In matters that are unspecified by God's Word, the Christian is to consider the teachings of Scripture, and remember that all things must proceed from faith and be done for the glory of God. The church has determined 'Covid' to be a fake plague no more dangerous than the flu and that the measures being used for the first time in history to 'combat it' are Satanically-inspired and contravene New Testament scripture - by design. every morning before breakfast, and pray it over until the cure is effected. Protestants believed that the former approach was more compatible with the spirit of American liberty. It should be noted that liberty of conscience was recognized as being granted by God, and that it did not proceed from the state. [5] Sereno Edwards Dwight, The Works of President Edwards with a Memoir of His Life, 10 vols., (New York: S. Converse, 1829). There is no law . Read the full text of Newtons letter below: It seems I must write something about the small-pox, but I know not well what: having had it myself, I cannot judge how I would feel if I were actually exposed to it. Read more from Dr. Salem Media Group. Life is Gods precious gift to us, not to be squandered. This highly contagious, steadily mutating virus is a pandemica threat to world health. 7 And the swine, because he parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, but - cheweth not the cud, he is unclean unto you. Government and medical entities recommend vaccinations to slow its course. Several reasons proving that inoculating or transplanting the small pox, is a lawful practice, and that it has been blessed by God for the saving of many a life (Boston: S. Kneeland, 1721). As years passed, I honored my body by slowing down my activities and retiring early from work. The same year that Cotton Mather began inoculations in Boston, his father Increase Mather published a pamphlet entitledSeveral Reasons Proving that Inoculating or Transplanting the Small Pox is a Lawful Practice, and that it has been Blessed by GOD for the Saving of Many a Life.2In this work the elder Mather sought to discredit the death of an inoculation patient, and argued that inoculation was a way of keeping the sixth commandment. In Philippians 2:4, the apostle Paul says, "Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind." Hundreds of FDNY members and other emergency responders packed the street outside Gracie Mansion to protest the vaccine mandate for city workers, Oct. 28, 2021. In the trenches of the COVID pandemic today, fear of contracting COVID has placed many people in an isolated, depressed state. The three nurses unsuccessfully argued the mandate did not give enough latitude to people who argue their religious beliefs should exempt them. Staffers waiting for a response on their exemptions remain on the payroll and working while other anti-vaxxers who did not file exemption requests have been put on unpaid leave. It is also worth noting that there are important differences between todays COVID vaccines, and the historic practice of inoculation through which one would be infected with a live virus. employee regarding their sincerely[-]held religious beliefs or practices. You should do the same. Reading and praying on the verses below may expand your understanding of Gods intentions regarding our bodily health and the role of vaccines. Despite these tactics, it is surprising to note that Increase Mather did not want anyone to receive inoculation contrary to conscience, but instead for them to be persuaded to change their minds. If I could devise a means to avoid the trouble, I know not how great a loser I may be in point of grace and comfort. He was rebellious at times. This would result with the inoculated patient being sickened, though usually with a less severe case of the smallpox. Our religion is predicated on the protection and preservation of health. In an article published last week on theLAB, COVID-19 and The Mark of the Beast, I claimed that the mark of the beast (666) is most likely not a physical or visible mark (Rev. Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. In the latest U.S. Supreme Court action on the matter, Justice Stephen Breyer rejected a filing by eight hospital staffers in Massachusetts seeking to block a vaccine mandate. Another quotes a section of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that says people should be left to their own counsel. I have worked on my health with the great help of a medical community. Ill go and come, In reading multiple sermons and letters from this period, opposing sides of the inoculation debate would manipulate Scripture to advocate for their position, sometimes with both sides using the sixth commandment to argue their case. He rescues me unharmed" (Psalm 55:4-5, 16-18). Again, the idea that most people die "with" COVID-19 rather than "of" COVID-19 is a conspiracy theory that arose last summer. . John Fea does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Even young and healthy people can be infected with COVID-19. He rejected the legalism of pastors who sought to prohibit inoculation, and called for freedom of conscience in choosing or refusing inoculation.4 They grew anxious that these Catholic newcomers were a threat to their Protestant nation and often based these fears on perceptions of how Catholic bishops and priests kept the Bible from their parishioners. There are also a lot of Bible verses exhorting believers to "do not fear," "do not be afraid." That's been a really common theme in objections to a lot of the pandemic restrictions. 31 Bible Verses and Scriptures for Hope during COVID-19. The goal isnt about wealth and prosperity, but about the mission of bringing Gods message to the world. So, I kept cross-country skiing, kayaking, and hiking with difficulty. Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no man shall be compelled to frequent orsupport any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced,restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer onaccount of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and byargument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in nowise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities. One letter writer cites the use of aborted fetal cells in medical research as a violation of their faith. Coopers letter makes the case for allowing inoculation as a legitimate means to avoid suffering and preserve life. We see through this verse that Gods love for us is unconditional. If an employer is mandating the vaccine, you must consider your position. In fact, the purpose of the Tribulation itself is to bring pressure for men to surrender to Jesus and find salvation." The Counter Decree: Esthers Connection to the Gospel Series. Ive learned to care for my body, my temple of God, by babying myself with good health habits, such as following a lifestyle full of fresh vegetables and fruit, regular sleep, and exercise. The Prophet wrote about our human temple of God with the words of Psalm 139:14: "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." The Bible tells you that your body is a temple. John Newtons letter of pastoral counsel regarding smallpox inoculation easily bridges the gap from the past to the present, and it contains wise counsel for today. Various religious doctrines direct people to take care of their bodies. Some protesters reacted with violence in Michigan and Washington, D.C. A clean spirit encourages and supports other people with love. from Multnomah Bible College (Portland, OR), an M.A. When Does Forgiveness Not Lead to Reconciliation? Chip Ellis, who protested the vaccine mandate at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, told The Sun Herald that belief is in part why he submitted a request for a religious exemption. There is absolutely nothing that can change this truth. Accessed August 1, 2021. She then quotes 2 Corinthians 7 out of context and assumes a vaccine will "contaminate" her. So, do not. To save my soul from death? It's the claim that "only 6%" of death certificates show COVID-19 as the sole cause of death because "only 6%" don't also list comorbidities too, such as . These so-called Bible riots revealed the deep tensions between the individualistic and common-sensical approach to biblical interpretation common among Protestants and a Catholic view of reading the Bible that was always filtered through the historic teachings of the Church and its theologians. May the church recover and exercise the doctrine of liberty of conscience, and may our healthcare decisions be made in faith for the glory of God. Prior to this, most men and women in Europe were exposed to the Bible through the Vulgate, a Latin version of the Old and New Testaments that only educated men mostly Catholic priests could read. If a person should talk to me in this strain, most certainly I could not say, Notwithstanding all this, your safest way is to be inoculated. Although everyone has had different experiences navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, we are always happy to provide emotional or spiritual support when needed. Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? It feels as if this vaccine was developed overnight, but in fact scientists have been studying and working with messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, the basis for the COVID-19 vaccine, for decades. During the pandemic, many people have turned to Bible verses for strength and encouragement. Seeking a religious exemption should very clearly rest on apparent and applicable religious beliefs. Our inflexible stands and outrage over whether to vaccinate or not break hearts, and pits people against each other and government health agencies. 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. The Apologetic Value of the Christian Story, will refuse AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, while choosing Pfizer or Moderna, or rejecting them altogether. We can easily select and interpret Bible verses that agree with our individual mindsets regarding vaccines. I also try to eliminate stress from my life. Fear is the one emotion God doesn't want to overtake us; because when we . Meanwhile, the emergence of the Omicron variant has spurred Gov. Newtons application of the doctrine of liberty of conscience is gracious and charitable, and it is far from where we are today. I consider all of my doctors advice and watch the occasional podcast on health. 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. These preachers built followers around innovative readings of the Scriptures. According to YouVersion, 2 Chronicles 7:14 moved up to the number three spot. Sign up today.]. Gods love is not only incomprehensible, but it is also unbreakable. The verse says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. This is a passage that many people who are battling fear, anxiety and depression turn to. But our citizenship is in heaven. 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. To make a credible argument against the vaccine mandate, an employee would have to prove they do not take those drugs and many others, the legal experts said. Donate Clothing, Furniture & Household Items. Fourth, questions about religious exemptions to the vaccine mandate have prompted debate in the wider society, including among . or make a one-time gift. As Jesus said in Luke 12:31, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you. Fear became the top search in the first few months of the pandemic, justice was popular in the spring and healing continued to trend throughout the year. Made. people in an isolated, depressed state three nurses unsuccessfully argued the did! Although everyone has had different experiences navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, many who. Surrender to Jesus and find salvation. unharmed & quot ; her must consider position... 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