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..." Philippians 2:3-5, NRSV
One of the doctrinal positions that is taken by most American Evangelical Christians, and which they claim is one of the distinctives that sets them apart from other Christian denominations and traditions is that they believe the Bible is completely authoritative in all matters of faith as well as all guidance for individuals living a life of faith as a confessed believer in Jesus as their savior. They believe the words of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, apart from the Apocrypha, are without error in their transmission to the original authors and infallible in practice.
What that means, in an American Evangelical context, is that the life decisions of someone who claims to be a Christian, and who affirms this particular doctrine, would make decisions affecting their lifestyle based on the principles that are found throughout the Biblical text. So someone who believes the Bible is the sole authority for their lifestyle would certainly consult the scriptures when making a decision about whether or not to get a vaccination. And if there were a "religious objection" to receiving a vaccine, such an objection would have to be found in the Bible, in an applicable and correct context, in order to be considered valid.
Conclusion: There is No Supporting Biblical Evidence for Religious Objections to COVID Vaccines, or Which Supports an Anti-Vaccination Position
Not only is there not a Biblical text anywhere, even among Old Testament passages which, in their correct context, apply to the old covenant between God and the Jewish people and for which there is no longer a context for literal interpretation, but the Biblical text, specifically the inspired words of the church's early Apostles, actually place a responsibility on Christians to be the leaders who set the example for the community when it comes to doing the right thing. When it became clear that vaccinations had been approved, were effective in fighting off the effects of COVID, preventing it in most cases, and that the pathway out of the pandemic nightmare is a fully vaccinated community, Christian churches should have opened their doors to vaccination clinics and their members should have been the first ones in the line, bringing their neighbors with them and encouraging them to get vaccinated.
How can I draw this conclusion? Take a look at the passage cited at the beginning of this article, authored by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church at Philippi. Paul says, "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus," and he concludes that statement by saying, "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." Philippians 2:6-8, NRSV
So Christians are prompted to be like Jesus, putting the needs of others ahead of their own interests. Healing was one of the key cornerstones of his ministry, not merely an attention-getting device for his sermons, but a way of meeting the needs of people who were suffering. The COVID vaccinations which have been developed have provably saved lives, prevented people from getting sick and among those who have received them, has slowed and stopped the spread of this virus and its variants. A Christian following Biblical principles making lifestyle decisions would be an activist for vaccination, not only setting the example by getting vaccinated personally, but encouraging others who may have doubts or fears to get them as well.
I have seen some Christians take the lead on this. One congregation that meets not too far from my home has enlisted volunteers and is using its two vans to transport people to vaccination sites, one of which is located in their church hall. I saw posts from a church on social media declaring that because their congregation wanted people to feel comfortable about coming back to church, the entire membership was getting vaccinated and would wear masks at church gatherings and worship services. Neither of these churches would be considered "Evangelical." But they certainly understand the mind of Christ.
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:I4-I5, NRSV
You tell me, do you see Christians "shining like stars", taking the lead and setting the good example as far as this pandemic, in this country, is concerned?
There is no Biblical support for an anti-vax argument. Nothing I've seen regarding "religious objections" to vaccinations, or in the politics of the anti-vaxxer movement comes from any Biblical precept or principle, and there's no supporting texts. It's all about personal choice, individual "rights" and whining about "tyranny," and "if the government can tell you to do this, they'll tell you to do something else." It's usually sprinkled with falsehoods about the vaccinations being "rushed" (If they were, wouldn't that be Trump's fault?). But that's not tyranny, and that's not true.
Of course, the fact that over 90% of Americans, including about that high of a percentage of anti-vaxxers, have submitted to mandatory vaccinations for rubella, diphtheria, polio, small pox and a variety of other diseases, none of which are as deadly or contagious as COVID. So there's some hypocrisy blended in here as well, along with a fair dose of ignorance. It seems that being an anti-vaxxer involves an awful lot of grumbling and complaining, and not much in the way of "looking after the interests of others."
Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, commits sin. James 4:I7, NRSV.
Yes, that is cited in context.
The Issue of Obedience to the Governing Authorities
The government's involvement, taking the lead in directing the scientific, medical response to the pandemic, is part of its constitutional obligation to protect its citizens. It has worked with private sector medical resources to conduct research and develop vaccines which are effective in preventing the spread of this coronavirus. The end result has been wide open access to both testing and to the vaccines, both of which are vital in stopping this pandemic.
Had the government not become involved, the cost of tests and vaccinations, driven by the supply and demand "free market," would have been prohibitive. Just a little over a year ago, from a private medical clinic, a test and consultation with a doctor cost $250. Ending a viral pandemic can't happen if only those who can afford the necessary elements of medical care don't have access to them.
It's pretty clear that being anti-vaxxer is an extremist right wing political position, with principled opposition not based on anything related to actually being vaccinated, but because it is a means to take a stance against the current government leadership. I have absolutely no words to address that, except to say that it is a position of gross ignorance and bottomless stupidity. A lot of prominent anti-vaxxers have died from COVID, which makes taking an anti-vaxxer stand successful if that was the goal. Otherwise, it's gross ignorance and bottomless, fatal stupidity.
Any Christian, Evangelical, Mainline Protestant, Catholic or Othodox, should be diametrically opposed and clearly on the opposite side of the anti-vax argument by clear, Biblical directive:
From the Apostle Paul--
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed and those who resist will incur judgement. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good and you will receive its approval, for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain. It is the servant of God to execute wrath upon the wrongdoer. Therefore, one must be subject, not only because of wrath, but because of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants busy with this very thing. Pay to all what is due to them, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Romans I3:I-7, NRSV
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarelling, to be gentle and to show every courtesy to everyone. Titus 3:I-2, NRSV
From the Apostle Peter--
For the Lord's sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, or of governors, sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil. Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the Emperor. I Peter 2:I3-I7, NRSV
Emphasis in boldface is mine.
Following what is a very clear and literal interpretation of scripture, noting that these two Apostles were referencing the Roman government, which was not a representative democracy, but an imperial dictatorship which would eventually take to persecuting Christians when emperor worship became the "official" religion of the empire, an anti-vax position would be opposed to the government, and would, be the opposite of Biblically directed Christian practice.
There's not a mandate in place requiring Americans to get the COVID vaccination, which gives the anti-vax stance even more anti-Christian character. But this principle of obedience to governing authorities, without qualification, which both Apostles attribute to God's authority and God's will, does indeed apply to states that have put emergency procedures in place to protect citizens from COVID, such as mask mandates and requiring proof of vaccination or recent negative test to attend public gatherings and events.
Getting Vaccinated Does Not Demonstrate "A Spirit of Fear"
...for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy I:7
When I've seen this verse applied to the reaction of people, including medical experts and those who, in their occupation are responsible for the safety of others, it is take completely out of its context. First of all, in order to claim that mask mandates, vaccinations and other steps to prevent COVID, including quarantines and closures, are the result of a "spirit of fear" requires making an unqualified judgement of someone elses feelings and actions, which is not possible. Jesus himself says that judging the actions or intentions of someone else by our own personal convictions or standards is hypocritical. If I say that wearing a mask, getting a vaccination or staying home from work is not the result of fear, then that's the way it is and the words of Christ in scripture say so.
The first part of this complete thought, that gives it its context, is found in verse 6,
For this reason, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands;
Paul is addressing Timothy, who needed some encouragement to continue his ministry. Paul is writing from prison, arrested and sent there because of his preaching and ministry. Timothy may have paused in his work at this point because he feared persecution and Paul is encouraging him to continue, reminding him of his gift. Being fearful of things that have the potential to harm us is natural, but doing something to alleviate the potential harm isn't a demonstration of fear, it is a demonstration of strength. Paul reminded Timothy of the significance of the "laying on of hands" in which his spiritual gift was imparted and that, along with the faithfulness of his mother and grandmother, were his hedge against fear.
Go Get Vaccinated
The right thing to do is to take action which will contribute to the greater good. We have all the scientific, medical information we need to know that the more people who get vaccinated, the quicker this pandemic will come to an end. We may never be able to completely eradicate the coronavirus, but vaccinations will help us get to the point where they have limited ability to infect because there are few hosts who don't have immunity to it. The more people who are vaccinated, the less chance a dangerous, more contagious variant will develop and spread. And the higher the vaccination rate, the quicker the restrictions that none of us likes will go away.
This was an opportunity for American Evangelicals to set the kind of example for others that both Paul and Peter instructed and encouraged them to do. It's been pretty obvious that what should have been their finest hour in terms of theit testimony for Christ and the example they have set has turned into a missed opportunity and very bad publicity because of the anti-vax stance of high profile church leaders. That lost reputation is not salvageable at this point, at least not in terms of anything that can be done regarding the pandemic itself. President Biden, Vice President Harris and the administration, not the churches of Evangelical Christians, are the leaders in America's fight against COVID.
Give that a little bit of thought.
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