Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not in your own interests but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus..." The Apostle Paul, Philippians 2:3-6a
Today, I watched a YouTube link posted on a podcast that showed people gathered in a tent for a church service in Tennessee with a pastor raging back and forth on the platform, yelling at the top of his lungs, proclaiming that the Delta variant wasn't real, that no one in the church better walk in there wearing a mask, that they better not go and get a vaccination and that Joe Biden's days were numbered. I guess he covered it all, huh? I'm not going to link the video here, it needs no further publicity. I'll just say that seeing that tantrum is what prompted this post. That's not a church, either, and I don't care what they call themselves. True Christian churches preach the gospel. That preacher does not.
There is nothing in the theology or doctrine of Christianity that leads to an anti-vaccination, anti-mask wearing position when it comes to COVID-19 or the Delta variant. There's not even anything that would lead to either of these things being just a matter of individual choice, since getting vaccinated not only protects you, but it also contributes to everyone's benefit by reducing the spread of the virus and by knocking down the development of variants that could be more deadly and contagious. Wearing a mask keeps others around you from getting infected if you happen to have been exposed and it's been proven to be more than 90% effective in doing that.
Christians are "Christ-followers," whose response to the grace that is given to them by God is to live their life in "Christ-likeness," following the life principles laid out by Jesus and by the apostles who gave testimony to his life and teaching. Paul says it clearly in the passage from Philippians that I cited at the beginning, "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus," going on to say "who though he was in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
That is the gospel. Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, God in the flesh, made the ultimate sacrifice for all humanity, every individual human being, by emptying himself, taking on human likeness, humbling himself and becoming obedient, setting the example of Christlikeness for everyone who accepts the grace of forgiveness and redemption to follow.
So what are we looking at here?
This is really very, very simple and easy to figure out. Wearing a mask is 90% effective in preventing the spread of COVID. It's a good thing to do. It sets an example of humility that is the exact characteristic Jesus exhibited in fulfilling his purpose, bringing forgiveness of sin and redemption to humanity. A pastor, correctly interpreting the Bible to his congregation, encouraging and exhorting them to set a Christlike example as a testimony to their faith would be telling them to wear their masks not only out of the compassion and concern for people that are supposed to be the most visible signs of Christian faith, but also to glorify God as an act of worship.
On the other hand, whining and complaining about government intrusion and "tyranny" on individual rights, and refusing to wear masks as a political statement is selfish. Selfishness is the root of human sin and is the opposite of the gospel message of Jesus. Refusing to wear a mask is a demonstration of a complete lack of concern for people, especially those who are frequently in close proximity, like family members and friends. Even if you have doubts about the veracity of the claim that masks are 90% effective against the spread of COVID-19 (which is now an established fact) wearing a mask is a demonstration of Christian compassion and refusing to wear one is a sinful and evil act of selfish contempt. How's that for tact? And if you think of those who wear masks as "sheep", take note. That's exactly what Jesus called his followers 😉.
Vaccination protects from a virus that is unpredictable in what it might do to the body, including death. Those who get one are contributing to the protection of others. The more people who have the vaccine, the harder it is to spread, the less likely it is to mutate into a form that is more contagious, deadly or vaccine-resistant. Maybe there's a little more sacrifice involved than in wearing a mask, because there can be some side-effects, usually minor and the benefits exponentially exceed the risks. For those who are tired of the restrictions, the regulations, the quarantines, and the masks, there's a point where the percentage of vaccinated persons represses the spread of the virus and "herd immunity" is achieved.
For a Christian, getting vaccinated is an act of love. The Apostle John says, "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth." I John 3:18, ESV. Hiding behind claims that COVID is a hoax, that it's no worse than the flu, or promoting conspiracy theories about vaccines containing tracking microchips or genetic altering agents is believing a lie. A Christian who goes and gets vaccinated is an act of love in deed, and a declaration of truth, dispelling the ridiculous lies and evil conspiracy theories that are blinding people and preventing this pandemic from ending.
Refusing to get the vaccination isn't just an "individual choice." It is harmful to others, and no one has a "right" to do that..Yes, it is and it's selfish. It's not a neutral, "I'm not hurting anyone else" position. Where did we ever get the idea that a virus that has a 2% death rate and leaves up to 20% of those who get it with permanent damage to their health is not worth making sacrifices to prevent its spread? The Bible teaches the sanctity of all human life, and that includes an 89 year old diabetic with asthma and dementia. Even "mild" cases of COVID have produced permanent lung damage, sometimes not discovered right away, congestive heart failure, digestive problems with the pancreas, liver and colon, and kidney failure. It is far worse than the flu, as bad as AIDS and affects far more people.
Do all things without murmuring and arguing so that you may be blameless and innocent children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation in which you shine like stars in the world. Philippians 2:14, NRSV
This viral pandemic should be the Christian church's finest hour. Christians should be, in the words of the Apostle Paul, "shining like stars in the world." Not only should Christians be running to the head of the vaccination line to set an example for others to follow, encouraging those who are reluctant and comforting those who are fearful, but church classrooms and fellowship halls should be vaccination centers, with plenty of volunteers on hand to give out encouraging words and a cup of coffee. As I walk around the city, I see people wearing masks with college or pro-sports team logos, business logos, photographs, or pithy sayings, but hardly any with crosses or the ichthus, or a scripture verse or even a church's name. They should be everywhere. They were very visible and prevalent in the mob that committed the Trump Insurrection on January 6th. Not so much when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
I don't see very many Christians "shining like starts."
There is a lot of rhetoric among Evangelical Christians about the "crooked and perverse" generation of our day. But a lot of the rhetoric coming from Evangelical Christians whining about individual rights, griping about wearing masks and spreading misinformation about the vaccines is crooked, perverse, hateful and evil. It has made wearing a mask and getting the vaccine a political statement. It is unfathomable that those who claim to be Christians have become caught up in the politics of deceit and misinformation that is the opposite of the Christlikeness which characterizes the gospel. Some of that is just ignorance and being influenced by the wrong people. But some of it is a sign of the extent of apostasy that exists among Christians in America.
"And no wonder! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his ministers also disguise themselves as ministers of unrighteousness. Their end will match their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, NRSV
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