The Bbile doesn't say anything about COVID-19 (and if it did, we wouldn't like it)

If you are like me, perhaps you have been wondering what the Bible has to say about the COVID-19 pandemic.  I have been reading and thinking about the response the Biblical prophets or the apostles would have to say to the church in like of these events.

            Granted we live in confusing times and we are given confusing messages from Evangelical Christian leaders. From Kenneth Copeland spitting on the COVID-19 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkyDS5ULts) to Pat Robertson claiming that we have cowered before a virus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtiUOr-Vw80) to churches trying to ‘liberate’ states from Social Distancing mandates, the church has been confused as to what direction they need to go with this virus.

            So what about the Bible? What does the Bible say about this? Surprisingly very little.  There is no explicit guidance as to what to do during a pandemic….although many Christians are pointing towards Psalm 91 as proof that God will protect you from the coronavirus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObpY9DcNhic).  In particular Psalm 91:6 seems to be the verse that people key in on: “nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday” (ESV). 

            But let’s be clear. Psalm 91:6 is not God’s promise to you that you will not get coronavirus.  The Psalms are poetry that express general feelings about the Lord, not direct promises from God to you that will neither suffer harm nor have pain inflicted on you.  Psalm 91 is not a medal of protection that will keep the virus at bay from you. 

            Plague, famine, destruction are all things that God’s people have faced throughout history.  While there have been instances of individual’s being spared the devastating effects, God has never excluded His people from these plagues.  In fact, often it is Christians who are in the front line of these plagues, putting themselves at risk and often succumbing to the effects of them. Jesus is not the ‘vaccine’ for this virus (https://www.christianpost.com/news/jesus-is-my-vaccine-protest-sign-declares-in-pennsylvania-as-people-demand-reopening-of-economy.html).

            So if the Bible doesn’t have much to say about pandemics directly…what does it say?

            Well, here many American Evangelicals might not like the answer.  The main thrust of Biblical ethics are directed toward helping your neighbor and protecting their lives.

            We are now seeing Evangelicals protest and demand for their right to open the economy.  At the behest of the President, they are seeking to ‘liberate’ the states and ignore social distancing guidelines. We have seen many churches even defy these directives and continue to meet because they see it as an act of faithfulness ( https://www.thedailybeast.com/louisiana-pastor-tony-spell-vows-satan-and-virus-wont-stop-easter-service-as-others-make-unusual-plans). American Evangelicals see the social distancing restrictions placed on the population as a cause to rally against in the name of Jesus…because….Jesus is American?

            But this does not do justice to the overarching concern that the Bible has for life and for love of neighbor.  A consistent theme is that Christians should be willing and ready to sacrifice…well everything…for others (John 15:13).  In the current case, social distancing guidelines could save the lives of people at risk for this disease.  Just as we should be cautious about spreading any disease, we should be ready to sacrifice some of our personal liberties to keep others safe.  This virus is spread very quickly and has a long incubation period. This means that during one church service has the potential to spread this virus to thousands of people.  While I do believe that corporate worship is important, the witness we send to the world about our concern for others is equally valid.

            Near where my family lives, there is a large megachurch (with an obnoxious statue of Jesus in the front yard).  They have vowed to continue to hold services despite being encouraged and ordered not to. The reaction from neighbors is one of contempt and disgust as these Christians are putting others at risk for disease and possibly further exacerbating the medical system.

            But what about the damage done to the economy? Shouldn’t we open up the economy because people will be adversely affected by this? First let’s be clear…yes there will be economic repercussions from this, that is inevitable. But why are Evangelicals thinking of this as an either/or scenario, as if the choice is either we open the economy and sacrifice lives or we keep it closed and hurt people later?  

            Let’s be clear: the Bible would see this as a both/and situation.  Yes we are going to protect people from this virus by sacrificing some of our liberties.  And yes we are going to help people in the aftermath of this virus by sacrificing some of our wealth. See what the Bible calls Christians to is to do the best regardless of the situation we find ourselves in.  We minister to the best of our ability to all people and try to do the best regardless of how it will impact us.

            We do not get the option to sit back and do nothing.  We do not get the option of arguing that the economy is worth more than people’s lives.  We do not get the option of sitting back and watching others struggle with poverty while we thrive.  We are called to love and to work for the life and well being of all. Isn’t that the pro-life position of the Bible (Exodus 20:13, cf. WLC 135-136)?

            What does the Bible have to say about coronavirus? Probably not much.  But it does say a great deal about acting in love, which is what we are called to do in this time…and everytime.  

Corona-time

       
     

         In the age of Coronavirus, Social-distancing, quarantine, self-isolation and all around weirdness that is 2020, we have an opportunity to re-evaluate our lives…our goals and our accomplishments.  Many people who were busy every day of their lives suddenly find themselves with a great deal of free time. Some who were considered to be the low-important, entry-level employees find themselves labeled as ‘essential workers’ and are required to be at work much more than normal.

          If there is anything that this global pandemic has done…it has allowed us to reassess what is truly important.  Many of us are left with a great deal of time…perhaps uncomfortable time…to look at our lives.  What are we living for? What are we giving up? What are we doing with the time that we have been given?

        The other day I was asked by a couple of Christians about my productivity…or…I should say…in their eyes…my worth. Things have slowed down a bit at work…we are unable to do things we once did.  Public worship services have been canceled and I spend much more of my time editing videos.  Anyway, the couple wanted to slam any work product.  We are a small chapel community and we only garner a small amount of ‘views’ or ‘likes’ on our page. Am I ‘productive’ enough? Am I ‘good’ enough? Am I valuable?

        We have used terms like ‘essential’ and ‘non-essential’ to divide up the work force.  During these times we say, “Mission-essential” personnel only should report to work.  In a short time event like a Typhoon or a Blizzard, this does not affect most of us psychologically.  But when the duration is months…well things get trickier.

        We see it already as the ‘essential’ hold out their ‘essentiality’ with a sense of distinction and pride.  They, after all, are chosen to be ‘essential.’  The non-essential workers struggle to maintain a sense of relevance for themselves and try to produce work…in order to…produce work.

         I admit that I struggle with this.  As somebody who has historically identified myself with my job…this is tough.  Do I matter? Am I valuable?

        Or is something else going on?

       Walter Brueggemann wrote a book entitled Sabbath as Resistance where he suggests many answers to these questions.

       Where do we get the assumption that our value is tied to our economic productivity? If we look in the Bible, we have to acknowledge that is Pharaoh who embraces this ethic.  “They are more numerous than the people of the land, yet you want them to stop working!” he screams (Exodus 5:5).  Work harder! Work without resources! Pharaoh is the capitalist God. 

       Capitalism may be a good economic system…but it is a terrible source of life.  As Brueggemann puts it, “our capitalistic system is on the wrong side of history.” This does not mean that we need to embrace socialism or communism or any other version of centrally run economies.  It does, mean, however that we need to redesign our system of values that are derived from capitalism.

In our current crisis, politicians are willing to sacrifice people to protect the economy.  Rep Trey Hollingsworth of Indiana presents at as the mature thing to do (https://time.com/5821166/gop-coronavirus-deaths-economy/).  Time to “put on our grown up pants…” he intimates…as if those who want to stem the tide of the virus are immature babies. In a value system that would make Pharaoh giddy with delight, Hollingsworth suggests that the most important items are the economy and our productivity.  These are what give us meaning.  This is what is truly important.

In the Old Testament, YHWH had a different understanding.  He wanted His people to leave Egypt to worship the Lord (although even today, YHWH would probably insist on social distancing).  Delight was to be found in community and in providing for one another.  Joy was to be found in the Lord, not in the economic bottom dollar.

        Jesus, too, seemed to place value on people rather than political or economic goals. “Love one another…” that is the commandment Jesus gave to His disciples the night before he died. “Pray for you enemy…” he declared.  The New Testament church went farther and declared that true religion was to take care of the widow and the orphan (James 1:24).  The Church met together and took care of each other and shared in their property (Acts 6).  Their value system was different. 

Imagine a world where we could take the time to develop a new sense of community…a new sense of value and a new sense of importance.

        We now have that opportunity.  One of the things that is interesting in the Old Testament was God’s command for Israel to take a Sabbath every seven years (Lev 25:2-4).  God declares that if the people of Israel did not do this, He would inflict it on the land (Jer 25:11-12).  One of the reasons the people go into Exile is because the land needs a Sabbath rest.  It is a reminder to put God at the center of all things.

       When we do this, we realize that God is in charge, we are not.  God will do what God will do and we can not stop that. If God wants the world to pause, the world will pause. But this also has a side implication: we are all non-essential.

       God does not depend on us…any of us…to do His will. No matter how busy or non-busy wer are, God’s plan will always be accomplished.  This is heart breaking for many of us. We want to be the agents of our success and we want to change the world.  But it is God who does that.  Not us. It is        God who accomplishes His plans…we do not accomplish those plans for Him.

       But just because we are non-essential does not mean that we are not valuable.  I truly believe that every individual…the billions and billions who existed over time and the billions who exist now and all of those who will exist in the future are valuable. Each of us is important to somebody else.  The Navy may not care about me…but my family does.  My friends do. 

Even more important that this…God does.  One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Zephaniah 3:17… “He will delight over you…He will quiet you with his love.” Brennan Manning spoke about the furious longing of God and there is a sense in which each one of us… all of us are important to God.

        So perhaps the Corono-virus is an opportunity for us to re-evaluate what we are basing our lives on.  If we seek to base it on the productivity of Western Capitalism, we will surely be disappointed as we increasingly become aware of our own irrelevance. But if we base it on God and derive our value and importance from this…we will truly be free.

So my content may not be viewed by many people.  Nobody may read this blog entry…I’d be highly surprised if anyone did.  But my importance is not derived from how many likes, or clicks or shares I get.  
       My importance and my value is derived by my God and my family who love me.