Covid-19 and the Reality of Death
There is no unanimity about how dangerous the Covid-19 is and how to respond to it.
Is there a conspiracy? Sinful human nature, with the heavy weight it puts on self-interest, makes some measure of corruption in all of this probable. Is Covid-19 more dangerous than we realize? Sinful human nature can easily underestimate the danger of this fallen world in order to pursue a casually normal life; “I’m ok and you’re ok. Or at least you should be because I am.”
I do not have certainty concerning all the conspiracies that may be lurking in the hearts of leaders, scientists, doctors, and the press. Some do not lurk but stand openly. I do not have certainty about how dangerous the virus is as a percentage of those who actually have it. It is clearly dangerous to those with underlying conditions.
I do know two things for certain, however.
First, death is part of this fallen world. We should not be offended that it should be packaged in something so small as a virus. Neither should we be so fearful that we cease to live in order to simply keep from dying. Choosing the misery of separation has never saved anyone from death. It still comes. Choosing to ignore danger has never derailed death’s timely advance. It is always right on time.
We work in science and medicine and encourage some precautions not to cheat death, but to make sure that we respect the life God has given to us and others. Being careless about real danger does not respect life. Being careless about our calling to work and serve does not respect life either.
The second thing about which I am certain is that Jesus is the only one who saves us from the condemnation of death. Christians may disagree about where the conspiracies lie and how far reaching any danger might be. As Christians, we are not motivated by fear or presumption, but by thanksgiving for God’s grace.
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