Why do we not trust God to direct science?
Anthony Eberhardt
When the vaccine first came out the divide between Science and Religion became immediately evident, and both sides ignored the fact that the vaccine was born in the mind of a Christian Scientist 40 years ago.
Historically, science and religion have alternated between mutual support and bitter malice. Although religious doctrine assisted with the birth of the experimental method centuries ago, faith and reason soon parted ways.
Galileo, Darwin and others whose research challenged church dogma were branded heretics, and the polite way to reconcile science and theology was to simply agree that each would keep to its own realm.
But as science grew in authority and power beginning with the Enlightenment, this policy broke down. Some of its greatest minds dismissed God as an unnecessary hypothesis, one they didn't need to explain how galaxies came to shine or how life grew so complex.
Carl Sagan concluded, there was "nothing for a Creator to do," and every thinking person was therefore forced to admit "the absence of God." Today the scientific community so scorns faith, says Allan Sandage, that "there is a reluctance to reveal yourself as a believer, the opprobrium is so severe."
Yet some clergy are no more tolerant of scientists. A fellow researcher and friend of Sandage's was told by a pastor, "Unless you accept and believe that the Earth and universe are only 6,000 years old [as a literal reading of the Bible implies], you cannot be a Christian." It is little wonder that people of faith resent science: by reducing the miracle of life to a series of biochemical reactions, by explaining Creation as a hiccup in space-time, science seems to undermine belief, render existence meaningless and rob the world of spiritual wonder.
This is no different than the debate we face today surrounding the vaccine issue. Somehow if you get the vaccine you are not trusting in God to take care of you, yet we are emphatically told time and time again in the Bible that God goes before us to make our way.
Deuteronomy 1:30 The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes,
Isaiah 52:12 But you will not go out in haste, Nor will you go as fugitives; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 45:2 “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.
Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
So why do we live in fear, especially when it comes to this vaccine subscribing to such illogical theories like the vaccine is the mark of the beast. The Bible doesn’t specifically address vaccinations as they were not available during biblical times. However, the Bible does give us great direction on being good stewards. As Christians, we are called to investigate, make informed decisions, and not take our life for granted. This is a good case for the COVID-19 vaccine and preventative medicine. Those who lived during biblical times did take what they had to cure illnesses and ailments. First Timothy 5:23 says, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” This points to the importance of preventative medication during those times.
It’s impossible to reach our God-given potential when we limit what God can do.
Psalm 147:4-11 says: He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp. He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
There is a reason God has given us science, and there is a lot of good that comes when we take science seriously. We do have the right to refuse the vaccination, but we also must accept the repercussions of these actions, not just in our own lives but the lives of those who matter to us. The same goes for when we choose not to vaccinate our children. If we choose not to vaccinate them, we will limit them from being able to participate in certain public institutions and could also be risking their safety. We must remember that we are responsible for the outcome of these choices.
God mandates that we love our neighbors as ourselves. When Jesus was asked “which is the greatest commandment in the law,” He answered with two commandments – to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. This means protecting your neighbor from sickness and harm. When a person chooses not to be vaccinated, they are risking the lives of their families and endangering the lives of all they encounter. Ultimately, being vaccinated puts your neighbor’s life first and is for the public good.
