I have a few thoughts to share about coming out of quarantine. But first…
Those who have followed Cross to Crown over the years know that we were blogging when blogging wasn’t cool. (The original publication was called The New Covenant Journal. Anyone remember that?) More recently, however, our time and attention have been focused elsewhere. (And by “our,” I mean, mostly, “mine.”) But the time has come to make blogging cool again. So with this post we are jumping back into the regular writing pool. I plan to post new articles, videos, updates, etc., and to repost some of the great work that CTC friends have done over the years. (When I get a moment, I’ll set up a subscribe button so that you can have them delivered to your inbox. We will also send links on Twitter and Facebook.)
Now to the COVID conversation…
We have just gone through one of the most unique situations of our lifetime. I suppose we’re not through it yet, though I expect the get-back-to-living pace to quicken rapidly over the next few weeks. More importantly for Christians, I expect that most of us will be gathering for corporate worship in the next week or two, after President Trump’s emphatic affirmation that churches are “essential.” As we do, I urge us all to behave like grownups.
Adults are supposed to display a measure of humility when it comes to ignorance. We admit what we don’t know. When it comes to things like wearing masks, the virus’ mortality rate, and “social distancing,” we should be careful not to speak as if we are omniscient on these issues. The truth is, none of us knows for sure. What we think we know is based on the “experts” we have chosen to trust. For example, some in the medical field say that masks are essential for slowing the spread of the disease. Others say that masks don’t help and may even hurt. If you have a taken a side, it’s because you have placed your trust in one source, while others are trusting another source. But you, personally, don’t know whether masks are effective or not. How could you, unless you understand this virus thoroughly and have conducted all of the necessary tests to prove your conclusion? I am willing to bet that you haven’t conducted any tests. But someone whom you trust has presented a case that makes sense to you. Great! Feel free to act on that presentation. But realize that other cases are being presented, and some of your friends have been persuaded by them and are acting on them. One of you is wrong. Perhaps both of you are. But neither of you can prove your position without appealing to someone else’s research and proposals, someone else who is fallible and possibly mistaken.
For my part, I plan on shaking hands, giving hugs, and going mask-free, unless I am among high-risk people or around folks who have more fears than I do regarding the virus. I am persuaded that it’s (thankfully) not as bad as originally thought. But I could be wrong. And I believe the Lord Jesus would have me think well of those who are persuaded differently. And for those who have strong convictions about wearing masks, I believe the Lord Jesus calls them to regard me well as well. For either group to disparage the other shows a childish, ignorant, even prideful lack of love.
So be considerate of those who disagree with you. Don’t ruin the glorious reunion of Christ’s body. Leave the bickering to the worldly whiners who belong at the kids’ table.
