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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
This 2:39 min home desk vlog reflects upon the Old Testament book of Psalms and the incredible relevance it now has to a world beset by a frightening coronavirus epidemic.
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalms 23
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2020
*This blog and video may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Dr. Rogers at www.rexmrogers.com/. Follow at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
This 1:31 min video contrasts panic and preparedness from a Christian perspective re the coronavirus pandemic.
Should we panic or prepare in the face of the pandemic? Christians have an answer.
The Coronavirus is sweeping the world, has been declared a pandemic, has in-fected thousands and a-ffected millions. Clearly, it’s a real disease presenting a real threat at perhaps unprecedented levels, at least in the modern age.
One response is panic: panic-buying of items like toilet paper, riots in some major cities globally, an epidemic of fear. This response is understandable but not healthy.
A second response is preparedness: listening to public health experts, doing what we can to encourage prevention, like washing our hands, not gathering in large groups, reducing travel, not shaking hands.
Because we know and trust the Sovereign Lord God, Christians need to model preparedness over panic.
The Psalmist said, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4).
In the face of fear, Christians can offer aid, solace, and hope.
Christ and Christianity are nothing if not the antidote to panic.
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2020
*This blog and video may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Dr. Rogers at www.rexmrogers.com/. Follow at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
This 1:26 min video considers whether theology has anything practical to say, especially facing a global health crisis?
The Coronavirus is marching across the globe like a conquering invader creating an epidemic of anxiety, despair, and hopelessness.
Does biblical theology offer us anything practical in the face of such an enemy?
The book of Psalms tells us God is Sovereign: “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).
This means God is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent.
He is not a distant, unengaged deity but is both the transcendent Almighty God of the Universe and our immanent Heavenly Father.
God is powerful, personal, and practical.
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases…
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:1-3, 13).
God is with you in all things.
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2020
*This blog and video may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Dr. Rogers at www.rexmrogers.com/. Follow at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
This 1:46 min video examines the three most common responses to the coronavirus pandemic, fear, foolishness, and faith.
The Coronavirus is now a declared global pandemic.
People are responding to this surreal, spreading disease in several ways.
Fear is paramount: hoarding, riots, debilitating anxiety, or not just social distancing but social isolation.
People suggesting fear is not appropriate are labeled foolish. And perhaps some are, because they don’t seem to be taking the threat seriously, refusing to change their routines or behaviors.
Fear, foolishness? There’s a third response.
For Christians, it should be faith. Christians believe God is engaged, he is not surprised. Nor is he vindictive or a cosmic meany.
Faith is not blindness, not irrational. It’s belief in God’s revelation of himself in the world, in his Word, and in his son Jesus Christ.
Faith gives us assurance Providence knows us individually.
As the Scripture says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Is. 41:10).
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2020
*This blog and video may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Dr. Rogers at www.rexmrogers.com/. Follow at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
This 1:41 min video considers state governors' calls for churches to close their doors in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. This is my take produced by Manna Media.
Should churches, despite the requests of governors, remain open during a public health crisis?
I’m not an infectious disease expert, so I can only go so far commenting about coronavirus.
But I can say this: Leaders are not omniscient, can’t predict the future, and make mistakes.
Schools close to reduce spread of the virus. Good? Maybe. But we can’t ID umpteen other ripple effects.
Similar for shutting down major sports schedules. Good? No one knows.
I confess that it concerns me to see governors using executive orders to ban gatherings over certain numbers, including particularly churches.
I know this is not an anti-religious action. But ceding to government power over religious assembly seems unwise.
A health crisis, even a severe one, is short-term. But unhindered religious congregation is a long-term civil liberty essential to free society.
And historically, through many plagues, Christian churches largely remained open with Christians providing sacrificial care, community, aid, solace, hope, and trust in the Living God.
Churches should not ignore public concerns, but they should seek to open in whatever ways they can.
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2020
*This blog and video may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Dr. Rogers at www.rexmrogers.com/. Follow at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.
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- Written by: Rex M. Rogers
This 1:50 min video looks at suffering, always difficult for us to understand but never a surprise to the Lord. This is my take produced by Manna Media.
Why does a loving God allow people to suffer with diseases like the coronavirus?
Why does God allow suffering like the Coronavirus?
In the Bible, the Lord devotes much time to suffering, like the entire book of Job.
Tens of thousands have been infected by the coronavirus; thousands have died. Why would the loving, caring God permit such grief?
One, so that we may know his love. In Psalms, the shepherd David said, “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record? (Psalm 56: 8).
It’s an incredible statement. God remembers all our tears. All our anguish, heartache, suffering, all matter to our loving God.
Another reason for suffering, to refine us in God’s service: “but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4).
God works through suffering to accomplish his purposes, which we likely will not understand.
But we know he is a God of grace and truth.
Our trust in him is our comfort.
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved, 2020
*This video may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Dr. Rogers at www.rexmrogers.com/. Follow at www.linkedin.com/in/rexmrogers.