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A Balanced Biblical Response to Lockdowns and Masks

A Balanced Biblical Response to Lockdowns and Masks

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Gospel Defence League<br />

P O Box 36129 Glosderry 7702<br />

Cape Town South Africa<br />

Tel: 021 689 4480<br />

info@gospeldefenceleague.org www.gospeldefenceleague.org<br />

“...contend earnestly for the Faith which was once for all delivered <strong>to</strong> the saints.” Jude 3<br />

A BALANCED <strong>and</strong> BIBLICAL RESPONSE <strong>to</strong><br />

LOCKDOWNS <strong>and</strong> MASKS<br />

“St<strong>and</strong> fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has<br />

made us free <strong>and</strong> do not be entangled again with a yoke of<br />

bondage.” Galatians 5:1<br />

Civil Authority is Delegated, Limited <strong>and</strong> Accountable<br />

To the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, our Lord Jesus Christ<br />

declared: “You could have no power at all against Me unless<br />

it had been given you from above.” John 19:11. Clearly, all<br />

authority is delegated by God <strong>and</strong> all authority is answerable <strong>to</strong><br />

God. Authority is limited, delegated <strong>and</strong> accountable <strong>to</strong> God.<br />

Ministry of Justice<br />

The Bible is very clear that God has instituted civil government<br />

as “an agent of wrath <strong>to</strong> bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”<br />

Romans 13:4. Civil governments are called <strong>to</strong> a minister of<br />

God’s Justice: “<strong>to</strong> punish those who do wrong.” 1 Peter 2:14<br />

To Protect <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> Serve<br />

The Bible makes it clear that the primary duties <strong>and</strong> responsibilities<br />

of any civil authority are the protection of law-abiding citizens <strong>and</strong><br />

the punishment of law-breaking criminals. Psalm 101, reminds us<br />

that the duty of God-honouring rulers is <strong>to</strong> destroy the wicked, <strong>to</strong><br />

root out evil <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> protect the law-abiding.<br />

Render Un<strong>to</strong> Caesar the Things That Are Caesars<br />

Our Lord Jesus Christ taught that we are <strong>to</strong>: “render therefore <strong>to</strong><br />

Caesar the things that are Caesars <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> God the things that<br />

are God’s.” Luke 20:25. To illustrate this, our Lord held up a coin<br />

<strong>and</strong> asked: “Whose image <strong>and</strong> inscription does it have?” They<br />

answered <strong>and</strong> said: “Caesars” Luke 20:24. We are <strong>to</strong> render <strong>to</strong><br />

Caesar the things that belong <strong>to</strong> Caesar (such as taxes).<br />

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And <strong>to</strong> God the Things That Are God’s<br />

By way of contrast, anything having the image of God (e.g. children) do not belong <strong>to</strong> the state. Children<br />

are not made in the image of Caesar, but in the image of God. We are <strong>to</strong> render <strong>to</strong> Caesar the things<br />

that belong <strong>to</strong> Caesar. Not everything that Caesar dem<strong>and</strong>s. Caesar receives the coin. Everything else<br />

belongs <strong>to</strong> God.<br />

The Sanctity of Life<br />

The sanctity of life is the foundation for the establishment of all government. For this reason, God<br />

comm<strong>and</strong>ed that: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image<br />

of God, He made man.” Genesis 9:6<br />

Respect for Life<br />

The priority of any government is <strong>to</strong> protect the right <strong>to</strong> life of preborn babies <strong>and</strong> every other law-abiding<br />

member of society. Because those made in the image of God have inherent value, God has declared that<br />

anyone who takes the life of an innocent human being is <strong>to</strong> be executed. Murderers forfeit their lives by<br />

showing contempt for the lives of others (Exodus 21:12-16; Leviticus 24:17-22; Numbers 35:33; Romans<br />

13:4; 1 Peter 2:14).<br />

The Creation M<strong>and</strong>ate<br />

The Creation M<strong>and</strong>ate clearly includes the right <strong>to</strong> life, <strong>to</strong> liberty <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> private ownership of property. “Be<br />

fruitful <strong>and</strong> multiply; fill the earth <strong>and</strong> subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the<br />

birds of the air <strong>and</strong> over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28<br />

Decentralisation <strong>to</strong> Restrain the Depravity of Man<br />

Because of the depravity of man, God requires a decentralised state with most responsibilities <strong>and</strong><br />

powers resting on local government, the family <strong>and</strong> the individual (Exodus 24:1; Deuteronomy 1:13-17;<br />

Acts 17:26).<br />

Centralisation of Power is a Pagan Tendency<br />

Centralisation of power in a unitary state has always been a pagan tendency, as seen in Nineveh, Egypt<br />

<strong>and</strong> Babel (Genesis 10:11; 11:1).<br />

Checks <strong>and</strong> Balances<br />

Power corrupts <strong>and</strong> absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is necessary <strong>to</strong> limit <strong>and</strong> divide the powers<br />

of government in a system of checks <strong>and</strong> balances. <strong>Biblical</strong>ly, governments need <strong>to</strong> be separated in<strong>to</strong><br />

Executive, Legislative <strong>and</strong> Judicial branches of<br />

government (Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 33:22).<br />

2<br />

The Four Spheres of Government<br />

God has instituted four spheres of government:<br />

1. Self-government – symbolised by our conscience<br />

(Proverbs 16:32; 1 Timothy 3:4-5; 2 Peter 1:6);<br />

2. Family government – symbolised by the rod of<br />

discipline (Deuteronomy 6:1-7; Ephesians 6:1-4;<br />

1 Timothy 3:4-5);


3. Church government – symbolised by the keys of church discipline (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-13;<br />

Titus 1:5-9);<br />

4. Civil government – symbolised by the Sword of Justice (Genesis 9:5-7; Romans 13:1-4;<br />

1 Peter 2:13-14).<br />

“… where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17<br />

Civil Servants Are <strong>to</strong> Serve<br />

In the teachings of our Lord, it is clear that civil authorities are <strong>to</strong> be public servants (Matthew 20:25-<br />

28); “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them <strong>and</strong> those who exercise authority over<br />

them are called ‘benefac<strong>to</strong>rs.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among<br />

you, let him be as the younger, <strong>and</strong> he who governs as he who serves.” Luke 22:25-26<br />

Government Is <strong>to</strong> Serve its Citizens<br />

It is for this reason that officials in civil government are<br />

called: “ministers,” or servants/deacons of God (Romans<br />

13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14). The concept that civil government<br />

is a servant of its citizens is uniquely a Christian idea<br />

that originated from these verses, hence the term “Prime<br />

Minister” – as the First Servant.<br />

Lex Rex<br />

In the l<strong>and</strong>mark book, Lex Rex (or The Law <strong>and</strong> the<br />

Prince), written by Samuel Rutherford (published in 1644),<br />

the Reformation principle is expounded that <strong>to</strong> be valid,<br />

all law needs <strong>to</strong> be rooted <strong>and</strong> grounded in God’s Law.<br />

For centuries, the prevailing philosophy had been Rex<br />

Lex, the Latin phrase meaning that the King is the law.<br />

The Reformers reversed this Latin Phrase <strong>to</strong> Lex Rex. The Law is King! The King is under the law. All<br />

civil authority is delegated by God <strong>and</strong> is limited <strong>and</strong> answerable <strong>to</strong> God. Obedience <strong>to</strong> tyrants <strong>and</strong> unjust<br />

laws is rebellion against God.<br />

In Defence of Liberty Against Tyrants<br />

Similarly, the Huguenot book: Vindiciae<br />

Contra Tyrannos (In Defence of Liberty<br />

Against Tyrants), makes the point that as<br />

citizens owe allegiance <strong>to</strong> their king, the<br />

king owes allegiance <strong>to</strong> the King of kings. If<br />

the king is in rebellion <strong>to</strong> the King of kings,<br />

we may not join in that king’s rebellion. We<br />

have a higher allegiance. Scottish Reformer,<br />

John Knox, declared “Resistance <strong>to</strong> tyrants<br />

is obedience <strong>to</strong> God!”<br />

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Refusal <strong>to</strong> Obey Wicked Decrees is Commended by God<br />

Hence, when pharaoh of Egypt ordered the midwives <strong>to</strong> kill newborn Hebrew boys, “the midwives feared<br />

God <strong>and</strong> did not do as the king of Egypt comm<strong>and</strong>ed them, but saved the male children alive.” Exodus<br />

1:17. This act of disobedience <strong>to</strong> the wicked comm<strong>and</strong> of Pharaoh is commended in the Hall of Faith. “By<br />

faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a<br />

beautiful child; <strong>and</strong> they were not afraid of the king’s comm<strong>and</strong>.” Hebrews 11:23<br />

When Authorities Attempt <strong>to</strong> Limit the Fulfilment of the Great<br />

Commission<br />

We read that the Sanhedrin comm<strong>and</strong>ed the Apostles: “…not <strong>to</strong> speak<br />

at all nor teach in the Name of Jesus.” Acts 4:18. “But Peter <strong>and</strong> John<br />

answered <strong>and</strong> said <strong>to</strong> them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God <strong>to</strong><br />

listen <strong>to</strong> you more than <strong>to</strong> God, you judge. For we cannot but speak<br />

the things which we have seen <strong>and</strong> heard.” Acts 4:19-20<br />

Prayer for Boldness, <strong>to</strong> Disobey the Sanhedrin, Blessed by God<br />

Despite further threats, the disciples of Jesus prayed for the boldness<br />

<strong>to</strong> disobey the Sanhedrin. “Now, Lord, look on their threats <strong>and</strong> grant <strong>to</strong><br />

Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your Word… And<br />

when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled <strong>to</strong>gether<br />

was shaken; <strong>and</strong> they were all filled with the Holy Spirit <strong>and</strong> they spoke<br />

the Word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:29, 31<br />

We Must Obey God Rather Than Man<br />

When the Apostle Peter was arrested <strong>and</strong> brought again before<br />

the Sanhedrin, the High Priest<br />

dem<strong>and</strong>ed: “Did we not strictly<br />

comm<strong>and</strong> you not <strong>to</strong> teach in this<br />

name? And look, you have filled<br />

Jerusalem with your doctrine<br />

<strong>and</strong> intend <strong>to</strong> bring this Man’s blood on us! But Peter <strong>and</strong> the other<br />

apostles answered <strong>and</strong> said: ‘We ought <strong>to</strong> obey God rather than<br />

men.’” Acts 5:28-29<br />

Only God is All-Knowing, All-Wise <strong>and</strong> Infallible<br />

Government is not God. They are not our Lord <strong>and</strong> Saviour! They are<br />

not all-knowing. Nor are governments all-wise. Governments are not<br />

infallible. Only God, our Crea<strong>to</strong>r <strong>and</strong> Eternal Judge is all-knowing,<br />

all-wise, everywhere present <strong>and</strong> infallible. God’s Law is real Law. All<br />

man-made laws must be grounded in God’s Law <strong>and</strong> must flow from<br />

the principles of the Law of God. Any Law not consistent with God’s<br />

Law is no law at all. It is invalid. “To the Law <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> the testimony!<br />

If they do not speak according <strong>to</strong> this Word, it is because there<br />

is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.


Truth Does Not Fear Investigation<br />

“And you shall know the truth <strong>and</strong> the truth shall make you free… Therefore, if the Son makes you<br />

free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:32, 36<br />

Lockdown Lunacy Economic Suicide<br />

The Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020 have been<br />

unjustified by scientific research. Covid-19 has<br />

not proven <strong>to</strong> be anything near as deadly as the<br />

Bubonic plague, nor as devastating as the Spanish<br />

Flu. There is no proven medical justification for<br />

locking down over 3 billion people <strong>and</strong> committing<br />

what amounted <strong>to</strong> economic suicide. Although the<br />

term “suicide” suggests a voluntary act, economic<br />

murder would be more accurate. The jobs of tens of<br />

millions of people worldwide have been undermined<br />

<strong>and</strong> destroyed. Big Tech, Big Pharma <strong>and</strong> Big<br />

Government have united <strong>to</strong> crush family businesses<br />

<strong>and</strong> the small entrepreneurs. The Covid-19<br />

<strong>Lockdowns</strong> have proven <strong>to</strong> be a cover for colossal<br />

corruption <strong>and</strong> for communist centralisation <strong>and</strong><br />

control. “For you, brethren, have been called <strong>to</strong> liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity<br />

for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in<br />

this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’” Galatians 5:13-14<br />

The Committee for Public Safety<br />

The French Revolution was government by a committee. The so-called “Committee for Public Safety” under<br />

the chairmanship of Maximillian Robespierre, chose who <strong>to</strong> guillotine. Over 40,000 Frenchmen lost their<br />

heads <strong>to</strong> the guillotine by order of the Committee for Public Safety. A further 300,000 were killed by firing<br />

squads <strong>and</strong> millions more died in the ruinous 25-years of Revolutionary wars that flowed from the French<br />

Revolution.<br />

Government by Committee<br />

The word Soviet means Committee. As in the Union of Soviet<br />

Socialist Republics (USSR). Hence, when the South African<br />

ANC government chose <strong>to</strong> sideline parliament <strong>and</strong> replace<br />

it with a committee of 6 who they assured us “consult their<br />

ances<strong>to</strong>rs”! It was an ominous sign. Not only has parliament<br />

been sidelined, but the Bill of Rights has been effectively<br />

suspended by martial law-type lockdowns <strong>and</strong> curfews.<br />

Unconstitutional<br />

No law is valid if it violates the Bill of Rights. Yet, the extraordinary Covid-19 state of emergency/disaster<br />

has violated the essential freedoms of religion, belief <strong>and</strong> opinion; freedom of conscience; freedom of<br />

thought; freedom of expression; freedom of the press; freedom of association; freedom of assembly<br />

<strong>and</strong> freedom <strong>to</strong> demonstration; freedom of movement <strong>and</strong> freedom of trade, occupation, trade <strong>and</strong><br />

profession. The lockdown was clearly unconstitutional. No politicians have the right <strong>to</strong> declare people’s<br />

livelihoods “non-essential!”<br />

Suffocating Society<br />

The lockdown has also seriously curtailed the “freedom for cultural, religious <strong>and</strong> linguistic communities<br />

<strong>to</strong> gather <strong>and</strong> practise their religion in free association with others.”<br />

5


Unnecessary <strong>and</strong> Counter-Productive<br />

The lockdown also violated principles of the rule of law by presumption of guilt. If masks work, why were<br />

lockdowns necessary? If lockdowns work, why are masks necessary? Why wear masks when on your<br />

own in your home, or car? Why do people walking alone outdoors need <strong>to</strong> wear a mask? Is there any<br />

medical science justifying such extraordinary <strong>and</strong> unprecedented requirements?<br />

The Covid Cult<br />

We are facing a Covid cult with dogmatic dem<strong>and</strong>s <strong>to</strong> accept <strong>and</strong> comply, <strong>to</strong> submit <strong>and</strong> not question.<br />

Anyone questioning the masquerade is subject <strong>to</strong> shunning <strong>and</strong> inquisition-like persecution.<br />

Covid-1984<br />

No wonder many are referring <strong>to</strong> it as Covid-1984. George Orwell’s<br />

prophetic warning political satire 1984, seems ominously relevant <strong>to</strong>day.<br />

Where the Ministry of Truth deals with lies, the Ministry of Plenty deals<br />

with starvation <strong>and</strong> rationing, the Ministry of Love deals with <strong>to</strong>rture<br />

<strong>and</strong> the Ministry of Peace deals with war. The media communicate<br />

in newspeak <strong>and</strong> double-think <strong>and</strong> anyone questioning the official party<br />

line are guilty of a Thought crime <strong>and</strong> forced by Thought Police. Those<br />

questioning the politically correct narrative can become unpersons,<br />

vapourised <strong>and</strong> disappear down the memory hole.<br />

Blatant Hypocrisy<br />

The hypocrisy, double-st<strong>and</strong>ards <strong>and</strong> inconsistency of those advocating social distancing could be seen<br />

in the bizarre leftist justification of BLM-ANTIFA/EFF riots by the same people who condemned antilockdown<br />

protests as “threats” <strong>to</strong> “spreading the virus”!<br />

Unprecedented<br />

Ignoring real crime <strong>and</strong> real threats, governments have poured unprecedented amount of resources<br />

<strong>and</strong> energy in<strong>to</strong> enforcing mindless requirements for even children at school <strong>to</strong> wear masks all the time<br />

<strong>and</strong> locking down even churches over Easter. To this day, many congregations are not able <strong>to</strong> gather as<br />

government regulations have prevented any churches meeting in a school, scout or guide hall. Right of<br />

assembly has been suspended.<br />

6


Disproportionate<br />

When restaurant <strong>and</strong> hospitality industry workers peacefully protested in Cape Town, they were meet with<br />

unprecedented violence by police, who had s<strong>to</strong>od by doing nothing while mobs looted, burned <strong>and</strong> ransacked.<br />

However peaceful restauranteurs <strong>and</strong> hospitality workers were water cannoned, had stun grenades thrown<br />

at them <strong>and</strong> tear gas used <strong>to</strong> disperse their orderly march.<br />

“And that they may come <strong>to</strong> their senses <strong>and</strong> escape<br />

the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by<br />

him <strong>to</strong> do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:26<br />

<strong>Masks</strong> Dehumanise<br />

<strong>Masks</strong> dehumanise. This is the reason why people placed<br />

in front of firing squads traditionally have been made <strong>to</strong><br />

wear a mask. This is not because of any concern for the<br />

person about <strong>to</strong> be shot, it is because it makes the task of<br />

the firing squad easier when the victim is dehumanised by<br />

having their face obscured. It has long been recognised<br />

that forcing Muslim women in the Middle East <strong>to</strong> wear a<br />

veil is dehumanising.<br />

Anonymity Encourages Irresponsibility <strong>and</strong><br />

Unaccountability<br />

France forbade women <strong>to</strong> wear masks/veils in public for<br />

multiple reasons, including not <strong>to</strong> obscure one’s identity, responsibility for actions, or accountability for<br />

behaviour. Facial recognition, much like number plates on cars <strong>and</strong> trucks are essential in a law-abiding<br />

society. Interestingly enough, South African law concerning protests passed in 1996, forbids the wearing<br />

of masks at any protest. This is so that people’s identity can be determined in the event of any irresponsible<br />

action <strong>to</strong> be able <strong>to</strong> call each person <strong>to</strong> account for what they have done. Crime seeks anonymity.<br />

Unmask the Masquerade<br />

There is a need for courage, integrity <strong>and</strong> steadfastness. The Cultural M<strong>and</strong>ate of Genesis 1:28 <strong>and</strong> the<br />

Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20, are being stifled <strong>and</strong> suffocated by lockdown regulations. We<br />

need <strong>to</strong> unmask the truth behind the masquerade.<br />

7


Where the Battle Rages Loyalty is Proved<br />

As professor Martin Luther so eloquently described: “If I profess with the loudest<br />

voice <strong>and</strong> clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely<br />

that point which the world <strong>and</strong> the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not<br />

confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle<br />

rages there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> be steady on all the<br />

battle front besides, is mere flight <strong>and</strong> disgrace if he flinches at that point.”<br />

No Government Has the Right <strong>to</strong> Interfere in the Cultural M<strong>and</strong>ate or the Great Commission<br />

Civil authorities have greatly overreached themselves <strong>and</strong> exceeded their authority when they infringed<br />

on the essential activities of employers <strong>and</strong> employees, economic or agricultural enterprises, or the<br />

fulfilment of the Creation M<strong>and</strong>ate <strong>and</strong> the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.<br />

We must obey God rather than man.<br />

Dr. Peter Hammond<br />

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