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Christianity Today, May (Web-only), 2009 |

Soulwork

How to Handle the Next Pandemic

Christians at their best have an odd answer.

Mark Galli | posted 5/07/2009 09:11AM

I can't decide which better reflects the current contradictions of American life: last week's media hype over the swine flu, or the media hype about the media hype.

Last week, we were treated to a plethora ...

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Philip Wong

Posted: May 12, 2009 8:31 AM


Some Christians and some non-Christians in Hong Kong actually risked their lives caring for SARS patients. One of those Christians died and her life and death were made into a movie which moved many to come to Christ or become more like Christ.

Texan in China

Posted: May 12, 2009 7:32 AM

I lived through SARS in Shanghai, and I remember being very scared because of the fear of the unknown--how can any of us possibly see microbes? Yet I also learned through that experience that true courage is not the absence of fear, nor is it a mindless, foolish disregard for danger. Rather, true courage is acting in the face of fear. Fear is an emotion that God gave us, and it can be a good thing, because fear can warn us of very real dangers. But when fear paralyzes us, that's when it becomes an unhealthy thing. I greatly appreciate Stark's observations of how early Christians' response to the epidemics of their days proved instrumental in the transformation of the Roman Empire into a Christian society. It may well take Christian heroism amid other crises of similar scale to win America and other nations to Christ (it is instructive to note that the most effective response to Hurricane Katrina was mounted by Christians, and not the Federal government.)

Jeanette

Posted: May 10, 2009 9:51 PM


I'm with Chuck. The media is always hysterical, trying to get us worked up. I'm not afraid and I would not get a vaccine. To me the swine flu is a non-issue. (How the church should respond IS an issue, though, thanks for the article). As to Communion during an "outbreak", I was in Asia during SARS and they distributed sealed-in-plastic wafers and juice, so that's one option.

coffee

Posted: May 09, 2009 11:52 AM


Remember all the Christians who freaked out over Y2K and started to hoard food and guns? What? To kill the people who might break in to steal all the food they saw the people hoarding? I'll never forget hearing a Christian leader on radio announce that he wouldn't shake hands with someone who had AIDS. Why are Christians so horribly afraid to die when they have total assurance of going to heaven?

Carolyn

Posted: May 08, 2009 5:33 PM


The Body of Christ missed an epochal opportunity for loving service and witness to the Gospel during the AIDS epidemic in this country. We squandered it in fear, loathing, and self-righteousness. I pray we will not make the same terrible mistake next time. "As you do unto the least of these. . . "

tomcanada

Posted: May 08, 2009 5:13 PM


"mutual back scratching between the media, pharmaceutical concerns, and government health service bureaucracies—all of whose "business models" thrive at such times." Thats the most perceptive thing I've read on this subject yet, Thank you.

hsl	Posted: May 08, 2009 2:21 PM

Mr. Galli, thank you so much for your reminder that the Church is called to shine its light into the world, not to just be a flashlight for its members hiding inside their own little cave. The potential for a pandemic is real, perhaps not with this virus but there will be others. However, planning (including how to provide compassionate care for all) is the answer, NOT panic. How often do we have to be reminded--God really is in control!

Stephen Leonard

Posted: May 08, 2009 1:40 PM

The New York Times more reserved???? The newspaper that has been repeatedly exposed for writing fiction claiming it to be non-fiction; the newspaper that went bonkers over the evil George Bush, Cheney and Rove while getting thrills up its leg, all goose-bumpy and sycophantic over Barack Obama; The newspaper that puts a whip in Lady liberty's hand? Is Mark Galli talking about THAT New York Times? Or is there another RESERVED newspaper with that name that we do not know about?

Peter the Soleman

Posted: May 08, 2009 7:37 AM


WOW!!! Wonderful article .....Inspiring as few things these days are..Congrats Mark

Dale Fincher

Posted: May 08, 2009 4:14 AM


I especially appreciated your last point in reflection on Stark's book. Are we willing to be a sacrifice for a passing disease in light of the larger picture of God's love and our lifestyle? My soul is searching on this one.

Dell Wise

Posted: May 08, 2009 2:57 AM


Great job, Mark! We need to hear this more often! We can learn so much from our earliest Christian brothers and sisters about the way to really exemplify the One we follow to others. Keep it up! Thank you! Thank you!

Graham UK

Posted: May 07, 2009 10:28 PM


Jesus I turn toyou when looking for example; you said 'No greater love has a person than the love of one who gives his life for a friend'. Let's remember how good humans can be at self-delusion. Would I lay down my life for a friend? Could I be that Christ-like? Well could I?

Dan Nighswander

Posted: May 07, 2009 9:02 PM


This is an important issue. Thanks for addressing it. For further theological and practical reflection on a Christian response to this and other pandemics I recommend http://www.churchpandemicresources.ca/.

GMcD	Posted: May 07, 2009 8:09 PM


As MC said -calling the NYT "reserved" , surely one of the most biased, untrustworthy newspapers in the USA, infamous for its over-the-top stance on many issues, including those which are anti-Christian , actually made me gulp - with surprise and disbelief.

M J Spaulding

Posted: May 07, 2009 7:28 PM

I think that the media has raised the level of fear regarding the flu. It may be bad or it may not. I remember other times when a scare was sent out and the flue didn't spread as much as expected. I take each day at a time. However, as a 77 year old Christian, if there was a shortage of vaccine and there was a pandemic with many people dying, I would forgo the vaccine and do what I could to help the sick. Just a personal opinion not a recommendation for all Christians.

Jim Sparks

Posted: May 07, 2009 6:48 PM

The article states: "The media would not be tempted to overhype the swine flu if it didn't believe people were genuinely worried about it." This is utter nonsense. The people are only genuinely worried about it because the media - in its quest for headlines, viewers, readers, dollars and profit - have bombarded us with the hype. If they had reported balanced, fair, and cautious - people would be concerned, but they would not be worried and panicked.

Bert Warden

Posted: May 07, 2009 5:26 PM


Excellent stuff Mark! I have a constant complaint about the news media, especially CNN, hyping a news item ad nauseam and in the case of the present pandemic threat it has been especially obnoxious. Your compatriot Chuck Colson broadcast something similar early on in the scare. He also referred back to the early Christian's reactions during the great plague.

JustJesus

Posted: May 07, 2009 4:25 PM


What do you mean churches are getting involved in pandemic plans? Where do these 3000 word documents come from? This is what the church is becoming, the arm of an hysterical government? Personally, go ahead and take that vaccine for me, no thank you.

Kim	Posted: May 07, 2009 4:18 PM

Several years ago I was at a gathering of people who were discussion some issue, I forget what it was. One man asked, "What about me?" Everyone there looked at him like he was crazy, but upon further discussion we tended to agree that that's the world we live in. We seem to all ask "What about me?" The issue doesn't really matter. In the asking of that question, we come to fear. My Bible says that we're not to live in fear and that God isn't the author of confusion. While some questions are tougher to answer than others, the answers can be found in the Word. "Greater love have no man than to give his life for another." (misquoted, I'm sure, but......)

Steve Bloch

Posted: May 07, 2009 4:15 PM


Excellent writing, Mark. Thanks for putting the matter into perspective. As I read recently, "fear is of the devil." Christ tells us to be servants. Your article reminds us of that command.

rusa	Posted: May 07, 2009 3:53 PM

I certainly had fear; perhaps because I live only a couple miles from a school that closed because of the swine flu. I don't have any problem with preparing; I have the masks recommended by the CDC and extra water, supplies, etc. I'm fairly certain that if they're not necessary now, they will be at some point in my lifetime. I also spend time in prayer for God's protection and wisdom. I think both (preparedness and prayer) are a good balance. I don't think God expects us to do nothing and just assume He will rescue us. I do like the point, however, that we should be ready to help others. I stocked extra supplies for that very reason.

MC	Posted: May 07, 2009 3:36 PM


"reserved New York Times" - that comment makes me laugh. Reserved is not the word I would use for the NY Times.

K. D. Kragen

Posted: May 07, 2009 3:35 PM

Excellent point of discussion! During the nuclear/cold war age, as a young Xian, I struggled with the question of "How does one live in an age of chaos and potential nuclear annihilation, and yet still maintain their humanity, and their Christianity?" While doing graduate degrees in philosophy at Denver Seminary and Syracuse University, I discovered the literature of the Middle Ages during the time of the Black Plague (1347- ), and therein found other Christians struggle with the same questions. Thus I wrote my first historical fiction novel "Plagueman" (http://www.plagueman.com), part of which retells some of the ways Christians answered these questions of survivalism vs. servanthood. Every generation of Xian needs to revisit these issues, and to prepare themselves for death and Christocentricity -- I would also suggest reading such books as Bonhoeffer's "The Cost Of Discipleships" and Kierkegaard's "Purity Of Heart." Thanks to Mark Galli for a great CT piece.

Chuck

Posted: May 07, 2009 12:07 PM


Fear? Jokes were more like it. Just because the media gets its underwear in a knot over something does not mean that many other people do.

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