Podcast: The Covid/Church Conversation

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Last week I sat down with my Stand Firm colleagues to think out aloud about some of what has happened over the past few months as the Church has grappled with the politics of Covid and the influence of U.S. politics and political commentators.

Trust it’s helpful.

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  1. chris russell

    Yes, this was a helpful discussion. It took account very importantly of the fact that Christians appear to be reacting to the Covid pandemic just like their fellow citizens who clearly are not being led by the Spirit of God. What it means, in any practical sense, to respond to the crisis as a follower of Christ, was not, however, explored in this podcast.

    I felt that there was an important question being overlooked by Messrs Ould and Kennedy, namely, concerning whether Christians should accept the constraints on public worship that are currently being determined by political and social values that form the basis of different public health policies in various countries. It is a political response i.e. to be compliant in this respect, and it suggests that Christians are trusting governments, media and health authorities to get their policies right. Certainly this is the wrong thing to do insofar as it has ramifications for our meeting together in the name of the Lord.

  2. Robert Bruce

    It certainly was a helpful discussion. Thank you, David.
    Chris, the question you raise is a reasonable one. In a sense it goes against conscience to allow government officials to decide when Christians can meet in the name of the Lord but in the special circumstances of the pandemic I feel we have a public duty to be compliant, as Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians 13. Besides, in these technological times there are many ways we can “meet” without infringing the constraints that government officials have placed on society.

  3. Robert Bruce

    Oops, I did mean Romans 13. We have working through 1 Corinthians at home and at church so I have it on the brain.
    However, 1 Corinthians 13 does apply too. We must act in love as we provide an example for our fellow citizens.

    1. chris russell

      Robert, yes, I agree that there is, in fact, a strong argument along both those lines. It results notwithstanding in our being simply “good citizens” like those around us, who have no faith in a God who cares for us, who heals us, and who protects us. There is, on the other hand, the well known incident, recorded in Matthew 9, that is worth considering. Matthew tells of the two blind men who beseeched Jesus to heal them, and that the Son of David said that it would be done to them according to their faith (v.29).

      This continues to be the relevant truth for all those who would follow Jesus, regardless of the many gifts that we have received from medical improvements. So, what I, myself, would ask, “… in the special circumstances of the pandemic”, concerns what it is that will be done according to our faith. If, first and foremost, we follow the public health advice of our expert officials, I think that we might very well see a slower rate of hospitalisation in our cities. I understand that this is currently well below the rate that is associated with seasonal influenza. 1 John 4:18.

  4. Tricia

    I found this podcast very depressing. This is the biggest power grab by a western government Ever! Being a free citizen of a free country is not something you can take for granted and why do you think they will want to relinquish the power once they have tasted it?
    What happens when the unvaccinated get dragged off to the gulag? What about the Nuremberg code of always having to make informed consent?
    Has David actually read any information from senior scientists who disagree with the narrative. Does he know that there is no health benefit to a young person to taking the experimental vaccine and that cases of myocarditis in young men are rising?
    I am lying in my bed recovering from COVID. It was very unpleasant like the flu, loss of taste and smell. I am taking vitamins to boost my immune system. I am not in the young age range.
    But I will now have natural immunity which is far better than the jabs which don’t stop you getting the disease.

    1. chris russell

      Thanks Tricia for your brave stand. I think that there is good evidence that vaccination slows the rate of infection. It doesn’t follow, however, that this is an overriding benefit unless our priority is the elimination of disease. I can see why you might have found the podcast depressing as it found nothing problematical, for Christians, in respect of the social values that underpin public health policy.

      1. Tricia

        Thx Chris. I think the jab (cannot be called a vaccine, as it does not stop transmission) is causing harm as it is allowing the continuous of transmission and mutation and therefore extending the problem. Herd immunity was always the better option as Sweden has shown. The Danger we now face from godless authoritarianism is huge. The shaming used by the press on anyone who dares to dissent and the military style policing never seen before in the western world needs to wake us up. My son is a serving Police Officer and I used to be proud of his service. He swore an Oath to keep the peace and serve the Queen – not to brutalise those who pay his wages!

  5. Tim Wright

    Tim
    I listened with great interest to the Podcast because like David I’m in a land that is a victim of it’s own success. We in New Zealand were the darlings of the world when it came to the fight against Covid. We beat it! Then came Delta.
    The requirement of Vaccine Passports for worship service attendance just became a reality for us yesterday. I think we may lead the world again or should I say we maybe the first to do this in the world? The thing I’m trying to get my head around is something alluded to in the Podcast, the devisiness that Covid causes in the community, families and the church. Vaccine passports just accenuate the divide. It’s more than just the corporate worship gatherings or even government regulations. There are the Vaxxed who don’t want to fellowship/worship with the Unvaxxed. Both sides claiming the high road. How could you hate me so much that you won’t get vaccinated opposing how could you hate me so much that you tell me to get vaccinated both sides claiming the other doesn’t fulfill the 2nd great commandment, Love your neighbour. Some people are offended at just being asked if they are vaccinated and have left churches because of it. The list of conflict goes on and on. Striving for unity in the body of Christ seems like an impossible task. If there is a solution out there I’d love to hear it.

    1. Tricia

      Dear Tim
      The point is to divide, because divide and rule is a totalitarian gambit. Do we want people to wear a yellow star and be loaded on trucks and taken away? Your Prime Minister was an aide to Tony Blair – she is Common Purpose trained and a globalist who is undermining New Zealand. Tony Blair had the brass neck to appear on UK TV last week and tell us it was our Civic Duty to be vaccinated – this is from a man who took us to war in Iraq whilst lying about Saddam’s WMD’s. Sent our troops without proper equipment as my son in law was one of them.
      He is a millionaire – how does a washed up politician earn that sort of money? Once we see these people for what they are, we unmask them and begin the push back.
      Tricia

  6. chris russell

    Yes, Tim, if I were vaccinated and someone at church asked me if I was vaccinated, I would leave the church building because of it quicksmart. I’d leave whether I was vaccinated or not, wouldn’t you?

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