From Ben – 27 June 2021

In recent days I have been asked by some people in our church, and even some people in other parts of the world who I am in contact with, whether we, as Christians, should get the Covid-19 vaccine? Shouldn’t we, as people of faith, simply trust God to protect us? After all, Psalm 91:10 says, “no evil will befall you, no plague will come near your tent. He will guard you in all your ways.”

I have no medical qualifications, so it would be improper for me to comment on the medical pros and cons of this debate. Yet, as a Christian, I firmly believe we are responsible to do all we can to protect, preserve and shelter those around us from harm. We also have a God-given responsibility to do all we can to protect our own wellbeing, so as to be the best we can possibly be for the Lord.

With this in mind, I am led to believe it is our Christian responsibility to both ourselves and others, to get the vaccine if at all possible. I believe all medicine is the gift of God and the wisdom given to scientists to produce a vaccine is also wisdom given by God.

Knowing God’s concern for our wellbeing, I see the vaccine as the provision of God for our good. On a personal level I have registered to have my jab next month. My rationale is to protect my family, my grandchildren, and my Christian community. To remain unvaccinated and be a link in the chain of transmission that may lead to the untimely death of another more vulnerable person would be devastating and unchristian, because I am my brother’s keeper.

I believe the vaccine is the responsible way to go.