COVID-19 and the Church Throughout History

Bruce Hindmarsh, who is the James M. Houston Professor of Spiritual Theology and Professor of the History of Christianity at Regent College, has written a very helpful historical and theological reflection about the Church in the face of disease and pandemic-like crises.  Bruce highlights some of the church's responses to such human health crises throughout its history - both the good and the (tragically) bad. 

St. Elizabeth of Hungary washes a sick man, from the altar of St. Elisabeth Cathedral in Kassa, 15th C. Source: Wikipedia

The article notes,

"This Christian instinct to care for those who suffer from communicable disease and all its devastating physical, social, and economic consequences runs deep in the history of the church."

Although the article is primarily historical reflection, it is instructive and so very pertinent for our moment. 

I also note his repeated 'for now', in reference to the social distancing and self-isolation policies currently being advised by health professionals and government agencies and (rightfully) adhered to by churches as an act of loving our neighbours.  However, there may come a time when most flee from helping the suffering and it would then be the church's calling to take up more active roles in caring for the sick and dying. 

Let us pray for a swift resolution to the current crisis, but let us also pray for the eyes of faith and the heart of courageous trust required of Christians should things continue to get worse. 
  
Here is the whole article.