Conspiracy theories have been around a long time. While there is always a certain group of people that get caught up with them, these theories seem to become more widespread when major world (or national) events take place. We’ve had them about things like 9/11, the disappearance of the Malaysia Air airplane, and Jeffery Epstein. So, it’s not surprising that there seems to be several conspiracy theories floating around regarding this coronavirus pandemic.
Perhaps you have come across ones that say it’s a biological attack by the Chinese government, or it’s been unleashed to remove Trump from office, or it’s being spread to keep Trump in office, or anarchists released it in order to topple civilizations. Depending on our previously held beliefs, some of these theories can seem quite intriguing. And we can find ourselves easily getting caught up in them, especially given the extra free time some of us have due to quarantine measures. Obtaining secret information offers a powerful allure to many/most of us, because it helps us to think we are in a small, privileged group that knows the “truth.”
In a way, these conspiracy theories offer a false version of the gospel. As Christians we are indeed privileged to know the truth, but this truth isn’t secret information about a shadowy cabal. Our truth is something that God has been trying to reveal since the beginning of time: that He loves and is working to save us from sin and death! Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). May we abide in God’s word, not conspiracy theories, and may we enjoy the freedom that His truth brings!