Theology and the virus

Sometimes we think of "theology" as something dry and dusty. And, not relevant. It's a pastor's domain.

But the truth is, our thoughts and our choices reflect our theology.

For example, this coronavirus thing.

Are you scared? Are you angry? Are you indifferent? (Hard to be indifferent, especially with the temperature on social media rising.)

Is the universe out of control? Perhaps you recognize that God created the universe, but He doesn't intervene now. Maybe He did in Bible days, but that was then. You know, Bible days, when miracles happened. Stuff like that no longer occurs, because now we're expected to do it all ourselves.

Plus, we're smarter now, with modern medicine, smartphones, and democracy.

But the Bible says that not only is God in control of everything, He raises up rulers. He puts down rulers. Everything good we have is through His kindness--both His "common" grace and His redemptive grace.

He is sovereign over all. He even creates "calamity." Have our rulers made poor choices? Yes, He's even in control over that. There is a great peace in that knowledge. Not a fatalism, for we know the One in whom we have believed. We can plead for Him to relent even as we rest content in His sovereign purposes.

It all comes back to theology. What you believe. What you really believe.

Reading the Bible, we discover that we're not smarter or better. We're sinners in need of mercy. The goodness of God comes to us not because we deserve it, but because He is good. If He hides His face, we should humble ourselves.

"Humble yourselves therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." I Pet. 5:6-7