Epidemics, diseases in the theological literature of the Reformed Church

Abstract

Communicable diseases have accompanied human society from the earliest times to the present day. When they exceeded the normal incidence and became epidemics, they caused not only medical problems. They influenced demographic and economic development, but also significantly shaped the dynamics of social relations. In more than one case in history they have had a direct influence on the outcome of historical events. Because in the past people did not know the direct causes of infectious diseases, epidemics were most often explained by divine punishment for people’s sins. Epidemics and their consequences for religious communities were also reflected in the Church. The theme of epidemics appears in theological writings, in religious tracts, and other types of church documents, as well as in the Bible itself. The purpose of this paper is to briefly present the description and understanding of epidemics in the literature of Reformed theology. The paper presents two theological works on the plague taking place in the Kingdom of Hungary in the 17th century. The purpose of the sermons and theological works was to give explanation, reassurance, and security to the congregation. The authors of both treatises saw the plague as divine punishment for human sins. They also want to answer a fundamental question for the congregation: whether it is worth running away from epidemics, and if so, whether it is even possible. In the spirit of the doctrine of predestination, the preachers encouraged the congregation to be courageous and to believe in divine grace and salvation. It was this unshakable faith in God that gave faithful Christians strength and hope even in the most devastating epidemics.