What Does Faith Exempt You From? (A Response to Keith Marshall's Article)

Keith Marshall, a pastor of a liberal Lutheran church in Washington State, wrote a short article for a local paper that went viral on social media.

He was asked if Christians should be able to claim religious exemption to avoid getting the COVID shot.

Marshall said, what does my faith in Jesus Christ exempt me from? Then he gave three examples.

My faith exempts me from, one, putting my wants above the needs of others. In humility, value others above yourselves,

Philippians 2. Two, claiming my freedom in Christ as liberty to act without responsibility.

Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather serve one another, Galatians 5. Three, refusing to protect the most vulnerable in our midst.

Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me, Matthew 25. Therefore, Marshall said, my religious exemption requires

I receive the COVID vaccination to safeguard life and wear a mask to care for my neighbor.

Brethren, he is a twister of the word. First, neither the shot nor a mask will save your neighbor's life.

Second, you are under no biblical obligation, no command of God whatsoever, to get vaccinated against anything.

Marshall said, by invoking the name of Jesus to claim exemption, you are using the Lord's name in vain. No, if you invoke the name of Jesus to command what

God has not commanded, you are using the Lord's name in vain. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for making up commands.

Mark 7, 7 says, in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.