Articles
Christianity in Contagion
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"'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'" (Matt. 25:39-40)
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During the first few centuries of Christianity's existence, its future hung in the balance. Few in number and hounded by their pagan enemies, the fate of the Christians was uncertain. But by the reign of Constantine (AD 306-337), its status as the dominant religious movement in the Roman Empire was established. How did a new religion with no power, no money, and no political connections pull this off?
At least part of the answer lay in Christianity's emphasis on social action as a key component of religious piety. Jesus taught His disciples to do good to others in their personal lives, to be generous, hospitable, and compassionate to their neighbors, especially to each other. In His description of the final judgment, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and in a variety of similar teachings, Jesus outlined the social contract that Christians sign up for when they embrace the new faith. Disciples of Jesus are, like their Master, servants of humanity.
In those early centuries, that kind of big-heartedness had an impact on the pagan world surrounding the Christians. Twice in a hundred years--first in AD 165-180 and again in AD 249-262--the Roman Empire was swept by deadly plagues that killed millions. In a series of books by historical sociologist Rodney Stark (The Rise of Christianity [1996], Cities of God [2006], The Triumph of Christianity [2011]), the response of pagans and Christians to these plagues was set in sharp contast. Among the pagans, the sick and dying were left to fend for themselves, which meant almost certain death for the victims. Among the Christians, however, the sick and dying--including many pagan neighbors--were tended and cared for. Some of the Christian caretakers lost their lives in the process, but many more Christians and pagans were nursed back to health by their sacrifice. That kindness was not forgotten, and resulted in widespread conversions to a religion that was clearly superior to paganism.
Today, as we all struggle to manage the impact of another contagion, we need to remember the teachings of our Savior and the examples of our predecessors. Rather than huddle in our homes in fear and anxiety, Christians need to be on the forefront of showing compassion to a population that is suffering. COVID is less of a threat than an opportunity. Let us not waste it.
--David
