One of the many challenges Christians in the Pacific faced during the COVID-19 pandemic was the view that vaccination "was evil" with even church leaders promoting it.

This issue was among various topics that were raised during discussions last week at the Malua Theological College. The discussions were led by Professor Mark Brett, an Australian who teaches the Hebrew bible and ethics at Whitley College and a member of Brunswick Baptist Church. He is also part of the Oceania Bible Studies Association (OBSA).

In an exclusive interview with the Samoa Observer, Prof. Brett highlighted the significance of the OBSA's conference theme "Bible Climate Change and Health" and the challenges that arose including the varying interpretations of the bible. 

"One of the things we learnt during COVID in the Pacific and some of the community in Australia is that particular views of theology promoted the idea that somehow being vaccinated was evil," he said. "Some claimed that it's not what God wanted and so forth. 

[But] These ideas come from very poor theological sources, unfortunately, they circulate very easily on the internet, and people are vulnerable to what they read from well-funded sources."

The link of a particular narrative to the U.S. also compelled people to accept that view as the "truth", which according to Prof. Brett justified the need for "traditional wisdom".

"People see that it's funded by the U.S. or some other organisation and take it as the truth. That is why it is crucial that we have an understanding of the wisdom and traditional wisdom.

"There is a tradition within the Hebrew bible, for example, focusing on what it is that we learn from the instruction of creation or the Torah of creation and I think when we translate that into the modern world it means a respect for science. 

"So to have respect for ancient wisdom translates into a respect for science. We see God's word, command and order of creation, so in the celebration of that order, we find in science."

Prof. Brett said that based on that train of thought, it is important to encourage others to see "ancient wisdom" as being respectful and not denying God. 

"So we need to provide a theological way of encouraging people to see that as a respectful thing and not a denial of God and that is very important so that people are not afraid to be vaccinated, and not scared thinking that something terrible might happen to them. 

"This is good theology to celebrate the wisdom that comes from science and the contribution that science can have to our health."

On the significance of the meeting and discussions they had in Malua, Prof. Brett said there were fruitful discussions on the concerns of Samoans and Pacific Islanders generally, in terms of their vulnerability to climate change. 

"One of the things I took away from the discussions was that we in Australia need to listen to the cry of the Pacific Islanders who are suffering because of climate change," said the Australian theologian. "It's very important for palagi to come as well to see and listen to what people are saying, their cry and their struggles. 

"This is my third time in Samoa I'll be back I hope. There are some things about climate change and the way in which colonial attitudes to the environment have contributed to our crisis and particular readings of the bible have shaped that."

Going forward, Prof. Brett said it is important that those with the responsibility of interpreting the bible take that responsibility seriously, as well as provide alternative ways of reading the Good Book.

"Therefore, it's crucial that those of us that have a responsibility of interpreting the bible take responsibility for that and provide other alternative ways of reading the bible and repenting of those biblical interpretations that have been so toxic and once again, our Pacific scholars are leading the way in we just need to listen in and tune in."

Discussing the various presentations that were made during the conference in Malua, the Australian theologian said one paper presented by a colleague from India was important for the Pacific.

"My colleague Monica from India produced a very stimulating presentation picture of how to read a poem about what makes a good woman or a strong woman.

"And that's very important for the Pacific as well in terms of gender issues and using the bible and reflections on the bible to think about very day-to-day problems like violence against women. 

Those kinds of biblical interpretations are very important for opening up perspectives on those practical problems. Another presenter from New Zealand spoke about the influence of colonial attitudes to land.

"One of the things we are constantly struggling with is how palagi or foreigners can contribute without taking over. Therefore, we find this opportunity of talanoa very crucial. 

"For example, hosting talanoa sessions between native people of the land and palagi and allowing them to have a respectful exchange of ideas. Now that, for me is something you don't get from one particular presentation but it's what I learned from the whole event and conversations we've had."

Prof. Brett was raised in Papua New Guinea and that background has yielded a lifelong interest in the cultural contexts of education and biblical studies. His PhD in hermeneutical philosophy was published as Biblical Criticism in Crisis. (Cambridge University Press, 1991), and his subsequent research has focused on ethnicity and postcolonial studies. During 2005–2008, he also worked for an Aboriginal organisation in developing new frameworks for the negotiation of native title claims within the Australian state of Victoria.