John MacArthur Botches COVID-19 Statistics and Says He’ll Go to Jail Rather Than Close Indoor Church

Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles told Laura Ingraham that he would go to jail rather than comply with L.A. County’s Health Order and California Superior Court’s Injunction. Watch:

He also continues to falsely say there is only “one one hundredth of one percent” of 40 million Californians with COVID-19. As of today, 773,602 positive tests have come back in CA (1.96%), with 372,515 active cases currently (.94%). If MacArthur was correct, there would only be 3,951 cases in CA which is absurd.

Apparently, the church will continue to defy the Health Order and Court Order.

Last Sunday, MacArthur did so and preached a Sunday which specified a Christian nationalist vision for Christian government. A tweet from his attorney (and President Trump’s attorney as well) Jenna Ellis summarizes well the sermon:

Ellis is enthusiastic in her support. However, we do not live in a theocracy. Nothing in the Constitution requires a religious test for leaders to recognize the Christian God or operate according to any interpretation of the Bible. Surely, constitutional scholar Ellis knows this.

Tyranny Over the Mind of Man

In our history, there have been those who want Christianity to be privileged more than it is. One of the most famous quotes from Thomas Jefferson arose in opposition to Benjamin Rush’s expression of such a hope. In an August 22, 1800 letter from Rush to Jefferson, Rush wrote:

I have always considered Christianity as the strong ground of Republicanism. Its Spirit is opposed, not only to the Splendor, but even to the very forms of monarchy, and many of its precepts have for their Objects, republican liberty & equality, as well as simplicity, integrity & Oconomy in government.3 It is only necessary for Republicanism to ally itself to the christian Religion, to overturn all the corrupted political and religious institutions in the World.

Jefferson wasn’t having it. He was always polite to his friend, but left no doubt about his view of religion allied with the republic. In a letter dated September 23 1800, Jefferson wrote:

The delusion into which the X. Y. Z. plot shewed it possible to push the people; the successful experiment made under the prevalence of that delusion on the clause of the constitution, which, while it secured the freedom of the press, covered also the freedom of religion, had given to the clergy a very favorite hope of obtaining an establishment of a particular form of Christianity thro’ the U. S.; and as every sect believes its own form the true one, every one perhaps hoped for his own, but especially the Episcopalians & Congregationalists. The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion to their hopes, & they believe that any portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly; for I have sworn upon the altar of god, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

Jefferson vigorously thwarted any notion that he would support the alignment of Christianity and the government. In response, he made his famous declaration: “I have sworn upon the altar of god, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

Note the context of Jefferson’s bold statement. One form of tyranny over the mind of man is enforced Christianity (or any religion) in government.

68 thoughts on “John MacArthur Botches COVID-19 Statistics and Says He’ll Go to Jail Rather Than Close Indoor Church”

  1. There was nothing in MacArthur’s sermon where he proposed making Christianity an official religion of the USA. Rather, he expressed his dream that it would be great that if everybody in our government would be a Christian, and he used a bunch of biblical references to make his point how God blesses and curses nations, to the extent of their citizens’ following God. At least, I didn’t feel threatened by his sermon wanting to establish a theocracy.

    Back when Jefferson was a president, every Western nation had Christianity was their official religion. Some of them still do, like the Anglican Church is the official national church of England, and Evangelical Lutheran church is the church of Sweden. How the national statuses of these churches are being implemented today, is, of course, another story. Back to Jefferson, since in the early 1800s, western nations had official state religions, there was also a pressure for the US to establish one.

    1. the suggestion (which even his lawyer argues) is that MacArthur was arguing for a religious test for politicians and other public officials,which is forbidden.

      “there was also a pressure for the US to establish one.”

      And the framers of the US constitution said no to that with good reason.

  2. Obviously Jenna Ellis missed “No Religious Test for Office” day in law school, to wit:

    “… ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”

    (Constitution, Article VI)

  3. “He also continues to falsely say there is only “one one hundredth of one
    percent” of 40 million Californians with COVID-19. As of today, 773,602
    positive tests have come back in CA (1.96%), with 372,515 active cases
    currently (.94%). If MacArthur was correct, there would only be 3,951
    cases in CA which is absurd.”

    Oh my. This is a serious counter? So… with .94% of the population having “active positive cases” (not hospitalizations, not deaths) 40 MILLION people are locked down, freedoms stripped indefinitely (according to Newsom’s new impossible to meet criteria for reopening). And the commentators on this board LOVE it!! Wow.

    1. In CA there have been 769,831 cases with 14,812 deaths that is nearly a 2% mortality rate. With 40 Million people in CA, that has the potential of causing over 700,00 deaths. Even if you assume only a 1% mortality rate, that is still 400,000 deaths. Further that is just the deaths, covid-19 can also cause non-fatal but serious damage to the lungs, heart and even the brain.

      So yes covid-19 is a serious threat to public health that does warrant lock-down measures. And if “christians” like MacArthur had been more interested in help others rather than playing politics, then maybe these lock-downs wouldn’t be so “indefinite”.

    2. In CA there have been 769,831 cases with 14,812 deaths that is nearly a 2% mortality rate. With 40 Million people in CA, that has the potential of causing over 700,00 deaths. Even if you assume only a 1% mortality rate, that is still 400,000 deaths. Further that is just the deaths, covid-19 can also cause non-fatal but serious damage to the lungs, heart and even the brain.

      So yes covid-19 is a serious threat to public health that does warrant lock-down measures. And if “christians” like MacArthur had been more interested in helping others rather than playing politics, then maybe these lock-downs wouldn’t be so “indefinite”.

      2. Can’t remember who said this, but “Bill & HIllary have been living rent-free in the heads of Christians for close to 30 years.”

  5. Thank you for reporting on this. I attend a Presbyterian PCA church in Los Angeles County. We have been meeting, outdoors, and have had not a single issue with Los Angeles County. We are in California so the benefit is, we have wonderful weather in order to do so. We are the wealthiest, most free people in the world when it comes to our freedom of Public Worship. When the state does actually forbid us to “worship” Jesus Christ, I will be the first to go “Underground” to do so. John MacArthur is Tilting at Windmills. He is looking at the government to Judge his rights as a California C (3) non profit corporation on First Amendment rights, but only for one clause….He seems to not understand the Establishment clause of the 1st Amendment….He should also start up a C (4) so that he can go into full scale political activism. That whole “speech” about bringing back ‘Theocracy” makes me cringe. Again, thank you for standing firm as to where the Scriptures stand regarding this hot topic.

    1. I’m one county over from you, and the mainstream and liturgical churches here are having no problem holding outdoor services. Usually under tent/tarp roofs in the parking lot. And high-risk parishoners are told to stay home and watch the livestreams instead of risking themselves. Only problem is they’ve had to go for more services each Sunday because of maximum gathering sizes and space available.

    2. But it is just an obvious 1st step. They did away with Easter. Now Fauci is demanding No Thanksgiving. And then it will be Christmas. You have to be dead to not know where this is going. You will not be the first to go underground, because then it is too late.

      Have you read the First Amendment?

      And what is up with all these pastors running to be tested by a test that does not even identify ’19?? That is a cancel on church activities as well.

      1. Fauci isn’t “demanding” anything. He is making recommendations based on the evidence.

        I’m quite familiar with the 1st Amendment as well as a thing called a “compelling state interest” of which slowing the spread of a pandemic qualifies.

  6. Here’s Johnny Mac’s future:

    A Coeur d’Alene pastor who opened his large church in early May for in-person services that allowed and even encouraged unmasked congregants to gather has been recovering from COVID-19 at the Kootenai Health
    intensive care unit.

    Paul Van Noy, the senior pastor at Candlelight Christian Fellowship, has spent the past two weeks in the ICU while his wife, Brenda Van Noy, recovered from her own bout with COVID-19 at home. Five other church staff have been infected, said Eric Reade, body ministry coordinator the church.

    https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/sep/16/after-balking-at-masks-pastor-and-church-staff-in-/

    And masks are still optional at this church!

  7. Sings: “Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to jail we go. . .” Bye, John! If your stint in jail will keep others safer from COVID-19, I’m fine with that.

  8. “Ellis is enthusiastic in her support. However, we do not live in a theocracy. Nothing in the Constitution requires a religious test for leaders to recognize the Christian God or operate according to any interpretation of the Bible.”

    Then quit holding Trump to that standard.

    1. the only ones who held the presidents to a religious standard where the christians like MacArthur, Molher, Graham, Falwell, then they threw those standards out the window when Trump won.

        1. Trump has declared himself to be “the chosen one.” He accepts the laying on of hands by Evangelical leaders, and their prayers. If he is going to delude people into believing that he is Christian, even a “baby” Christian, why should scripture not be used against him, when he goes so utterly against it?

          1. Because “He Is LOOOOOOORD!”, of course.
            And the only Real SCRIPTURE(TM) is His tweets — and Q-Anon.

        2. No, Warren has used scripture to counter the “religious leaders” who support Trump. I don’t recall any place where Warren has said Trump is unfit because of something in the bible. If you believe otherwise, then feel free to post exactly what Warren wrote (and a link to where he wrote it).

          1. /2020/08/12/trumps-reelection-strategy-class-warfare/

            Was James written to the Church or to the State? Surely Warren is saying Trump should be judged by scripture.

          2. I don’t see that at all.

            the quote is about class warfare, but no indication from the context as to whether Warren is directing that quote to Trump or his “christian” followers. Based on Warren other posts, I would say he is directing it at the “christians” not Trump.

          3. The whole article is about Trump and then he drops scripture at the end, with Warren’s disdain for Trump it’s hard to read it anyother way.

          4. No the article is about Trump’s re-election strategy, a strategy aimed at his followers. it is just as easy to read the quote as showing the hypocrisy of Trump’s “christian” followers who could be taken in by Trump’s class warfare strategy.

            You don’t have to rely on religion to have disdain for Trump.

            Further, if you just looked at this post you might be able to make an argument that Warren is applying scripture to judge Trump. However, if you look at Warren’s other posts, it is much easier to see it is more likely the quote was aimed at the christians who fall for Trump’s nonsense.

          5. No the article is about Trump’s re-election strategy, a strategy aimed at his followers. it is just as easy to read the quote as showing the hypocrisy of Trump’s “christian” followers who could be taken in by Trump’s class warfare strategy.

            You don’t have to rely on religion to have disdain for Trump.

            Further, if you just looked at this post you might be able to make an argument that Warren is applying scripture to judge Trump. However, if you look at Warren’s other posts, it is much easier to see it is more likely the quote was aimed at the christians who fall for Trump’s nonsense.

          6. Like you Warren seems to not only disdain Trump but also Christians who support him so that proves my point.
            Thanks.

          7. No, your claim was that Warren was (hypocritically) applying a religious test for Trump. He wasn’t.

            If you had simply said Warren disdains Trump and his christian supporters, I wouldn’t have had an issue with that claim.

          8. I don’t agree that Warren has shown disdain towards Trump worshiping Christians.

            I, on the other hand, have no problem calling them idolators.

  10. Here’s Johnny Mac’s future:

    A Coeur d’Alene pastor who opened his large church in early May for in-person services that allowed and even encouraged unmasked congregants to gather has been recovering from COVID-19 at the Kootenai Health
    intensive care unit.

    Paul Van Noy, the senior pastor at Candlelight Christian Fellowship, has spent the past two weeks in the ICU while his wife, Brenda Van Noy, recovered from her own bout with COVID-19 at home. Five other church staff have been infected, said Eric Reade, body ministry coordinator the church.

    https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/sep/16/after-balking-at-masks-pastor-and-church-staff-in-/

    And masks are still optional at this church!

  11. Warren,

    While I agree with you about MacArthur in general, you need to stop citing that Worldmeter number for Active Cases in California. As 2 or 3 of us noted on a previous post, it is almost certainly wrong, and the real number of Active Cases is probably on the order of 0.1%, not your 0.94%. Which still makes MacArthur wrong by a factor of 10 (and morally wrong for putting his own “rights” ahead of loving his neighbors), but let’s get the facts right.

    If you continue to propagate a wrong statistic — well, I won’t say you are as bad as MacArthur because you are not by a long shot. But it would fall short of your usual standards.

  12. Warren,

    While I agree with you about MacArthur in general, you need to stop citing that Worldmeter number for Active Cases in California. As 2 or 3 of us noted on a previous post, it is almost certainly wrong, and the real number of Active Cases is probably on the order of 0.1%, not your 0.94%. Which still makes MacArthur wrong by a factor of 10 (and morally wrong for putting his own “rights” ahead of loving his neighbors), but let’s get the facts right.

    If you continue to propagate a wrong statistic — well, I won’t say you are as bad as MacArthur because you are not by a long shot. But it would fall short of your usual standards.

  13. MacArthur’s bee in the bonnet is really more about tithe – when the plate is passed- than it is even about his other hobby horse- theocracy. When he has his usual tithe- he is rolling the cash, and all for just a weekly fulmination about the “god-inspired Constitution” and a “government like OT Israel, with king and appointed judges , blah blah blah”.
    But anyone whose mind is not dimmed and fevered by fanaticism and zealotry can see the actual day to day of this train wreck of theocratic government. Sectarian conflict,war, and terrorism. A weak ineffective government, and an easy to subordinate nation ripe for the domination by a more unified authoritarian superpower (Russia, China?) . With another 4 years of our present wannabe despot- we might be splintered enough to be easy pickings for the Islas Malvinas.

    1. Look where “theocratic government” got all those Islamic Republics and Islamic States. Only ones that seem to be prospering are the ones with the Curse of Oil. And that’s going to last only until the oil wells run dry.

    2. Goodness me! Not a British takeover via the Islas Malvinas, known by another name to (most of) the inhabitants! 😉

      Then again, maybe MAGA stands for “Make Antarctica Great Again”?

      1. Make Argentina Great Again?
        (After all, you used the Argentine name for those islands.)

  14. In that particular spat, I side with Rush rather than Jefferson. Where they both go wrong, of course, is in the failure to recognise that there are two different species of human – the ones with a conscience and the ones without…

  15. “States must be secular. Confessional states end badly.” – Pope Francis I

    (I like Francis’s idea of the role of religion: to “water” [his word] and nourish individuals, communities and nations, but not to control them. Confessional [i.e. single-religion] states are divisive and therefore prevent religion playing its proper role in human affairs. Furthermore, polities are human constructs, as well as often being temporary entities, as history demonstrates, and it is misleading, and therefore dangerous, to claim that they are ‘ordained by God’.)

    1. “His conduct should be subject to the law, just like everyone else’s.”

      (Personally, I’m not keen on the use of custodial sentences unless they are absolutely necessary …)

      1. “His conduct should be subject to the law, just like everyone else’s.”

        First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America (which is the law) – “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” — just as a reminder as to the law.

        1. “Free exercise” can take place outdoors or in a properly organized sheltered environment. And M is free to protest about the current regulations (and he appears to be exercising that freedom) and petition the authorities if he wishes to do so (but the Constitution does not guarantee that he will get everything he wants, of course).

          Nice try!

        2. Congress didn’t make any laws in this matter. However, the rights granted by the 1st Amend (irrespective of specific laws), are not absolute. If there is a “compelling state interest” (ex. like dealing with a potentially deadly pandemic), then those rights can be abridged.

        3. Furthermore, the State of California is not saying that people may not
          worship God; there is no attack on religious freedom. Christianity can
          be “exercised” without thousands of people gathering in an indoor
          space. The problem is that M wants to “exercise” in a particular way
          that does not fit with prevailing conditions or the public interest.
          Having the right to do something does not necessarily allow one to do it in any way one wishes, especially that way could cause material harm to others (eg. elderly or sick relatives of attendees who become infected.

  17. Laura Ingraham, a Catholic, likes Pastor MacArthur because he defied Covid regulations (and loves his sermons). Doesn’t she know what he thinks about Catholics? Being an ex-Catholic myself, I still think it’s extreme to refer to the Catholic Church as the “Kingdom of Satan.” In MacArthur‘s theocracy, Catholics would be deported.

    1. I would not deport Catholics, but rather, put them in work camps, where they can be put to good use.

      1. And you can sing hymns and Praise God as you pour the Zyklon B crystals into the Papist-packed “showers”.

    2. Right wing conservative Christians have absolutely no trouble cooperating with each other (and Mormons) when their political goals align. Their unified front against gay marriage was evidence for that, and I’ve heard many a right-wing evangelical express admiration for the Catholics’ dedication to opposing abortion.

      1. My sister’s in-laws are hard-right, Opus-Dei-aligned Catholics. Having been around them at a few family gatherings, I hear very little difference between what comes out of their mouths, and what comes out of the mouths of the hard-right, Protestant fundies in my own family. Sis’ in-laws even express belief in young-Earth creationism.

        1. My sister’s in-laws are hard-right, Opus-Dei-aligned Catholics.

          Fundies with Rosaries.

          Have you heard anything from them about the Three Days of Darkness (a fringe Catholic end-of-the-world thing)?

          1. I can’t say that I have…and what I have heard from them does not make me eager to know what that is…

      2. Right wing conservative Christians have absolutely no trouble
        cooperating with each other (and Mormons) when their political goals
        align.

        Remember how Mormons went from False CULT to Real True Christians when Romney won the GOP nomination in 2012 and became The Great White Hope?

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