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.  

Haiti, the Gospel, and the American Dream

As I write this, I, like most of the world have been witnessing the devestation in Haiti. We have been watching the rescue efforts, hearing reports of mass graves, of untold thousands who have died and vanished, and praying.

Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have been pouring out their prayers, their sympathy and sending in money to help the people of Haiti.

In the United States, there has been mixed reaction to this devestation. While most people have been asking themselves "what can we do?", there have been others who have used this event as an opportunity to spread hatred and attempt to politicize this disaster.

First we had Pat Robertson who suggested that this event had occurred because the Haitian people had made a 'pact with the devil' and now God was bringing to bear his wrath. Rev. Robertson is truly entitled to his opinion, and as a pastor, I can see what he was trying to say, but his unfortunate choice of words have led few to believe that the Haitians, 'had it coming.'

Then some prominent American conservatives thinkers, among them Rush Limbaugh, suggested that we had spent too much money on Haiti and that instead of sending any more money to Haiti, we needed to spend it here. From a political point of view, I can see thier point. And I would agree that the answer to this catastrophe does not lie with the American government. It lies with the church.

These tragic events in Haiti remind us of the potential of disaster at any moment. This tragedy could have happened in California or Hawaii, or Europe, or Africa...but it didn't. It happened in Haiti, a tiny nation that has reeled from one disaster to another. We could spend time asking, 'why there...' or 'why not here,' but such questions would be pointless. It happened.

The only question worth asking is: "what will we do now?"

As Christians, this answer is very easy, "Whatever we can!" While each individual Christian may not go to Haiti or even contribute to the relief effort, we as the Church have a responsibility to make sure we are present in the effort to save lives and to rebuild Haiti.

Here is an opportunity for us to see the Gospel in action and an opportunity to share God's Love and God's Word with people who may not know it. If the Church ignores Haiti at this point, it will be a tragedy beyond the power of any 'pact with the devil.'

The Gospel is about God rebuilding His world. He restores fellowship with people through the atoning death of his Son Jesus Christ. Those who turn in faith to Jesus are saved from the penalty of their sin and have the privilige of not only sharing the Good News with others, but also of helping to demonstrate God's kingdom here on earth.

Jesus was not really interested in protecting one country's wealth at the expense of anothers. Jesus is not interested to see one person become wealthy while others starve. Jesus was about taking care of others in need (Luke 10:25-37).

We can look at what is happening in Haiti and either give into despair or look to God in hope. I believe that this is a time when the Church must put the gospel into action. We must ignore the rantings of Pat Robertson and the narrow interest of the American wealth, and, as the Church, reach out to Haiti and offer them the true love of the God as well as the true Word of God.