COVID-19: A Biblical Curse or An Invitation?

Abstract

The Creator demonstrates an indubitable unfailing love for humanity and creation, individually and at large. From the beginning of creation, the Creator rendered all creation as good. The call of humanity subsists in taking care of the Creator’s creation, that is, the Creator’s garden or vineyard. Often humanity effectively fails to take good care of the Creator’s vineyard. The consequences of this failure manifest 
themselves in catastrophic phenomena: environmental or climate crises that result into viral outbreaks such as COVID-19, poverty, hunger, floods, etc. These phenomena interfere with the Creator’s project of enduring love, peace and justice for the whole universe. These experiences serve to invite humanity to a continuous self-evaluation inasmuch as humanity remains the principal agent that perpetuates them. Scripture at once reveals the outcomes of human irresponsibility in the Creator’s vineyard and proposes solutions to them—most of all—love and justice.