The Theology of Vaccination
Dr. Rudy Bropleh | March 19, 2021
Unless you have lived on another planet for the past year, you are well aware of the global pandemic called COVID-19. In the United States alone, almost 30 million people have been infected with 539 thousand deaths. Worldwide, there are more than 122 million infections with over 2.7 million people dead. And these are just the medical statistics of the COVID-19 virus.
As startling as these statistics are, the crippling effects of this global pandemic go far beyond infections and deaths. We have seen a global economic meltdown. There has been massive loss of jobs and income. Mental health issues are on the rise. Schools, colleges, and universities have struggled with meaningful and holistic educational offerings. Movements have been severely restricted. Social life has taken on a new normal, for real, with the requirements of mask wearing and social distancing.
The COVID-19 pandemic is like a cancer that is easy to spread and deadly enough to kill. But unlike many types of cancer for which we do not yet have a cure, COVID-19 has a cure; It’s called vaccination! Add responsible social distancing per the guidelines of health officials, and wearing of masks until we are all out of the woods.
Interestingly, one of the greatest challenges to curing our world of COVID-19 is not the shortage of vaccines; it is the short-sightedness of so many who cannot see beyond their own crazy ideas of why they do not need the vaccine, or won’t take the vaccine. The world needs the vaccine, and the world should take the vaccine when it becomes available to the world. We all will be safer, sooner, if everyone took the vaccine.
There is a biblical case to be made for taking the vaccine. God is a healer (Exodus 15:26). God has given us science, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). God has provided leaves to create drugs so that we can be cured (Revelation 22:2). God expects us to care for others as we do for ourselves (Mark 12:31). And God wants us to do nothing—like not take your vaccine—to endanger the health of another person (Romans 14:13). Therefore, all Christians should take the vaccine; that would be about 2.7 billion people. That is a good start!
There are also practical reasons for taking the vaccine. When we create the herd immunity, all of us are safe. Then our schools can fully function again, our economies can improve, businesses can begin to thrive, and we can maximize all the essential opportunities for community. If each of us think about what is best for all of us, WE will cure our world of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wisdom for Your Week
An unhealthy practice anywhere is a threat to healthy people everywhere.
