By Pastor Tom
The "bird flu" has been making the headlines lately, with many authorities a flu pandemic within the next three to four years rivaling the Spanish flu of 1918, when 40 million people lost their lives worldwide.
As people of faith, the threat of such a potent virus leads us to ask faith questions, like, "Why does our benevolent God allow such things." The H5N1 virus, commonly known as the bird flu, or avian flu, as had a 50% mortality rate in infected people so far.
We should also have the story straight on how viruses change into a new strain against which our immune systems are virtually defenseless. Let's tackle this second question first, and leave the best stuff – the hope and trust in our good God – for the end.
Most of the words of Preparing for a Pandemic, a 10 page article about the bird flu in November's Scientific American (pages 44-54), are devoted to practical measures needed to prevent outbreak and develop vaccines. But nestled in the middle is an illustration (p. 47) intended to education the reader on virus "evolution." According to the graphic, influenza viruses can "evolve" in two ways. 1. Genetic mutations and natural selection. 2. Exchanging genes with other viruses.
Now, if by "evolve" the author simply means "change," that certainly is true. Viruses do change. However, please take note of this important distinction between "change" and "evolution." For molecules-to-man evolution to take place, brand new, never-before-seen-on-the-face-of-the-earth genetic material must be added. Do changes in viruses involve that kind of new material? Let's see.
Mutations alter existing genes. All known mutations are either neutral or harmful to the organism. So even a mutation that allows a virus to infect a human more readily can still be harmful to the overall health of the virus. No new genetic information here.
Gene exchange with other viruses. When a husband and wife get to be involved with God in creating a new life, do they give the child new genes? No! They pass along existing genes that are now combined in a new way. The same is true with viruses that exchange genes. Just like each child is genetically unlike any other that has existed on the earth, a virus with exchanged genes may be different from any other, but the genes are not new. They are simply joined together in a new combination.
If someone tries to convince you that evolution is fact based on changing viruses, ask them to consider how a virus that turns into a virus can be an example of evolution! Many times I've challenged people for an example of a virus turning into something that's not a virus, and then I'll consider the claims of evolution. I'm still waiting for that example. I'll be waiting for a long time!
So where did viruses come from? It is likely that they were around before the fall into sin, sustained by God to do only beneficial things. After humanity's sin, viruses also became "fallen," that is, imperfect, and therefore deadly at times.
Yet knowing that God did not originally create them for an evil purpose is small comfort when feeling helpless with the threat of a killer flu on the horizon. And that's how I feel. Helpless. The bird flu article painted a pretty grim picture. Authorities say an outbreak is "inevitable" in the next 3 to 4 years and that companies making vaccines, even operating at peak capacity, will be able to produce only enough for those most at risk. Relatively healthy people will be on their own with a virus that, worst case scenario, could wipe out 10% of a nation's population and leave another 1/3 incapacitated. See why I have that helpless feeling?
But helpless is not hopeless. What do believers in God typically do when we feel helpless, when all human resources have been exhausted? We pray. We search God's word for hope and comfort. We are reminded that God can do anything, including protect us from deadly viruses. We are reminded that whatever happens in this life cannot compare to the eternal joy and glory that is our inheritance through Jesus Christ.
We realize what is true all the time. We realize what God wants us to realize all the time. That indeed we are helpless and we need God desperately. In that realization, salvation is found. | 
