Review: God and the Pandemic by N.T. Wright
N. T. Wright’s short book God and the Pandemic: A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and its Aftermath is the perfect response to Christian conspiracy theories about COVID-19. Wright’s central argument is that Christians need a “time of lament, of restraint, of precisely not jumping to ‘solutions’” during these turbulent times. Wright is responding to two conspiracy theories promoted by some Christians that the coronavirus pandemic is: 1. a sign of the End times, or 2. a special moment to have a worldwide revival to convert non-believers. Wright tackles each theory by using the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. He shows in the Bible where people of faith lamented and took their concerns to God when bad or evil things happened rather than ask whose sin cause this turmoil to occur. He uses the words of Jesus to address whether we are in the End times and whether this is a worldwide event for people to repent. The simple answer is “No” and Wright explains why. This book, in my view, is a big “slow your roll” moment to conspiracy minded Christians. It may not cause these theories to go away but it does end with a call for what Christians are supposed to do in this season. They must do what they are always called to do: help those in need. Wright’s book may only be 80 pages but it is packed with alot of wisdom for Christians to ponder in our current moment.
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