Two pastors have been arrested for “unlawful assembly” during the present virus spread, and at least one of the pastors will be defended by the Liberty Counsel. Some Americans are still sort of sensitive over the religious liberty question, after those Pilgrims had a run-in with the magistrate 400 years ago. The argument is over “essential services” and the church jurisdiction. The question is legitimate and needs to be considered by rational, thoughtful churchgoers in every country around the world. Has the civil magistrate have given control over the church when it comes to these matters of assembly? Was it the priest or the judge who sequestered the lepers in Leviticus? Kevin Swanson outlines some of the key governing biblical principles that tie into the question, and challenges every pastor and elder board to make a judgment call on whether to assemble or not.
Homeschooled himself in the 1960's and 70's, Kevin Swanson and his wife, Brenda, are now homeschooling their five children. Since graduating from his homeschool and then serving as student body president of a large west coast university, he has gone on to other leadership positions in corporate management, church, and other non-profits.