Conscience and the Covid Vaccine

Over the past several months, I've had a number of conversations with Christians who have encountered conflict in their homes, extended families, and workplaces, over the issue of the Covid-19 vaccine. In some cases, visitation of grandchildren is at stake. In others, it's keeping a job, or a spouse's concern for the other's health (I've been asked to tell someone that they need to get vaccinated, when they wouldn't listen to the pleas from their loved one). Mistrust abounds- for the political establishment, for the media, for government agencies. And now, with the FDA approving one of the vaccines this week, for those 16 and older, more mandates will be coming to an employer near you. For some who are reading this, the issue is as simple as doing what seems best for your own health and for others in society. You hear the messaging that the vaccines work, that this is the way out of the Corona-wilderness, and the only concern you should have is for the minor side effects of a sore arm and a little grogginess. What's the big deal? 

For others, it's not so simple. There are a multitude of concerns holding back, not just Christians, but a decent percentage of the population. Statistics vary, but there is still around 30% of the adult population who have not rolled up their sleeves. And in spite of the prevailing message from many in the popular media, that percentage isn't occupied only by Trump-supporting bumpkins that fit the narrative. See what I mean by watching this. (I had to chuckle a bit that the woman in the video said she was a goat, though the Lord's condemnation fell on those animals at the judgment. Anything, I guess, than to be the wrong kind of sheep.) The vaccine-hesitant, or vaccine-opposed, is made up of all shades, from all places, and from both parties...though yes, the largest concentration does seem to come from warmer climes and redder states. And though I can sympathize with the concerns that any regular Joe from fly-over country may have with being told to do something he doesn't want to do, my main concern is for Christians who understand that every decision they make will be held in the balance and weighed by their righteous Lord in Heaven. 

I disagree with the simplistic notion that to get vaccinated is the only right thing to do- that it is naturally the obvious, and only, fulfillment of the Lord's command to love your neighbor- and that anyone who doesn't do so must, then, receive a leery eye (or lashing tongue) reserved for such neighbor-haters. I've met some Christians who are genuinely motivated by the desire to take care of their neighbor's health, and this was their reason for getting the vaccine. I find that admirable, and a beautiful application of the Lord's command. But I don't see that, then, as an imperative for all to get the needle. There is plenty of room for disagreement among brothers and sisters in Christ as to what is right and wrong. The New Testament has nothing direct to say about vaccinations and herd immunity, though it does give guidance about matters that fall under matters of opinion. Like us, the early Christian community had their disagreements. Some of it involved foods, and what was appropriate for a Christian to eat ("Can I eat meats that have been involved in some sort of idolatrous ceremony?"). Others saw some days as more worthy of honor than others ("Since I came out of Judaism, I still want to keep the Sabbath. Shouldn't everyone honor that day like I do?"). The Apostle Paul's solution to these issues of dispute was to appeal to the individual's conscience. Each person, Paul said, "should be fully convinced in his own mind" (Rom. 14:5). One man could eat, but his fellow Christian refrain from doing so, and each believe that he was doing what honored the Lord. Both could have a clean conscience about his conviction and decision. And make no mistake about it, one of these men would have believed it to be a grave sin to have eaten that meat (or to have not kept the Sabbath). The other man might have thought nothing of it. And though Paul would have had his own opinion as to what was best, his command was aimed at keeping unity, and unstained consciences, in the church despite differences. 

Final judgment over questionable concerns would be left to the Lord of the conscience. It was not the duty of the Christian to judge his brother in these matters. A man who knows he will have to stand at the judgment seat of Christ one day, maybe in the near future, and have all of his intentions, thoughts, opinions, and actions laid bare, will put the judgments of others in the appropriate category (or wastepaper basket)- whether personally (in churches, in the workplace, on social media, or in your home) or broadly (from the news media, government spokespersons, etc.). The key in this section of Scripture, is that the Christian's motivation is to honor Christ. So, concerning the issue whether one should partake, or not partake, of this particular vaccination, each Christian needs to see his/her decision in light of one's life belonging to Christ and His Kingdom. "Am I seeking to honor Him in this?"

Later in that same chapter, Paul makes a couple of other statements that have application here: "Do not for the sake of food destroy the work of God" (Verse 20). Our salvation does not hinge on what we choose to eat or not eat. Neither does it hinge on a person's vaccination status. One has a right to get it, or refrain from it, as he/she sees fit & wise under the government of Christ. Let us not, for the sake of medicine (or however else it might be framed), destroy the work that God has done in the salvation of His church, to unify a people in His love, under the blood of His Son. Keep Christ the main thing, and maintain the unity of peace and the bond of the Spirit.

And finally..."But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin" (Verse 23). Paul envisions a man whose conscience tells him that he should not eat certain foods...and having been convinced that it's fine for him to do so, takes a bite. In that moment, his doubts are confirmed by an accusing conscience. He did not act in faith, and therefore has sinned. Coercion, in its varied forms, is the tool being used to bring the hesitant to the nearest vaccine clinic. Money and lottery tickets are distributed by municipalities. Shame and ostracism are levied from individuals and platforms. Mandates are coming down from state and federal governments. My concern, as a pastor, is for the people of God to make decisions because they are "fully convinced" and can "proceed from faith," not by being coerced into sin. Sometimes, loving your neighbor will mean not coercing him to go against his doubting conscience.

Everyone wants to move on from the cultural moment (well, I hope that's true anyway). For those of you who are facing pressure to make difficult decisions, you have my prayers right now. This is a challenging moment that affects your family, your finances, and your faith. I don't know what's motivating you to take this paritcular position, or that one (or one of indecision), but my hope is that you will do what you truly believe best honors Christ, and as much as can be possible, that you will be fully convinced of it, and maintain a clean conscience before Him.