Ebola Outbreak: What is it that scares us so much about it?

We have all been watching with concern as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa worsens week on week.

But from some corners, there’s been criticism that the media coverage has been so focused on European and American victims.

It should come as no surprise to us that the instinct for (self-interested) fear runs deeper than humanitarian empathy for people living far away.

But what is it that scares us so much about Ebola? Not, I don’t think, the thought of the symptoms themselves (horrific though they are) 

It’s the perceived lack of control that terrifies us: the thought that this invisible threat could sneak undetected onto our little island and pass unseen from person to person; the idea that one day soon the coughing work colleague or friend could be carrying something significantly more sinister than a common cold.

However small that likelihood is, fear is certainly a powerful emotion.

That’s why it’s interesting that quite a lot of media attention has been focused on the role of the military in responding to the outbreak: on Tuesday 21^st October 2014, it was announced that 100s more British army personnel are going to fight the epidemic.

For us here in Britain, there’s something reassuring about seeing that khaki presence in West Africa and it helps us to imagine that Ebola is an enemy that can be seen and controlled—or “contained and ultimately defeated”, as the International Development Secretary said on Monday.

And we should be earnestly praying that it would be! Let's beware cynicism.

The right response, as Christians, is to allow our hearts to be broken by the suffering Ebola has caused and those people who are using their God-given gifts and knowledge to tackle Ebola—and are willing to risk their own safety in the process—should be commended.

But we also know this truth: when we feel out of control, it points us to the one who is in control.

He’s the one who is able to stop any enemy — be they guerrilla fighters in the desert or tiny microbes — in their tracks.

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. - Deuteronomy 4 v 39

Looking beyond ISIL

Archbishop Justin Welby wrote in Prospect Magazine on Wednesday 15^th October 2014, on the struggle against violent fundamentalism. 

The article deserves reading and the core message is immensely challenging and we should take it to heart. 

The theme is one that he touched on in his speech in the House of Lords on Friday 26th September and then, he stated that our response to ISIL must be on an “ideological and religious basis that sets out a more compelling vision, a greater challenge and a more remarkable hope than that offered by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

We must face the fact that for some young Muslims the attractions of Jihadism outweigh the materialism of a consumer society.”

He suggests that if we are to win this struggle, it requires a review of those aspects of our own culture that rest in power and self-advancement. 

There is a reference our “undisturbed wealth” and the need to reshape our own values, as much as to overcome those of ISIL.

This implies the nurturing of a spirit of humanitarianism and selfless giving. 

This call for self-criticism seems to have been overlooked by the editors who provide a subtitle that includes the anodyne phrase “we should not relinquish our values”.

It is the Archbishop’s comments on intervention, pacifist principles and Just War that might generate the greatest comment. 

His comments on Just War, imply a rejection of the notion of a global war on terror and might also raise obstacles for endorsement of a military intervention in Syria. 

The danger is that discussion becomes limited to ‘military intervention right or wrong’ although the Archbishop has urged a focus on the global struggle for “the heart and the spirit” if we are to defeat extremism. 

This struggle is not solely, or even primarily, concerned with military responses to violence but requires us to question systems of power and trade and reassess our commitment to international law.

In May 2015, who would Jesus vote for?

In May 2015, we have the chance to head to the polls and decide who will represent us in parliament and who will form the next government.

Frustration at being ignored by MPs, anger at numerous public spending scandals and a lack of leadership and substance from political parties’ means deciding who to vote for is no easy task.

Christian children from the 90s and early 00s will remember wearing What Would Jesus Do? (WWJD) bracelets, you probably still find “WWJD” randomly popping into your head.

It’s not surprising then, that as we strive to live a godly life, we contemplate who Jesus might vote for.

As we seek to validate our political position, we may find comfort in convincing ourselves that Jesus would be on our side.

Socialists would emphasise Jesus’ vocal and active concern to care for the poor and marginalised.

Conservatives would look to personal responsibility and a strong work ethic.  

Libertarians would cite Jesus’ challenges to empire as a clear advocate for reducing the role of government in our lives.

Christian anarchists would highlight His refusal to engage systems of government all together to achieve his ministry.

As nice and convenient as it might be, Jesus doesn’t fit neatly into our boxes and He most definitely doesn’t fit into the rather simplistic and increasingly irrelevant left/right spectrum

Throughout scripture Jesus throws ideological curveballs that don’t conform to any sort of neat political doctrine.

The reality is that no political system is perfect, no political party is perfect and perhaps stating the obvious, no politician is perfect; the reason being that politics is made up of you and me – sinners saved by God’s unending grace.

So within this reality I think it is completely impossible to claim Jesus for our political side.

As we see in scripture, Jesus never shied away from engaging or commenting on issues of the day. I find so much hope and inspiration in the way that Jesus actively participated in the public square.

I don’t doubt that He would encourage us to vote.

In Romans we’re called to be good citizens and in 1 Timothy to prayer for our leaders, Esther and Mordecai lobbied the authorities of their time and Daniel successfully engaged with the society of his day through a senior government role.

I don’t know if Jesus would vote and I definitely don’t know who He would vote for, but I don’t think that it’s worth dwelling on that.

What is important is to prayerfully consider our vote through the biblical narrative, recognising that no choice will be perfect because we live in a not-yet perfect world.

Jesus is characterised by His compassion and concern for all humans, regardless of their wealth, status, religion or race.

Through a hope-filled message of salvation, Jesus’ actions and words reflected justice and mercy, being a responsible citizen, engaging in community life and caring for the vulnerable.

This is what all of us should reflect on as we decide on whichever party to vote for on Thursday 7th May 2015.