Lessons From COVID-19 Part 3
“In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1)”
In approaching Scripture to guide is into integrating healthcare, the economy, and pandemic management, we turn to the theme of the interlocking of words and divine creation. Both Genesis and the Gospel of John open with “In the beginning” This is followed by “God created the heavens and earth” in Genesis, and in John it is written as above. This links the mystery of God the father speaking creation into existence, with the co-eternal presence of God the Son, defined as the Word. Word or Logos (knowledge) can also refer to naming, knowing and so enable continuing creation .
Fast forward to these days of COVID-19. The work of Adam to name and know the animals and created things in Eden, continues in our time, as millions of viruses have been identified. A Nobel prize has been awarded for a marvellous classification system for viruses. The knowledge derived from this naming and understanding has led to theological studies asking “Why did God Make Viruses.”
In building the foundation to establish dominion over the creation in our day, recall the apostle Paul, writing to the Romans declaring “that the whole creation has been groaning right up to the present time.”
Two millennia later, the world today faces possible irreversible climate change. Greta Thunberg and others name it a global emergency, and confronting COVID-19 is described as a war situation.
From working through Adam’s original mandate of naming created things, we now know that viruses, bacteria, body organs, human beings, governments, geese flying patterns, corporations, health systems , the economy, the environment, and many others, have something in common.
Every one of them alone is a complex adaptive system and together they are a global complex adaptive system (CAS) . The problem we face is that we are not organized as a complex adaptive system. I will finish this letter with beginning to define a CAS, and work through it over the next several chapters.
Let us start with complex, meaning to consist of many different and connected parts. It comes from the Latin “complexus“ meaning interwoven, a characteristic of ancient tapestries.
The psalmist was aware of this awesome quality of creation in writing:
“You knit me together in my mother’s womb
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
My frame was not hidden from you
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth.” (Psalm 139 :13-15)
And when Paul described the Church as the body of Christ, to the young Corinthian church, he compares it to a human body in that:
“God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be”(1Cor 12:18).
Just how complex is the human body, and the present day body of Christ, we will return to, and consider further adaptability and systems.
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
About the author