Presbyterian Church In America Pushes Fauci Covid Narrative 5 Years Later

2020 was a major test for the church, which was not passed as most churches lacked the discernment to see through the government, which lies under the guise of public health. Thus they neglected the assembly of the saints, ordinances of communion and baptism, and showcased a public witness of weakness and capitulation with tyrannical regimes. Covid and Critical Race Theory created a major shuffling of Christians and their churches. And one pastor five years later wants to double down on his idolatry at the time which we call Branch Covidianism.

The Presbyterian Church in America operates By Faith Magazine, a denominational news outlet. Gregory Poland, a Reverend and a medical doctor wrote, “Seven Lessons on Public Health and the Local Church.”

While many pastors and churches made heart-rending efforts to protect and preserve the health of their members and those outside the church, my own observation is that in many ways the Western church failed in regard to Scriptural imperatives for biblical cultural engagement. 

How did it fail? By adopting unbiblical cultural and anthropocentric practices during the pandemic such as devaluing public health recommendations and disregarding means of common grace such as vaccines, antivirals, and masks. Absent revision, these failures will leave the church unprepared for the next epidemic or pandemic. 

Evangelicals were among the group most hesitant to go along with the government narrative, and the PCA is allowing this man to browbeat Christians over their resistance to lies and idols.

When the COVID-19 pandemic first surfaced, we were dealing with a novel viral pathogen (and its subsequent variants) whose full effects were entirely unknown. With ample evidence that the virus was deadly and could cause severe illness and complications, it was appropriate at the time to do everything reasonable to mitigate the risk of infection, hospitalization, death, and overwhelming the medical system until more information could be collected and analyzed. 

What wasn’t clear then is how long some measures should have been imposed and continued (school and church closings, distancing, etc.) once vaccines and antivirals became available. 

Poland lies about Covid being so novel a virus that we knew nothing about it. In fact we knew everything we needed to know in order to have made the correct decisions in 2020, in that we knew who was most at risk. What we did not know, but could have easily surmised, was that the virus was in the United States all winter long making lockdowns extremely pointless.

2. Masking: A Simple Act of Love and Prevention

Research prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic consistently demonstrated that proper masks worn properly (note the two provisos) significantly reduced the transmission of respiratory viruses, especially in enclosed spaces. Masking is a critical part of the layers of protection we attempt to build to protect individuals, particularly high-risk individuals. 

Philippians 2:3-4 calls believers to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,” but to “consider others above themselves.” Wearing a mask, even if personally inconvenient, aligns with this Christian ethic of sacrificial love and care for the vulnerable during times of elevated risk.

What might pastors do? Suggestions include normalizing mask-wearing during outbreaks by framing it as a tangible act of love, providing masks at church entrances, educating congregants on their proper use, and sharing evidence-based resources to counter misinformation. These are practical ways that pastors and churches can protect congregants and participate in protecting the public health of their communities.

Poland lies about the effectiveness of masking which does not stop nor slow the spread of viral material. This was known in 2020 but suddenly forgotten as masks became an idol to save people from certain death. Poland uses manipulative “love your neighbor” appeals to promote his idolatry.

3. Physical Distancing: Protecting the Vulnerable

COVID-19 transmission occurs by both droplets and aerosols. Preventing aerosol-based transmission requires properly-fitted N95 masks. While physical distancing is helpful, by itself its value is variable and highly dependent upon air flow, HVAC parameters (such as number of air exchanges per hour), and a variety of physical environmental factors. While distancing posed challenges for communal worship, it proved helpful during high-transmission periods. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a time for everything, including adapting practices for the health of the community. Physical distancing, though difficult, should be seen as a temporary and partially effective measure to protect life, which is sacred (Genesis 9:6).

Practical ways to implement distancing include reorganizing seating arrangements and worship practices to allow for safe distancing when necessary, encouraging smaller group gatherings to maintain fellowship while minimizing risk, ensuring ample air exchanges through HVAC systems, using air purifiers, meeting outdoors, opening doors and windows, and clearly communicating the temporary nature and purpose of these measures.

Social distancing was another myth. 6 feet apart came after a study that said that 3 feet was insufficient. So “scientists” just arbitrarily doubled the distance.

4. Vaccines: Common Grace and a Gift of Health

Because of previous coronavirus threats, there was already much preparatory research (over approximately 30 years) in developing mRNA-based coronavirus vaccines. Vaccines emerged as a critical tool in reducing severe illness and death from COVID-19 – especially in the face of a novel pathogen to which the population had absolutely no immunity. 

Robust research underscored the general safety and efficacy of vaccines developed through rigorous scientific and regulatory processes. Vaccines should be viewed as a God-given means of common grace promoting health and fulfilling the mandate to care for others (Exodus 23:25) and ourselves.

The above rests on the foundational presupposition that science is the best way of knowing scientific truth. But it can say nothing of moral or theological truth, and that is where pastors and theologians must speak. Some biblically motivational truths in the practice of medicine were important at least to some of us as believing physicians, including the avoidance of harms (self and others), equity, and protecting the vulnerable. 

Science as a way of knowing has a long history of methodologic rigor, peer review, and demonstrated generalizability, repeatability, efficacy, and coherence. Those who reject science must demonstrate an approach that is more rigorous than the approach they reject. Simply rejecting science cannot provide a supportable, reasoned, sustained, or a philosophically coherent basis for public health decisions. 

Poland’s next lie was the effectiveness of the Covid Jabs. Not only did these jabs not work, many people were actively harmed by them. Poland lies by stating that the general population had no immunity to Covid by the time they came out in January 2021. Poland also neglects how the manufacturers cooked their studies to show the effectiveness of their cocktails.

5. Avoiding the Dangerous Mix of Political Ideology and Misinformation

One of the most troubling revelations during the pandemic was the extent to which political ideologies influenced churches, congregants, and decisions about vaccines and protective measures. This resulted in a dangerous mix of what some have called “Christian nationalism” and anti-science views. 

Instead of relying on reputable science-based sources, some embraced conspiracy theories and disinformation promulgated for political and other reasons that fostered distrust and fear. Jesus calls his followers to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). The wisdom that Jesus refers to is not rooted in political allegiance or national identity, but rather in truth and discernment. 

Practical advice for pastors in addressing these issues includes avoiding equating faith or science with political ideology, since the gospel and truth transcend political boundaries. Preaching or decision-making that conflates a particular political stance with Scriptural truth is unbiblical and undermines its witness. 

We should also stand ready to reject conspiracy theories for which there is no credible data. Spreading unverified claims and fears about vaccines, masks, and public health undermines trust in both medicine and the church’s leadership. Pastors should model discernment by consulting legitimate medical and scientific sources. They can also invite credible and respected physicians to speak or answer questions.

As pastors, we want to teach the biblical view of truth. Scripture calls us to seek truth (Proverbs 18:15) and avoid falsehood (Exodus 20:16). Pastors should address the harm caused by believing or sharing misinformation. Finally, pastors should challenge nationalistic rhetoric, as it distorts the call to global discipleship (Matthew 28:19–20) and elevates earthly nations and political ideology above the kingdom of God (Philippians 3:20). We must remind congregants that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, not in political or national identity.

Poland goes after Christian Nationalism for its rejection of the Covid Jabs and the lockdowns. His solution is to promote the credentialism of the public health officials who openly lied, like Anthony Fauci.

In 2020 and 2021, doctors committed malpractice and many people died of Covid in ways that were completely preventable with proper care. These institutions lost their credibility and do not deserve to get it back. The Presbyterian Church in America should repent of publishing the lies of this false teacher.