Ethical And Spiritual Decision Making In Health Care Topic 4 DQ 2

Reflect on the analysis of the sin of suicide and, thus, euthanasia from the topic readings. Do you agree? Why or why not? Refer to the lecture and topic readings in your response

Our worldview largely impacts how we view death and the journey of dying. Christianity believes all life to be precious, a gift from God. God originally created man to be immortal, but when mankind fell into sin, death became a consequence. But God didn’t stop there, through the sacrifice of his son he made a way back to him and heaven through salvation. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2: 8-9, ESV) (GCU, 2019).

Therefore, when considering acts such as euthanasia and suicide through the Christian perspective, we must recognize God’s ultimate control and power and remember the sanctity of all life. In the case of suicide, though it is not considered morally acceptable as it is man’s attempt to take control of his own life, it is not an unforgivable sin. “God judges’ persons, not only individual deeds, and the moment in one’s life when a sinful deed occurs does not determine one’s fate” (Meilaender, 2013, P. 59). The case of euthanasia our society continually argues in favor of, using the two arguments– autonomy and merciful death. The argument for autonomy crumbles, as this can be argued whether physical disabilities are present, or the individual solely has feelings that life is not worth living. The argument that it is a “mercy killing” also fails, for if we extend this those who ask for it, should it not also be extended to those who are suffering yet don’t possess the ability to ask? This then takes us down a slippery slope (bio). Our society fights tooth and nail for individual rights, and while our body belongs to us, they belong to God first and foremost and when our life ends it impacts more than just us. “For Christians, each person’s life is a divine gift and trust, taken up into God’s own eternal life in Jesus, to be guarded and respected in others and in oneself. Because, however, we are inclined to over emphasize our freedom and forget the limit so four finite condition, inclined to forget that life comes to us as a gift, death becomes the great reminder of those limits” (Meilaender, 2013, p. 64).

As a Christian I completely agree with this view. Suffering and death are very difficult, but as we must remember that God is ultimately in control and he is good. Part of the meaning and purpose of our earthly life in the promise of our eternal salvation and what awaits us after we physically die. We must therefore make a genuine and earnest effort here on earth to honor and obey God’s commands, protect the sanctity of the life he created, and respect his plan for us.

References:

Grand Canyon University (GCU). (2019). Topic 4 Overview- Death, Dying, & Grief. Retrieved from https://lms-ugrad.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/user/users.lc?operation=lodggedIn&token=1oXoYDDjlhhItmdZdGSz80oF254MUFclRZxUkHk2z237xJBvXdAx6V6vNpmbCo2%2b&classId=2255617#/learningPlatform/class/syllabus.lc?operation=getClassOutlineIUView&c=prepareClassOutlineForm&fromOtherPage=true&t=coursesMenuOption&folderContentId=b9243afe-b20f-4ea5-89c3-e62756448ffe&classId=56c72f78-2e4e-4ad2-84d5-f460ecd902fa&tempDate=1567645406117

Meilaender, G. (2013). Bioethics- A Primer for Christians. Retrieved from https://viewer.gcu.edu/UXWB22