How Firm Is Our Foundation?

June 24, 2020:  Having slept peacefully for about 7 hours without fear of danger, I awakened with thankfulness to God for His gift of life and the promise of a new day.  Now, I am enjoying a cup of hot tea while reading Psalm 54.  The opening verses of this psalm immediately tell me that David is facing a much different reality than mine this morning.  David cries out,
Save me, O God, by thy name,
And vindicate me by Thy power.
Hear my prayer, O God;
Give ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers have risen up against me,
And violent men have sought my life:
They have not set God before them.  Selah.

You and I may be unable to relate to David’s fears as he is pursued by violent men wanting to take his life.  But there are many today who are gripped with this same fear, so much so that the spirit of David’s prayer resonates with their spirits.  They cry out in prayer as if the ancient prayer of David inspires them, giving them the breath they need to cry out:  “Save me, O God, for I trust in Your character, Your purposes, and Your power.”

There are some who have awakened this morning to the sound of gunshots or breaking glass, the shouts of vandals or the stench of smoke and fire.  Where is this happening, we ask?

Port au Prince, Haiti?  Caracas, Venezuela?  In Hong Kong, or Tehran?  Or, could it be Washington, DC where vandals now are promising to destroy memorials of great American presidents and other leaders whom they condemn as racist.  Although history verifies that none of our national heroes were perfect in character.  Yet, God used people like Washington, Jackson, Lincoln, Tubman, Roosevelt, and King to advance progress in forming our “land of the free and the home of the brave?”  

National Unity Is Hijacked by Violence
On May 25, one month ago, what began with a unified national response of grief and disgust by most Americans to the news of the murder of George Floyd has now been hijacked by lawless, violent men and women who seek to divide and destroy the foundations of America and the hard-fought progress of reconciliation among ethnic groups.  What might have been an occasion of solemn national mourning and collective repudiation is being used instead as an occasion to stoke fires of ethnic division and hate.

Many in the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, by their violent, lawless rioting, have actually caused great destruction toward Black lives and under-served minority communities.  This fact exposes the real goal of BLM leaders and their deceived followers.  Rather than choosing to build on the foundations of American progress, their goal is to destroy those foundations.  Beginning with Christopher Columbus and the first explorers of the Western Hemisphere, the radical rioters condemn all who were responsible for the establishment of the United States of America.  They condemn America and reject the God who clearly acted providentially to bring her into being and sustain her for over two centuries.

Meanwhile, here in Wooster, Ohio, aside from the reported congregating of some in the downtown square who are noisy at times, it is basically quiet, for now.  I can greet the day in peace and hope.  I can also choose to ignore the daily news reports and video footage of riots and destruction in our nation’s capital and in other cities.  Never mind that they are breaking the law when they destroy public property and private businesses.  To the vandals, the laws are unjust and the police who enforce them ought to be defunded.  Most disheartening of all, the mayors of these cities and many leaders in Congress and the U.S. Senate who were elected to represent their constituents and to uphold the law have been silent or are actually encouragers of lawless behavior.  Many Americans even wonder if our president is uncertain what to do.

How Did It Come to This?
How did we arrive at this point in American history?  Short answer:  By forgetting our history--or never learning it in the first place.  If history is still offered in school and college curricula, it is generally not taught as “His Story.”  But the divinely inspired Scriptures of God in the Book of Genesis reveal that human history began with God’s creation, including His creation of humankind.  Therefore, omitting God also omits the essential context for understanding His sovereign role in human history—His plan to redeem fallen mankind through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to bring Christ-followers to maturity as they submit to the following spheres of authority which He has ordained:
1)  HOME: marriage and family for the training up of children,
2)  CHURCH:  the assembling of God’s people for teaching,
       communion, worship, fellowship, equipping for service
3)  GOVERNMENT which protects us through due process of law.

Sadly, the last two centuries have seen a rise of human pride that rejects the objective truth of God and replaces it with faith in human reason alone.  By denying the truth that we can come to know God from His created order and from the objective revelation of inspired Scripture, many have become what Paul predicted—Professing to be wise, they became fools instead (Romans 1: 22) …always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3: 7).  The result:  many influential people in high places are puffed up with pride in the power of human reason.  Their influence undermines each sphere of authority God has ordained.  During the past two centuries, the rise of public and private educational institutions has led to an assault on the biblical worldview.

Fools Indoctrinate Impressionable Students
Many American colleges and universities were originally founded as centers to teach and pursue truth as objective reality as understood through a biblical worldview.  But instead, most have become bastions that indoctrinate impressionable students that all truth is relative truth.  There is only one absolute truth; namely, “Truth cannot be known.”  Consider the following excerpt (emphasis mine) from the inaugural address of Drew Gilpin Faust, Harvard University president from 2007-2018 as quoted by Chuck Stetson in his essay, “Rethinking What Universities Teach” posted in the blog, Liberty Your Choice:

The “Veritas” in Harvard’s shield was originally intended to invoke the absolutes of divine revelation, the unassailable verities of Puritan religion. We understand it quite differently now. Truth is an aspiration, not a possession. Yet in this we—and all universities defined by the spirit of debate and free inquiry—challenge and even threaten those who would embrace unquestioned certainties. We must commit ourselves to the uncomfortable position of doubt, to the humility of always believing there is more to know, more to teach, more to understand.

In sharp contrast, the website of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Christian Community explains that the original Harvard shield created in 1692 featured the motto, Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae, “Truth for Christ and the Church.” The website adds that the original shield can still be found “on many buildings around campus including the Widener Library, Memorial Church, and various dorms in Harvard Yard.”  Notice on the shield that the bottom book is by itself and upside down!  This inversion symbolizes the belief in the limits of human reason and the need for God’s objective revelation.  The current Harvard shield contains only the word, Veritas.  Now missing is any reference to the purpose of learning truth and the ultimate source of wisdom and knowledge-- Jesus Christ (Colossians 2: 2-3).

Moral and intellectual relativism manifests itself not only in departments of religion and the natural sciences, but also in the disciplines of psychology, sociology, political science, history and literature.  Denial of biblical absolutes erases the distinctions between humankind and other animal species.  How tragic to see this devolution of higher education at Harvard which had been established by Christians who had a clear “blueprint” for how a God-centered culture should look and a curriculum designed to teach the integration of faith, morality, law, and education as an essential foundation for liberty.  The historic Puritan statue, the Matrix of Liberty Monument, in Plymouth, MA personifies these essentials elements of a free society. 

Denial that God’s providential involvement in the founding and preservation of American constitutional government has led to a denial of American exceptionalism.  If God was not providentially involved in leading the Puritans to risk their lives to establish a colony in which to practice their faith in the New World, then there was no human justification for establishing the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the land occupied by Native Americans.  Many secular historians and progressives condemn the European colonization of Africa and the western hemisphere. In their view, it was unjust to enter native cultures because they brought disease, economic oppression, and enslavement of helpless native cultures.  Hence, the United States is an illegitimate nation with no right to exist.  Nor should we retain the statues and buildings that remind us of American history.  And so, we hear the crash of falling statues and smell the smoke of burning American flags.

Were it only the one percent or fewer of Americans who are responsible for the senseless, violent protests, there might be more reason for hope.  But studies reveal that a large percentage of Americans are disadvantaged due to fractured family structure which contributes to emotional and spiritual problems, poor learning, and lack of hope and motivation to take individual responsibility for their lives.  While the government is responsible for maintaining orderly communities, it is the family and church that is crucial to the training up of young men and women.  Let’s consider families first, then church.

Fractured Families and Fallen Statues
Knowing the nature of fallen man, God wisely included specific provisions to encourage humility and submission to both human and divine authority.  Like sheep that tend to go astray (Isaiah 53: 6), we all need a Shepherd who can guide, discipline, and protect us.  In Psalm 23: 4, David, speaking as a sheep needing the LORD as his Shepherd, says Your rod and your staff, then comfort me, referring to the rod of protection from predators and the staff to gently lead those who stray back into the fold.  God’s plan for protecting and guiding His lambs onto the right path in life begins with the family as perhaps the most important sphere of authority.

Although not all marriages lead to having children, couples with children have an additional important responsibility.  By God’s design, the church and government function to provide moral and civic order and accountability to families and individuals.  God intends that each of these spheres of authority be aimed at training up a child in the way he should go; [so that] even when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22: 6).  When marriages and families are healthy, children are “trained up” to honor their father and mother (Exodus 20: 12).  The New Testament (e.g. Ephesians 6: 2) adds that this Fifth Commandment is the first commandment with a promise: so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.  The Fifth Commandment which centers on the marriage, family, and disciplined home life is clearly foundational to the preparation of individuals who can contribute to society as adults.

Marriage and family have faced a moral and spiritual attack throughout history.  In America, many children, particularly Black Americans, are raised by single parents, and children often grow up without having the love and care of a father.  Tragically, many children are not taught to respect authority by a father who models godly love and thus helps introduce them to God as their loving Heavenly Father.  Without the nurture of the “rod and the staff” of loving parents, children often struggle in their school, do poorly in learning and developing social skills, and are inclined to form unhealthy friendships, often leading to associations with lawless gangs.  Without a healthy respect for authority they naturally learn to disrespect all who are responsible for upholding the law and community order.

The Church in Danger
Moral and intellectual relativism have infiltrated college curricula and influenced multiple generations of students who now occupy influential roles in society.  At the same time, the evangelical church is responding to calls for social justice from both within the church and from social activists outside the church.  The latter are urging Christians to live up to the example of Christ who came to preach good news to the poor…proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed (Luke 4: 18).   However, the Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel, affirmed by more than 7,000 signatories presents a biblical position on social justice and points out aspects of the social justice movement that are unbiblical.

Here, I will be brief for two reasons. First, I am not an evangelical leader equipped with the knowledge, experience, or perspective that is necessary to assess all of the various expressions and ramifications of social justice.  Second, I have already written on the subject of social justice with full awareness of my inadequacy (See “Related articles” below.).  My approach here is to offer the following points which are invitations for readers to elaborate, question, correct, or politely disagree.  Each response will be helpful to me because I want to be both teachable and obedient to my calling as a disciple of Christ:

1.  AUTHORITY – Sola Scriptura: Scripture alone is the final authority in determining what is true (i.e. where we rest our faith and reasoning) and what is right (in defining Christian character and conduct)( 2 Peter 1: 16-21; 1 John 2: 5-6).  Because Scripture requires the hard work of correct interpretation, dedicated Christ-followers must discern who is spiritually competent to teach, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with great patience and instruction (2 Tim 3: 16-4: 5).

2.  PRIORITY -- First things first:  Keeping the two foremost commandments (Matthew 22: 36-40) is humanly impossible.  Therefore, all of us must die to our own righteousness, be born again into God’s righteousness, and then continually yield to the power of God’s Spirit in us.  The evidence of God’s righteousness in us (2 Corinthians 5: 21) is our Spirit-driven passion for doing what is right and pleasing to God (1 John 3: 22), resulting in our bearing the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, etc. (John 15: 5; Galatians 3: 22-23). Objectively speaking, the Hebrew word for righteousness may be translated justice.  Justice flows from the wellspring of righteousness that God puts within each of us and which He continually replenishes through His Spirit as we yield our will to His will.

3.  CHARITY -- If I do not have love, then I have no righteousness and justice to offer.  Even if I could speak eloquently, I will sound like an irritating gong.  Any great insight, knowledge, and faith; and, even if I give all my material possessions to the poor—none of these will mean anything if they do not flow from the wellspring of God’s love in my life (1 Corinthians 13: 1-3).  By this shall everyone know if an individual or a group is inspired and empowered by the written Word and the Living Word, Jesus Christ; namely, if they love one another (John 13: 35).

4.  VALUE – All people are of great value because all are created in God’s image.  We are united as one human race, but we are highly diverse with respect to our ethnicity, religious persuasion, vocation, gender, age, wealth; or situation. Yet Jesus ministered physically and spiritually without regard for their status.  The unnamed woman at Jacob’s well (John 4) marveled that Jesus, being a male and being a Jew, would even speak to her, a despised Samaritan who was ashamed of her immoral lifestyle.  In contrast, our hateful, lying, enemy, Satan, will tempt us just as he does social activists to focus on any one of these diverse traits in order to distract and divide the Church, the body of Christ.  But the Apostle John saw a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7: 9).  Like the Apostle Paul, can we say we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view (2 Corinthians 5: 16a)?

5.  INDIVIDUAL—Serving the individual, or leading a group:  Unlike leaders whose ministry focuses on large crowds, I seem to be more suited to one-on-one encounters or to small groups.  Whatever the case, I want to be like Jesus who valued, loved, and ministered physically and spiritually to all people whether in a large group (e.g. Zacchaeus), mid-sized group (e.g. His disciples), or to individuals.  God saves sinners as individuals, and we are each individually accountable to God (Hebrews 9: 27).  First Peter 2: 1-10 clearly teaches that God is building His church, person by person as living stones being built up into a spiritual house with Christ as the Chief Cornerstone. We should not be distracted by strategies that attempt to “persuade the masses”  at the expense of our ministry to individuals   Any teaching that incites individuals or groups to view themselves as either privileged oppressors or entitled victims of oppression based on ethnicity or any other trait (See #4) is in violation of Scripture. “While we are to weep with those who weep, we deny that a person’s feelings of offense or oppression necessarily prove that someone else is guilty of sinful behaviors, oppression, or prejudice (From:  Social Justice Statement).”

6.  GRACE -- Looking for the speck in my brother’s eye, or judging a church, or “the Church,” before removing the plank in my own eye is not an act of Grace.  I must remember that in the standard by which I judge, I will be judged (Matthew 7: 1-5).  When Christians act carnally (1 Corinthians 3: 1-9) and squabble over differences rather than resolve them wisely (Matthew 18: 15-20) the Church which is the Bride of Christ is made to look ugly.  Worst of all is public criticism aimed at shaming the Church into action by linking it to a political group or class (e.g. white supremacists). The Church and local churches are not perfect and knowing this full well, God Word gives us clear teaching on individual reproof and church discipline.  Furthermore, it is difficult to know all of the many ways that individuals perform acts of mercy and justice (See #4).  It is especially difficult if I have a big log in my own eye.

7.  GIVING – Their first action was to give themselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8: 5).  This final point rests on previous points.   First, “giving” that pleases God, as the Apostle Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 8: 1-5, is giving that begins with personal consecration and recognition that it is only by the grace of God that we have anything to give.  In fact, the Greek word charis translates into both “grace” (v. 1) and “gift” (v. 4).  Godly motivation for giving is underscored when we compare the attitude of the churches in Macedonia with the deceitful motive behind the giving by Ananias and Sapphira, in Acts 5: 1-11.  Giving that honors God and edifies His church is motivated from generous believers within the church, not by coercion or force as in the case of socialistic or communistic systems.

Conclusion
As a tribute to the progress in racial reconciliation in America, the tragic death of George Floyd was becoming an observance of national unity through mourning with the family. However, national reaction to this death was hijacked by hateful, violent people to cause division and destruction.  In order to explain the ensuing disorder and destruction that followed, I listed three spheres of authority, each being an important institution in God’s redemptive plan—the home, church, and government.  When each of these function in submission to instruction from God’s Word, the nation thrives.  But moral and intellectual relativism has invaded many American families and the consequences are now evident in the church and government, too.

As we view the broadcast footage of toppling statues of historic figures in the evening news, it may be helpful for us to return to the significance of the message of the Matrix of Liberty Monument.  The statue invites us to look upward with “Faith” as he points toward the God of Heaven from Whom comes the inspired revelation in the Scriptures.  It is this revelation that eventually gave our Founding  Fathers the basis for our Liberty which is only secure when individuals choose to take responsibility to live by the standards of Rule of Law, Morality, and Education. Let us pray that neither Matrix of Liberty Monument nor its important message will be destroyed by the vandals; but instead, these tragic events may trigger a spiritual awakening in America.  Why not pray for it?

Relates Articles from Oikonomia:
Disintegration of the United States of America, August 17, 2012
Extremist Protests: A Monumental Opportunity, August 23, 2017
Extreme Protests 2: Racism as "Corporate Evil", August 31, 2017
Martin Luther King Jr. Knew God’s Synthesis of Love & Justice, Jan. 22, 2016
Social Gospel, Version 2.0 - Social Justice, January 14, 2019
Black History 2 Reparations or Reconciliation?, March 16, 2019
Pope Francis, the Christian Life, and Social Justice, February 26, 2016
There’s No Such Thing as Private Property, March 28, 2015

Sola Grace – “Grace Alone”

Every newborn baby is a gift of God.  Couples can “contribute” through sexual union, but only God can “create.”  Yesterday, God’s grace came in the form of a baby daughter, born to Joe and Beth Batchelder.  The Batchelder’s serve with AIM Air, the missionary aviation team of Africa Inland Mission (AIM).  And, they are members of our missionary family at West Hill Baptist Church.

The Batchelder’s baby daughter came into the world through the labor of her mommy, and as a special gift for her daddy on Father’s Day.  She is also a birthday gift for her brother, Judah, being born on his birthday.  Both Judah and his brother, Ivan, will be her loving protectors from the start.

But what was most special to me was the inspiring tribute of praise written by Joe and Beth on this occasion of naming their daughter.  They named her Sola Grace, which expresses the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—Sola Gratia, “Grace Alone.” 

Joe and Beth have given me permission to share their testimony and photos of Sola Grace.  Our prayers are with the Batchelder’s as they nurture her to become a woman whose life will honor Jesus Christ and proclaim that it is His “Grace Alone” that makes possible the salvation for all who believe in Him.  Please reflect on God's glorious Grace as you read:

To the Praise of His Glorious Grace
We are very excited to announce the arrival of our long-awaited baby girl, Sola Grace.  Sola arrived on June 21st at around 12:30 p.m.  She came just in time to share her birthday with her older brother, Judah, not to mention being Daddy’s Father’s Day present.  Sola weighs 7 pounds and 3 ounces and is 20 inches long.

We don’t deserve this beautiful gift from God. We hope and pray that Sola Grace will taste and see that the Lord is good, and enjoy God’s gracious gift of salvation in Jesus.  No gift is more undeserved, and no gift is more free:
It is the gift of eternal life,
a new covenant,
a blood-bought redemption,
a complete reconciliation,
a living hope,
a preserving faith,
an inexpressible joy,
an incomprehensible peace,
an inseparable love,
a cleansed heart,
a sin-killing Spirit,
a guaranteed victory,
an imperishable inheritance,
an unshakeable kingdom,
a satisfied wrath,
a tender mercy,
a perfect righteousness,
a new name,
a holy calling,
a glorious grace,
and a God who is for us.
All things, every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, are ours in Jesus Christ.

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).  All this, given to hostile enemies of God like us.

Hostile enemies don’t want peace.
Guilty criminals don’t deserve mercy.
Dead men can’t raise themselves to life.
That is why it is not based on anything in us or done by us, but it is only by the glorious grace of God the Father, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. We love you Sola Grace.

“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”  - Romans 11:6

How About You?
After reading about how impossible it would be to have biological life without God the Creator of all life, have you considered also how impossible it is for you and I as sinners to have a personal relationship with God without His forgiving, redeeming Grace?  Maybe you are confused or maybe the message of “Sola Grace,” or “Grace Alone” shared by Joe and Beth Batchelder is totally new to you.  Just as a baby is born physically, so Jesus said, “you must be ‘born again’ [spiritually]" in order to know and experience the things of the Spirit of God (John 3: 3-18; 1 Corinthians 2: 12).

If you would like to know more about the Life transformed and filled by God’s Holy Spirit, please check out this booklet online, entitled “Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life?”  This helpful booklet explains how you can surrender your life to Christ, gain peace with God through His Life, and begin to see the world and your life from God's perspective through His Holy Spirit dwelling in you.   If you have additional questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you.  Just post a “Comment” below or e-mail me at silviusj@gmail.edu

COVID-19 News: “Batteries Not Included”

“Batteries Not Included.” 

We’ve all read these disappointing words on the package of a newly purchased product.  It is especially unsettling when the package contains a toy, and your child or grandchild has just unwrapped it excitedly on Christmas morning.

Friday, I “opened” a different kind of “package”—an article reporting new COVID-19 cases in Ashland County here in Northeast Ohio.  With all due respect to its author(s), I selected this article because it resembles many other articles I could have chosen to illustrate the points I hope to make here. 

Like a toy that comes with “batteries not included,” this Ashland Source article comes without an important “power source”—good journalism.  But there’s also a second “battery” missing— “good science.”  The third “battery” must be supplied by educated readers who can exercise sound critical reasoning.

Good Journalism

I’m not an expert in journalism.  However, I located a list seven qualities of a good news story provided by pivotcomm.com.   A well written story should include good sources (e.g. data from “good science”) and provide the necessary focus and context that enables well-educated readers to reach accurate conclusions.  With these criteria in mind, note that the headline of our “example article” reports the occurrence of 5 new positive results of COVID-19 infection in Ashland Co.  This heading would grab attention and maybe even elicit fear among those who think a second wave of the virus is likely.

The Ashland Source article goes on to explain that 4 of the 5 COVID-19 cases “were exposed to the virus at mass gatherings – a wedding, church service, and auction – where safety precautions were not observed.”  Can you identify at least one “red flag” here?  If so, you may be asking how the 4 individuals could have known the exact place and person responsible for infecting them.  (My record at doing this is dismal.)  And finally, who verified that safety precautions were not observed at each of the events--wedding, worship service, and auction?

In spite of limited information, the article includes a stern reprimand from Heather Reffett, Ashland Co. Health Department (ACHD) Commissioner:  “If safety precautions had been in place…at least four of these new infections could likely have been avoided.”  There is no mention of how individual #5 was infected. 

Clearly, the ACHD is faithfully conducting its civil duty.  But in so doing their message through this article suggests that the citizens of the Ashland area should remain isolated and locked down much as they were in April.  But does the larger context of the pandemic in Ashland Co. support this policy?

The article would have been more helpful if it had informed the readers that the 5 new cases bring the total number of cases in Ashland Co. to 27 as of June 12.  According to the last paragraph of the article, of these 27 cases, 22 have recovered and 5 are still recovering.  Although the article dutifully lists the dates, beginning March 18, when each COVID-19 positive case was reported, it does not mention that there have been no deaths in Ashland Co. to date.  No deaths in Ashland Co!  This statistic is quite striking considering that, according to my research at the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, neighboring counties ranged from 1 to 61 deaths (average = 21) attributed to COVID-19.  And what about death rates statewide in Ohio?

We would expect the number of COVID-19 cases in Ohio to increase now that increased testing is occurring.  But if the virus is posing a threat to Ohioans sufficient to justify a total lockdown for nearly two months, we would expect to see a significant rise in total deaths in 2020 compared to deaths in previous years.  But, according to Dr. Mary Kate Francis, interim medical director at the Ohio Department of Health, quoted in the Akron Beacon Journal, “Despite the climbing death toll, though, total deaths are up by 1.2%, or 680 people, in 2020 compared to the previous five-year average, according to state mortality data.  It’s “hard to guess as to what could be the case or the cause” for a lack of an overall surge, though several factors have probably contributed, Francis said.

One factor to account for the absence of the predicted increase in deaths this year is the fact that epidemiological models were very misleading.  Based on modeling data, in early April, Gov. DeWine had predicted as many as 60,000 new cases in Ohio per day!  However, at the COVID-19 peak in Ohio, around April 19, less than 1,300 new cases were reported per day.  It is hard to account for this discrepancy (prediction was off by a factor of 46-to-1) based entirely on good public compliance to social distancing that “flattened the curve.”  Here is where we need “good science.”

“Good Science” Needed
I have been particularly interested in how the scientific data on COVID-19 is obtained and interpreted.  See “Pandemic—or Policy without “Good Science?” Our example article from Ashland Source refers to the basic reproduction number (or reproductive ratio, R_o) of a virus.  Please don’t panic here when you see the symbol, R_o. What follows is not beyond your ability to understand if you read slowly and stay with me.

In simply terms, R_o is the number of people that one infected person will infect in a population.  So, if one person develops the infection and passes it on to two others, the R₀ is 2.  The “0,” or naught, indicates a reproductive number (R) for a new virus in a population with zero immunity. Jeffrey K. Aronson, et al. of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine , University of Oxford, explain in more detailed terms that R_o is “the number of cases that are expected to occur on average in a homogeneous population as a result of infection by a single individual, when the population is susceptible at the start of an epidemic, before widespread immunity starts to develop and before any attempt has been made at immunization.”

The article refers to estimates of R_o reported by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.  According to the governor, “Ohio’s R₀ number was as high as 1.9 in March but as of June 1, it was slightly lower than 1.”  Gov. DeWine has attributed the decrease to the interventions implemented by his administration to “flatten the curve.”  Ohio’s Region 5, which includes Ashland currently has an R₀ of 0.72.

By this time, you may realize that, by definition, R_o applies only at the start of viral infection of a population.  In contrast, the  effective reproductive number, is the number of people that can be infected at a given time during the progression of the virus in a given population.
The R_e “changes as the population becomes increasingly immunized, either by individual acquired immunity following infection or by vaccination, and also as people die.”  Gov. DeWine and the ACHD seem to be misusing the R_o value (applies only at the start of viral infection of a population).  As noted in the previous paragraph, where Gov. DeWine reports changes in R_o, in all likelihood he is referring to R_e.

The estimated R_o for COVID-19 (or SARS-CoV-2) is given in the adjacent figure from CEBM.  Note that COVID-19 to date is not significantly more deadly than several prior influenza viruses.  Yet, because we adopted the policy of broad separation and economic lockdown, this pandemic may end up being much more devastating because of economic disruption, deaths from delayed health procedures, suicides, and drug abuse.

We should note that estimates of R_o, are based on complex mathematical modeling which incorporates estimates of susceptibility, infectivity, and rate of removal of individuals by either recovery through acquired immunity or through death.  As I have already stated, considerable variability has occurred among the epidemiological models largely because they are predictive and based on limited data.  Some of the modeling error may be attributed to the unexpected compliance of our culture to social distancing guidelines.  But there is still reason to doubt their accuracy.  George Box, the noted British statistician, has quipped: “Models, of course, are never true, but fortunately it is only necessary that they be useful. For this it is usually needful only that they not be grossly wrong.”  See “Pandemic—or Policy without “Good Science?”

In conclusion, I have noted the importance of good journalism, good science, and an educated population that can think critically to read and analyze articles such as the one from Ashland Source on the topic of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ashland Co., Ohio.  So far in Ashland Co., there have been no deaths and only 27 reported cases as compared to over 5,000 cases and 303 deaths in Cuyahoga Co. (Cleveland).  Obviously, reported cases and deaths vary greatly among different Ohio counties depending on population density.  However, in no case did number of cases and deaths reach those predicted by the models used to justify the total lockdown. Today, a more recent report in Ashland Source hints that the county's low number of cases (28 as of today) and their very well executed Continuity of Operation Plan (COOP).

Nationwide, it remains to be seen whether broad isolation instead of protection of vulnerable individuals was worth the great cost of economic disruption, unemployment, interruption of routine health care, and termination of most social and cultural events, classroom education, and spiritual gatherings. 

It is not uncommon that both toys and news stories come with “batteries not included.” But let us pray that our nation doesn’t suffer from news reporting that is poorly communicated, lacking in “good science,” and even biased to serve dishonest political or economic gain.

More Questions to Consider:
1.  Can you see how important it is that we exercise caution and think critically, especially when the journalism sometimes lacks sufficient accuracy, context, and helpful assistance to critical reasoning on the part its readers. 
2.  Ohio residents, how many COVID-19 cases have currently been recorded for your county.  You can go to various sources such as Akron Beacon Journal.  Here, scroll down to the Ohio map and click on your county for statistics.  Readers from outside Ohio can find similar data at the Coronavirus Resource Center under your state.
3.  How do deaths from COVID-19 compare to other causes of death?  You can look up a listing of DEATHS BY DIFFERENT CAUSES IN YOUR STATE.  Then, observe how the average deaths from each cause for the past few years compares to the deaths in 2020 (adjusted for the fact that we are only about six months into 2020).  Particularly, how do COVID-19 deaths compare to deaths from other influenza viruses?

If We Had Only Known: But Why Didn’t We?

After nearly three months of social distancing and economic shutdowns aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, what do we have to show for the policies aimed at preventing the spread of the virus?  Answer:  Tens of millions of Americans out of work, thousands of businesses destroyed, our health care system disrupted, schools and colleges across the land shuttered, and over 40,000 at-risk senior citizens who were exposed to virus infection and caused to die.  The actual virulence of the disease and the number of lives saved by all of this remains unknown.

What a staggering price to pay in order to defeat a virus!  But was all of this really necessary?
According to The Blaze, "A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report published April 1 cited the ‘potential for presymptomatic transmission’ as a reason for the importance of social distancing, the network said.”  However, there was significant dissension within science and medicine.  Now, heads are wagging and many are regretting not having listened to the dissenters; or, regretting that many dissenting voices of science were marginalized or silenced.

The World Health Organization (WHO), according to CNBC, now claims that asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 rarely spread the virus!  According to a CNN report yesterday, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of WHO's emerging diseases and zoonosis unit has stated, "We have a number of reports from countries who are doing very detailed contact tracing. They're following asymptomatic cases. They're following contacts. And they're not finding secondary transmission onward.  It's very rare."

Based on an article this morning in BBC News, the Van Kerkhove statements may be a bit too emphatic given the size of the study she referenced.  The article stated that, “While people without symptoms do seem to be capable of infecting others, current evidence still suggests people with symptoms are the highest risk” of transmitting the disease. The article adds that a positive test doesn’t tell us the “viral load” (how much virus in a person’s system).  However, Dr. Van Kerkove still maintains that secondary transmission requires high viral load which are passed mainly through infectious droplets from coughing and sneezing.  She adds, “If we actually followed all of the symptomatic cases, isolated those cases, followed the contacts and quarantined those cases, we would drastically reduce (Parenthetically, she inserted:  I would love to be able to give a proportion of how much transmission we would actually stop.) but it would be a drastic reduction in transmission."

WHO:  Accountability and Admission of Error
Are you shocked?   Many are not.  If Dr. Van Kerkhove’s assessments are true, then prior suspicions toward the WHO are only being further confirmed.  While some still question how much virus transmission can occur just prior to expression of symptoms, it is looking more and more like the WHO is either incompetent or complicit in an effort to distort the truth.  At very best, it appears that the measures that resulted from WHO and CDC recommendations were much too drastic to be justified by the limited data and associated predictive models.

Although somewhat haltingly, the WHO is basically admitting that the decision to institute social distancing and business shutdowns, supposedly “following the science," was misguided.  If, instead of recommending the widespread social isolation and lock down of all but essential services, health officials had simply recommended tracking, tracing, and isolating symptomatic cases, the COVID-19 pandemic may have had no greater impact than annual influenza viruses that come and go.

If these recent claims of WHO officials are confirmed in the days ahead, history may record the “COVID-19 pandemic” as one of its greatest fiascos.  Of major concern already is not only the disruption of our economy, health care, education, family, social interactions, and worship, but the avoidable deaths of 40,000 of our senior citizens who were left vulnerable and then moved in large numbers into close quarters where COVID-19 infection and death were largely unavoidable.  But I believe we will be adding insult to injury if millions of Americans and billions worldwide do not raise some serious questions that justify a major investigation of exactly who and what led us down this costly and deadly path.  

Important Questions:  Answers Please?
Here are some questions for starters:
1.  What was the origin of the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus?
2.  Why did the Chinese Communists silence several of their prominent scientists?
3.  Why did these Chinese leaders claim the virus was not contagious while they were restricting travel from Wuhan and grabbing up related health care equipment?
4.  Did the Chinese Communist regime conspire with the WHO to control information flow?
5.  Why was doctor-prescribed use of Hydroxychloroquine so strongly opposed by many?
6.  Who are those responsible for decisions that led to the deaths of over 40,000 residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, representing 40% of the COVID-19 deaths in the US.
7.  Why have the WHO and CDC now begun to admit to recommending measures that were unprecedented and apparently too drastic? 
8.  In what particular ways did the media fail America and other nations by essentially censoring dissenting voices?  See Hydroxychloroquine: “Good Science” Challenges Politicized Science.
9.  Were there instances in which scientists deliberately acted unethically by withholding data and assessments that might have led to an end of the lockdown much earlier.   See Bring a Speedy End to the Pandemic Shutdown
10.  Is it time for a national discussion to heighten our awareness of how important good journalism and honest reporting by the media is to maintaining our democratic republic?
11.  What changes need to be made to assure that our national leaders receive broader-based, expert scientific and epidemiological input and can make good decisions to protect American people?
12.  How can Christians strengthen their faith in God and sharpen their discernment of the issues of our time, and then position themselves to be able to represent Christ to people mired in confusion, anxiety, depression, addiction, and fear?

With Question #12 in mind, I am finding Luke 21, particularly verses 7-19, very relevant to the events of our day.  While careful study is needed to place the future events Jesus is describing into context, He makes two statements that should be very encouraging (New Living Translation): 
Luke 21: 9 -- And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic.
Luke 21: 13 -- But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

I do not want to pretend to have all of the answers to the COVID-19 pandemic, nor even all of the questions.  I realize that there are many dedicated, honest professionals that were and are involved in some aspect of the pandemic; and, I don’t want to impugn well-meaning, honest people, nor deny the fact that hindsight sometimes prompts great criticism of decisionmakers.  Yet, the questions I have raised are among those that we would do well to answer in the days ahead.

How About You?
Are there particular questions you have about how the pandemic was handled, or about factors that influenced policy to move in such an unwise direction?  How have these events influenced your trust in “science,” the media, our leadership in Washington, and health care professionals?  How has the pandemic influenced your faith in God?

#BlackHeartsMatter: Getting Our Hearts Right

This blog article originated partly from a social media exchange and partly from a phone conversation.  Both were related to our current national response to the tragic murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, on May 25.  During the phone conversation, my friend noted that one or more of her friends had been called “racist” for not including #BlackLivesMatter in their social media posts.

Watching Our Words and Hashtags
My first thought was to remember my own current blend of emotions over Floyd’s death and the passion now on display across America—the mixture of grief, disgust, anger, hate, hopelessness, etc.  These emotions have also embroiled social media.  Even well-meaning posts can erupt into exchanges that express the dark side of our hearts. 

I hope not to add to the tensions that already exist among people online.  But I am trying to make sense of what is being reported in the media, and through conversations I have had recently.  Forgive me, but it helps to write out my thoughts—hopefully, I am not worthlessly “spewing.”

First off, we may agree that virtual conversations involving brief repeated exchanges can easily be misunderstood by our inaccurate wording.  Even well worded sentences do not convey the tone of voice or facial expressions we normally see in real-time, face-to-face conversations.  On top of this, add a “hashtag” and suddenly, a well-meaning statement can become a flaming arrow with a life of its own, ricocheting about and stabbing into hearts of readers.

Today, “#BlackLivesMatter” is a potentially incendiary hashtag that carries with it much of the hurt, grief, passion, anger, and disgust that is driving both peaceful demonstrations and accompanying looting and violence.  I am honestly trying to be sensitive to these emotions.  I also believe there is justification for prolonged expression of these emotions along with respectful, impassioned calls for justice and reform.  However, it is also evident from the instance I cited at the beginning of this article that the use of #BlackLivesMatter (or other similar expressions--e.g. #BLM, the phrase “Black Lives Matter”), because of the connotations it carries, can easily squelch constructive conversation as well as legitimate public demonstrations.

Evaluating #BlackLivesMatter
As I am trying to understand some of the incendiary nature of #BlackLifesMatter, it seems to me that some who use this slogan have given in to the temptation to appoint themselves as the standard for how all others ought to think and act toward “Blacks” (or other ethnic minorities).  With all due respect, they seem to be the self-appointed “high priests of ‘blackness’.”  Therefore, to them, because I am “White” (or “white”), nothing I am writing here carries value or authority.  Neither am I perceived as one who understands or empathizes with Blacks, Black cultural heritage, or the current struggles of Blacks.

Because of my ethic background and my personal experience, I will admit that I have trouble understanding and empathizing with Black Americans.  Nor do I currently experience the kinds of ongoing, subtle or outright emotional and physical causes of anxiety, suffering, and death that have been or are currently being experienced by Blacks.  But then, who is worthy to represent Black lives and to define its mission?  And who possesses the authority to decide when the #BlackLivesMatter mission is accomplished?  And what will the area now occupied by the United States of America look like when the mission is accomplished?  The answers to these questions are not obvious to me but they would appear to be at least somewhat elusive.  In fact, many people wonder whether the Black Lives Matter movement has any consensus as to its actual mission and desired outcome.  For example, here are several points I’ve been pondering.

Biology and Politics of “Black”
First, we would assume “the worthy” person or persons of #BlackLivesMatter ought to be “Black.”  But how “Black?”  Biologically speaking, I have explained elsewhere that humankind is of one race, not many.  How black must a person’s skin be in order to be “Black?”  Or how “White” in order to be disqualified?  According to D. J. Witherspoon, S. Wooding, et al. publishing in the journal, Genetics (176: 351–359 May, 2007), “…most human genetic variation is found within populations, not between them.”  Rob DeSalle and Ian Tattersall, both at the American Museum of Natural History, conclude, “race is a totally inadequate way of characterizing diverse humankind or even of helping understand humanity’s glorious variety.” [See “Black History 3:  Bible and Biology Erase Racism”].
 

There are many Blacks such as Ben Carson (@SecretaryCarson), Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO), and Jack Brewer (@JackBrewerBSI) who disagree with the tenants of Black Lives Matter.  Therefore, some in #BlackLivesMatter dismiss these Blacks because they are not really “Black.”  Legitimate voices from both “Blacks” and “Whites” are rejected or silenced, often by both #BlackLivesMatter and some media outlets, if they do not meet the standard of “the worthy.”  But what constitutes the “standard” for being among “the worthy?”

Individual versus Institutional Sin
Turning our attention to a major source of the passionate cry for justice, our law enforcement officials across the nation, it is clear in at least some cases that there is need for reform, greater accountability, and justice to those who are proven guilty of abuse of their authority.  George Floyd would likely be alive today if Derek Chauvin had been held accountable for multiple earlier violations of proper police guidelines.  But, while it seems clear that Chauvin and his colleagues who were complicit in the murder of George Floyd should be charged and sentenced for their grievous crime, some in #BlackLivesMatter claim that all police regardless of ethnicity, professional record, or character are unworthy to be our protectors or enforcers of the law.  In fact, #DisbandPolice movements are emerging in major cities on the premise that all police are unworthy. 

If Black Lives really Matter, how can anyone who cares about Black Lives support dismissal of entire police departments and leave some of the most vulnerable communities including Black communities vulnerable to what will undoubtedly become vigilante law?  Here we can see the illogic of “throwing out the whole barrel of apples” when one or two “bad apples” are discovered.  It is both biblically and legally justified to condemn individuals who commit acts that clearly stem from bigotry.  It is also right to identify and reform institutions guilty of “institutional racism”—i.e. where one or few “bad apples” have spread their “rot” to the point of corrupting the mission and purpose of the institution.  However, it cannot be either biblically or legally justified to condemn a whole institution for the actions of one or a few.  This point brings us to the social media exchange I noted at the beginning.

Church Discipline or Demolition?
The following is a Facebook post from my friend followed by a response from one of his/her friends:
FRIEND:  The decline of Christianity in Europe and North America, whatever its proximate causes may be, is ultimately God saving the Church from white supremacy.  God can, in his time, rebuild what he tears down. But now is a time for tearing down (Ecclesiastes 3:3).  Let us not be found opposing God’s will.  I’m sure others have already said this, and I confess I am late in seeing it clearly.

RESPONSE:  Yes!!  Thank you, __ (name)!  The church has been one of, if not THE main agent in perpetuating white supremacy.

I love my friend and his/her family.  We have been friends for many years.  I do not know his/her friend.  I also understand and respect his/her genuine concern and desire for the Church to flourish in all of her roles on Earth to proclaim the good news of salvation, release to the captives held by sin’s bonds, to bring man sons to glory, and to glorify our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  But I also understand the tremendous diversity that exists within the true Church and within Bible-based local churches.  Therefore, I resist the pessimism that many seem to have.

Some local churches are almost entirely Caucasian, others are a mix of many ethnic groups, and some are almost entirely Black.  Our church is largely Caucasian.  Therefore, we may be unknowingly naïve or ignorant of ethnic diversity and struggles.  Ignorance is not sin unless we are not teachable and allow it to lead to wrong judgments.  We are fortunate to have a godly Black man who is married to a lovely Caucasian wife who serve on our pastoral staff.  We can learn from their example and teaching, first as our brother and sister in Christ, and secondly from the insights on cultural diversity which they bring to us.  But most of all, where the Scriptures are taught and sincerely followed, and where even biology is understood, there ought not to be a hint of bigotry or white supremacy.

Here, we must return to our question, “Who is Worthy?”  Specifically, who among #BlackLivesMatter is worthy to pass judgment on a local church, or upon “the Church” worldwide?  For those who reject the authority of God and His inspired Word in Scripture, nothing beyond this point in the article will be agreeable to you—I understand your rejection for reasons you can find taught in the New Testament.  If you are currently choosing to reject the teachings of the Bible, please consider what Jesus Himself taught in His parable of the sower and the seed (Luke 8: 5-15) and what the Apostle Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 2: 6-16.  Personally, neither can I discern these truths apart from God’s love and His grace that opened my eyes spiritually.  Regardless of our personal choices, we must be assured of this:  All men and women are created to live under authority—the question is which authority will we choose or allow?  If not our government and our local justice system, then who?   And will that authority have our good interests in mind?  Sadly, anarchist views are being directed toward both local police and toward our children to incite them to defy their parents.  

Church Discipline and Restoration
Based on the authority of Scripture, I also find no teaching in Scripture that licenses an individual to judge a local church or “the Church (worldwide).”  That right is reserved for God Himself and His Son Jesus Christ who condemned proud, corrupt religious leaders (e.g. Matthew 23).  He wept out loud over His holy city (Matthew 23: 37; Luke 19:41-44) and promised stern judgment against apostate and lukewarm local churches (Revelation 2 and 3).

But what if there are indications of bigotry among God’s people in a local church today?  The Scriptures teach the individual born-again believer how to interact in the body of Christ.  We find particularly in Paul’s Epistles instruction for right living for husbands, wives, children, employees, church leaders, etc. The focus is on individual responsibility and accountability before God for how we conduct ourselves in relation to God and toward our neighbor, whether they are a brother or sister in Christ or an unsaved person-- and we are to make no distinction between ethnic groups (1 Corinthians 12: 13; Galatians 3: 28 and Colossians 3: 1-17, especially v. 11).  Bigotry is a sin against God and our neighbor!

The Scriptures give clear instructions that it is the responsibility of mature Christ-followers to confront a brother or sister in Christ who is believed to be living in sin.  Galatians 2: 1-2 states, Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ [which, see Gal. 5: 14, is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves].  Jesus outlined our responsibility as individuals if we are offended to go directly to the offender privately (Matthew 18: 15) and if he or she doesn’t repent and turn from the sin, bring one or two others with you and confront again (v. 16).  If he or she still refuses, then the whole church membership should hear the matter and if there is still no repentance, the offender is to be dismissed from the local membership as a step toward their repentance and loving restoration when that occurs.  When local churches practice godly discipline, individual sin of any kind does not become “institutional sin.”

The question remains, “Who is Worthy?”  Answer?  None of us is ultimately worthy to judge his or her neighbor, regardless of ethnicity or spiritual condition for the purpose of condemnation.  Nor are we worthy to condemn our parents (Exodus 20: 12, the fifth Commandment), our churches, the Church, or our institutions of government for God has placed rulers in authority over us for our good (Romans 13).  Instead of pessimistically judging and condemning individuals and institutions, we are to exercise stewardship, living as salt and light to others—one at a time (Matthew 5: 10-16), even in our dutiful confrontation where necessary.

The Life and Death that Matters Most
In all of these claims, my authority is the Lord Jesus Christ who suffered the most unjust and horrible death imaginable, and He alone is with without any sin.  Read carefully Isaiah 53 and allow God’s Word to speak truth into your heart—Jesus died not only for your sin and mine, but also for our sorrow, our grief, our frustration.  Let us look into our own “black hearts” which can so easily express the fallen tendency of our sinful nature (Galatians 5: 16-21).  At the foot of Christ’s Cross, we see how much He suffered to take away sin from us (1 John 3: 5).  Praise God!  May God help us to adopt a lifestyle of repentance of our sin and arise in new life, yielded daily to the work of the Holy Spirit in us.  He alone can produce the Fruit pleasing to God and a blessing to our neighbor—Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, etc. (Galatians 5: 22-26). 

How About You and I?

Do you and I need to “call ourselves out” to repentance (James 1: 19-27)?  

If we do, repentance will help us rightly discern the error in the spirit behind #BlackLivesMatter.  Perhaps we will be directed to live by #BlackHeartsMatter, being among those who look first into our own hearts, taking the log out of our own eye first before pointing to sin in our brother or sister (Matthew 7: 3-5).  Above all, we must never forget that no one is truly Worthy except our Savior, our Redeemer, our Counselor, and our Friend.  Why not take time, as I want to do again, to read carefully the Scriptures I have cited in this article, especially Colossians 3: 1-17. Let's allow God’s Spirit to speak His Truth to our hearts?  I would recommend while you read, to listen to Chris Tomlin’s lovely song, “He is Worthy.”  Indeed, only Christ is Worthy!