Euthanasia and Christian Worldview Despite significant medical advancements in recent times, there are still many medicalconditions that remain incurable and often lead to death within a short time after diagnosis. Anytime a person receives diagnosis of such medical conditions and starts staring at their ownmortality, they are often confused on whether to end their life […]
To start, you canEuthanasia and Christian Worldview
Despite significant medical advancements in recent times, there are still many medical
conditions that remain incurable and often lead to death within a short time after diagnosis. Any
time a person receives diagnosis of such medical conditions and starts staring at their own
mortality, they are often confused on whether to end their life when they still have control over it
or helplessly wait for their own inevitable death. The decision one takes is often determined by
their worldview. This paper looks at the case of George, an attorney and legal scholar in his
fifties who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative
condition that leads to death often within three to four years of diagnosis. It looks at the options
available to him based on Christian worldview.
How George would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an
emphasis on the fallenness of the world
The Christian concept of fallenness of the world holds that human beings are bound to
suffer because of the first sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Case-Winters,
2016). When God created Adam and Eve, everything was perfect and there was no suffering.
However, tempted by the devil through a snake, Adam and Eve disobeyed God by tasting the
forbidden fruit. As a result of this disobedience, God condemned human beings to suffer (Case-
Winters, 2016). Thus, because all human beings carry the responsibility of the original sin, they
are bound to suffer.
Based on this concept of the fallenness of the world, George is going to interpret his
suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as part of God’s punishment for the original
sin committed by Adam and Eve. Rather than being punishment for any specific shortcomings
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on his part, George will view his illness as part of God’s general punishment or curse he placed
on humanity as a whole.
How George would interpret his suffering in light of Christian narrative with emphasis on
the hope of resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after suffering a violent death is the central
event in Christian history. It is the event that defines Christianity. After being beaten and abused,
Jesus was nailed on the cross for six hours before dying (Case-Winters, 2016). He remained dead
for three days and then resurrected. This resurrection of Jesus is interpreted by Christians as
signifying Christ’s defeat of death (Case-Winters, 2016). The event, therefore, offers hope to
Christians that they too can defeat death, suffering, and disease.
Based on this view, George is likely to interpret his degenerative illness as being similar
to the suffering and death that Jesus went through. During the time of Jesus, as it is the case in
modern times, death was viewed as impossible to overcome. However, Jesus managed to
overcome it. George may view Jesus defeat of death as offering hope to him that as a Christian
he too can defeat something considered impossible. In this case it is his illness, ALS, a
degenerative disease that doctors consider incurable. Thus, the resurrection of Jesus offers hope
to George that just as Christ overcame death he too can overcome his condition and become
healthy again.
How Christian worldview informs George about the value of life
Christians view life as sacred and precious. This view differs, for instance, from that of
atheists who view human life as being not much different from that of other animals (Case-
Winters, 2016). According to Christians, human beings are not just another set of animals.
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Rather, they are created in the image of God. They, therefore, share more faculties with God than
with other animals. For instance, they can exercise ration, love, and morality (Case-Winters,
2016). These are faculties that other animals cannot exercise. Thus, since they are created in the
image of God and are God-like, their life is sacred, unlike that of animals.
The life of human beings, therefore, has intrinsic value. This means as long as one is a
human being, their life is sacred. It does not matter whether they can or cannot perform certain
functions. In other words just because someone cannot speak or eat or walk on their own does
not mean that now their life has lost value. As long as they have not died their life remains as
valuable as that of any other healthy human being. Thus, for George, his life will remain
valuable even if he ends up losing speech, walking, and eating ability. This is because he is
created in God’s image and is, therefore, Godlike.
Values and considerations that the Christian worldview would focus on when deliberating
about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia
Euthanasia involves destroying one’s life in order to end their pain, anguish, and suffering
(Bulow, 2019). ALS, the condition that George is suffering from, progressively worsens until is
no longer able to walk, eat, talk, or even breath without assistance. George rightfully views
himself as becoming a burden to his family at some point in life. He feels that his condition is
hopeless and euthanasia is the best option both for himself and for his family.
While such decision may seem reasonable, Christianity does allow for such actions.
There are many reasons why Christianity opposes euthanasia. The first one is the belief that God
is the giver of life and only he can take away life (Sharp, 2019). Since human beings are not
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creators of life they have no right to decide whose life should end and at what time it should
(Sharp, 2019). Only God has the authority to make such decisions.
That is why Biblical teachings prohibit murder. It does not matter the reason behind the
murder, taking another person’s life for whatever reason is not allowed in the Bible. Murder is
prohibited because Christians believe that all life belongs to God alone (Sharp, 2019).
Another reason why Christians are opposed to euthanasia is because it is based on the
assumption that the ill person has completely no chance for recovery and his future is doomed to
be on of pain and suffering. Such views counter to Christians’ belief that only God can tell the
fate of a person. Human beings have absolutely no way of knowing what will happen in future
(Sharp, 2019). In the case of George, Christians may believe that his suffering is only to test his
faith. That once he is fully tested, God may bring him back to health. Killing him, therefore, will
defeat God’s purpose for George’s life. It is for these reasons that Christians would be completely
opposed to George undertaking euthanasia.
Morally justified decision for George according to Christian worldview
The situation George is in is certainly a difficult one. It is understandable why he may
want to have voluntary euthanasia. He fears that as his conditions becomes worse with time he
may reach a time when he would be forced to endure unbearable pain. He also fears the prospect
of being completely dependent on other people for even the simplest of tasks such as eating and
walking. Such life can be humiliating. Then there is also the fear of the indignity that comes with
having his body filled with wires and tubes trying to keep him alive. Given these conditions, it
may seem that having voluntary euthanasia is the better option.
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Such a decision, however, will be going counter to Christian values. In the ten
commandments, God explicitly prohibits murder whether it is done against the wishes of the
victim or at their request (Bulow, 2019). The prohibition of murder is because human life is
intrinsically valuable. Killing George will be denying the intrinsic value of life. Thus, according
to Christian worldview, the morally justified decision for George is to continue living until such
a time when God will decide to take his life. Neither he nor the doctor can purport to know what
the future holds for him. It is only God who knows whether his fate is to suffer for three to four
years to his death or whether he will miraculously recover.
Decision I would make if I were in George’s situation
As a Christian, my view of George’s situation is based on the Christian worldview. I
believe that killing for whatever reason is wrong. I also believe that God is the creator of all life
and he alone can has the right to take life away. Life is, therefore, sacred. When God gives life to
human beings he also gives them purpose. It is only after serving his purpose that God takes
away life.
Due to these beliefs, I am strongly against George taking away his life. If I were in
George’s situation I would strive to make the most of my remaining days of health rather than
killing myself. I would strengthen my relationship with God and pray more with other Christians
for God to return me to good health.
In conclusion, the decision one makes when faced with their mortality depends on their
worldview. On whether to have euthanasia or not, Christian worldview is completely opposed to
having one. Even though George may have good reasons for seeking euthanasia, Christian belief
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that life is sacred, given by God and only taken by God, means that he cannot have one from a
Christian perspective.
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References
Bülow, H. H. (2019). 3 Religion, Culture and End-of-Life Issues. Handbook of Nutrition and
Diet in Palliative Care, 27.
Case-Winters, A. (2016). Reconstructing a Christian theology of nature: Down to earth.
Routledge.
Sharp, S. (2019). The bible and attitudes toward voluntary euthanasia. Death studies, 43(4), 240-
247.
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