(This is the notes for a sermon I preached on 20th Dec 2020, addressing some of the concerns people have about the Covid vaccine. You can watch it on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kingscrossbaptist/videos/149894860248562)
Here’s my link to preaching the Sunday before Christmas about the virus! The angels say: Do not be afraid. Meant for Christmas, but valid for Covid. Politically, they faced Roman military occupation. Socially, the shepherds were among the most marginalised, poorest groups. I want to address the fear people experience today, about the virus, and now about the vaccine. I’m nervous about doing so, because it is controversial, and people in the church have different views.
Firstly, is it right for the church, for a preacher, to address health concerns, and take sides? Sometimes we need to: for example, BLM, take sides on an issue. Same for health. As shepherd of the flock (Acs. 20.28), I am responsible for the overall health of the sheep, including physically. There is a holistic vision of human well-being in Scripture, and I must practise it (1Thess. 5.23; 3 Jn. 2).
My obligation is to challenge false teaching (1 Ti. 1.3-7), and fake news – we are said to live in a Post-truth society. But truth matters. Jesus is the truth (Jn. 14.6). The truth sets us free (Jn. 8.32). So I will address some of the untruths going about concerning the virus and the vaccines (plural because there are more than one). But first I acknowledge that many of the reactions are based in emotion, not logic; understandable fear/apprehension/anxiety, because of the unprecedented nature of the virus. We feel powerless, and look for explanations; and so we also a frightened of the solution. The danger is my going through this in some detail (and I apologise for the lecture nature of this sermon), is that is stokes up the fears even more, but my aim is to reduce fear and replace it with trust in Christ.
Virus
Some think it’s not ‘real’. It’s real – I’d asked Stella (a nurse) to come and explain the vaccine to us today, but she has Covid and is self-isolating. Plus some people are dying! In UK 66K.
Some think there is a ‘deeper cause’, ‘something behind it’. It’s happened so suddenly, there must a plot. First, it’s another Corona-type virus, not new; like Sars, Mers, etc. countries familiar with these, were better prepared to deal with Covid. Some blame it on 5G: but that is a radio signal, and cannot cause a virus: a biological not a physical phenomenon.
This one seems to have originated in ‘wet markets’ in China, Wuhan. Where different live animals are stored together in unsanitary conditions, where viruses can switch over between species. This virus has been around a long time, and was OK while restricted to its host, maybe bats. Only when we, humans, overturned the boundaries between species did it become dangerous, to us.
That the measures taken have changed so often looks suspicious. It’s a new disease to us. So governments are trying to adapt all the time (and I’m no fan of the Tories!). Researchers however are discovering new things about the virus all the time, so medical, scientific and also governmental advice is also adapting along with it.
Should we trust science & scientists? Especially Christians seems to distrust science. But God is sovereign/providential and he gave human beings the ability to find out stuff – the beginnings of science lie in Genesis (2.19-20), with basic categorisation/labelling (how we know what species are in first place). There is also furthermore no contradiction between faith and medicine. Some think there will be Divine protection for believers, that the blood of Jesus will cure us or render us immune.
Let’s be clear, as Rochelle said a couple weeks ago: the vaccine won’t save us, its not our messiah – Jesus is. Jesus’ blood is 100% effective against sin. But not against the virus. Christians and pastors are getting, and dying of, Covid. And where churches have opened up against governmental/medical advice, or not practised social distancing, they have caused further superspreader events. So, although there is an opening to pray for healing, in the atonement (Isa. 53.4-5), we know not everyone is healed in practice.
Therefore Paul gives basic medical advice (1 Ti. 5.23). Churches have also been in the forefront of medical care: e.g missionaries where the state can’t afford it. God is sovereign and he is a healer. Wherever there is healing, he is behind it – sometimes he heals supernaturally through miracles, sometimes naturally through medicine, and sometimes eternally through resurrection, to everlasting life. We can trust him, not that nothing bad will happen to us, but that he will in all things for our good (Ro. 8.28) – and that means in eternal perspective as well – whether we live or die, we are with him (2 Co. 5.1-9). This is our faith. This is my wife’s testimony when she had breast cancer.
Vaccine
First, are there other cures or preventatives? Some tout hydroxychloroquine, an effective anti-malarial drug. But there is no evidence it helps against Covid-19. Although advocated by President Trump, as a preventative, it didn’t stop him from getting it.
Some are frightened of taking the virus, because it has been developed and rushed out too fast, too soon. Is it safe? Think: vaccines are not new. They have helped get rid of polio, small pox – we forget what these were like. Remember Covid-19 is not actually the first Sars-type virus: sars, Mers, etc. We have learned from them. So why have the vaccines for covid-19 been developed so quickly? Because it spreads more easily and therefore needs one. Secondly, governments have thrown money at it; probably because these others happened in poorer countries while now it’s the rich who are in danger!
But is it safe? The same safety checks have been taken as usual with vaccines – only more quickly because of the resources (i.e money) allocated. It shows that, with other diseases, we could do a lot more than we are, for poorer countries. Aren’t there side-effects? These are relatively minor (e.g. headaches, fever, joint pain) compared with the risk of death for the virus; and affect a small number of people, and last for a few days. What about allergic reactions? These have been spotted quickly, and dealt with; those with known allergies are now not being given this vaccine (remember there are several developed, so not all will have the same effects). Don’t vaccines also cause problems, like the MMR causing autism? But there is no evidence; it’s leading to more cases of these as people don’t get the jab for their kids – Sue is an expert with Westminster Council advising schools and families on autistic kids.
Does it alter our DNA and/or inserts nanobots or microchips into our body, to affect & control our brains? The vaccine is not the kind of substance which can change our DNA; nor is there any evidence or even possibility that it can introduce computer parts into our body. If you’re worried about computers controlling us think about your smartphone, carried everywhere, tracking your movements, and watching all your online transactions! That’s real! Is there a plot to take away freedom? There are dangers of political control, through tech and surveillance; but the virus is real. Goverments have a God-given duty for our good (Ro. 13.4). Not all fulfil this, and some become oppressive. But they are supposed to do stuff like put out the vaccine. They are concerned about the new strain, which is causing the increased infections in the south-east & London; is seems to be transmitted more easily and therefore spreads quicker, but it seems not to decrease the efficacy of the vaccine. All the more reason to roll out the vaccine as soon as possible.
Some people seem to be ‘vaccine hesitant’ not ‘vaccine resistant’; that is they/we are unsure, afraid, and want reassurance. Some want more information about it. But there is plenty – NHS, reputable news sources: BBC, Sky, CNN, newspapers of right or left (Daily Telegaph, The Times, the The Guardian). But some distrust these, although they do sometimes reflect an establishment viewpoint, they also fact check their information. Some go to rumours, especially in the early days of Covid: a report on social media that someone’s uncle or brother or friend (always unnamed, & unattributed), said such-and-such. This is like gossip, condemned in scripture (2 Co. 12.20). The dependence on social media & Whatsapp, for news is unwise. They don’t fact check. what about the so-called ‘experts’? These are fake perhaps experts in one field, but not virology or immunology: e.g. Lorrain Day, orthopaedics & Christine Northrup, obstetrics – also linked to other far-right & antisemitic conspiracy theories. We must not trust conspiracy theories, but the true God (Isa. 8.12-17).
What about race? The numbers of people worried about the virus are greater among people of colour. Again I am on dodgy ground here. There are certainly racist elements in society and government. Science and medicine have been sued to control, and experiment on black people. It is right to be sceptical here. But the fact is also that Covid hits people of colour more than white people – not because of some essentialist idea of race, but the social conditions face, working in face-to-face employment, living in overcrowded homes – all context where the virus spreads more easily. So, would it not make more sense to take the virus quick?
Others say they want to wait and see what happens, before they take it – i.e. they’re not opposed in principle, but open to doing it in future. But, with respect, is this not selfish? We are commanded to love our neighbour. We don’t just take the vaccines to protect ourselves but also others. It is often asymptomatic; that means we may have a mild dose, and so not know we have it, and therefore pass it on to others – out families, elderly relatives. For a national programme to be effective, it also needs 70% take-up, to affect the society. So, it many people refuse, it could spoil the entire strategy of roll-out. Should we not have freedom of choice? Yes. But we should not use our freedom in such a away as to harm others (Gal. 5.13). Instead of being scared therefore, we should be brave (Dt. 31.6), and take the vaccine, to show an example for others, and to serve our friends, neighbours and society.
Me? I will take it. Thre is nothing without risk. If the vaccine doesn’t work, then we will learn from it, and improve. It may be that, like the flu jab, we’ll need regular, perhaps annual, top-ups. Certainly we are fed up with the restrictions, so this is the only way forward, trusting in God. Already got the text message to wait for the call. If you have any worries, go to your GP for trustworthy advice. John Davies, former doctor, in our church, says:
“This illness is very nasty. People die. Anything that gives us some protection is a good thing. If there were any bad side-effects they would have shown up by now. So go for it. We are inquiring into it, and as soon as it becomes available, we shall accept it with both hands.”
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