue. In other words do we allow license for the “weaker brother” and try not to be an offense. Or is it bowing to the golden image the state has set up. While only 99% there, I am of the Daniel 3 mindset.

My response thus far is to no longer go to businesses that have on their own decided to ban customers without masks, with the full intention of not returning when the restriction is lowered. When I can, I have let the store know. That list includes Food City, Tuesday Morning, Big Lots, UGO, and Abundant Living, the health food store I formally frequented.

So I struggle on what to do in the public square. I have been clear when conversations occur. However, I wonder if the pro-life analogy holds. It is not that I speak out, but that I have nine kids walking the earth, and 12 total. Obviously there are issues within my family, but that does not conflict with the point.

Perhaps this is best seen that when I go to the farmers’ market, which is typically 3 times a week, I will often shake hands with others. This doesn’t happen at Publix. It seems we must endorse those who ignore the state, and otherwise ignore the state. Like the 2nd Kings example, there is verse 19:35 “And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians.” It is the Lord’s battle. We are simply called to proclaim (2nd Timothy 4).

I welcome your thoughts and will stand with you in whatever decision you make.

Respectfully,