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Resisting Tyranny: A Christian Response to Government Overreach
"For all of you who have been waiting for a response by the Here it is. This declaration is intended to help Christians to be able to reason and argue on the basis of God's Word. And it is meant as a statement to the state, so it knows where the church stands. The German chancellor says there are no more red lines for him? Herewith we draw the red line!"
182 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 13, 2023
An incredibly thought-provoking book and a vital dossier concerning the actions of the state and the Church during the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope that it is widely read for centuries to come, for it outlines the tyranny of the state and the timidity of the Church (rebuking where necessary), and plainly explains what the roles of each ought to look like. He recalls overreaches that I had forgotten, certainly, and I am sure that many others have as well, making the emotions and frustrations of that time rebubble.
It is a book that has brought to light individual sins, societal sins, government sins, and the sins that Christ's own bride committed, and I hope it shall be used by God as the means of repentance for all whom Riemenschneider addresses, as it has even unearthed personal sins, for which I can only thank the author for addressing, as there are very few pastors in this day and age who would drive so directly at this weighty subject but do it in sincere and pastoral tones.
I could go through an outline of this book and give a summary of each of its parts but I think that Riemenschneider has already captured that excellently in his foreword, so instead I shall comment on some of the most challenging parts and recall (as far as I am able to describe) what exactly was so conscience-pricking about each part.
Part I: Here, Riemenschneider and Schild's main aim is to refute a thesis paper, but the main thrust is the searing of the conscience of the Christian. Dismissing the ideas of limited numbers (not the gathered church), refraining from celebrating the Lord's Supper (a means of grace to strengthen the whole body of Christ), banning singing (who is the state to restrain what God has commanded?), mask mandates and social distancing (fearing your neighbour rather than loving him), etc., they stalwartly declare that 'the state should be afraid to interfere with the worship of God.' The fact that the vast majority of churches happily ceased worship to God in the name of science is blood-chilling and certainly suggests that repentance is necessary.
Part II: To be very brief, this is a sermon text on Romans 13 given by Riemenschneider. I found his clear exegesis of what the state is meant to do and how far Christians should obey the state incredibly helpful. He states, 'As Christians, we obey the state whenever it demands good from us. But we resist the state whenever it demands evil from us and acts as a tyrant.' (70) The state, he says, is a servant of God, but that servant may abuse its power. However, no matter how poor the government may be, we are never permitted to slander it and must instead rejoice because it is an institution of God.
Part III: A Biblical approach to the COVID vaccine. Anything that does not precede from faith is sin, and here Riemenschneider and Schild argue that a man ought to be settled one way or another in his conscience and take/not take the vaccine in that light. They address the much-touted line of 'if I just get it everything will go back to normal' and say no, this is not the way. Seeking salvation through a vaccination is sinful, repent (a train of thought I had not considered before). They address the idea of 'protecting the elderly', saying that 'the health of elders should not be bought at the cost of the health of children and grandchildren. This is morally reprehensible.' (81) Ultimately, they ask the question; is your lord the state that you should give it such reign over your freedoms and body? Or is Christ your Lord, in which case all your decisions are subject to Him. As a subnote, I found the printing of the end of this part a bit wonky, for it cuts off in the middle of a sentence at the very end.
Part V: Really helpful insight into just how bad things got in Germany. This is a reality that the West remained largely unaware of, and it is criminal. From 'vaccinate you neighbour as yourself' banners outside a church to pastors closing their churches permanently in the belief that the age of the church was over, it is mark of the grace of God that the Church persists at all in Germany.
Part XI: Riemenschneider takes on an incredibly humble posture by admitting his own failings during this time. How he kept the actions of the church he pastors a secret until he saw the courage of men such as James Coates and Tim Stephens who were arrested for their open faithfulness. It was then that he gained courage for himself, though he had been a 'scared little worm' previously (181). His final exhortation holds true now and in crises to come: pray for your pastors. Support the work of faithful Christians. 'Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.' (1 Peter 2:17)
I highly recommend this book, though I think this hardly needs to be said at this point. I have written so extensively because, to my knowledge, I am the first reviewer of this book on this platform. For such a thin volume it contains a vast quantity of wisdom, and it is delightful to see how God has blessed Riemenschneider's pen with an audience of countless souls. This is a book that should cause the Church to mourn, repent, and take up the sword of the Spirit should tyranny raise its head above the ramparts in such a way again.
It is a book that has brought to light individual sins, societal sins, government sins, and the sins that Christ's own bride committed, and I hope it shall be used by God as the means of repentance for all whom Riemenschneider addresses, as it has even unearthed personal sins, for which I can only thank the author for addressing, as there are very few pastors in this day and age who would drive so directly at this weighty subject but do it in sincere and pastoral tones.
I could go through an outline of this book and give a summary of each of its parts but I think that Riemenschneider has already captured that excellently in his foreword, so instead I shall comment on some of the most challenging parts and recall (as far as I am able to describe) what exactly was so conscience-pricking about each part.
Part I: Here, Riemenschneider and Schild's main aim is to refute a thesis paper, but the main thrust is the searing of the conscience of the Christian. Dismissing the ideas of limited numbers (not the gathered church), refraining from celebrating the Lord's Supper (a means of grace to strengthen the whole body of Christ), banning singing (who is the state to restrain what God has commanded?), mask mandates and social distancing (fearing your neighbour rather than loving him), etc., they stalwartly declare that 'the state should be afraid to interfere with the worship of God.' The fact that the vast majority of churches happily ceased worship to God in the name of science is blood-chilling and certainly suggests that repentance is necessary.
Part II: To be very brief, this is a sermon text on Romans 13 given by Riemenschneider. I found his clear exegesis of what the state is meant to do and how far Christians should obey the state incredibly helpful. He states, 'As Christians, we obey the state whenever it demands good from us. But we resist the state whenever it demands evil from us and acts as a tyrant.' (70) The state, he says, is a servant of God, but that servant may abuse its power. However, no matter how poor the government may be, we are never permitted to slander it and must instead rejoice because it is an institution of God.
Part III: A Biblical approach to the COVID vaccine. Anything that does not precede from faith is sin, and here Riemenschneider and Schild argue that a man ought to be settled one way or another in his conscience and take/not take the vaccine in that light. They address the much-touted line of 'if I just get it everything will go back to normal' and say no, this is not the way. Seeking salvation through a vaccination is sinful, repent (a train of thought I had not considered before). They address the idea of 'protecting the elderly', saying that 'the health of elders should not be bought at the cost of the health of children and grandchildren. This is morally reprehensible.' (81) Ultimately, they ask the question; is your lord the state that you should give it such reign over your freedoms and body? Or is Christ your Lord, in which case all your decisions are subject to Him. As a subnote, I found the printing of the end of this part a bit wonky, for it cuts off in the middle of a sentence at the very end.
Part V: Really helpful insight into just how bad things got in Germany. This is a reality that the West remained largely unaware of, and it is criminal. From 'vaccinate you neighbour as yourself' banners outside a church to pastors closing their churches permanently in the belief that the age of the church was over, it is mark of the grace of God that the Church persists at all in Germany.
Part XI: Riemenschneider takes on an incredibly humble posture by admitting his own failings during this time. How he kept the actions of the church he pastors a secret until he saw the courage of men such as James Coates and Tim Stephens who were arrested for their open faithfulness. It was then that he gained courage for himself, though he had been a 'scared little worm' previously (181). His final exhortation holds true now and in crises to come: pray for your pastors. Support the work of faithful Christians. 'Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.' (1 Peter 2:17)
I highly recommend this book, though I think this hardly needs to be said at this point. I have written so extensively because, to my knowledge, I am the first reviewer of this book on this platform. For such a thin volume it contains a vast quantity of wisdom, and it is delightful to see how God has blessed Riemenschneider's pen with an audience of countless souls. This is a book that should cause the Church to mourn, repent, and take up the sword of the Spirit should tyranny raise its head above the ramparts in such a way again.
August 25, 2024
Another worthy investment of time.
I am familiar with much of the discussion and know some of the various texts quite well at this point. However, It was good to revisit this and reflect on that time and the hardships faced in various forms.
Definitely a book I would point others toward should they be ready to reconsider the wicked narrative and secular powers that devoured and flattened the church.
I am familiar with much of the discussion and know some of the various texts quite well at this point. However, It was good to revisit this and reflect on that time and the hardships faced in various forms.
Definitely a book I would point others toward should they be ready to reconsider the wicked narrative and secular powers that devoured and flattened the church.
October 14, 2024
Certainly this is a challenging topic to approach, especially in light of many years of complacency in the church at large. As a collection of lectures, sermons, articles and statements you will find the book repetitive - though helpfully so.
I found it to be theologically sound and a good challenge in many areas. The majority of the arguments are rooted in scriptural principles and commands. On the occasions when appeals to logic are made, I found them generally helpful, though I didn’t necessarily always find myself in complete agreement with the presented premise.
Overall a very helpful book that I would commend as a challenge and practical approach to living in an increasingly corrupt world.
I found it to be theologically sound and a good challenge in many areas. The majority of the arguments are rooted in scriptural principles and commands. On the occasions when appeals to logic are made, I found them generally helpful, though I didn’t necessarily always find myself in complete agreement with the presented premise.
Overall a very helpful book that I would commend as a challenge and practical approach to living in an increasingly corrupt world.
November 25, 2023
Few were the voices that spoke out against the injustices committed by governments against the church during the Covid-19 pandemic, but here in this book we find some of these voices in a collection of helpful articles, sermons and declarations that point out where the government's jurisdiction over matters relating to the church ends. The message of this book is: Christ is King and Lord over all and He must be honoured as such by His church and by the world!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews