Moral Issues Facing Christians• Euthanasia

Understanding the Issue• Euthanasia is from the Greek “Eu”

meaning “goodly or well” and “Thanatos” meaning death.

• Even some of the 18th century writers in England thought Euthanasia was a good death, a welcome way to depart quietly and well from life.” -MedicineNet.com

• Today, it is more than that. A.k.a: Assisted suicide, aid in dying, mercy killing, etc.

Understanding the Issue• Euthanasia is not to be confused with

refusing artificial life support and allowing the natural death process.

• The problem exists where some forms of assisted suicide are legal in several countries, and in the U.S., Montana, Oregon, Texas, Washington. -Wikipedia

Arguments For Euthanasia• Some say…

– Choice: A principle for liberal democracies and free market systems.

– Quality of life: Rationalize because of the pain that can come due to sickness, disease, etc.

– Economic costs and human resources: Because of lack of resources, reason

Arguments Against Euthanasia

• Professional.– It could compromise the role of health care

workers.– Ministers of health and life would become

ministers of death.• Moral and Theological.

– Viewed as murder, and voluntary seen as suicide.

– Violates sanctity of human life, that human life belongs to God.

Arguments Against Euthanasia

• Feasibility of implementation• To be voluntary patient must be mentally competent

to decide.

• Necessity• Where there is life there is hope for cure, remission,

etc.

• Wishes of family• Family often desires to spend as much time as

possible with their loved one before they die.

• Consent under pressure• If euthanasia is deemed acceptable there will be

economic pressure toward consent.

What Does the Bible Say?• We must let the Bible show us to discern

between good and evil. Hebrews 5:14– Life comes from God, to take it is wrong.

• Only God has the supreme authority to take it. Acts 17:25, 28; Job 1:20-21

– Human life is sacred because we’re made in God’s image. Genesis 9:5-6

– Suicide in general is an act of murder which is immoral. Exodus 20:13 “shall not murder”

– Our bodies belong to God, not us.1Cor.6:19-20; Rom. 14:7-8; 2 Cor. 5:15; Phil. 1:21-24

What Does the Bible Say?• Every example of suicide in the Bible was by

a sinful man.– Abimelech assisted by his armor bearer. Judges

9:50-54– Saul fell on his sword. 1 Samuel 31:3-4– Ahithophel, who hanged himself. 2 Sam. 17:23– Zimri, who burned himself alive. 1 Kgs 16:18-19– Judas, who hanged himself. Matthew 27:5

What Does the Bible Say?• Men of God chose to endure pain rather

than to end life prematurely.– Job. Job 2:7-10; 6:8-9– Jeremiah. Lam. 3:38-41; Jer. 40:4– Jesus. 1 Peter 3:18; Heb. 12:2– Early Christians saw value in suffering. Rom.

5:3-4; James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; – Paul’s example. Phil. 1:21-24; 2 Cor. 4:8-12;

2 Cor. 1:6-11

Glorify God In Everything• Voluntary euthanasia (suicide) even when

one is suffering can be viewed as…– An act of ingratitude toward God.– A violation of our duty to serve God.– A selfish act that hurts those closest to us,

depriving them of our example and influence.• How can we hurry our death, just to avoid

suffering? 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:3-5– When we don’t know what the future holds!– When our suffering may be allowed for our

benefit and those around us!