COVID-19: Where is God in all this? Review by Dr Gareth Tuckwell
COVID-19 Where is God in all this?
Greg Forster, Caris Grimes, James Haslam, Michael Langrish, John Pilling
Edited by Chris Sugden
Published by Grove Books Limited
October 2020 £3.95 27pp
ISBN: 978 1 78827 139 4
This publication is an excellent and timely response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the frequently heard heart-cry “Where is God in all this?” The essays draw on Biblical truth integrated with a strong evidence-base, along with the wisdom of eminent Christians and an accomplished editor.
Encouragingly, many of the emotional, ethical and scriptural issues that have come to a head during the pandemic are shown to offer us hope, opportunities to take hold of, along with gaining resilience to embed. This is as we look to discern God’s presence and guidance through this time in history, as the virus becomes endemic.
The authors have had the courage to address media headlines that require a response, such as professional carers refusing to care in the absence of PPE (personal protective equipment), and families being prevented from visiting and ‘being there’ for their much-loved relatives. The reader is given known facts relating to COVID-19 along with insight around challenges clinicians are facing, where the rules relating to care are frequently updated. We read how a lack of ventilators and critical care beds had an enormous impact on decision-making and the values to be embraced. When there is a shortage of much needed resources, how should allocation be decided? To help this, it’s so good to read an ethical framework, centred on justice alongside a reminder of Biblical principles. This would help should another wave of this infection arrive, and a practical and creative response is needed to ensure dignity, kindness and compassion remain at the heart of care. Care, concern and love woven within ‘official’ communication can become so important.
The essay by Dr John Pilling and Bishop Michael Langrish entitled ‘It’s all about mercy’ helpfully enables the reader to see the consequences of this pandemic through the lens of God’s mercy. Witnessing and receiving compassionate, empathetic, loving care says, ‘I’m alongside you in this’. Theology and medicine have the potential to become inextricably intertwined with the outpouring of mercy and loving kindness by people of many cultures and faiths………
Yes, this is an invaluable booklet and one many are likely to dip into as new post-pandemic situations arise too. A big thank you to the authors, editor and the Grove Books team.
Dr Gareth Tuckwell
Former Chairman Sanctuary Care, CEO Burrswood Hospital & Clinical Director at Hospice in the Weald.
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