In 1931, the Austrian logician Kurt Gödel published his ‘incompleteness theorem’, which states that any logical system must ultimately be reliant on something outside of that closed system. Internally the system can show that the relationship between a set of statements is logical, but the real-world truth of that conclusion is outside the realm of just demonstrating internal consistency. In other words, formal systems cannot ‘think outside of the box’.

An example of a logical system can be found in our computers, like laptops and phones. The operating systems of these devices are extremely powerful but have no discernment. On their own, they cannot tell bad data from good data, thus the need for anti-virus software to ‘ride shotgun’ for them. They need to rely on something outside themselves for their health and so that they won’t crash. Interestingly, anti-virus software operates in the system, but it is not ‘of the system’. This is exactly what Jesus says of us in John 17:15-19. Are we acting as the ‘virus’ software for the world?

Computer viruses show up in different variants. There appears to be no end to the software boosters that your computer needs to deal with all the unwanted viral visitors arriving from the Internet; anti- virus, anti-malware, and anti-phishing, etc. In the spiritual world, as well, there is no lack of new variants showing up seeking to infect our hearts.

Broadening our viral view out into the medical world, not all viruses are malevolent. Some viruses can actually kill bacteria, while others can fight against more dangerous viruses. Good viruses can ensure the proper development of our body's defences, and they also continuously stimulate our immune system at low levels so that we develop resistance to other infections. If we, as Christians, are the good ‘virus software’, what are we actually infecting the ‘incomplete systems’ of this world with, in an attempt to bring them into a state of wholeness? The Christian virtues contain a viral load that the world needs injected with and we, as missionary disciples, are given the job to be carriers of the viral love of Christ. In our work of spreading the Gospel, we are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of the saints because, after all, they were ‘super spreaders’!