Talking Points with Pastor Lucas: On Vaccine Mandates, Christian Liberty and Christian Duty

Lutherans have seldom, if ever, taken a public position on vaccinations one-way or the other. We are thankful for every valid advancement in modern medicine to prevent and treat terrible diseases and sicknesses. But we tend to see vaccinations as a private matter of Christian liberty, just like everything else pertaining to personal health. Of course, we know all medical tools are imperfect and certainly no substitute for our ultimate hope and confidence in Jesus Christ alone.

Lutherans hold a range of opinions on vaccines. Some resist any and all vaccinations on the grounds that God will protect us from every evil of body and soul. Others are adamantly opposed to COVID-19 vaccinations in particular. Some object on moral grounds because they were developed using aborted fetal cell lines. Others are opposed on political grounds or various other reasons. Despite official assurances about the safety of the COVID vaccines, some highlight concerns being raised by respected medical professionals, virologists and researchers. Others insist it is our Christian duty to love our neighbor by receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.

Amid the polarized positions, do we walk together in the name of Jesus? More importantly, how will we guard ourselves against slandering our neighbor, thus giving the devil a foothold to begin to destroy our faith? (Eph. 4:27)

Thus Says the Lord

To begin with, where we have no “thus says the Lord,” it’s important to be clear about that and say nothing more than the Bible says. Admittedly, this is hard to do when tempers flare and panic grows.

Our nation’s severely politicized climate intensifies the question. For many, rather than simply a matter of personal health, taking the vaccination is a badge of honor and an act of moral duty toward our neighbor. Others take an equally strong moral stand against it and endure the subsequent consequences. This quickly creates divisions of “us” and “them,” where those who hold the opposing position now become our enemy. We may feel we need to demean them because they disagree with us. This is to Satan’s delight. Remember, each of these people is a blood-bought precious soul for whom our Lord bled and died. He loves them dearly, even as He loves you!

On the Freedom of a Christian

The liberty of the individual conscience lies at the heart of our Lutheran theology. Luther wrote powerfully about this in his treatise, On the Freedom of a Christian:
“A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.”

We seek to love others just as Christ loves us. Nevertheless, this is not out of compulsion, but the free choice of hearts made new in Jesus. To act against conscience, Luther reminds us, is equivalent to acting contrary to faith and sinning grievously.” Therefore, both sides in any controversy must remember that we should not be forbidden from following a probable moral course of action in good conscience — in this case, whether to take the vaccine or not.

So when it comes to vaccine mandates, practical reason implies that vaccination is not ordinarily a moral obligation or Christian duty. It should never be coerced by guilt or shame but must be voluntary because one believes it is good for self and neighbor.

If we dare to suppress the faculty of reason in other people by invoking Christian duty — despite reasonable, legitimate and valid concerns to the contrary that burden their conscience and replace it with our own, we risk committing spiritual abuse. Therefore, I urge caution on how we speak as Christians regarding vaccine mandates. Faith is never coerced but is the willing fruit of the Gospel. It acts out of love and not coercion. Instead, be champions of calm, informed, reasoned conversation. Be advocates for Christian liberty — freedom of conscience which always seeks to serve the neighbor in love and charity.

What about Letters of Exemption?

The COVID-19 vaccine is not the only product developed using aborted fetal cell lines. Unless one objects to all such products and acts accordingly, objections to COVID vaccines on these grounds would appear to be disingenuous. Rather than making their pastors arbiters of what is right for them, conscientious objectors would be better served exercising their own personal freedoms by writing their own letters. Individual conscience has long been a principle of our Christian faith and Lutheran theology as well the right of American citizens.

Take your stand on the truth of Christ and the good conscience He gives to those who love Him. Do your best to be patient, always caring for others especially those who disagree with you. But above all, guard your own soul against the assaults of the evil one, who stalks about like a roaring lion, always seeking to destroy Christian love and give you a bad conscience (1 Peter 5:8).

Above all, always be confident and full of hope. Christ Jesus will lead us through this difficult time; He is the light no darkness can overcome!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.

Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Woodford