The World Is Afraid, and the Church Isn’t Helping

“At the end of 2020, Lifeway Research asked U.S. adults which feeling they sought to avoid the most: fear, shame, or guilt. Four in 10 U.S. adults (41%) said fear, the clear winner of the three options.” - Lifeway

Discussion

[Larry] Heterodoxy. Not differing views on the application of biblical principles. If you think my approach is akin to “Christians can believe anything they want,” then you aren’t reading what I am saying. And I think you aren’t understanding the historic doctrines. I am preaching through 1 Corinthians right now, so I am fairly familiar with it. It won’t help you make your case.

I just finished preaching through 1 Corinthians. First Corinthians addresses both improper belief and praxis as well as misinformed “application of biblical principles.” So, yes, 1 Corinthians does inform our discussion here.

[Larry] I agree. If someone can’t provide a scriptural defense, then they shouldn’t use it. But a great many can provide a scriptural defense of it. It is not fabricated for them.

And their scriptural defense is? And, this robust Scriptural defense is why they and their families have received other vaccines, but just not the covid vaccine? Scripture teaches them to specifically avoid the COVID vaccine?

[Larry] My guess is you have no way of knowing why most people aren’t getting the vaccine. So why not just admit you are making this up because you don’t like their conclusion and you disagree with them?

Actually, we do have some understanding why most people aren’t getting the vaccine. Don’t we have polling data that tells us? What do those polls demonstrate? What reasons have self-identified Christians given for not getting vaccinated? Do these reasons stand up to scriptural scrutiny?

In reviewing my most recent posts on this thread and my posts in other threads, I acknowledge I am coming across very dogmatic about the religious exemption. What’s the big deal? Who are we to scrutinize the sincerely held beliefs of professing believers?

As I related in another thread, I had a missionary friend recently die from COVID who left his wife and three young children without a husband and father. He willfully chose not to be vaccinated. While he did not claim a religious exemption (because he didn’t have to), his reasoning for not getting the vaccination was based on misinformation, conspiracy theories, and politization (i.e. the same reasons multiple polls have pinpointed belonging to evangelicals).

My concern is that more and more believers are going to see the religious exemption as an “escape clause” for refusing the vaccine (for the reasons stated above) even though there really is no Scriptural basis or warrant for their refusal. This has and will result in more unnecessary hospitalizations and death, but now those will be the result of one’s Christian faith and a perceived obedience to God.

As Christians who believe and obey God’s Word, should we not take a stand against this abuse and misapplication of God’s Word? Should we not speak truth into this situation? Should we not call on believers to knock off this foolish and dangerous behavior? Those who persist, should we not mark them and tell other believers not to follow their example?

If you’re a professing believer and don’t want the vaccine, that’s your decision. All I’m saying is don’t blame God for your decision when your decision has no basis in Scripture.

First Corinthians addresses both improper belief and praxis as well as misinformed “application of biblical principles.” So, yes, 1 Corinthians does inform our discussion here.

This would be interesting to see you defend in this respect. Needless to say, your position is not so clear that it is beyond dispute. To the contrary, your position is more likely a minority position. Most Christians that I have read acknowledge that there is at least a legitimate reason to not get vaccinated for religious objections. And most unbelievers seem to agree.

And their scriptural defense is? And, this robust Scriptural defense is why they and their families have received other vaccines, but just not the covid vaccine? Scripture teaches them to specifically avoid the COVID vaccine?

So you are adamant that they have no scriptural defense but you don’t even know what it is? I am not trying to be smart aleck, but I don’t get that.

Actually, we do have some understanding why most people aren’t getting the vaccine.

I am not sure if you read those articles but I don’t think they make the case as clear as you think they do. Some of the responses reveal a lack of understanding of the principles involved. And at the end of the day, the bigger point is whether or not you admit that people can disagree with you without being a coward?

All I’m saying is don’t blame God for your decision when your decision has no basis in Scripture.

On this, I agree. But if the decision does have a basis in Scripture, then it isn’t “blaming God” for it.

[Larry] So you are adamant that they have no scriptural defense but you don’t even know what it is? I am not trying to be smart aleck, but I don’t get that.

Larry, I’ve heard a lot of “religious” talk and misquoted Scripture. I’m asking you to provide the robust scriptural defense you claim people have for refusing the COVID vaccine specifically. What is it?

[Larry] I am not sure if you read those articles but I don’t think they make the case as clear as you think they do. Some of the responses reveal a lack of understanding of the principles involved. And at the end of the day, the bigger point is whether or not you admit that people can disagree with you without being a coward?

Yes, I read them. These and other similar polls demonstrate time and time again that evangelical Christians are really motivated by reasons other than a proper understanding and application of Scripture and obedience to God. This leads me to conclude what I have about their claims of religious exemption.

These and other similar polls demonstrate time and time again that evangelical Christians are really motivated by reasons other than a proper understanding and application of Scripture and obedience to God. This leads me to conclude what I have about their claims of religious exemption.

Notice your assumption that only your understanding and application is correct. That is the point here. There seems no consideration that you might be the one who is wrong. Part of what it means to be a conspiracy theorist is to have such a sure opinion of your own view that you cannot comprehend that there is another, usually less sensational, explanation or view. There is, for you, no room for difference, no other possible explanation than cowardice, than twisting the Scripture. It’s like the Q-Anons—so sure and confident and willing to call names and deny the patriotism of any who would dare disagree. And there is apparently no amount of anything that might make you consider that you might be missing something or that anyone could disagree with you in good faith. Any thing that might call into question your view is automatically ruled out because it disagrees with your view, not because it has been examined.

You may be correct but you don’t have the authority to force that on anyone else. Most of them are not making arguments I would make, but they are reasoned arguments even if I disagree with them.

Some people object to the vaccine on the grounds that the body is a temple of the Spirit, and we should not put certain things in our bodies. That is a long-standing Christian principle and they are consistent in that. It’s not just the COVID vaccine that they don’t put in their bodies. There are varying levels of concern for them. Some people object on the grounds that personal health is an individual’s responsibility before God; it is not the government’s responsibility. The issue of sphere sovereignty has been rejected by some, but foolishly in my view. Whether or not sphere sovereignty excludes government health mandates for individuals is at least a debate that should be had. There are some people who are vaccine hesitant (rather than anti-vax): they are willing to get it once it has been proven. But hearing “It’s safe and effective” from the people who have been caught in numerous false or misleading statements over the last 18 months will not suffice for them. They believe there is safety in the multitude of counselors and they are unpersuaded that one side of “counselors” is the be-all and end-all of information, particularly given that the counsel has been so false and so inconsistent over time. Again, feel free to disagree, but charging them with cowardice and misuse of Scripture is a charge you cannot legitimately make.

I would simply urge some caution and deference to those who, for reasons sufficient for their own conscience, see it differently than you do.

[Larry] And there is apparently no amount of anything that might make you consider that you might be missing something or that anyone could disagree with you in good faith. Any thing that might call into question your view is automatically ruled out because it disagrees with your view, not because it has been examined.

You may be correct but you don’t have the authority to force that on anyone else. Most of them are not making arguments I would make, but they are reasoned arguments even if I disagree with them.

Larry, what have I said? I don’t have an issue if people disagree with me about getting the vaccine. It’s their decision to make without compulsion from the government. However, I can and do evaluate people’s “reasoned arguments,” especially if they start claiming divine imprimatur or disapprobation. If someone has a sound scriptural argument, then let’s hear it.

[Larry] I would simply urge some caution and deference to those who, for reasons sufficient for their own conscience, see it differently than you do.

Fair enough, brother. But, I would also encourage us not to just accept “God told me so” or scriptural gymnastics as a “reasoned argument” for not getting the vaccine, especially when there are most likely other reasons evangelicals are not getting the vaccine (as highlighted in multiple surveys / polls).