At a minimum, churches need to lock the doors when a service starts. It may be that services should be limited to members. Or if visitors are admitted to regular services, members will need to vouch for them. Yes, things are that bad, especially in metropolitan areas.
Honest question here...if we truly believe that blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, then should we not embrace persecution and even martyrdom if it comes to that? Is it necessary to lock out the world in situations like this, even if there is real danger? I am not sure what a good solution would be, but these are great moments to be witnesses for Him. Something to ponder.
I think we have to accept that some people may be in the don’t throw pearls before swine category. They are not only unbelievers but are opposed to Christianity with near-violence. This is different from a government-led persecution against the church, which occurs in other countries and has occurred throughout church history.
Martyrdom is not pursued or expected, but suffered unexpectedly even with knowledge of potential risks. We must never be casual or careless about placing anyone else at risk, especially not children. The Fifth Commandment is not just don’t murder, but ensuring, to the best of our capacity, that nobody suffers death at the hands of another. Nobody should go to church and think today might be my last because we leave the door open for the mob so that we might be regarded as winsome and welcoming. The mob is of the devil - it does not have regard for your witness in life or death. As we saw with Cities Church, they are delighted to mock and scorn the witness. They want your churches to be open, soft targets because the goal is eradication, not engagement.
Clement of Alexandria had this to say about our responsibilities surrounding martyrdom:
When, again, [Jesus] says, “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye to the other,” (Mat_10:23) He does not advise flight, as if persecution were an evil thing; nor does He enjoin them by flight to avoid death, as if in dread of it, but wishes us neither to be the authors nor abettors of any evil to any one, either to ourselves or the persecutor and murderer. For He, in a way, bids us take care of ourselves. But he who disobeys is rash and foolhardy. If he who kills a man of God sins against God, he also who presents himself before the judgment-seat becomes guilty of his death. And such is also the case with him who does not avoid persecution, but out of daring presents himself for capture. Such a one, as far as in him lies, becomes an accomplice in the crime of the persecutor. And if he also uses provocation, he is wholly guilty, challenging the wild beast. And similarly, if he afford any cause for conflict or punishment, or retribution or enmity, he gives occasion for persecution. Wherefore, then, we are enjoined not to cling to anything that belongs to this life; but “to him that takes our cloak to give our coat,” not only that we may continue destitute of inordinate affection, but that we may not by retaliating make our persecutors savage against ourselves, and stir them up to blaspheme the name.
At a minimum, churches need to lock the doors when a service starts. It may be that services should be limited to members. Or if visitors are admitted to regular services, members will need to vouch for them. Yes, things are that bad, especially in metropolitan areas.
Yes. We lock doors, have video surveillance, an armed response team in services, and an armed patrol monitoring the exterior.
Honest question here...if we truly believe that blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, then should we not embrace persecution and even martyrdom if it comes to that? Is it necessary to lock out the world in situations like this, even if there is real danger? I am not sure what a good solution would be, but these are great moments to be witnesses for Him. Something to ponder.
I think we have to accept that some people may be in the don’t throw pearls before swine category. They are not only unbelievers but are opposed to Christianity with near-violence. This is different from a government-led persecution against the church, which occurs in other countries and has occurred throughout church history.
Martyrdom is not pursued or expected, but suffered unexpectedly even with knowledge of potential risks. We must never be casual or careless about placing anyone else at risk, especially not children. The Fifth Commandment is not just don’t murder, but ensuring, to the best of our capacity, that nobody suffers death at the hands of another. Nobody should go to church and think today might be my last because we leave the door open for the mob so that we might be regarded as winsome and welcoming. The mob is of the devil - it does not have regard for your witness in life or death. As we saw with Cities Church, they are delighted to mock and scorn the witness. They want your churches to be open, soft targets because the goal is eradication, not engagement.
Clement of Alexandria had this to say about our responsibilities surrounding martyrdom:
When, again, [Jesus] says, “When they persecute you in this city, flee ye to the other,” (Mat_10:23) He does not advise flight, as if persecution were an evil thing; nor does He enjoin them by flight to avoid death, as if in dread of it, but wishes us neither to be the authors nor abettors of any evil to any one, either to ourselves or the persecutor and murderer. For He, in a way, bids us take care of ourselves. But he who disobeys is rash and foolhardy. If he who kills a man of God sins against God, he also who presents himself before the judgment-seat becomes guilty of his death. And such is also the case with him who does not avoid persecution, but out of daring presents himself for capture. Such a one, as far as in him lies, becomes an accomplice in the crime of the persecutor. And if he also uses provocation, he is wholly guilty, challenging the wild beast. And similarly, if he afford any cause for conflict or punishment, or retribution or enmity, he gives occasion for persecution. Wherefore, then, we are enjoined not to cling to anything that belongs to this life; but “to him that takes our cloak to give our coat,” not only that we may continue destitute of inordinate affection, but that we may not by retaliating make our persecutors savage against ourselves, and stir them up to blaspheme the name.
Stromata, Book IV, Chapter X.
Beautiful, thanks.