No Safe Space

We're in the midst of the COVID vaccine debate. Something around 63% of Americans have been vaccinated. Now factor in those who have had it (which, according to a growing amount of research¹, provides better immunization than the vaccine). Factor in those who have natural immunity, and now we're way up there in percentage of immunized versus not immunized. Probably over 80%. You know, as in "herd immunity" levels. But, of course, such talk is "misinformation" and "conspiracy theory" and whatever other label they can give it to make sure no one listens.

All of this is interesting and even troubling to me, but what bothers me more is the division in the church. There are those in local bodies of believers that believe that the vaccine is a literal godsend -- a gift from God. Sure, it comes from doctors, but we frequently pray, "Lord, guide the hands of the doctors" when we pray for people in medical crisis, so that isn't strange. If you are unwilling to take this elixir of life, you are not a loving Christian. You don't care about your neighbor. You're ... sinning. There is, on the other hand, no small number of people in churches that are convinced, for one reason or another (or, of course, more than one), that this vaccine is of the devil. Maybe it's human devils or maybe it's from Satan himself, but it's evil. Not merely unwise -- evil. Some proclaim it to be the beginning of the end, the frog in the pot with the Mark of the Beast as the endpoint. If they can inject their demonic mRNA now without which you can't buy or sell, what will keep them from doing the real thing later? Or "It's the spawn of an aborted fetus!" which, of course, makes it evil incarnate (in the flesh ... get it?). One question; two sides. Which is right? So we see division in the church with finger pointing and judgment in both directions. People who don't want to cause a conflict will have to pay close attention to whom they are speaking to determine if this one or that will condemn you for wherever you happen to be standing. It's hard.

Brothers and sisters, these things ought not be. I know this is hard to believe, but, as it turns out, there is no reference in Scripture to the COVID vaccine. There is no biblical command to be vaccinated. Or not. There is no actual connection to aborted fetal tissue. There is no moral mandate in Scripture on the topic. We ought to read our Bibles where it says, "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions" (Rom 14:1) and stop quarreling over opinions. We ought to take God at His Word when He says, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Rom 12:18) and make "peaceably with all" an actual aim. We should address Paul's plea, "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment" (1 Cor 1:10) and be united in the same mind and the same judgment. Because, despite all the popular opinions, the Bible does not talk about "Thou shalt" or "Thou shalt not get vaccinated."

When fellow believers are afraid to be open and honest with each other on a topic that is not scriptural, we have hit a reef. We do the body of Christ harm. We produce schisms and judgment where there should be none. "Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand." (Rom 14:4). It is a classic example of "whatever does not proceed from faith is sin" (Rom 14:23) ... in both directions.
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¹ Research suggests that 0.65% of those who have had COVID experience reinfection. That is, having COVID is 99.35% effective against getting COVID for over a year.