Digging Up the Past: How Christian Responses to the 1918 Influenza Epidemic Influence the Church's Approach to Modern Pandemics

Abstract

This thesis examines the words and actions of Christians during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic and the strain of influenza which they faced. By doing so, parallels are drawn to the modern pandemic of COVID-19, to determine any lessons which can be learned by modern Christians from their predecessors. Through this approach, four main lessons become clear: balance, patience, confidence, and in all things acting for the glory of God.