Coronavirus and The Newest Snake-Handlers
The Gospel of Luke records the final temptation of Jesus by the devil as follows:
And (the devil) led (Jesus) to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Lk. 4:9-12 ESV)
In this era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the story of Jesus’ temptation is particularly cogent as some Christian groups defy medical recommendations for people to maintain social distance and choose instead to gather for corporate worship. Epidemiologists and medical organizations have encouraged people to avoid congregating, to stand at least six feet apart from others, to cover faces with masks or bandanas of some kind, and to refrain from physical contact. Some Christian groups reject these cautionary, and in some cases government-mandated, guidelines. These people are, to me, the newest kind of venomous snake-handlers. Like those groups that hold deadly serpents as a display of their faith in God’s protection and power, these current defiant Christian assemblies reject modern-day science and technology, claiming that because they are covered in the blood of Jesus, no sickness will be able to harm them.
The attitude of these modern-day Luddites is reminiscent of how the devil tempted Jesus to defy gravity and leap from a high place because God would never let anything bad happen to His chosen one. Similarly, leaders in these churches admonish their members to challenge the recommendations of government and medicine without fear, trusting that God will protect them from any harm. “If you are a true believer,” these imprudent church members say, “you have nothing to fear from a virus. God will keep you safe!” But Jesus’ reply to Satan during the temptation is quite telling and appropriate for our situation today: Don’t test God.
This current pandemic is NOT a trial of our faith in God’s authority to defend us. It is not a mutually-exclusive choice of either believing the news media or believing the Bible. God has given us the ability to know right and wrong. He has blessed doctors and scientists with intelligence and research skills and blessed our country with technology to treat life-threatening disease. The current coronavirus is not something created by our loving heavenly Father to see if His children really trust in His care by refusing medical common sense. Viruses are part of our far-from-Edenic natural world; thank God we have medicine and technology to deal with them.
Those refusing to abide by simple, practical precautions that would help prevent the spread of this disease shrug off claims that they could be pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers of the virus and unknowingly infecting those around them, clinging blindly and foolishly to their religious convictions as the only shield they need to prevent sickness. Considering the highly contagious nature of the coronavirus, this is extremely selfish and un-Christlike behavior, one that shows no love or concern for the well-being of others.
And the pastors who are leading these ill-advised meetings bear the greatest responsibility. As shepherds of their flock, they are charged with doing everything in their power to safeguard their congregants, physically as well as spiritually. By opening their doors to everyone, old and young and potentially sick alike, by modeling thoughtless behavior of not wearing masks and of hugging each other, by gathering a large group of people in an enclosed space, these ministers are not only defying most state and federal advices, they are also recklessly jeopardizing the health of the church body. That is not to say that we as citizens should indiscriminately follow government dictates; indeed, there is certainly a place for righteous, civil disobedience. But neither should we unquestioningly follow flat-earth-type church leaders that advocate foolhardy, dangerous behavior. God gave us rational minds for a reason, and we must exercise sensible judgment.
Faith is essential for the Christian life, to be sure. But at what point does faith become fanaticism? Do we as believing church members stop washing our hands knowing that God will keep germs from infecting us? Do we trust that God will protect us as we drive and therefore no longer fasten our seat belts when in a car? (By the way, I noticed all the church members, including the pastor, who were interviewed in their cars by a TV news reporter using a microphone on a six-foot-pole, were buckled up as they drove away.) Would we be OK with Grandma sitting outside on a cold, winter day without warm clothing because we are confident that God would never allow her to fall ill? Would we have no concern about our children using a playground frequented by junkies because we have faith that God would guard them from contracting any sickness transmitted by used syringes? Should we stop buying health insurance, which is unnecessary because of God’s provision? Of course not! All these actions would be stupidity, extremism, and an abrogation of our responsibility as family, church and community members. And to equate defiance of medical recommendations with greater spirituality is prideful. One should never boast about one’s faith if it endangers the lives of others.
The actual test of faith is our response in kindness and compassion to those most affected by this current plague. How do we care for those who have contracted the disease and for their families? What about all the businesses that have had significant economic damage due to COVID-19 or employees who have lost wages or their jobs? In what ways can we support people dependent on social assistance, like meal programs for school children or the elderly? How do we ensure that charitable organizations, which depend so heavily on donations, don’t go under at this time? These are the areas in which our belief in God is tested, not whether we ostentatiously display a puffed-up belief system by sneering at the thought that God would let His people suffer from this microscopic enemy, but rather whether we reach out and act, compelled by the love of Christ, to help and care for those in particular need.
I have heard that some similarly misguided Christian (and fundamentalist Muslim) groups are at the forefront of the much-publicized anti-vaccine movement. I wonder whether they and this newest group of snake-handlers will reject a COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available. I pray that they would reconsider their anti-science, sola fide bias, if not only for their sake but for that of their children and parents and for general herd immunity.
The temptation story ends with the devil waiting for a more opportune time. Perhaps now is one of those times.
The Gospel of Luke records the final temptation of Jesus by the devil as follows:
And (the devil) led (Jesus) to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard You,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear You up, So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (Lk. 4:9-12 ESV)
In this era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the story of Jesus’ temptation is particularly cogent as some Christian groups defy medical recommendations for people to maintain social distance and choose instead to gather for corporate worship. Epidemiologists and medical organizations have encouraged people to avoid congregating, to stand at least six feet apart from others, to cover faces with masks or bandanas of some kind, and to refrain from physical contact. Some Christian groups reject these cautionary, and in some cases government-mandated, guidelines. These people are, to me, the newest kind of venomous snake-handlers. Like those groups that hold deadly serpents as a display of their faith in God’s protection and power, these current defiant Christian assemblies reject modern-day science and technology, claiming that because they are covered in the blood of Jesus, no sickness will be able to harm them.
The attitude of these modern-day Luddites is reminiscent of how the devil tempted Jesus to defy gravity and leap from a high place because God would never let anything bad happen to His chosen one. Similarly, leaders in these churches admonish their members to challenge the recommendations of government and medicine without fear, trusting that God will protect them from any harm. “If you are a true believer,” these imprudent church members say, “you have nothing to fear from a virus. God will keep you safe!” But Jesus’ reply to Satan during the temptation is quite telling and appropriate for our situation today: Don’t test God.
This current pandemic is NOT a trial of our faith in God’s authority to defend us. It is not a mutually-exclusive choice of either believing the news media or believing the Bible. God has given us the ability to know right and wrong. He has blessed doctors and scientists with intelligence and research skills and blessed our country with technology to treat life-threatening disease. The current coronavirus is not something created by our loving heavenly Father to see if His children really trust in His care by refusing medical common sense. Viruses are part of our far-from-Edenic natural world; thank God we have medicine and technology to deal with them.
Those refusing to abide by simple, practical precautions that would help prevent the spread of this disease shrug off claims that they could be pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers of the virus and unknowingly infecting those around them, clinging blindly and foolishly to their religious convictions as the only shield they need to prevent sickness. Considering the highly contagious nature of the coronavirus, this is extremely selfish and un-Christlike behavior, one that shows no love or concern for the well-being of others.
And the pastors who are leading these ill-advised meetings bear the greatest responsibility. As shepherds of their flock, they are charged with doing everything in their power to safeguard their congregants, physically as well as spiritually. By opening their doors to everyone, old and young and potentially sick alike, by modeling thoughtless behavior of not wearing masks and of hugging each other, by gathering a large group of people in an enclosed space, these ministers are not only defying most state and federal advices, they are also recklessly jeopardizing the health of the church body. That is not to say that we as citizens should indiscriminately follow government dictates; indeed, there is certainly a place for righteous, civil disobedience. But neither should we unquestioningly follow flat-earth-type church leaders that advocate foolhardy, dangerous behavior. God gave us rational minds for a reason, and we must exercise sensible judgment.
Faith is essential for the Christian life, to be sure. But at what point does faith become fanaticism? Do we as believing church members stop washing our hands knowing that God will keep germs from infecting us? Do we trust that God will protect us as we drive and therefore no longer fasten our seat belts when in a car? (By the way, I noticed all the church members, including the pastor, who were interviewed in their cars by a TV news reporter using a microphone on a six-foot-pole, were buckled up as they drove away.) Would we be OK with Grandma sitting outside on a cold, winter day without warm clothing because we are confident that God would never allow her to fall ill? Would we have no concern about our children using a playground frequented by junkies because we have faith that God would guard them from contracting any sickness transmitted by used syringes? Should we stop buying health insurance, which is unnecessary because of God’s provision? Of course not! All these actions would be stupidity, extremism, and an abrogation of our responsibility as family, church and community members. And to equate defiance of medical recommendations with greater spirituality is prideful. One should never boast about one’s faith if it endangers the lives of others.
The actual test of faith is our response in kindness and compassion to those most affected by this current plague. How do we care for those who have contracted the disease and for their families? What about all the businesses that have had significant economic damage due to COVID-19 or employees who have lost wages or their jobs? In what ways can we support people dependent on social assistance, like meal programs for school children or the elderly? How do we ensure that charitable organizations, which depend so heavily on donations, don’t go under at this time? These are the areas in which our belief in God is tested, not whether we ostentatiously display a puffed-up belief system by sneering at the thought that God would let His people suffer from this microscopic enemy, but rather whether we reach out and act, compelled by the love of Christ, to help and care for those in particular need.
I have heard that some similarly misguided Christian (and fundamentalist Muslim) groups are at the forefront of the much-publicized anti-vaccine movement. I wonder whether they and this newest group of snake-handlers will reject a COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available. I pray that they would reconsider their anti-science, sola fide bias, if not only for their sake but for that of their children and parents and for general herd immunity.
The temptation story ends with the devil waiting for a more opportune time. Perhaps now is one of those times.
