24 ratings (4.12 avg)
26 reviews

Suzanne Kearney

Add friend

Suzanne’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (7)

currently-reading‎ (11)

read‎ (23)

did-not-finish‎ (0)

Stats | More…

Suzanne is Currently Reading

Suzanne Kearney is currently reading

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates: A Proper Resistance to Tyranny and a Repudiation of Unlimited Obedience to Civil Government

by Matthew J. Trewhella

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Aug 09, 2020 09:02PM

Suzanne Kearney is currently reading

The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History

by John M. Barry

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Suzanne Kearney said: " This is a very dense book which covers not just the epidemic itself, but the history of medicine, the scientific details of viruses, and the philosophy behind modern science.

In terms of practical comparisons, it's interesting to note that the lockdo This is a very dense book which covers not just the epidemic itself, but the history of medicine, the scientific details of viruses, and the philosophy behind modern science.

In terms of practical comparisons, it's interesting to note that the lockdowns enforced in 1918 were seemingly city-by-city and were much less restrictive in general (banning large gatherings and meeting houses, churches, but not all means of commerce). However, the severity, and horrifying nature, of the symptoms, as well as the death rate, caused people to quarantine themselves out of sheer terror. Hospitals were begging laypersons of any persuasion to help, no experience necessary, and very few did. Bodies were piling by the hundreds in the streets. Huge percentages of those hospitalized died (up to 39%). The worldwide death toll estimate was between 50-100 million. This makes Covid19 look like child's play.

As a Christian I am interested in the cultural/spiritual milieu which might have brought on such a severe plague. For it surely was severe; many, many times more devastating than our current COVID-19 crisis. It's interesting to note the history leading up to 1918: the establishment of evolution as an alternative to creation; the scientific method's supplanting of spiritual sources of revelation/knowledge; and the exaltation of man over God. An interesting quote regarding the "war involving the Hopkins," secularist founders of Johns Hopkins University, who wanted no place for God in their medical research: "The outcome would help define...the extent to which the nation would accept or reject modern science and, to a lesser degree, how secular it would become, how godly it would remain" (p. 12). Of the plague itself it says, " It was the first great collision between a natural force and a society that included individuals who refused either to submit to that force or to simply call upon divine intervention to save themselves from it, individuals who instead were determined to confront this force directly, with a developing technology and with their minds" (p. 5). And, the latter, of course, exemplifies our modern approach to this Corona "pandemic:" appeal after appeal to seek, follow, and obey "science" with no corresponding response to God. I don't claim to know the complete mind of God, but it does come to mind that perhaps He has had enough of man's pride and rebellion. In 1918 medical science was trying to prove that it could outsmart God. Perhaps God had an answer to that. Is C19 God's answer to us as well? Has he reached His limit on bloodshed in our time, such as the 60 millions babies killed in the name of women's rights?

I'm not finished with this book yet. More updates yet to come... ...more "

Apr 24, 2020 01:29PM · see review