Death is part of the cycle of life. It marks the last stage in a human being’s natural life (Billings, 2017). Dying is usually the most unbearable and often hard to come to accept period in a person’s life especially in cases where a patient is aware of their impending demise. Healthcare professionals are aware of the struggle associated with death since they encounter it on a regular basis. It is imperative that patients, who are facing life-ending situations, acquire appropriate care and support during such a difficult period. The ensuing discussion analyzes the case of George, a successful attorney in his mid-fifties, based on a Christian belief system. He has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, (ALS). This degenerative disease causes death of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord leading to loss of muscle control. Assuming that George is devoted to his Christian beliefs, the discussion aims to show that he would not resort to euthanasia, which goes against all his spiritual beliefs.
Suffering and Fallenness of the World
Human beings live in a fallen world. This is evidently visible based on the daily encounters that confront humankind. There is so much suffering in the world from aches and pain, disasters and death, illnesses and accidents. Most people continue to live in denial of the sad nature of creation, believing that human civilization is continuously getting better (Wann, 2017). George understands this suffering through his recent diagnosis with ALS. The Bible teaches Christians that all their suffering comes because of sin. George understands that God gave his only son to die for humankind’s sins, but did not take his creation out of the fallen world they live in (Billings, 2017). They are still subject to suffering. However, the nature of suffering has changed since Christ offered human beings the chance to regain hope that it is temporary (Billings, 2017). As a Christian, George should believe that all his suffering is just momentary.
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Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection
Suffering is a result of the curse that befell man after Adam and Eve sinned. Jesus predicted that suffering is part of a Christian’s life in Mark 8:31 and later endured it as seen in Hebrews 12:2 Man is right to feel as if suffering and death should not be a part of human life, however God has used it to bring his creation back to him (Wann, 2017). Spiritual death leads to a brighter path towards God while physical death leads to the promised paradise in which all suffering will be taken away. Jesus followed the same pattern. Being a devout Christian, George is aware of the promise that lies ahead, regardless of all the issues that he might endure during his progressive medication for ALS. Resurrection was the main source of joy for Jesus after all the suffering he had endured while spreading the word of God (Wann, 2017). George might lose his life in 4-10 years, but he should find joy in the life that comes beyond the veil of death.
In view of the hope for resurrection, individuals are expected to increase on their faith by understanding the way Christ works. Hope of resurrection is based on the aspect of waiting for fulfillment to take place. In the case of George, he should keep anticipating for a fuller reality that he is yet to experience (Wann, 2017). Resurrection of hope operates based on waiting and being patient. In his case, George should keep hoping that Christ is going to turn his life around. He should have hope and start looking at his life from a different perspective of having recovered from ALS (Wann, 2017). Resurrection of hope requires that people should always look ahead. With hope, George will focus on the unseen healing. Instead of despairing with the thoughts of being confined into a state of immobility, George should nourish his heart with hope that Christ will see him through ALS recovery. He should live by the words of 1 Corinthians 15:2 that states By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. He should peg his hope on the scriptures that Christ will live to his word and heal him. Christ has the ability and power to alleviate his suffering. He is determined to put all the enemies under his feet, one of them being ALS.
Value of Life
The value of life has always been interpreted based on intellectual status, level of personal information, ambitions, and beliefs. The value of life cannot be placed upon a definite value as taught by Christian beliefs. Life is a scared gift from God, which is intended to honor his creation. Nowadays, it is becoming more difficult to discern what to do when faced by life and death situations such as euthanasia in the case study. Courts, medical advancements all have a say in the issue (Fleischmann, 2019). When Christians such as George are faced with such a difficult issue, they should look upon the word of God to help them in coming up with a solution. The Bible teaches that every life is a gift from God with absolute value from conception to its natural end. This can help George in fearing death much less by knowing that if it is clear God is taking back his gift of life, one should not interfere with the natural process.
Christian Worldview on Euthanasia
Based on teachings delivered by Jane Campbell in Stockholm, ‘independent living asserts that every life is worth living’ (Campbell, 2003); therefore, any artificial intervention that goes against the natural flow of death defies this principle. Euthanasia goes against the sanctity of life. It undermines the creator’s role of giving and taking away life by allowing medical practitioners to play God. Most supporters of euthanasia insist that going through with euthanasia does not actually defy the sanctity of life but rather upholds it by allowing terminally ill patients to end their lives at their request to avoid suffering (Campbell, 2003). This ideology is wrong because supporters tend to be more concerned with the quality of life rather than the sanctity. Indicating that quality holds more priority than sanctity indicates that people with disabilities or ailments have life, which is less sacred. All human beings should be treated with dignity because they hold similar value of life.
Morally Justified Options
Christians are often faced by situations that require them to make tough decisions, which sometimes lead to undesirable circumstances such as suffering. George is definitely justified to feel like his life is coming to an inevitable abrupt end, but he should not decide his own fate. George might be wheelchair bound and be unable to move, eat, speak, or even breathe on his own. At the thought of it, the situation looks unbearable and gruesome for anyone to go through, but George should place his trust in his beliefs and pray to God that this challenging period becomes easier for him to go through. Human beings should not play God based. In light of the Christian teachings, George should persevere and trust his that his treatments will prolong his life.
Personal Decision
ALS has no cure, with most patients expected to live between 3-4 years after the onset of symptoms. This situation is definitely difficult for family and friends to watch a person that was once healthy turn into a shadow of his former self. Being a devout Christian since childhood one gains true understanding of life. God does not lose his love for a person, just because they are sick or disabled. He loves them more when they chose to persevere and have faith that he will guide them. Euthanasia is not acceptable since it ends life before God has intended. Upholding teachings on the sacred nature of life is of utmost priority for a Christian who believes in the prospects of a better life beyond this life. I will choose to live by the words of 1 Corinthian 15, that is the right time; Christ will come and heal my condition. Christ himself overcame death, and in my capacity, I will recover because Christ was raised. To him, ALS is just a situation and God will destroy it at his appointed time.
Conclusion
The decision that George takes may have lasting effects on him, his family, and friends. He cares a lot for his family and does not want to end up being a burden or a source of suffering. The observation of various authors indicates that spirituality has effects on morality and increases the coping skills for ill patients. ALS has no cure, but with appropriate treatment, patients have been found to live up to ten years or more. One should never despair in the face of challenges since God assesses human being’s faith based on situations that require tough decisions. George should not go through with euthanasia since he has the option of taking his medication to prolong his life.
References
Campbell, J. (2003, May 26). Get A Life! - Euthanasia and human value . Retrieved from Independent Living Institute: https://www.independentliving.org/docs6/campbell20030526.html
Fleischmann, R. (2019). The Value of Human Life. Christian Life Resources .
Oates, J., & Maani, C. (2019). Death and Dying . Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing.
Puchalski, C. (2001). The role of spirituality in health care. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings , 352–357. doi:10.1080/08998280.2001.11927788
Wann, L. (2017). How our suffering makes way for new life. The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Billings, S. (2017). Suffering in a Fallen World. Trinity Lutheran Church and School , 1-4.
