I’ve thought about this parallel in comparing Covid and the Gospel a lot, and I agree there’s a lot of similarities in resistance of the truth. You’ve touched beautifully on those parallels. The difference in the Gospel is our initial faith and ability to believe is enabled by the Holy Spirit, whereas Covid belief? I do think there’s a satanic component to the blindness of so many people: “the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers “. Unfortunately it seems some who would call themselves Christian have bought into the fear porn as well. At the end of the day I’m glad God is sovereign and has a plan. 😊
On the question of how to win friends and influence people--or, more generally, on how anyone is influenced--it would be nice were we granted the privilege of interviewing Saul:
Saul. You're off to Damascus in your capacity as a grand inquisitor. You're off to "inquire" of the people who have set up a secret cell of Christians. But, on the way, you see the blinding flash and experience your conversion. You go on to become the greatest impresario of the Jesus movement; without you, it's not obvious to us pagans that Christianity would have caught on. Can you elaborate? What prompted the change?
Did your experience witnessing the martyrdom of St. Stephen have something to do with? Were you not working on issues in your head for a long time? Was your conversion really something that happened in a flash, or was it something that you had been working on for some time?
Maybe you did not even perceive that you had been working on certain issues. But, can you identify influences or singular events that helped you pose questions to yourself?
A “thank you” for the work that you do on behalf of the truth is long overdue. I continue to benefit and gain encouragement from your writings on all matters relating to covid. Your logic and insight are unassailable. And writing from a Christian perspective with a decidedly biblical worldview is so refreshing.
My wife and I have often addressed the issue of belief versus unbelief in the covid narrative as being somewhat parallel to belief in the gospel. We both realize that it is not that simple and that there is not a one-to-one correlation. In other words, just because one is a follower of Christ does not equate to a rejection of the covid narrative (although being paralyzed with fear over a virus is inconsistent with our profession of faith). And certainly not all who have rejected it are Christians. But there are similarities as you so aptly point out. Ultimately our acceptance of the gospel of Christ is the result of God’s sovereign grace.
As a physician and surgeon with four decades of experience, I still stand in amazement of how many in my once noble profession continue to be blinded by the truth and the facts which continue to unfold. You have identified some excellent reasons for this behavior in addition to the irrational fear and terror which still hold many hostage. I am reminded of the work of experimental social psychologist, Leon Festinger—who is credited with coining the term “cognitive dissonance”. As an undergraduate, I took a course in psychology course where reading Festinger was part of the curriculum. A quote from one of his works has stayed with me all of these years and is most applicable to those who will not let go of the covid narrative: “The more you invest in a set of beliefs—the greater the sacrifice you make in service to that conviction—the more resistant you will be to evidence that suggests that you are mistaken. You don’t give up. You double down.” Dr. Erwin Lutzer (Pastor Emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago) in his book, We Will Not Be Silenced, says: “The purpose of propaganda is to change people’s perception of reality so that despite compelling counter evidence, people will not change their minds. The goal is to make people impervious to facts, scientific proof, and common sense.” Finally, one of the great patriots and founders of America, Thomas Paine, famously said, “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.”
Thank you for that. We have said our piece, right? They have a brain and cannot be forced to think like we do. I have to just give it to God. ♥
I’ve thought about this parallel in comparing Covid and the Gospel a lot, and I agree there’s a lot of similarities in resistance of the truth. You’ve touched beautifully on those parallels. The difference in the Gospel is our initial faith and ability to believe is enabled by the Holy Spirit, whereas Covid belief? I do think there’s a satanic component to the blindness of so many people: “the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers “. Unfortunately it seems some who would call themselves Christian have bought into the fear porn as well. At the end of the day I’m glad God is sovereign and has a plan. 😊
On the question of how to win friends and influence people--or, more generally, on how anyone is influenced--it would be nice were we granted the privilege of interviewing Saul:
Saul. You're off to Damascus in your capacity as a grand inquisitor. You're off to "inquire" of the people who have set up a secret cell of Christians. But, on the way, you see the blinding flash and experience your conversion. You go on to become the greatest impresario of the Jesus movement; without you, it's not obvious to us pagans that Christianity would have caught on. Can you elaborate? What prompted the change?
Did your experience witnessing the martyrdom of St. Stephen have something to do with? Were you not working on issues in your head for a long time? Was your conversion really something that happened in a flash, or was it something that you had been working on for some time?
Maybe you did not even perceive that you had been working on certain issues. But, can you identify influences or singular events that helped you pose questions to yourself?
A “thank you” for the work that you do on behalf of the truth is long overdue. I continue to benefit and gain encouragement from your writings on all matters relating to covid. Your logic and insight are unassailable. And writing from a Christian perspective with a decidedly biblical worldview is so refreshing.
My wife and I have often addressed the issue of belief versus unbelief in the covid narrative as being somewhat parallel to belief in the gospel. We both realize that it is not that simple and that there is not a one-to-one correlation. In other words, just because one is a follower of Christ does not equate to a rejection of the covid narrative (although being paralyzed with fear over a virus is inconsistent with our profession of faith). And certainly not all who have rejected it are Christians. But there are similarities as you so aptly point out. Ultimately our acceptance of the gospel of Christ is the result of God’s sovereign grace.
As a physician and surgeon with four decades of experience, I still stand in amazement of how many in my once noble profession continue to be blinded by the truth and the facts which continue to unfold. You have identified some excellent reasons for this behavior in addition to the irrational fear and terror which still hold many hostage. I am reminded of the work of experimental social psychologist, Leon Festinger—who is credited with coining the term “cognitive dissonance”. As an undergraduate, I took a course in psychology course where reading Festinger was part of the curriculum. A quote from one of his works has stayed with me all of these years and is most applicable to those who will not let go of the covid narrative: “The more you invest in a set of beliefs—the greater the sacrifice you make in service to that conviction—the more resistant you will be to evidence that suggests that you are mistaken. You don’t give up. You double down.” Dr. Erwin Lutzer (Pastor Emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago) in his book, We Will Not Be Silenced, says: “The purpose of propaganda is to change people’s perception of reality so that despite compelling counter evidence, people will not change their minds. The goal is to make people impervious to facts, scientific proof, and common sense.” Finally, one of the great patriots and founders of America, Thomas Paine, famously said, “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.”
With my gratitude and God’s blessings to you,
James Benecke MD FACS