C.B Peter Morgan | The Church and vaccination

The pro-vaccine versus anti-vaccine debate is more than a medical or scientific issue in our country today. It has exposed a much deeper problem plaguing the stability of our nation. People have lost confidence in their governments, with equal distrust for the medical, scientific and media authorities. They have retreated into an aggressive stance to protect their own civil, constitutional, and human rights, with the responsibility to make their own personal decision.

What is equally startling is the tension within the Church community, which has become as viciously polarised as the rest of the society. They are not only in tension against each other within the Church membership, but equally divisive in their response to civil authorities in the nation.

To become more relevant and redemptive during this global confusion, the Church must establish its own platform based on the validity of their faith in God, and in their obedience to the ‘constitution’ of His Word in the Bible. I recommend the following considerations.

ETHIC AND SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY

The people have come to distrust authorities that even Christians are often caught up in the same cultural mistrust in the Sovereign God. If God is the source of all truth, then the Church must depend on Him for our direction, for our health and security as a people. Hence, we devote ourselves to prayer, to worship, and the consecration of our lives to God. Remember, says the Lord, “My House shall be called the House of Prayer for the Nation,” also we are advised to “pray for Kings and Governors and all who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

ETHIC OF BIBLICAL OBEDIENCE

The Scriptures are clear that everyone “be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God” (Roman 13:1-5). You either believe the Word of God, or otherwise treat it with the same mistrust as you do other earthly sources. If our governmental rulers are ‘democratically’ elected or legally appointed, and especially if they affirm God as the Lord of the nation, we are duty-bound to obey their decisions. Therefore, we need to pray for them and do so publicly, and with their awareness. If they are conscious of this, it ought to inspire them to make wise decisions in the fear of the Lord, and on behalf of the people.

ETHIC OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

After God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, there were four things every person had to observe to remain an accepted citizen within their community, led by Moses in the wilderness:

1. Appropriate dietary foods: Ensure the health and strength of the body to bolster the immune system to withstand any plague and infectious disease which may threaten health. This principle is outlined to foster communal obedience and enable community well-being (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14:3-21).

2. Isolation, seclusion, and quarantine: Prevent the threat and spread of any virus or bacteria or fungus within the community for specific periods, based on the perceived impurity (Leviticus 13:4, 5, 46).

3 .Rituals of ceremonial cleansing: Wash with water, oils and/or spices, because if you take care of yourself, you also take responsibility for your neighbour. Any individual regarded as unhealthy was declared as potentially ‘unclean’ and therefore isolated, until the priest declared him or her not a threat to the community (Exodus 30:18-21).

4. Faith in God to protect against the death angel: Place the blood upon your doorposts was what Moses told the Israelites in Egypt, so that the plague of death would pass over you. Today, Christians use the blood of Jesus upon their lives, putting their faith in God to trust Him for protection so that plagues would pass over, and to remain in good health (Exodus 12:12-28; Romans 5:9; Hebrews 10:22).

Under the traditions of Moses after departure from Egypt, no citizen could claim personal/human rights to be their own opinion, above their responsibility to identify with the health and preservation of their family, community, and the nation.

ETHIC OF love

The principal issue is therefore not pro-vaccination versus anti-vaccination. It is the law of love, which demands that you love yourself enough to take care of yourself. It is a personal discipline to manage yourself. The strong recommendation was for the discipline of personal and family care, which includes proper oral hygiene, healthy dietary ingestion, early treatment to foil infections, and building immunity with supportive vitamin supplements of “leaves for healing” (Ezekiel 47:12).

In this way, we protect ourselves from becoming carriers of any virus which may be a threat to your neighbour. This is the most effective way of showing love to others. This enables others to feel comfortable with our presence. As Paul enjoined us:

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3-4).

In the final analysis, vaccination or no vaccination, it behoves us all to place our faith in God and at the same time, to maintain the strictest social disciplines of wearing our masks, observing physical distancing, washing, wiping, sanitising commonly used surfaces, avoiding hugs, and continuing elbow greetings. Do not forget to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)!

Today should represent a time of supreme demonstration of obedience to the Lord, who will honour our faith.

Think on these things!

Dr C. B. Peter Morgan is a Jamaican bishop called to the nations. As chairman of the International Association of Kingdom Churches and Ministries, he is a director of the Caribbean Israel Leaders Coalition, a peace ambassador of the UN, and dean of postgraduate studies at the Caribbean Nazarene College in Trinidad and Tobago. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com