Pandemics

This is being written in late September, 2011 (reviewed in 2017).  There has been an increase in both serious and casual attention to, and discussion about, the safety of earth.  The increase is registered in both secular and religious contexts.  Almost all have registered some comparisons to biblical accounts of the end of the world.   The topic has become current because of significant changes in climate, changes that appear to have speeded up.  Changes are no longer measured in micro concepts, but macro.  The melting of ice at the poles (principally the North Pole) is presumed to mean flooding for seaports, and the demise of animals, like the polar bear. (For the first time, the bears are being monitored and fed in certain areas to avoid their extinction.) The erratic rains that mean drought on a massive scale will affect food production, and the extensive uses of water for daily life and industry.   The wheat harvest in Texas, this year, has been almost totally lost to drought.  The earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, floods, hurricanes have increased, and on larger scale, affecting a larger population.  Some of these have been labeled the greatest of all time in the areas where they have occurred.  Japanese life has been changed by a tsunami catastrophe that killed many scores of persons and affected atomic plants.  It has led to worldwide reconsideration of the use of atomic power.  Scholars scan the skies for meteor collisions, one of which is presumed to be racing through earth’s space as though to announce another to come later.  Areas not facing some disasters earlier have been visited by huge disruptions and losses – as the flooding in New England during the 2011 summer.  Reporters and scholars are using the word pandemics for several contexts, some man made, that suggest tragedy for earth.  There is serious study as to what may be done for survival.  When these catastrophes are added to the breakdown of economies, increases in diseases, and the uncertain management of societies, the projections are felt to be scary.  Some problems in nature (solar system) are not fixable by mankind.

The uncertainties of society impress persons of faith, sometimes in the same manner as they do those without faith.  This ought to be embarrassing to our faith.  Tragedy strikes persons in conflicting ways.  It may bring humility that turns the person to prayer and faith, or it may be used as evidence that there is no God to protect human beings.  Reporters put the issues in various insights, and the individual needs to sift out a personal context.  Paul, the Apostle held a straight line of faith and confidence, no matter what the conditions might be.  Daniel, in the Old Testament writings, included various factors in his prediction of the end of days, by which he meant some significant earth change.  He added that knowledge shall be increased.  It certainly has in my lifetime.  Arthur Miller, wrote a play entitled, The Crucible.  It related to the Salem Witch Trials that took the lives of a few persons for witchcraft.  That tiny event in the tragedy of man’s superstitions was used by Miller to imply that Christianity was ephemeral and to be doubted.  One of his lines was: Cling to no faith when faith brings blood.  The few events of the trials were short lived and limited.  Leading clergy apologized and repented of the conflict.  It took such an event, with relatively little loss of life and balance, to demonstrate to mankind how, even in the context of the church, superstition might arise.  In the few months of the witch hunt, local churches learned vulnerability.

Examining the lives and philosophies of many of the critics of Christianity, and doubters of Christian Scripture projecting an end-time, the examiner may find biblical factors missing.  The serious student will note the important factor of Hope.  Hope, for the Christian, is basic in that no matter what happens in nature and death, there is the hope (expected realization) of immortality.  God will work out the problems.  The kingdom of God will be established.  In the meantime we press on. (Revelation 22:11)  The end will bring right.  Justice will reign in righteousness.  Only a little is known about the events attending the end of ages.  It is clear from Scripture that those whose faith is genuine will be protected.  Those who choose earth will simply follow the patterns of earth.  Seems fair enough, and makes way also for our separate freedoms.  By choice, by active decision or omission of decision, I may cast lot with nature, leaving God out.  By holy perception, even in suffering, we may choose in Christ the divine for life.