Biblical and theological considerations about health and government:
How should people – and Christians especially – think about the whole gamut of what is happening because of the COVID crisis? What should we think about things like lockdowns, medical mandates, mask-wearing, and vaccine passports? Obviously, I have written many dozens of articles about these matters over the past year and a half.
And the way things are going, I will likely be writing many more articles about such things. It is imperative that Christians think biblically about these issues. Sure, there are medical, scientific, social, legal and other aspects to these matters. But the believer should seek to bring Scripture to bear on these things as much as possible as well.
Here I want to speak to this further. The first 15 points of the Declaration have to do with the role and extent of civil authorities. It is a good summary statement on questions of government power and reach, and how the believer should interact with the state. It raises questions about whether the Christian can at times resist, and if there is a place for civil disobedience. I have just shared those 15 points here: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2021/08/13/the-warrenton-declaration-and-civil-authorities/
Here I will offer the final 21 points which look at a number of important matters such as what the love of neighbour means in a time of public health crisis; some biblical cases of medical treatment; and various forms of medical mandates and the like.
One need not agree with everything said here to appreciate that biblical concerns are being brought to bear on this. And what is offered is presented primarily in terms of biblical and theological concerns. That is very useful indeed, and other concerns can be found elsewhere.
Here then is Section 2 of the Declaration which examines “Application to Medical Mandates”:
XVI. WE DENY that the civil authorities have been granted lawful jurisdiction and authority over personal, familial, or “public” health.
XVII. WE DENY that the leprosy-related passages in Leviticus 13 & 14 can be construed to teach the general principle that civil government has unqualified and legitimate jurisdiction over managing “public health.”
XVIII. WE AFFIRM that these leprosy passages are related not to the spread of biological contagion, but of ceremonial uncleanliness as is evidenced by numerous factors: First, even the man covered head-to-toe in white leprosy was declared “clean” (Lev. 13:12-13) and was permitted in the camp. Second, the stated reason for the general expulsion of lepers is the same reason given for the expulsion of those who touched a dead body or had a bodily discharge; not biological contagion, but ceremonial uncleanliness which “defiled the camp” before the Lord (Num. 5:1-4) . Third, nowhere in Scripture is leprosy described as being biologically contagious. This “leprosy” also afflicted houses (Lev. 14:34) and garments (Lev. 13:47). “Leprosy” was not the same as modern day “Hansen’s disease”. Fourth, in order to prevent belongings in a “leprous” house from being declared “unclean” by the Priest, the owner was permitted to empty the house of his possessions before the Priest arrived for inspection (Lev. 14:33-36). Preventing biological contagion through sanitization (burning) of objects was not in view here. The ceremonial practices associated with the now defunct Levitical Priesthood have been made obsolete by Christ’s greater Priesthood (Heb. 7:12), and cannot be credibly invoked as providing civil government with jurisdiction over “public health.”
XIX. WE DENY that civil governments have lawful jurisdiction or authority to remove anyone’s right to pursue their livelihood and conduct their affairs in public.
XX. WE DENY that civil governments have lawful authority to enact “lockdowns” predicated on protecting “public health” as this is not their jurisdiction.
XXI. WE AFFIRM that individuals are free to restrict their own movement about society to this end should they deem it wise to do so. They may not lawfully demand that civil government employ force on their behalf to restrict the liberty of others.
XXII. WE DENY that such violations of medical freedom by the civil government, or the subsequent mandating of vaccines and masks are rightly justified based on the claim that unmasked or unvaccinated persons “present a general danger to the health of the public due to viral spread.”
XXIII. WE AFFIRM that it is the Christian duty of each family to seek the well-being of their neighbor (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39; Jer. 29:7) and that this includes adopting reasonable practices for the symptomatically ill to refrain from knowingly exposing their neighbors, especially in a crowded or public context. Each Christian should seek to live at peace with all men in a manner that displays the love of Christ in obedience to the law of God (Rom. 12:18; Mic. 6:8).
XXIV. WE DENY that the existence of communicable viruses, viral testing mechanisms, or the invention of vaccinations creates a new standard of morality whereby a healthy person simply conducting their affairs in society without vaccination, viral testing, or wearing a mask is evidence of criminally or morally reckless behavior. Moreover, if such a standard for violation of medical freedom is adopted, conceivably, civil governments could permanently regulate and restrict every facet of life since according to this same rationale, various flu-like viruses can be unknowingly spread at all times. Further, there are a host of other far more deadly dangers such as heart disease, which, like virus-related hospitalizations, also place a burden on the health system. The civil government does not then gain authority to ban soda intake for obese individuals.
XXV. WE AFFIRM that a biblically faithful view of the civil government sphere as well as the ecclesiastical government sphere provides no lawful jurisdiction for civil magistrates or ecclesiastical authorities to mandate or in any way coerce individuals to inject substances into themselves or their children or cover their mouths, noses, face, or any combination thereof, with masks.
XXVI. WE AFFIRM that any civil or ecclesiastical authority that attempts to coerce individuals or their children with any form of public banishment, fine, imprisonment, social ostracism, or other forms of coercion for not wearing a mask or injecting a substance into their bodies are ascribing to themselves authority not delegated by God and are in grievous sin (Matt 19:14; Tit 3:10; 1st Cor 1:10; Rom 16:17).
XXVII. WE AFFIRM that although local churches may reasonably enforce policies of calling on the symptomatically ill to stay home, any attempt to impede fellowship in the body by a believer on the grounds of failing to inject a substance into their bodies or the wearing of a mask is also divisiveness (Tit 3:10; 1st Cor 1:10; Rom 16:17).
XXVIII. WE DENY that personal and family decisions to decline vaccination or the wearing of masks are necessarily out-of-step with the biblical command to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39).
XXIX. WE DENY that conformity to a given recommended course of medical action is made to be civilly or morally obligatory by appeals to an alleged “majority” of expert opinion, or available medical data.
XXX. WE DENY that an individual Christian’s obligation to the weaker brother (1 Cor. 8:1-12) compels any Christian to violate his or her conscience (Rom. 14:3; 1 Cor. 10:31) regarding the wearing of masks or injecting a substance into their body. Such action may be regarded by Christians both as contrary to sound and loving health practices for themselves and their family. Specifically with masks which are worn visibly on the body, Christians may also have concern in their conscience about the message they believe wearing the mask sends to the world. They may regard the wearing of masks as bearing false witness (Ex. 20:16; 23:2) or as an unloving, tacit endorsement of what they see as propaganda surrounding their use and enforcement upon their neighbor.
XXXI. WE AFFIRM that those who seek to bind the conscience of the believer by insisting that conformity with mask or vaccination mandates is the only way for a Christian to fulfill the command to “love one’s neighbor as oneself” are treating the traditions of man as the commandments of God (Mk 7:6-9). These individuals are themselves guilty of twisting the Scriptures and are effectively subjecting the law of God to the ever-changing and conflicting whims of “public health” agencies, the latest medical study, or majority opinion.
XXXII. WE DENY that choosing to respectfully decline a church officer’s request to wear a mask is in any way evidence of divisiveness or rebellion against ecclesiastical authority since the ecclesiastical office does not hold jurisdiction over personal or familial health decisions.
XXXIII. WE DENY that all instances of requiring masks for church meetings are necessarily sinful or divisive in such cases where the meeting is held at a venue where the property managers are not the local church and such property managers require mask wearing for entrance. This is a property issue. In such cases, those who choose not to fellowship because of the mask mandate at the meeting venue should not be said to be in violation of any biblical commands regarding regularly meeting with the saints. To the extent possible, church officers should seek to secure a meeting venue where the local congregation will not be forced to exclude non-masking individuals due to the whims of the building owner.
XXXIV. WE AFFIRM that maintaining personal health and personal health decisions, including decisions about which medical interventions to adopt or forego, are the role and jurisdiction of each individual and their family.
XXXV. WE DENY that parents are guilty of neglect or abuse if they choose to forego a given medical intervention such as a medical procedure or vaccine due to the fact that they are not convinced of the short and long term risk profile or effectiveness of the action. This remains true regardless of what recommendations they have or haven’t received from a doctor.
XXXVI. WE AFFIRM that it is anti-scriptural for a parent to categorically deny all medical interventions to their children at all times with the rationale that all medical intervention is, as a category, evidence of a lack of faith in God (1st Tim 5:23).
5 Replies to “The Warrenton Declaration and Medical Mandates”
Thanks Bill. My biblical response is to research and warn in order to protect. Many of my posts have been deleted by Fascist Book and it appears I have been banned from one called, Against Political Correctness! Here are my latest notes and summary from the 12/08/21 TGA report. Could those who see the evil please spread this information? Thank you.
Summary – to 8/8/21
447 post vaxx death reports – 22 more since last week’s report
48,143 serious injuries – 2,075 in the last week
Thrombocytopenia 104 reports – 11 reports this week
Reports of enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) – number not specified.
Reports of Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) – 46 received
79 reports of Guillain Barre syndrome (paralysis)
149 reports of myocarditis and pericarditis have been received
August 12 2021 COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report – 12-08-2021 | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
‘To 8 August 2021, approximately 13.7 million vaccine doses have been given in Australia – 9.1 million first doses and 4.6 million second doses.’
This is highly misleading. 13.7 million doses are the number of doses that have been distributed not administered.
11 reports of thrombocytopenia (blood clots with low platelets – TTS) 10 aged between 61 and 85 years and a 22 year old woman.
104 reports of TTS to date from AZ vaxx. Cases of TTS twice as likely in young women. Women are generally smaller than men and have smaller blood vessels. They being given the same dose as men!
Older people are more susceptible to blood clots. This is well known. Why give them a toxic biological agent which is known to cause them?
A 22 year old woman with blood clots post vaxx. The MSM as usual is not reporting it. It doesn’t fit their ‘narrative’.
In the last week the TGA has received 2,075 reports of serious injuries post vaxx.
2,075 reports of serious injuries in one week!
‘So far, the observed number of deaths reported after vaccination remains less than the expected number of deaths that would occur naturally, or from other causes, for that proportion of the population.’
The TGA is minimising the horrific death and injury outcomes which may be as little as 1% of the actual total by stating that they are unlikely to have anything to do with the ‘vaccines’. They say this is due to the numbers being less than expected natural deaths. How do they arrive at this conclusion? Where is the data from? Over what time frame is it collected? I am sure that people who have lost loved ones or been severely injured will find this most comforting!
To the 8th of August 447 post vaxx deaths have been reported. 22 reports of death in one week. The TGA have decided that only 7 of these meet their criteria.
How do they know? Were autopsies carried out?
Tasmania continues to have the highest rate of ‘adverse events’.
The TGA has reports of enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) post vaxx. They do not give the number.
The lymphatic system is responsible for the removal of toxins. Swollen lymph glands result when toxins are produced faster than the body can process them. The Covid 19 biological agents do contain toxins e.g. polyethylene glycol. Some people are more sensitive to these toxins which explains anaphylaxis. How do any of us know what exactly is in these injections?
‘As the COVID-19 outbreak involving the Delta variant continues to grow, the risk of contracting COVID-19 disease remains significant. Emerging data from the NSW outbreak(link is external) indicates that vaccination protects people from infection and even in the small number of vaccinated people who become infected it significantly reduces the severity of disease. Given the Delta strain seems to be more easily transmitted and possibly causes more severe disease, ATAGI reinforces the importance of reaching higher levels of first dose coverage as soon as possible(link is external).’
The TGA state that the Delta strain ‘possibly causes more severe disease’. Dr Peter McCullough a world expert in cardiology and epidemiology states that the Delta strain is mild and vaccines are ineffective.
The TGA continue to recommend ‘vaccination’ for pregnant women despite the horrific side effects and deaths shown by VAERS (US TGA equivalent).
To 8/8/21 46 reports of Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) have been received. ITP is characterised by destruction of platelets which are responsible for blood clotting. 5% of people with ITP develop severe bleeding.
To 8/8/21- 79 reports of Guillain Barre syndrome (paralysis) have been reported.
149 reports of myocarditis and pericarditis have been received – post Pfizer vaxx.
A new Moderna vaccine (Spikevax – elasomeran) has been given provisional approval in Australia. They say that ‘No specific safety concerns have been identified to date’.
No safety concerns?? There are numerous internet entries of Moderna side effects! (Canadian Doctor Blows Whistle on Neurological Side Effects of Moderna Vaccine | Soren Dreier)
Interestingly the TGA does not explain what provisional approval means. It means it is not fully approved. It is given emergency authorisation. What emergency? The rates of Covid are way less than the flu.
Summary – to 8/8/21
447 post vaxx death reports – 22 more since last week’s report
48,143 serious injuries – 2,075 in the last week
Thrombocytopenia 104 reports – 11 reports this week
Reports of enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) – number not specified.
Reports of Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) – 46 received
79 reports of Guillain Barre syndrome (paralysis)
149 reports of myocarditis and pericarditis have been received
I’m more concerned about the stupidity of the situation than the law.
We know that there was no legal provision for king David and his men to eat the shewbread but there were no legal ramifications when he and his men did and this is because reality will always be many orders of magnitude more complex than any law could ever be. Jesus miraculously had His tribute paid from the fish’s mouth even though, by rights, it should have been Him who received the tribute. Jesus was clear that there are two weighty matters of the law – justice and mercy.
My concern is that we have populist politicians reacting to a panicking public, egged on by a sensationalist media who are happy to spread deceit if, in their own minds, they can justify it as a noble lie. These, of course, are all symptoms of a pagan society.
To me I am prepared to wear a mask if it makes others feel better but when it comes to governments preventing people from making a living based on the government’s populist misrepresentation of the science then, under no circumstances would I condemn people who choose to bypass those clearly wrongful laws.
Unfortunately what we now have is populist politicians using emotional blackmail for their own purposes while they simultaneously prevent people from making a living, prevent people from seeing their sick and dying relatives, destroy businesses etc., etc. and often these same, extortionate politicians are the ones who have introduced the most bloodthirsty abortion laws the world has ever seen. Their panic driven hypocrisy is now on clear show.
The most important point is that governments have thumbed their noses at God, have introduced laws that force people to accept and promote sexual immorality, forced people to accept and promote the shedding of innocent blood etc., etc. and, I would have thought as an obvious consequence, God has lifted His hand of protection from us and this is probably only the start.
Thanks Gail and Michael.
I am posting this comment in response to a conversation at the bottom of a posting of this article on Facebook, where one person has incorrectly read the last two points on the declaration as a contradiction. I addressed the issue there and thought to do so here, should anyone else have the same problem. The two points are about very different issues and so cannot be a contradiction.
Principle xxxv refers to what does not constitute negligence (choosing to reject ONE specific treatment of many available treatments), while Principle xxxvi references the claim made by some Christians that ALL medical treatments at ALL times is evidence of lack of faith in God – affirming that this idea is not supported in scripture. Linking the two principles together in one sentence makes it clearer that there is no contradiction, as follows – ‘Nowhere does scripture support the idea that acceptance of any/all medical interventions is evidence of a lack of faith in God; nor does it constitute negligence on the part of a parent to reject one specific medical intervention (assumption being they would accept others).’
So the two issues being teased out in the two Principles, are as follows –
Principle xxxv – Some parents (no specification as to whether they are Christians or not) are being accused of negligence for denying one specific treatment to their child/ren (they may well accept many others).
Principle xxxvi – Some Christians claim we should not accept any medical interventions at all (at any time) because it is evidence of a lack of faith in God.
So these Principles are certainly not identical and cannot be deemed to be contradictory.
Thanks Bill. My biblical response is to research and warn in order to protect. Many of my posts have been deleted by Fascist Book and it appears I have been banned from one called, Against Political Correctness! Here are my latest notes and summary from the 12/08/21 TGA report. Could those who see the evil please spread this information? Thank you.
Summary – to 8/8/21
447 post vaxx death reports – 22 more since last week’s report
48,143 serious injuries – 2,075 in the last week
Thrombocytopenia 104 reports – 11 reports this week
Reports of enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) – number not specified.
Reports of Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) – 46 received
79 reports of Guillain Barre syndrome (paralysis)
149 reports of myocarditis and pericarditis have been received
August 12 2021 COVID-19 vaccine weekly safety report – 12-08-2021 | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
‘To 8 August 2021, approximately 13.7 million vaccine doses have been given in Australia – 9.1 million first doses and 4.6 million second doses.’
This is highly misleading. 13.7 million doses are the number of doses that have been distributed not administered.
11 reports of thrombocytopenia (blood clots with low platelets – TTS) 10 aged between 61 and 85 years and a 22 year old woman.
104 reports of TTS to date from AZ vaxx. Cases of TTS twice as likely in young women. Women are generally smaller than men and have smaller blood vessels. They being given the same dose as men!
Older people are more susceptible to blood clots. This is well known. Why give them a toxic biological agent which is known to cause them?
A 22 year old woman with blood clots post vaxx. The MSM as usual is not reporting it. It doesn’t fit their ‘narrative’.
In the last week the TGA has received 2,075 reports of serious injuries post vaxx.
2,075 reports of serious injuries in one week!
‘So far, the observed number of deaths reported after vaccination remains less than the expected number of deaths that would occur naturally, or from other causes, for that proportion of the population.’
The TGA is minimising the horrific death and injury outcomes which may be as little as 1% of the actual total by stating that they are unlikely to have anything to do with the ‘vaccines’. They say this is due to the numbers being less than expected natural deaths. How do they arrive at this conclusion? Where is the data from? Over what time frame is it collected? I am sure that people who have lost loved ones or been severely injured will find this most comforting!
To the 8th of August 447 post vaxx deaths have been reported. 22 reports of death in one week. The TGA have decided that only 7 of these meet their criteria.
How do they know? Were autopsies carried out?
Tasmania continues to have the highest rate of ‘adverse events’.
The TGA has reports of enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) post vaxx. They do not give the number.
The lymphatic system is responsible for the removal of toxins. Swollen lymph glands result when toxins are produced faster than the body can process them. The Covid 19 biological agents do contain toxins e.g. polyethylene glycol. Some people are more sensitive to these toxins which explains anaphylaxis. How do any of us know what exactly is in these injections?
‘As the COVID-19 outbreak involving the Delta variant continues to grow, the risk of contracting COVID-19 disease remains significant. Emerging data from the NSW outbreak(link is external) indicates that vaccination protects people from infection and even in the small number of vaccinated people who become infected it significantly reduces the severity of disease. Given the Delta strain seems to be more easily transmitted and possibly causes more severe disease, ATAGI reinforces the importance of reaching higher levels of first dose coverage as soon as possible(link is external).’
The TGA state that the Delta strain ‘possibly causes more severe disease’. Dr Peter McCullough a world expert in cardiology and epidemiology states that the Delta strain is mild and vaccines are ineffective.
The TGA continue to recommend ‘vaccination’ for pregnant women despite the horrific side effects and deaths shown by VAERS (US TGA equivalent).
To 8/8/21 46 reports of Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) have been received. ITP is characterised by destruction of platelets which are responsible for blood clotting. 5% of people with ITP develop severe bleeding.
To 8/8/21- 79 reports of Guillain Barre syndrome (paralysis) have been reported.
149 reports of myocarditis and pericarditis have been received – post Pfizer vaxx.
A new Moderna vaccine (Spikevax – elasomeran) has been given provisional approval in Australia. They say that ‘No specific safety concerns have been identified to date’.
No safety concerns?? There are numerous internet entries of Moderna side effects! (Canadian Doctor Blows Whistle on Neurological Side Effects of Moderna Vaccine | Soren Dreier)
Interestingly the TGA does not explain what provisional approval means. It means it is not fully approved. It is given emergency authorisation. What emergency? The rates of Covid are way less than the flu.
Summary – to 8/8/21
447 post vaxx death reports – 22 more since last week’s report
48,143 serious injuries – 2,075 in the last week
Thrombocytopenia 104 reports – 11 reports this week
Reports of enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) – number not specified.
Reports of Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) – 46 received
79 reports of Guillain Barre syndrome (paralysis)
149 reports of myocarditis and pericarditis have been received
I’m more concerned about the stupidity of the situation than the law.
We know that there was no legal provision for king David and his men to eat the shewbread but there were no legal ramifications when he and his men did and this is because reality will always be many orders of magnitude more complex than any law could ever be. Jesus miraculously had His tribute paid from the fish’s mouth even though, by rights, it should have been Him who received the tribute. Jesus was clear that there are two weighty matters of the law – justice and mercy.
My concern is that we have populist politicians reacting to a panicking public, egged on by a sensationalist media who are happy to spread deceit if, in their own minds, they can justify it as a noble lie. These, of course, are all symptoms of a pagan society.
To me I am prepared to wear a mask if it makes others feel better but when it comes to governments preventing people from making a living based on the government’s populist misrepresentation of the science then, under no circumstances would I condemn people who choose to bypass those clearly wrongful laws.
Unfortunately what we now have is populist politicians using emotional blackmail for their own purposes while they simultaneously prevent people from making a living, prevent people from seeing their sick and dying relatives, destroy businesses etc., etc. and often these same, extortionate politicians are the ones who have introduced the most bloodthirsty abortion laws the world has ever seen. Their panic driven hypocrisy is now on clear show.
The most important point is that governments have thumbed their noses at God, have introduced laws that force people to accept and promote sexual immorality, forced people to accept and promote the shedding of innocent blood etc., etc. and, I would have thought as an obvious consequence, God has lifted His hand of protection from us and this is probably only the start.
Thanks Gail and Michael.
I am posting this comment in response to a conversation at the bottom of a posting of this article on Facebook, where one person has incorrectly read the last two points on the declaration as a contradiction. I addressed the issue there and thought to do so here, should anyone else have the same problem. The two points are about very different issues and so cannot be a contradiction.
Principle xxxv refers to what does not constitute negligence (choosing to reject ONE specific treatment of many available treatments), while Principle xxxvi references the claim made by some Christians that ALL medical treatments at ALL times is evidence of lack of faith in God – affirming that this idea is not supported in scripture. Linking the two principles together in one sentence makes it clearer that there is no contradiction, as follows – ‘Nowhere does scripture support the idea that acceptance of any/all medical interventions is evidence of a lack of faith in God; nor does it constitute negligence on the part of a parent to reject one specific medical intervention (assumption being they would accept others).’
So the two issues being teased out in the two Principles, are as follows –
Principle xxxv – Some parents (no specification as to whether they are Christians or not) are being accused of negligence for denying one specific treatment to their child/ren (they may well accept many others).
Principle xxxvi – Some Christians claim we should not accept any medical interventions at all (at any time) because it is evidence of a lack of faith in God.
So these Principles are certainly not identical and cannot be deemed to be contradictory.
Yes quite so Kerry – many thanks indeed.