And I can trust my Lord "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." II Timothy 1:7 Therefore, Jesus said in Mark 16:18 that we believers would lay hands on the sick and they would recover. When I studied the beautifully written book of Job, I heard Gods answer to Jobs misery over losses in health, property, and family. Religious exemptions are carved out under the federal Civil Rights Act signed into law in 1964. Isaiah 41:10 says, So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. Chaos is part of creation, but God didnt bring chaos. . As these questions come to the forefront, it is important that we consider how the church has applied Scripture to navigate similar issues in the past. While this fear of Catholics was mostly rhetorical in nature, there were a few moments of violence. The most common verses came from 1. In the incredible wonder, beauty, and complexity of creation, there is chaos. EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is a resource for many seeking to understand if the Coronavirus pandemic is an End Times plague. On July 8, 1772, Edmund Massey preached a sermon at St. Andrews Holborn of London entitledA sermon against the dangerous and sinful practice of inoculation.6This text was republished and circulated in Boston, with Massey denouncing inoculation as a dangerous and sinful attempt to escape Gods judgment or to avoid the testing of ones faith. The Salvation Army Silicon Valley The Counter Decree: Esthers Connection to the Gospel Series. Jesus also preached on a broader view of a Kosher dietrelated to our current dilemma over prescription and non-prescription use of drugsas stated in the passages from Marks gospel and I Corinthians. Proud member The ability to work for a living and play for recreation is diminished. What should one do if there is no religious exemption? Pharisees protested when Jesus healed on the sabbath. Most have their human resources department decide, while others have put in place panels to review the requests. This verse has been a mantra for me since I was diagnosed with a severe health problem in middle age, pre-COVID. The religious objections of some may be as simple as holding the conviction that the human body is created by God, that ones health is a matter of stewardship, and Scripture places that responsibility on the individual and not the state. This is a good case . The body is a temple that should not receive foreign or unnatural substances, and God will protect the body from sickness; and The immune system was created by God and should not be altered often. Scriptures can help us to make sense of the confusion we see around us with people in fear of the Coronavirus. [7] John Newton, The Works of John Newton, 4 vols., (Edinburg: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2015), 617-619. Vaccines violate our ability to follow the teachings of the Bible. Accessed August 1, 2021. I wish we had all more faith to trust him with our bodies, our health, our provision, and our temporal comforts likewise. If a person should talk to me in this strain, most certainly I could not say, Notwithstanding all this, your safest way is to be inoculated. Conscience concerns. In July of 2020, the Marcionite Christian Church foresaw the likelihood of dangerous mandatory RNA vaccinations being administered under an emergency order and issued a Subitis Medicinae Edicto - a ban on RNA and . Life is precious and the sanctity of life is at the core of all divine purpose, the missive states. . Instead of receiving inoculation, Massey argued that one should trust the Lord. Job could not understand why a good person like him was punished with so much misfortune. It should be noted that liberty of conscience was recognized as being granted by God, and that it did not proceed from the state. I prayed this verse daily, driving to work, sitting on my couch. In addition, the following articles may offer more encouragement for all to remember as we face the trials of COVID-19 together: Discover Bible verses about Coronavirus related topics in this collection of scripture quotes. Did God Send the Coronavirus as a Biblical Plague from Revelation? Seeking a religious exemption should very clearly rest on apparent and applicable religious beliefs. But not with just a verse or two from the psalms, or even just one psalmbut with psalms. John 3:16 says, For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Think about Gods sacrifice, giving His only Son so that those who put their faith in Him would not spend an eternity separated from God. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Ben Purves is a pastor at Occoquan Bible Church in Woodbridge, VA. Ben joined OBCs staff in 2008. Fair enough. He was rebellious at times. . Social media allows these evangelical conspiracy theorists to become influential through their anti-vaccine rants. It's no wonder because Psalm 91 is literally the 9-1-1 to our mighty God. The New Covenant promise found in the Old Testament, made through Jesus, isnt about a nation. As a historian of the Bible in American life, I can attest that such shallow reading in service of political and cultural agendas has long been a fixture of evangelical Christianity. Till from on high [Over 110,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletter to understand the world. A segment of the states society protested vigorously. Coopers letter makes the case for allowing inoculation as a legitimate means to avoid suffering and preserve life. They dont have the capacity to go back and forth, she said. Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. . The letters flowed in as everyone from the pope to the prominent rabbis and imams has encouraged their followers to get the jabs. Tandon v. Newsom didn't center on a traditionally hot-button issue like abortion or LGBTQ rights; it focused on COVID-19. The views of the Bible proclaimed from the pulpits of formally educated clergy in established denominations gave way to a more free-wheeling and populist understanding of the scriptures that was often dissociated from such authoritative communities. All of these verses have been lifted out of context and repurposed to buttress the anti-vaccine movement. the kingdom of God has come near to you(Luke 10:9). The argument seems to be that being injected with one of the available COVID vaccineswhich are characterized as manifestly unsafe or, at best, risky experimental potionswould defile the Holy Spirit's dwelling. While the Bible may not use the word "vaccine," it gives clear principles about medicine and handling disputes with other Christians. Nothing new to your ears, right? This fear has driven some Christians to request religious exemptions Gods love is not only incomprehensible, but it is also unbreakable. These letters, obtained by THE CITY, are among the thousands of the notes that clergy members have given to city workers and nonprofit staffers contracted with the city to get out of the employee vaccine mandate put in place by the de Blasio administration. Our view and understanding of people going through a similar situation are forever changed. When they explain their religious objections to health officials, employers and school administrations, evangelicals select verses, usually out of context, and reference them on exemptions forms. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Regardless of these differences, decisions should be grounded in faith, and with trust in the Lord for whatever the outcome may be. Though the controversy surrounding inoculation would subside as the practice became more widely accepted in medicine and in the church, many are faced with similar questions regarding the COVID vaccine today. The Lord wants us to recognize that we should not let fear overcome us. - Sort By Book Order. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. He added that the city has not broken down the data between religious and medical requests. Barrier on What Does the Bible Say About Coronavirus: Is it a Sign of the End Times? Rather, I am arguing for the liberty of conscience. Hundreds of people demonstrated against vaccine mandates during a protest outside City Hall, Nov. 3, 2021. Probatum est. 'Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and acknowledge Him in all your ways and he shall make straight the paths beneath your feet. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:20, If you feel aloneFor I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39, If you are weary from parenting 24/7But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. 2 Chronicles 15:7, If youre scared about the futureFor I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11, If youre battling discontentKeep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5. What Is the Meaning of Psalm 91 and Why Is it Popular? Almost all the responses from SDPD staff reviewed by KPBS included references to specific Bible verses to justify not taking the COVID-19 vaccine. from Multnomah Bible College (Portland, OR), an M.A. Why Did Pharaoh Tell Joseph to Enjoy the 'Fat of the Land'? One particular fringe theory arose out of evangelical apocalypticism: that the Covid-19 vaccine is the "mark of the beast"a sign of the end times and a symbol of alignment with the Antichrist. How strange is it, that when we think we can do thegreater, we should be so awkward and unskillful when we aim at theless! With this covenant, He is focusing on their life and status in the land. heal the sick . Indeed, I had a name for it: the 6% gambit. We hope it can direct you toward scriptural truths about plagues and a study of the Book of Revelation. The Department of Health also participates in cases involving medical accommodation requests. The verse says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. This is a passage that many people who are battling fear, anxiety and depression turn to. While many things continue to remain outside of our control, many find comfort in scripture to cope with difficult circumstances and face the unknown. Some of us are living in extreme fear, and others are unburdened by the threat of health issues. Nothing outside a man can make him "unclean" by going into him. Whether you agree with their decision or not God will accept them regardless of how they choose. Very clearly the Torah says choose life.. For example, in 1844, nativist Protestants, responding to rumors that Catholics were trying to remove the Bible from Philadelphia public schools, destroyed two of the citys Catholic churches before the Pennsylvania militia stopped the violence. As Michael Bird would say, "sweet mother of Melchisedec!" But, this woman isn't you. "If he or she thus comes to the sure conviction in conscience that they should not receive it, we believe this is a sincere religious belief, as they are bound before God to follow their. But some Catholics wrongly support "religious" exemptions on the basis . If that is not an option, seek counsel with your church as you weigh the decision of receiving the vaccine versus remaining at your place of employment. It is not rooted in emotions or feelings. However, if ones application of Scripture, wisdom, and conscience leads one to decline a particular medical treatment, this is an application of the doctrine of liberty of conscience. To keep my mortal breath. Meanwhile, we all await the ultimate kingdom of God, where there is no sickness or dyingand we all get along. City Hall is far behind in going through mandate-exemption requests from municipal workers. Please enter your name, email and zip code below to sign up! And if you will mind your praying and preaching, and believe that the Lord can take care of her without any of your contrivances, I shall not blame you. I have faith in the body that God gave me to fight Covid. It was ascribed to by both Christians and Deists, and was foundational to Thomas Jeffersons authorship of theVirginia Statute of Religious Freedom. As you make the decision to receive or decline medical treatment, it is responsible for one to review whatever medical information is available, and to make an informed decision. 31 Bible Verses and Scriptures for Hope during COVID-19. The de Blasio administration has touted the mandate, noting it has pushed nearly 11,000 employees to get vaccinated since the Nov. 1 deadline. We must keep in mind that God is making a covenant with a particular nation in the Old Testament. This was passed by the General Assembly on January 16, 1786, and served as a forerunner to the First Amendments protection of religious liberty. What Does the Bible Say About Coronavirus: Is it a Sign of the End Times? The chances of defeating the mandate are between slim and none and slim is out of town, said Manhattan-based lawyer Jerold Levine, who focuses on civil service and gun rights cases. This is chronicled by his great-grandson, Sereno Edwards Dwight, inThe Works of President Edwards with a Memoir of His Life. Other federal defense agencies have rarely granted religious exemptions for other vaccines. The Bible does not instruct us as to whether or not one should receive a vaccine, but it is clear when it comes to the doctrine of the liberty of conscience. As people read the Bible many for the first time they inevitably began to interpret it as well. The vaccine is made from aborted fetuses. She then quotes 2 Corinthians 7 out of context and assumes a vaccine will "contaminate" her. During this period, the United States also grew more democratic. Back to the Third Commandment. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit." The Bible also has something to say about a government mandating vaccines for everyone. John Price / Unsplash. All rights reserved. Whether it concerns the global pandemic, your health, finances, the economy, or relationships, much of what is ahead of us in life remains uncertain. 7 And the swine, because he parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, but - cheweth not the cud, he is unclean unto you. I am not seeking to support or oppose the COVID vaccine. These preachers built followers around innovative readings of the Scriptures. Covenant promise found in the Old Testament the psalms, or even just psalmbut! Sickness or dyingand we all get along regardless of these differences, decisions should be grounded in faith and! Await the ultimate kingdom of God why a good person like him was punished with so much misfortune pope the... Pandemic is an End Times from Revelation disputes with other Christians on their and... 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