Refuting the Argument: “The Bible doesn’t Specifically Condemn Vaccines, so WE can’t Condemn Vaccines.”

A fallacious argument to justify not condemning vaccination that you may have heard goes like this: “Since the Bible does not specifically condemn vaccines, we can’t condemn vaccines.” In other words, according to this view, vaccines have to be mentioned by name in Scripture for us to take a moral position on them.

This argument is so bad. Where to begin? At worst, this is dishonest vaccine propaganda. At best, it is ignorant — or lazy and not well thought-out. Not everyone who holds this position may have bad intentions, but it has the effect of minimizing the evils and dangers of vaccines, which can have serious consequences.

The Sufficiency of Scripture

First, let us note that yes indeed, the Bible is sufficient for all of our morals. It equips for every good work:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17, ESV)

But some biblical truths are implied instead of being spelled out. The doctrine of the Trinity is in Scripture, although the word isn’t. Heretics attempt to deny the existence of the Trinity simply because the word isn’t there. And I’m sure many who use the argument being discussed about vaccination nevertheless inconsistently (but rightfully) affirm the Trinity.

Ironies

The word “Bible” isn’t mentioned in the Bible either. Ironic for those who hold that if something is not mentioned in the Bible, we cannot take a position from the Bible on it. (As mentioned above, some biblical positions can be implied instead of being spelled out.)

Another irony for some who claim “Since the Bible does not specifically condemn vaccines, we can’t condemn vaccines”: the Bible also does not specifically recommend vaccines.

Thus, if they recommend a vaccine to someone, saying it is something they “ought” to do, they are contradicting their own premise that vaccination must be specified in Scripture to take a moral position on it.

God’s law doesn’t have to specify all circumstances of sin by name

I have written a series of posts critiquing vaccines from a biblical perspective here. I think it sufficiently demonstrates that vaccination is sinful (although more so for those who know the truth about vaccines; the greater the knowledge, the greater the responsibility (Luke 12:47-48)).

If one wants to say otherwise, then let’s see what Scripture says (or implies), instead of throwing around worthless slogans.

One of the moral arguments against vaccination is that it violates the Sixth Commandment: “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13, KJV). (Scripture only allows for taking life in defending oneself or others; just war; and just capital punishment — not out of pragmatism, such as vaccine murder “for the greater good.”)

Now, does Scripture have to specify that vaccination violates this commandment — or is it simply a matter of whether vaccination injures or kills?

That vaccines injure or kill is all that is needed to condemn vaccination. “Vaccination” does not have to be spelled out in Scripture. Vaccination violates the 6th Commandment; therefore, the Bible condemns vaccination. Logical inference.

(And yes, I address the difference between the dangers of vaccination and the dangers of taking risks for a necessary medical procedure, such as emergency surgery.)

Imagine the absurdity that follows the argument “Since the Bible does not specifically condemn vaccines, we cannot condemn vaccines.” All methods of murder that the Bible does not specifically condemn would be permissible. Anything in our technological age is fair game: guns, nukes, etc.

One might as well say, “Since the Bible does not specifically condemn the gas chambers, we cannot condemn gas chambers.”

This absurdity has no end. By extension, one might apply it to other Commandments. Would we dare utter such absurdities as “Since the Bible does not specifically condemn stealing cars, we cannot condemn stealing cars”? Or “Since the Bible does not specifically condemn Mormonism, we cannot condemn Mormonism”?

Must the Bible specify every false god in existence in order to condemn all acts of idolatry? Must the Bible specify everyone in the world by name in order to condemn all acts of sex outside of marriage with another person?

No: not any more than the Bible must specify every instance of unjustifiable violence in order to condemn all acts of unlawfully harming one’s neighbor — whether it be vaccination or anything else.

And so, the biblical approach to morality is whether something conforms to, or violates, God’s commandments. Spelling out the means of a violation (such as vaccination) in the Bible is not necessarily needed for ethical guidance when the violation itself (e.g., “do not kill”) is spelled out.

Concluding thoughts

Don’t let anyone rob you of your life and a proper walk before God with fallacious slogans. Have the Berean Spirit, and search the Scriptures to see if something is true. This includes whether vaccination is safe and effective — or dangerous and deceptive, and thus a violation of God’s law.

If the Bible does not specify what you are considering by name, consider if it speaks to it by logical inference. We live in especially deadly and evil times, and must give careful thought to our walk before God. Beware of any philosophy that accommodates evil — including the evil of vaccination.

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