A theological engagement with the Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 virus has led to crises on many levels. Not only is the pandemic a serious medical issue, but also a huge challenge on many other levels. Economically, politically, socially, religiously and ethically, the pandemic is changing all previously held ideas and understanding. At present, th...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Pieter Verster
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Africajournals 2020-11-01
Series:Pharos Journal of Theology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_49_vol_101__2020__ufs.pdf
_version_ 1819327294266671104
author Pieter Verster
author_facet Pieter Verster
author_sort Pieter Verster
collection DOAJ
description The Covid-19 virus has led to crises on many levels. Not only is the pandemic a serious medical issue, but also a huge challenge on many other levels. Economically, politically, socially, religiously and ethically, the pandemic is changing all previously held ideas and understanding. At present, the whole world is struggling to find a solution on these levels. It is useful to ask theological questions regarding the pandemic. Opinions differ concerning the theological implications of the pandemic. Some regard the virus as an evolutionary development, while others view it in the light of God’s wrath against sin. It can also be regarded as a sign of the second coming of Christ as we speed up towards the end times. Christ’s death on the cross, his resurrection and his salvation for humankind must also be emphasised. One should consider sin and God’s wrath against it as well as the call to conversion, but the glorious redemption in Jesus Christ is considered to be the final answer for humanity.
first_indexed 2024-12-24T13:08:33Z
format Article
id doaj.art-0f465feed1db482993e87cf25c916a12
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2414-3324
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-24T13:08:33Z
publishDate 2020-11-01
publisher Africajournals
record_format Article
series Pharos Journal of Theology
spelling doaj.art-0f465feed1db482993e87cf25c916a122022-12-21T16:53:55ZengAfricajournalsPharos Journal of Theology2414-33242020-11-01101A theological engagement with the Covid-19 pandemicPieter Verster0Research fellow Department of Practical and Missional Theology Faculty of Theology University of the Free StateThe Covid-19 virus has led to crises on many levels. Not only is the pandemic a serious medical issue, but also a huge challenge on many other levels. Economically, politically, socially, religiously and ethically, the pandemic is changing all previously held ideas and understanding. At present, the whole world is struggling to find a solution on these levels. It is useful to ask theological questions regarding the pandemic. Opinions differ concerning the theological implications of the pandemic. Some regard the virus as an evolutionary development, while others view it in the light of God’s wrath against sin. It can also be regarded as a sign of the second coming of Christ as we speed up towards the end times. Christ’s death on the cross, his resurrection and his salvation for humankind must also be emphasised. One should consider sin and God’s wrath against it as well as the call to conversion, but the glorious redemption in Jesus Christ is considered to be the final answer for humanity.https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_49_vol_101__2020__ufs.pdfcovid-19pandemicwrath of godsinredemption in christ.
spellingShingle Pieter Verster
A theological engagement with the Covid-19 pandemic
Pharos Journal of Theology
covid-19
pandemic
wrath of god
sin
redemption in christ.
title A theological engagement with the Covid-19 pandemic
title_full A theological engagement with the Covid-19 pandemic
title_fullStr A theological engagement with the Covid-19 pandemic
title_full_unstemmed A theological engagement with the Covid-19 pandemic
title_short A theological engagement with the Covid-19 pandemic
title_sort theological engagement with the covid 19 pandemic
topic covid-19
pandemic
wrath of god
sin
redemption in christ.
url https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_49_vol_101__2020__ufs.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT pieterverster atheologicalengagementwiththecovid19pandemic
AT pieterverster theologicalengagementwiththecovid19pandemic