No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.. If our bodies are not our own, and we are accountable to God for how we care for them, and if God will require an account of our love toward our neighbor,then caring for our own health as well as for that of our neighbor is a must. C. ARE . The practice has arisen as more employers and schools issue mandates that employees and students must be vaccinated before returning to work or school. If the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in a body that has been contaminated by chemicals or debilitated by injury (let alone in a body injected with a safe and effective vaccine), then countless people who have fallen victim to natural or manmade disasters would be bereft of the presence of God. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. V However, getting through the initial grief and changes in my life and moving on to a place of greater faith and understanding was not an easy journey. We might have lopped the illness off at its knees if every part of society locked down for two weeks at the beginning of 2020. What Does the Bible Say about Vaccinations? Q Ellen White wrote nothing about vaccination, but her life and practice provide good support for and confirmation of this articles reflections. 4.First to have public health officials telling those receiving the vaccination to expect an adverse reaction. 6:19, 20, NIV; cf. All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. While viruses are created to protect our health, a number of Christians have been against COVID-19 vaccinations. "Taking the vaccine involves registering oneself and being given a number. They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. From my perspective, the response of some evangelicals to the vaccine reveals the dark side of the Protestant Reformation. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Other popular passages include Psalm 30:2: "Lord, I called to you for help, and you healed me."; 1 Corinthians 6:19: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?"; and. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it? And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. Some others they cite include Salem Radio host and author Eric Metaxas, the Liberty Counsel and Tennessee megachurch leader Greg Locke, to name a few. Prayers for healing and vitality do not annul the use of different remedies, surgeries, medicines, or vaccinations. I have worked on my health with the great help of a medical community. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. P Some people argue getting injected with a foreign substance such as a vaccine would defile their bodies, which they say is sinful. Prevention is always more important than actual healing. The author is NOT a scientist, nor does she claim . (Isaiah 41:10) I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. Do you not know that your bodies are temples. After studying Job, I read the book of the weeping prophet Jeremiah, who stated, Heal me and I shall be healed(Jeremiah 17:4). When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. H We are not permitted in the Bible to treat the body in a way that we believe will harm it. Romans 14:23 New International Reader's Version (1998) (NIrV) Often they are brought about in a way which looks like the natural course of events. We ask to be kept from the pestilence that walketh in darkness, that is stalking with such power through the world; we are then to cooperate with God, observing the laws of health and life. All rights reserved. 16). Job has a whole new perspective on misfortune in his life. But only the Lord of heaven can be guaranteed to preserve and restore health when He so chooses. Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. During the 1,500-year period that the Bible was written, it did not mention anything about vaccinations because synthetic medicine has not yet been discovered yet. Blog, A Sure he learned about religious practices and, because border was not clear for The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. But these evangelicals never developed their approach to understanding the Bible in complete isolation. So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. God has given into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. Christians and the general public are divided on the need for vaccines to prevent illness, particularly regarding the vaccine for COVID-19. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 3:16, 17; 2 Cor. The problem is that the same people who eagerly promote anti-vaccine misinformation are just as eager to misuse religion to avoid . In a case that could have implications for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, an employee has filed a complaint against the UVA Health System for refusing to exempt him from getting a flu shot . T She then quotes 2 Corinthians 7 out of context and assumes a vaccine will "contaminate" her. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Last updated September 1, 2021. Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk. And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Vaccination, nothing magical, must be supported by other intelligent choices in life such as prayerful, devotional living, a healthy lifestyle, spiritual witnessing, and trust in God. Perhaps the journey through bad health is a gift for all of us. Then the men of Ephraim said to him, What is this that you have done to us, not to call us when you went to fight against Midian? And they accused him fiercely. Ellen White wisely advises: God's miracles do not always bear the outward semblance of miracles. When I studied the beautifully written book of Job, I heard Gods answer to Jobs misery over losses in health, property, and family. The Prophet wrote about our human temple of God with the words of Psalm 139:14: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Some Christians have adversity to vaccines, because the original vaccines made relied on use of cells from aborted fetuses. The most common side effects are mild, such as redness and swelling where the shot was given. This story does not mean it is the medicine alone that is important. They often followed the interpretations of charismatic leaders such as Joseph Smith (Latter Day Saints), Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell (Restorationist), William Miller (Adventists) and Lorenzo Dow (Methodists). " Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6 Where Does the Bible Talk About Our Bodies? A segment of the states society protested vigorously. For example, in 1844, nativist Protestants, responding to rumors that Catholics were trying to remove the Bible from Philadelphia public schools, destroyed two of the citys Catholic churches before the Pennsylvania militia stopped the violence. However, the Scriptures teaches that there are natural remedies to various illnesses. The work of Gods brains aptly describes modern medicine. Note: Always check the context of a verse; Click the "Read Full Chapter" button next to each verse to read more. In the same way, it would be presumptuous and arrogant on our part to ask God to give us good health while we neglect health principles, and remain unwilling to study and apply the results of modern medicine that He has enabled us to discover for helping suffering humanity. I stay close to God through prayer and reflection. And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall execute vengeance for the covenant. And he made side chambers all around. Everything is lawful, but not everything builds others up. God is the only Healer, the true Physician, who can heal all our diseases (Deut. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 8. Paul preached to the rowdy citizens of Corinth in 1 Corinthians 6:12, I have the right to do anything, you saybut not everything is beneficial. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Catholics may morally use vaccines, but they are also free to refuse them for reasons of conscience or prudence. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. An outdoorsy, recreational type for decades, I wanted to remain active. He is a better man after his trial of earthly suffering. ", (Excerpted from "Should Christians Get Vaccinated?" 12:4). 4 The city of Pergamum, too, had long been a hotbed for imperial worship. Those bearing the seal of God love, honor, and give Him glory as their Creator and Savior. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Continuing our service to God: Receiving safe and effective vaccination allows us to honor God by keeping our earthly temple (our body) as healthy as possible, and our financial situation as . God promised to heal him, yet the very prophet who brought the good news directed that the bandage of figs be applied to his wound. The second argument cites a Bible verse that claims that the human body is God's temple of the Holy Spirit and argues that for that reason receiving a vaccine would be a sin. The Bible does not instruct us as to whether or not one should receive a vaccine, but it is clear when it comes to the doctrine of the liberty of conscience. As the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines against COVID-19 become available, it is critically important that Catholics and others have an accurate understanding of how these . I care for the work of Gods hands(Isaiah 64:8) as a steward to my small part of creation. Either way, if an immune person comes into contact with that disease in the future, their immune system will recognize it and immediately produce the antibodies needed to fight it. Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person.. In some instances, plaintiffs have cited specific Bible verses to support their opposition to the vaccine, such as I Corinthians 6:19, Psalm 139:13 and Isaiah 49:1. Hindu Texts S-2 Table 1B. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. and it offers biblical supporting evidence against vaccinations. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Whatever the purported. In other words, forbidden is (1) whatever contradicts Gods explicit command, and/or (2) is in opposition to general principles of life expressed in Gods Word. What the French traveler and diplomat Alexis de Tocqueville described as individualism had a profound influence on biblical interpretation and the way laypeople read the sacred text. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. During this period, the United States also grew more democratic. 1. There is some portion of the population who will not receive the vaccine for religious reasons. I consider all of my doctors advice and watch the occasional podcast on health. A devout evangelical Christian friend of mine recently texted to explain why he was not getting the COVID-19 vaccine. S Together they lead us to God by teaching us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which He works.. Jeremiah was lamenting the behavior of Israelites captive in Babylon, who succumbed to worshipping false gods. Considering that Ellen White chose to be vaccinated both for herself and for the benefit of the community, it seems we have been given a good course to follow ourselves. Nothing new to your ears, right? His Holy Spirit resides in us as redeemed Christians. The evidence of science is transparently clear: vaccines save lives. However, it is not easy to understand Gods Word. Yet there are many people claiming religious exceptions to COVID-19 vaccination mandates: Two weeks after Biden announced an employer vaccine mandate, The New York Times reported that the. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. The word vaccination does not occur in the Bible, as is the case with many other important health terms like vitamins, transfusion, high blood pressure, kidney transplant, injection, pills, and so on. Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Indeed, the importance of vaccinations from the biblical-theological perspective can be demonstrated from multiple angles. Amid this flux of ideas, what hasnt changed is the Bibles advice regarding the care of our bodies. We are not to expect that God will work for us when we overlook basic principles of life and are negligent, biased, or lazy about implementing them. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? When large numbers of Irish and German immigrants arrived on American shores in the middle decades of the 19th century, evangelicals drew on longstanding anti-Catholic prejudices. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. Theoriginal versionof this commentary was posted by theHealth Ministries Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. And he answered them, Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3.First time Moderna has brought any product to market. Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. Paul plainly states, Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? Of David. Publisher: OpenBible.info. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace by the power of the Holy Spirit." If anyone destroys Gods temple, God will destroy that person; for Gods temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. Betty Dunn hopes her articles help you hold hands with God, a theme in her self-published memoirMedusa. A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. For example, some Christian Scientists may decline to receive the vaccine. We are rational beings, and our Creator gives us the ability to think and know what works best for our health.
