THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN TACKLING COVID-19 DISEASE

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

PAPER PRESENTATION ON THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN TACKLING COVID-19 DISEASE, AT A MONTHLY MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF THE CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL PROFESSORS, ON MAY 24, 2020, AT ALIVE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, NO 29 ODUOBI CRESCENT, IKENEGBU, OPPOSITE FIRST BANK, OWERRI, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION

                        Fellow servants of our LORD and BLESSED

          SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST,

 Before this presentation, I wish to salute the courage of you all, who have today resolved to stand out for the truth of the Kingdom of GOD, as well as register my respect for Professor Uzoma Emmanuel, for the vision that brought us together for the noble task of telling ourselves the Gospel truth that could save us and those who hear us. The topic under review will definitely highlight the things we already know, but may not have applied. The role of the Church is not a new idea, as coronavirus is not as recent as many may suppose, since it is reported to be a member of the group B of coronaviruses, which have severally attacked humanity before now. Having said this, please note that, coronavirus, also known as COVID-19 is one infection that has brought huge burdens on the entire world. Initially, some supposed the virus was GOD’S judgment on China, for demolishing churches and confiscating Bibles, since the outbreak  of the disease started at the time the Chinese government of the regime of IX Jinping was in the act of its brutality against the Church of JESUS CHRIST, our BLESSED LORD and SAVIOUR, in that country. But, shortly after the emergence of the pandemic, accusations and counter- accusations began to crop-up, as some say, the virus leaked from a Chinese lab studying coronaviruses. Others suggest the virus was engineered for undisclosed reasons. Prominent in the China lab origin theory is the president of the United States, Donald Trump, who has vehemently accused China of being the ‘evil genius” behind the “evil monster”, referred to as coronavirus. However, as at the time of this writing, there is no evidence to show that coronavirus was created in the lab or has a scientific origin.

            Today, Coronavirus or COVID-19 is real, and the major concern about the virus across the globe is not whether, it is of a scientific or spiritual origin, but a way to solve the problem, since every part of the world shares in the alarming rate of deaths caused by the deadly disease, as well as its economic dilemma, which poses a lot of humanitarian needs. And so, in the face of this devastating problem which mercilessly holds down peoples and governments of the world, is/are there role(s) the Church of JESUS CHRIST, the BLESSED SON  of GOD should play, a way of alleviating the sufferings of the human race? No doubt, the answer is in the affirmative, but before such an answer, it will be proper to x-ray the following.

(1) THE ORIGIN OF COVID-19 DISEASE

Wuhan, an emerging business hub of China, at the end of 2019, experienced an outbreak of a novel coronavirus that killed more than eighteen hundred and infected over seventy thousand individuals within the first fifty days of the epidemic. This virus was reported to be a member of the group B of coronaviruses. The novel virus was named Wuhan coronavirus or 2019 novel coronavirus {2019 n-Cov} by the Chinese researchers. The international Committee on Taxomony of Viruses {ICTV} named the virus SARS-Cov-2, and named the disease COVID-19. In the history, SRAS-COV in 2003 infected 8098 individuals with mortality rate of 9% across 26 countries, till the date of this information. COVID-19 is traceable to coronaviruses, which our source says belong to the coronavindae family in the Nidovivaies order. Corona represents crown-like spikes on the outer surface of the virus, thus, it was named a corona virus, and this, therefore shows that the virus, as a member of the corovindae family of viruses, definitely, outdates its present date of outbreak in China.

(2) THE SPREAD AND DEATHS OF COVID-19 ACROSS THE WORLD

The new coronavirus has spread rapidly in many parts of the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organisation {WHO} declared the virus a pandemic. A pandemic occurs when a disease that people are not immune to, spreads across large regions. Though, the recent outbreak of COVID-19 began in Wuhan, a city in the Hubal province of China, and precisely in December 2019, it has since spread across the globe, as the CNN Live coverage on tracking coronavirus global spread of May 17, 2020 shows that the authorities in 214 countries and territories have reported more than 4,656,000 novel coronavirus cases worldwide, since China reported its first cases to the World Health Organisation {WHO} in December 2019. According to the report, the actual figure of the reported cases is 4,656,639, with 312,188 deaths. The report, equally, shows that the United States has the highest number of cases of 1,467,884, with 88,754 deaths, and shows the magnitude of the problems of COVID-19 on the shoulders of the human race, as updates of this report, from the same or other sources, may help open-up the space for further understanding of the role of the Church in tackling COVID-19 disease

(3) THE GLOBAL SEARCH FOR TREATMENTS AND VACCINES

 FOR COVID-19 DISEASE

The Church of JESUS CHRIST , the BLESSED HEALER, is the only institution on earth that is in position to draw healing for any ailment that agitate mankind, including, COVID-19 disease, from the BLESSED STRIPES of her BLESSED SAVIOUR, as the Holy Scripture shows in 1 Peter 2:24, without any iota of failure, if approached in the real spirit of faith, humility and repentance, 2 Chr.7:14, as today’s noticeable failure to this effect, is a disservice to God and humanity, with the simple reason for the flop, being that the Body of CHRIST has, at present, compromised deeply with the world, and so, can no longer draw the glory and blessings of the LORD. And, even the scientific solution to the COVID-19 disease is only possible, in answer to the prayers offered to GOD, by the Church, though, peoples and governments of the world may disagree. This highlights the intermediary role which most of the stakeholders in the present day Church carelessly handle, even, in the face of the rampaging threats of COVID-19 disease.

Presently, scientists around the world are working on potential treatments and vaccines for the new coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19. Several companies are working on antiviral drugs, some of which are already in use against other illnesses, to treat people who already have the disease, as other companies are working on vaccines that could be used as a preventive measure against the infection. And, with confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassing 4.3 million, and continuing to grow, scientists are pushing forward for vaccines and treatments to slowdown the pandemic and lesson its damage. The aforementioned show that, at present, there is no cure the coronavirus, as treatments are based on the kind of cure given for influenza {seasonal flu}, and other severe respiratory illnesses, known as “supportive care,”…These treatments essentially treat symptoms, which often in the case of COVID-19 involve fever, cough and shortness of breath. With this in mind, one can readily deduce that the world is in the deep sea of the problems of COVID-19 disease, which only the GOD  of Heaven, through, medical or DIVINE means can solve. And, as it stands now, if there will be medical solution to the problem, it will be, in answer to the prayers of the Church, and, if there will be DIVINE solution to it, it will equally be, in answer to the prayers of the Church, and to be blunt, there is no other way out of COVID-19 disease and its problems, apart from help from above, thus, the need for an effectual fervent prayers of the righteous, which the Holy Scripture says avails much, {James 5:16}.

(4) THE RELEGATION OF THE CHURCH BY CIVIL AUTHORITIES

     IN TACKLING COVID-19 DISEASE

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic really exposed the disrespect and scornful attitude of civil authorities across the globe on our LORD and BLESSED SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST and HIS Church on earth. The disease opened up a space that would have allowed the Church to serve GOD and humanity in the best of love which the grace of GOD offers. But, the powers that be, generally, became nonchalant and disdainful, thus, the crucial role of the church, at the time of need, became arrogantly subverted. COVID-19 disease generated a huge humanitarian concern, which the Church can handle best, anywhere, in the world; yet, the ruling class did not consider her for the service. Even the spiritual role of the prayer and supplication, for  DIVINE solution, which the Church is known for, was disrupted, in the name of lockdown, as pastors who attempted to hold prayer meetings and fellowships were arrested and locked-up in police custodies. And so, GOD was locked-out, as the Church and society were locked-down, in the name of the hopeless hope of curtailing the spread of coronavirus. But, people in authority, across the world, should better put to heart that, whether scientific or DIVINE Solution to COVID-19 diseases, it must come from the LORD GOD of Heaven and earth, or nothing comes. For, HE is the AUTHOR of medical healing, {Ezek. 47:12}, as well as the AUTHOR of DIVINE healing, {Psalm. 107:20}, and for any blessing or success to be recorded through any of the cited means, it must come from the GOD of all creations, and, such a DIVINE goodness must be, in answer to the prayers of HIS saints, via the Church. But, who knows if the negative attitude of the ruling class against the Church was informed by the unfaithful behaviour of certain elements in the Body, especially, the clergy. Therefore, in keeping with the forgoing, if the Church must be trusted for her DIVINE role on earth, she must undoubtedly radiate a convincing moral light among the people of the world, {Mat. 5:16}

(5) BASIC ROLES OF THE CHURCH IN TIMES OF TROUBLE

COVID-19 disease and the problems it carries help see clearly the basic roles of the Church In times of trouble, as a careful analysis of the burdens of the people, as a result of the epidemic would definitely show that they have; economic, social, spiritual and humanitarian concerns, of which the Church has roles to play. It is true governments, through their various agencies, and non-governmental establishments can play these roles in times of need, but the only organisation DIVINELY blessed with the real heart of the assignment is the Church. So, in times of trouble, like this period of COVID-19 infection, the Church should play; economic, social, spiritual and humanitarian roles. Having cited the above, it becomes proper to portray the:

(a)  Economic Role Of The Church In Tackling

 COVID-19 Disease

COVID-19 pandemic carries with it a lot of problems that affect the material goods of people on earth. The adverse effect of the lockdown policy of various  governments on economic fortunes of the citizens of the world is at alarming proportion, which, as expected stirred some government agencies, non-governmental foundations and some good spirited churches to engage in the role of alleviating the sufferings of the people within their reach. This is a crucial role, in times like this period of coronavirus infection, and the Church should feature prominently in this role. The Church, unlike government organisations, may not have all the material resources to adequately meet the needs of the people affected by the scourge of the virus, but a little palliative offered by means of tithes and offerings can rekindle hope in the lives of beneficiaries, or help rebuild the businesses of those displaced by the problems of the pandemic. But, instead of playing this role with the passion and commitment it deserves, certain church officials, amid the crises of the infection are fingered in the shameful act of pilfering cash and materials donated by governments and charity organisation around the world; regardless of the injunction of the Holy Scripture which shows that, “pure and undefiled religion before GOD and the FATHER is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world”, {James 1:27}

(b) Social Role Of The Church In Tackling

 COVID-19 Disease

The major social concern in the COVID-19 disease problem is the safety of the people. To this end, concerned people and organisations around the world work hard to prevent the spread of the killer infection, creating the awareness that, “when people with COVID-19 breathe out or cough, they expel tiny droplets that contain the virus. These droplets can enter the mouth or nose of someone without the virus, causing an infection to occur. The most common way that this illness spreads is through close contact with someone who has the infection, thus, the need for social distancing and use of facemask. Also, droplets containing the virus can land on nearby surfaces or objects and other people can pick up the virus by touching these surfaces or objects, as infection is also likely to take place if the person then touches their nose, eyes or mouth. This information is ongoing, and the Church, like other committed organisations all over the world should equally play the role of spreading safety messages to the people, to avoid the spread of the virus.

(c)  Spiritual Role Of The Church In Tackling

 COVID-19 Disease

The indispensible role of the Church, in trouble times, as this movement of COVID-19 disease is prayer and supplication for DIVINE solution. For, without a hearty commitment to prayer and devotion, no positive result comes, as a “prayer-less church is a powerless church,” and so, cannot draw blessings from the THRONE OF GRACE. Another spiritual role  the Church should play in the tackling COVID-19 disease is building up the people’s faith through biblical counselling that empowers them to put their trusts in GOD as the only ONE who can save them from the infection, as well as open-up avenues for their help. But, today, in the face of the troubles of COVID-19, the Church has become a point of fear and disbelief, instead of a point of faith, hope and encouragement. Now, consider the fact that, during the enforcement of government lockdown policy by security operatives, the Church was afraid to pray, in the guise that “we should be subject to those in authority”{Rom.13:1} without recourse to the biblical injunction which also shows that, “when government policy contradicts the WILL OF GOD, the position of the Church should be, “we ought to obey GOD rather than men,” {Acts 5:29}. Therefore, the Church should muster up the courage in checking the excesses of government, as well as discipline herself to the limits of her operation on earth. For, when the Church is kicked out of her spiritual roles, darkness prevails, and when government blindly and arrogantly goes beyond its rule of DIVINE engagement, darkness, even, becomes darker. But, be sure that, COVID-19 disease and similar problems will find quick solution, if the Church is allowed to freely play her spiritual roles on earth.

(d) The Humanitarian Role Of The Church

 In Tackling COVID-19 Disease

Humanitarian service is connected with improving people’s lives and reducing suffering, as humanitarian aid is sending food and supplies to areas or persons affected by natural disaster or man-made conflict, and, at this time of COVID-19 disease, the Church should play the caring role of assisting people affected by the epidemic. It is common knowledge that coronavirus has claimed the lives of hundreds and thousands of parents, whereby making their children orphans, as well as sending them to orphanages, where aids from all and sundry are needed. At the entry points of nations are people who are stranded by reason of COVID-19 pandemic, and are in dire need of help to get to their destinations. The list of the problems generated by coronavirus infection is endless. But, will the Church look elsewhere, in the guise that she is branded a non-profit organisation, whereas GOD raises unquantifiable sums of money and materials through tithes and offerings that are enough for her operations and humanitarian services? In this connection, the Church is called upon to wake up to her humanitarian role, by sending aids to victims of COVID-19 disease and its crises, as a way of helping them cope with the burdens of the virus.

Ladies and gentlemen, so far, you may have deduced that, the effort here is to bring back the core values of the Christian faith, which hitherto may have been lost for lack of commitment, but now, requires recovery for the effective handling of the problems generated by COVID-19 disease. And, don’t forget that the Church in whose shoulders the cited roles are placed is you and I, as the failure or success in the work is either for our blessing and reward or for our shame and punishment. The choice is yours!

SUGGESTIONS

            This time, I wish to remark that the COVID-19 pandemic and the crises it generates will ever serve as an eye opener that enable members of this association really understand the extent of the damage done to the Church by false prophets and teachers, which informed the unwarranted compromise of the faith, by rank and files of the Christian Church during the enforcement of government lockdown policy, which placed godless bans in church services across the world. One may have wondered, what would have become the faith of many, if the government lockdown period was the real time of the anti-Christ, as it was too hard, at the time to notice Christian commitment among the clergy and lay members of the Church, nor was it easy then, to find believers in the DIVINE roles of the Body of CHRIST.  Based on the cited lapses, therefore, the following suggestions are considered.

    (i)            The Church should work hard to ascertain what informed the noticeable lukewarm attitude of believers during the COVID-19 lockdown

  (ii)            Proper checks and evaluation should always be in place, to ensure that only real ministers of the gospel are engaged in the work of  raising up the flock of  GOD, as a way of keeping them out of wrong attitudes or a repeat of the unfaithfulness noticed during COVID-19 crises

(iii)            The Church should learn to highlight in her programmes the roles of the Church, for possible implementation in times of trouble, like the ones generated by COVID-19 disease.

In conclusion, my hearty appreciation goes to the organizers of this meeting and the entire members of this great association, for yet another opportunity to serve. I am happy to find out, once again, that you are still standing tall for the LORD, in spite of all the problems of COVID-19 disease. My prayer, therefore, is that the very GOD of heaven, in HIS infinite mercy, continues to bless and encourage you, till we meet HIM in glory. Thanks for your time!

Professor Ben Onyeukwu {Rev.}

Professor of Biblical Studies and Letters

Crown University {School of Biblical Studies}

Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

For This Work And Other Articles Written By The Writer, Please Visit: benonyeukwu2blogspot.com  and  churchoftheholyghost.blogspot.com