Over the past week, I’ve received numerous requests for help and prayer on mandatory vaccines. Alberta Health Services is requiring all their staff to be vaccinated by the middle of October. Employees of the federal government (and federally regulated businesses) have a similar requirement. Several provinces have recently announced that vaccination will be required to access a number of services. While details have yet to be released, it was announced that anyone traveling by plane or train is also required to be fully vaccinated.
How are churches responding? It is too early to see how most churches will handle this issue. Even in places with vaccine passports, they are not mandatory for attending church (yet). From what I’ve seen so far, there has been continued adoption of the government mandates. For example, conservative Christian schools like Heritage College and Seminary and Toronto Baptist Seminary are requiring their staff and students to be fully vaccinated (weekly testing is currently available as an alternative). If trends continue, those opposed to government measures—including vaccine passports—will remain in the minority.
What should our response be?
1. Stick to your convictions. If you are convinced that you should not take the vaccine, then don’t take it. To do what you believe to be wrong is sinful (Romans 14:23)—even if the “deed” itself is not sinful. In a society that has made much of “consent” it is amazing that we have thrown informed consent out the window and replaced it with a coercive consent. When you encounter a sleazy salesman, you’re hesitant to complete the sale. When you encounter coercion and threats of lost employment, you’re rightly hesitant to immediately comply. So we must guard against coercion and get informed before giving consent. This will take courage, but courage is contagious so encourage one another and stand together.
2. Don’t hope in politicians or judges. Psalm 146 says, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.” It is not the princes of this earth that bring salvation and justice. Rather, it is the Lord God who gives justice to the oppressed and feeds the hungry, it is he who brings deliverance. Our tendency when faced with political problems is to look for political solutions. That works about as well as spending hours searching for an app to help us use our phones less. We must remember that God is our refuge and strength and very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He is our hope. Certainly God uses politicians and judges to accomplish his purposes, but do not sit back waiting for a politician or judge to make things all right. We must act righteously, look to our God and trust in him.
3. Remember that resisting unrighteous laws is righteous. We are called to seek justice, stand against prejudice, and war against discrimination (Lev 19:15; Ex 23:2–3; Deut 16:19; 2 Chron 19:7; Prov 28:21). When a law discriminates (which vaccine passports certainly do) and enshrines prejudice (which firing someone for not receiving an experimental medical treatment to treat a disease that poses no risk to them certainly is) it should be resisted. Just recently, Grace Community Church was vindicated for remaining open in defiance to government mandates since those laws were declared unjust. The church, through its defiance to government mandates, won a great victory for justice. They were not lawbreakers, rather they upheld the law. So too, we should resist laws that are unjust for righteousness’ sake. Be prepared, this will bring both persecution and blessing (Matt 5:10).
4. God will take care of you. This is not meant to be some sentimental platitude. Our Lord Jesus calls us to put off anxiety and fear about what we will eat or wear (the essentials of life) because God will take care of us (Matt 6:25). Of course, the “us” here, are those who seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (Matt 6:33). So let us get our priorities straight, seeking God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness (what is just according to his law), and take heart, God will care for you. It may not be in your current home or your current occupation, but God loves his own and will care for you. Let’s not only count the cost for obedience to God, but trust in the reward of obedience as we put loyalty to him first.
5. To the teaching and to the testimony! In Isaiah 8 a trap and snare is set for Israel. The people turn to necromancers and mediums (and we can turn to our modern day equivalents which abound online). But what does God instruct? To the teaching and to the testimony (Isaiah 8:20)! Let us use this season to dig into God’s word, to be in prayer, to learn to sing the psalms, to focus on holiness and obedience to God, and to cast away idols. Don’t waste your trial. This is a time of sanctification if we turn to God’s truth and depend on him through prayer.
6. Consider your options. Don’t be hasty in making a decision—and especially for only pragmatic reasons. Seek counsel, know your options, be prepared. Our friends at the Liberty Coalition Canada are working on this issue. I’ve also had a few requests to author or sign a religious exemption (or conscientious objection). It remains to be seen whether this will be accepted but I’m willing to pursue it. There are a few out there that I plan to adapt for our own context. Stay tuned.
Regardless of the outcome, remember that our God is sovereign. He is in control. His love is limitless. His ways are above our ways. His righteousness is our delight. His salvation is sweet. He will hold you fast. Obey him and be faithful regardless of the outcome.
“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose’” (Isaiah 46:9–10).
—Tim Stephens