Plague and the Imago Dei

All people in the world are created in the image of God, the Imago Dei. The Bible also teaches us that all people today came from one family, the progeny of Noah and his wife. The plague that the whole world has dealt with this year has also taught us that we are of one nature and one blood. It does not matter the color of our skin, the difference in facial features, our ethnic identity, whether we are rich or poor, or whether we are somebody or nobody. We are all subject to the same pandemic. The difference comes in how we react to the epidemic and what we learn from it.

From the earliest years of Christianity, the church reacted to the plagues that periodically ravaged the ancient world. The Roman world was without widespread public health care. It remained for Christianity to invent the hospital. Even though it was a persecuted minority, the church began early in the second century to provide palliative care for lepers and victims of plague. They found they could significantly reduce the death toll by providing clean bedding, proper nutrition, and prayer. They cared for all, whether Christian or Pagan, believing that all people are of one blood and created by God in His image. Monks, along with laypeople, dedicated themselves to the healing arts and tended to people who were sick regardless of the risk to themselves. In the one hundred years prior to the Edict of Toleration in 311 AD, Bishops of the church in Rome spent from 500,000 to 1,000,000 sesterces annually on health services and aid to the poor.[i] The Roman world learned that the love of God existed in the church and turned to Christianity by the millions.

By their good deeds and love for all people, Christians infused a new morality into the Western world regarding healthcare. We are reaping the benefits to this day. Great effort has been expended so that everyone who needs care in this current outbreak receives care. Ventilators are manufactured by companies that formerly manufactured automobiles. Government has gone on a “war-footing” to provide supplies. Health care professionals are working faithfully despite the risk of infection to themselves. Enormous amounts of money are being expended to help everyone who is affected by the pandemic. The believer and the unbeliever alike agree that this is the right thing to do. The world was not like that before Jesus Christ taught us to love God supremely and love others sincerely.

Both governments and citizens have learned something valuable. We were not prepared for this emergency and our supply lines are vulnerable. If we happened to be prepared with what we need, we have been reminded that others among our family and neighbors are not. So, we learn that that we must be better equipped to get along for a couple of months and have enough to help others who will not be prepared. We must live our lives trusting in God so that we can teach others to do the same while we help them with what they may need. Jesus Christ has the answer to the problems of the world. Love God supremely, love others sincerely, doing unto others as we would have done to ourselves.

George Cargill

Author of In the Grip of God, Journey into Corinth

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[i] Ferngren, Gary B., “New Era in Roman Healthcare,” christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/new-era-in-roman-healthcare