The author overlooks the critical distinction between biblical quarantine and modern lockdowns. In Leviticus 13-14, God instructs that those with infectious diseases should be separated…Scripture never advocates quarantining the healthy or restricting worship for the uninfected. This biblical model—isolating the sick, not the healthy—stands in stark contrast to government policies that restricted everyone regardless of health status. The wisdom of God’s Word proved superior to modern approaches that caused widespread social, economic, and spiritual damage.

The COVID-19 Pandemic was an unprecedented time in our generation. Many lives were tragically lost, and many are still suffering from its effects. In my rebuttal to Seven Lessons on Public Health and the Local Church, I agree with the author that there is much to be learned. But just as there is much to learn, there is much I disagree with. The author suggests the church should learn from the science and take cues from our “leaders”. What if our leaders are corrupt. Or what if they are simply not abiding by the truths of Scripture. This is a backwards approach. We are the church and, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 1618). We are called to be the leaders in a world that does not listen to the Truth. We are to lead the charge, not follow the fallacy of worldly wisdom. Our duty is to worship the one, true, living God. Not forsake that worship because a secular society tells us to.

The Primacy of Corporate Worship

The author correctly cites Hebrews 10:24-25 regarding the importance of gathering but fails to give this command its proper weight. Scripture consistently emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of corporate worship. David declares in Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!'” In Exodus 8:1, God commands Pharaoh, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” Even during persecution, the early church prioritized gathering (Acts 4:31, 5:42).

While loving our neighbor is indeed the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39), the first and greatest is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37-38). The Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches that man’s chief end is “to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” This glorification occurs primarily through faithful worship.

God’s Sovereignty Over Disease

Scripture teaches that God, not viral pathogens, ultimately controls disease and healing. Exodus 15:26 states, “I am the LORD, who heals you.” Psalm 91:5-6 promises, “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.”

While we should exercise wisdom and prudence (Proverbs 22:3), the article overemphasizes human agency in disease prevention at the expense of acknowledging God’s sovereignty. King Asa was rebuked for seeking physicians rather than the Lord during his illness (2 Chronicles 16:12).

The Church as Essential

The author also fails to address the fundamental problem that governments classified churches as “non-essential” while permitting liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, and abortion clinics to remain open. This directly contradicts the biblical teaching that the church is the “pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Why would we submit, in areas such as this, to a government that promotes wickedness, destruction and death?

In Acts 5:29, Peter and the apostles declared, “We must obey God rather than men.” The church’s submission to unbiblical restrictions reveals a concerning willingness to compromise on divine mandates for man-made directives.

Scripture as Our Ultimate Guide

The author places excessive trust in medical professionals and government authorities while neglecting the principle that Scripture must be our ultimate guide. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Isaiah 33:22 reminds us, “For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.”

When medical professionals and government officials contradict biblical principles, believers must follow the example of Daniel who continued to pray despite the king’s decree (Daniel 6:10). Our allegiance is to a higher authority, as Jesus taught in Mark 12:17: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Science and Its Limitations

While science is indeed a gift from God as the article suggests, Scripture warns against elevating human wisdom above divine revelation. 1 Corinthians 3:19 tells us, “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.” Colossians 2:8 cautions, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

The author fails to acknowledge how “the science” changed dramatically throughout the pandemic, revealing its limitations. Initially, we were told masks were ineffective, then essential; that surface transmission was likely, then unlikely; that schools should close, then that children were at minimal risk. This demonstrates why Scripture must remain our ultimate authority.

Biblical Quarantine vs. Modern Lockdowns

The author overlooks the critical distinction between biblical quarantine and modern lockdowns. In Leviticus 13-14, God instructs that those with infectious diseases should be separated: “He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp” (Leviticus 13:46). Scripture never advocates quarantining the healthy or restricting worship for the uninfected.

This biblical model—isolating the sick, not the healthy—stands in stark contrast to government policies that restricted everyone regardless of health status. The wisdom of God’s Word proved superior to modern approaches that caused widespread social, economic, and spiritual damage.

Examples of Public Deception

The author omits significant instances where “following the science” led to harmful outcomes:

1. The Lab Leak Theory: Initially dismissed as conspiracy, later considered plausible by scientific authorities. The Department of Energy and FBI have since concluded that a lab leak was the most likely origin, contradicting earlier definitive claims.
2. Natural Immunity: The effectiveness of natural immunity was downplayed despite robust evidence. A study in Science showed that natural immunity provided strong protection, comparable or superior to vaccination.
3. Vaccine Efficacy: Initial claims of nearly 100% effectiveness in preventing transmission were later significantly revised. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky later admitted that vaccinated individuals could still transmit the virus, contradicting earlier messaging.
4. School Closures: The CDC collaborated with teachers’ unions on school reopening guidance, as revealed through FOIA requests published in the New York Post, prioritizing political considerations over scientific data showing minimal transmission risks in schools.
5. Conflicting Mask Studies: High-quality randomized controlled trials, including a large Danish study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed limited effectiveness of cloth masks, contradicting public messaging.

Proverbs 14:15 wisely instructs, “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”

On Individualism vs. Community

While the author rightly emphasizes community, it mischaracterizes legitimate concerns about liberty as mere selfishness. Galatians 5:1 declares, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Biblical theology has long recognized that God-given liberty of conscience is not opposed to community responsibility but is its foundation. Forced compliance undermines true charity, which must be freely given (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Conclusion: Worship as the Greatest Act of Love

The greatest way to love our neighbors is not merely protecting their physical health but directing them to worship the one true God. Romans 10:14 asks, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?” Closing churches hindered this mission and led us to a spirit of fear and timidity.

While the author presents virtual worship as an adequate substitute, Scripture clearly emphasizes the importance of physical assembly. The church is described as a “body” (1 Corinthians 12:27) whose members must be physically present with one another. The sacraments of baptism and communion require physical presence and cannot be properly administered virtually.

Hebrews 10:25 specifically warns against “neglecting to meet together,” with no provision for virtual alternatives. The Greek word for “church” (ekklesia) literally means “assembly” or “gathering,” emphasizing physical presence. Virtual services, while perhaps better than nothing in extreme circumstances, cannot fulfill the biblical mandate for corporate worship that includes physical fellowship, corporate singing (Ephesians 5:19), and the breaking of bread together (Acts 2:42).

A truly biblical approach respects God’s commands regarding worship while exercising prudence in matters of health. As 1 Peter 4:8 reminds us, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly,” but this love must be directed by Scripture rather than shifting scientific consensus or political expediency.

John Calvin wrote, “We are not our own: let not our reason nor our will, therefore, sway our plans and deeds. We are not our own: let us therefore not set it as our goal to seek what is expedient for us… We are not our own: in so far as we can, let us forget ourselves and all that is ours.”

The church’s greatest witness during a pandemic is not conformity to the world’s fear but faithful worship of our sovereign God who holds all things, including viruses, in His hands.

William Gannon is a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, serving at First PCA in Dothan, AL.