Jesus is my vaccine?
"We have a vaccine; the name is Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Let Him sweep through this country and heal the righteous who dare to ask for it. Heal our church members. Restore them rapidly. Let the name of Jesus Christ be exalted because He is Lord over all."
- Does this mean that anyone who considers themselves righteous doesn’t need, and shouldn’t get a COVID-19 vaccine, as an expression of their faith in Jesus, their vaccine?
- Wouldn’t Jesus as a vaccine be more effective than man made vaccines, which all claim to prevent hospitalization? And if so, how did Pastor Hagee end up with a serious case of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization, since Jesus is his vaccine?
- For Christians who asked God for healing from COVID-19, but ended up dying, does that mean they were not righteous? The Christian pastors who died of COVID-19 - does this mean they were not righteous? Or does it mean that God chooses to heal only a portion of the righteous who ask for healing?
- Does this declaration explain why so many Christians are not healed when they pray for healing for a wide range of health issues? Because they are not righteous, and only the righteous are healed (or have the opportunity to be considered for healing)?
- Is Jesus only our vaccine for COVID-19 or more of a universal, all-encompassing vaccine against all pathogens? Is this principle of ‘Jesus is my vaccine’ a primary reason some Christians do not get vaccinated for anything?
- If Jesus is our vaccine, is He also other forms of medical preventatives and interventions? Is Jesus also our aspirin and penicillin? Do ‘Jesus is my vaccine’ proponents reject most or all forms of human-developed medical and health practices?
- Is this sort of thinking why some people consider the COVID-19 vaccine the mark of the beast, as it indicates a rejection of Jesus as the vaccine, and a symbol of opposition to God?
- Does this type of statement serve to promote division in church communities, where some identify as the righteous (those who refuse a COVID-19 vaccine), and regard those who get a COVID-19 vaccine as the unrighteous?
Like with most things, I find myself with more questions than answers. The last question on division in the Christian community concerns me the most. I’ve never found myself in a church community where there is a healthy atmosphere to openly discuss complex and controversial issues (well, there was one church community experience, with a mature home group structure, where dialogue could get quite transparent). My experience generally has been that church communities want to avoid discussing such issues out of concern (fear?) the discussions may divide the church body. I am also aware that my church community experience is limited to a small portion of what is available, and that my experience is also constrained by my rural and southern American location. For me, I would love to have open, genuine conversation on a topic like how should Christians navigate personal health care and support community health efforts, while remaining faithful to core Christian principles.
It is wonderful that Pastor Hagee recovered from a very serious case of COVID-19, and I’m sure that his hospital care certainly contributed to his recovery. Whether or not Jesus is his vaccine, is certainly open for debate. Interestingly, just three days ago, Hagee Ministries issued a statement that Pastor Hagee is getting a vaccine against COVID-19.
Did you listen to the whole sermon? Hagee the Younger actually talked about plant respiration! You might enjoy that part. https://youtu.be/JHIx3MYXSuk?t=4004
ReplyDeleteI think that Hagee the Younger actually explains how it works in his sermon: Jesus is the Cure that is available to those who OBEY the WHOLE word of God. If you don't obey, then God does not bless. It is as simple as that. This would explain why a whole lot of Christians that pray for healing don't get healed -- it's not about them being "righteous" (e.g. forgiven by God's grace and made righteous), it's that they have been made righteous but have not fully obeyed every word and command of God as written in the Bible. Righteous and heading to heaven? Yes. Eligible to receive God's healing vis a vis health? Nope! Got to obey 100% for Jesus to be your cure. (I'm paraphrasing the sermon.)
I read Cornerstone Church's statement of belief. You know what word doesn't appear even once? "Love". Apparently, a relationship with God has nothing to do with love. And none of their core beliefs as a church have to do with "love". Very interesting, huh? And the word "grace" is absent, too, except for one mention near the end of the list of their beliefs, in the context of "God's throne of grace". No love; little grace. But lots about sin.
Their statement of belief does indicate obeying the entire word of God. So, if I went to San Antonio to attend this church of 22,000 people in person, I would expect to encounter approximately 6,000 one-eyed men. That's because the Bible documents Jesus' teaching that if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. Better to be blind... you know the passage. All contemporary studies of pornography viewership in America point to between 60% to 80% of men watching pornography monthly, and the percentage is just as high among Christian men as non-Christian, and apparently 50% of pastors. So, I would expect at least a few one-eyed men in Pastor Hagee's congregation, wouldn't you?
Thank you for your comment. I didn't listen to the entire sermon. From what you say, it sounds like the preacher offered an interesting explanation for why some Christians don't get healed. You make an interesting point about obedience of the word of God and one-eyed church-going men. Although I will point out that many people are likely to identify as Christian on a survey, but rarely, if ever enter a house of worship/go to church - CINOs (Christian in Name Only).
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