The Lenses of Reformation Concerning Vaccination of Children
by Dr. Patti Amsden
Jesus cautioned the crowds who gathered to hear Him about the danger of following blind leaders. He forewarned them that both the leaders and their followers would end up in a ditch (Mt. 15:14). The leaders at that time, who were the Pharisees and scribes, had come to Christ to question Him about His failure to comply with their traditions. They had set forth commandments as a proposed path to righteousness, and they walked upon that path and directed others to walk upon their path. Jesus challenged some of their traditions by saying that their course was out of alignment with God’s commandments. Scripture warns about following a way that seems right to man but the end is the way of death (Prov. 14:12).
Reformation lens #1 – Those who walk on a course that has been constructed by leaders who are blind to the light of God’s Word are destined to arrive at devastation.
Leaders are positioned to shine light and give guidance to followers. Scripture describes Jesus as the light of the world (Jn. 8:12), His church as a beacon city set on a hill (Mt. 5:14), Israel of old as giving light to the nations (Is. 49:6). The overarching theme of these and other such passages proclaims that those appointed as luminaries are to give direction to a course of action. Leaders are to provide supervision. Leaders are to provide super-vision: super (meaning over and above) vision (meaning sight or power to see). Leaders project light over the course upon which their followers are required to walk. Leaders light the way. When societal leaders postulate that they are luminaries who give sure-footed direction to the citizens but are, in reality, projecting darkness, those leaders position themselves to have their lights put out and their lampstands removed (Is. 13:10; Ez. 32:7-8; 2 Sam. 21:17; Rev. 2:5).
Reformation lens #2 – The light in the body is the eye because the eye brings light to the whole body; but if the eye takes in darkness as if it were light, how great is the darkness or blindness of that person or that society (Mt. 6:22-23)!
Jesus’ warning in Matthew 15:14 not only stated that the blind leaders would fall into a ditch but also that the blind followers would fall into the same ditch. One possible solution to this problem would be for followers to look for a source of light that is not darkness. Followers must always take responsibility for their course in life and are never exempted from personal liability. Blaming another for personal choices did not work for Adam and Eve in the garden and will never work when any individual is forced to reap the consequences of his or her choices.
Reformation lens #3 – The more powerful the leader and the more popular the proposed light, the more individual maturity and discernment are needed to examine the light filling the mind and directing the steps.
As reformers, we must apply the filter of God’s Word for all our decisions and on all our courses of action. When leaders do not apply God’s Word and yet propose that they are projecting a sure-footed pathway and reliable guide for the citizenry, followers must decline the highway into the ditch. In the midst of a caravan mentality and when all blind followers are walking in unison, people need courage to walk in another light source. Hebrews 11 tells of the heroes of faith who followed the leading of heaven’s light. History is also replete with the testimony of reformers who either forged or followed another path. Scripture does not support rebellion to those in authority; but it does validate the wisdom of those who, for the sake of conscience and biblical faith, veered from conformity to the world to follow God’s Word and His ways. In a day of mass mandates, each reformer must employ a biblical lens in order to filter out darkness and allow true light into his or her eyes.
Reformation lens #1 – Those who walk on a course that has been constructed by leaders who are blind to the light of God’s Word are destined to arrive at devastation.
Leaders are positioned to shine light and give guidance to followers. Scripture describes Jesus as the light of the world (Jn. 8:12), His church as a beacon city set on a hill (Mt. 5:14), Israel of old as giving light to the nations (Is. 49:6). The overarching theme of these and other such passages proclaims that those appointed as luminaries are to give direction to a course of action. Leaders are to provide supervision. Leaders are to provide super-vision: super (meaning over and above) vision (meaning sight or power to see). Leaders project light over the course upon which their followers are required to walk. Leaders light the way. When societal leaders postulate that they are luminaries who give sure-footed direction to the citizens but are, in reality, projecting darkness, those leaders position themselves to have their lights put out and their lampstands removed (Is. 13:10; Ez. 32:7-8; 2 Sam. 21:17; Rev. 2:5).
Reformation lens #2 – The light in the body is the eye because the eye brings light to the whole body; but if the eye takes in darkness as if it were light, how great is the darkness or blindness of that person or that society (Mt. 6:22-23)!
Jesus’ warning in Matthew 15:14 not only stated that the blind leaders would fall into a ditch but also that the blind followers would fall into the same ditch. One possible solution to this problem would be for followers to look for a source of light that is not darkness. Followers must always take responsibility for their course in life and are never exempted from personal liability. Blaming another for personal choices did not work for Adam and Eve in the garden and will never work when any individual is forced to reap the consequences of his or her choices.
Reformation lens #3 – The more powerful the leader and the more popular the proposed light, the more individual maturity and discernment are needed to examine the light filling the mind and directing the steps.
As reformers, we must apply the filter of God’s Word for all our decisions and on all our courses of action. When leaders do not apply God’s Word and yet propose that they are projecting a sure-footed pathway and reliable guide for the citizenry, followers must decline the highway into the ditch. In the midst of a caravan mentality and when all blind followers are walking in unison, people need courage to walk in another light source. Hebrews 11 tells of the heroes of faith who followed the leading of heaven’s light. History is also replete with the testimony of reformers who either forged or followed another path. Scripture does not support rebellion to those in authority; but it does validate the wisdom of those who, for the sake of conscience and biblical faith, veered from conformity to the world to follow God’s Word and His ways. In a day of mass mandates, each reformer must employ a biblical lens in order to filter out darkness and allow true light into his or her eyes.
