An article written by my friend and classmate David Teo, for the same newsletter, with a focus on the medical arena-
“To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always -- this is our work. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it - Thou shalt treat thy patient as thou wouldst thyself be treated.” - Anonymous
In the medical field, doctors are finding it increasingly legally and socially acceptable to take the lives of others into their own hands. With the advent of modern technology, doctors are now well-equipped with a whole host of methods to dictate the course of life and death. Constantly faced with the dilemma of choosing between their obligations to preserve life and alleviate suffering, it is inevitable that all doctors would sometime in their career have to take a definitive stand on the controversial issues of euthanasia and abortion. Are doctors obliged to grant a patient’s request to die or to abort a foetus?
First of all, it is important to define euthanasia as “good death” or the bringing about of a gentle and easy death in the case of incurable and painful disease.
By simply looking at the world’s understanding of euthanasia, it is easy to understand why many would think of it as a humane and justifiable act as it seeks to relieve a terminally ill patient of the torment of suffering. Proponents of euthanasia argue that suffering is valueless, and the quality of life should take precedence over the sanctity of life. They question the understanding of personhood and whether one should have the freedom to choose, for example, against the ‘dehumanising’ act of hooking oneself up to a life-support machine. Moreover, utilitarian concerns and the idea of self-sacrifice on the part of the patient further complicate matters.
The arguments for abortion are quite similar to those for euthanasia. The central debate over the morality of abortion revolves around the issue of personhood. Is the foetus a human life? Invariably, the baby’s right to live is pitted against the mother’s freedom of choice. There are also arguably justifiable cases like ectopic pregnancies when therapeutic abortions are performed to save the mother’s life, while in other cases eugenic abortions are performed to abort a foetus that has or is at risk for some physical or mental handicap such as Down’s syndrome to spare the child and its parents the agony of suffering.
However convincing these pro-euthanasia or pro-abortion arguments may be, we as God-fearing Christians should seek to adopt a godly stand – one that God will be pleased with.
Life is sacred and the bible strictly prohibits killing. We are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image, and should respect God’s prerogative to create and sustain life. Compromise is a slippery path, for who then should we deem fit to live?
Though suffering is neither enjoyable nor to be sought, it can have a positive influence in a person’s life. Similarly, in the case of abortion of a handicapped child, let us consider that handicapped children can be blessings; drawing a family closer together and to God! In John 9:3, Jesus said that even though neither the blind man nor his parents sinned, “this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” Rom 8:28 proclaims that in all things God works for good. Thus, suffering need not be deemed as valueless and to be escaped at all costs, even by death!
Let us remember, however, that there is a time to be born and a time to die (Ecc 3:2). Man’s manipulations cannot overturn God’s sovereign control. For unbelievers, death is something to fear, whereas for Christians the outcome of death is positive (2 Cor 5:8, Phil 1:21). However, nowhere does Scripture encourage us to ‘speed up’ entry into the Lord’s presence, for He does things in His own perfect time.
In all cases, it is crucial to consult the best medical opinion of a pro-life doctor and make decisions in the light of his advice and the Holy Spirit’s leading. In cases when the sustenance of life is dependent on a life support machine and it is impossible to predict whether or not the patient will die, or when the outcome of a medical procedure is uncertain, we are obliged to do what is reasonable and moral to preserve life and relieve pain, and then leave the outcome in the hands of God who is sovereign. While euthanasia is wrong in general, there are some forms in some instances that may be acceptable. We need to seek divine guidance in these cases!
As for abortion, while from a Christian perspective elective abortions for the mere convenience of the mother and eugenic abortions are undoubtedly wrong along the same lines as those in euthanasia; this judgement does not encompass hard cases such as the morality of abortion in cases of rape or incest. Even then, Rom 12:21 exhorts us, “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” Thus, we have to question whether the sin of robbing the foetus of life can be justified by being a victim of the sin of rape.
Finally, no amount of logic or reasoning can bring us to a concrete stand on the countless complexities of these issues. God has given us freedom of choice. Different Christians live by different standards, and ultimately only God has the right to judge us. Thus, it is imperative that we live our lives guided steadfastly by biblical principles and not conform to the ungodly pressures of this fallen world. When confronted with controversial issues, we should always fall back on the convictions of the Holy Spirit and do what Jesus would do. This is only possible when we walk closely with Him; understanding His heart and knowing His will.
“To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always -- this is our work. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it - Thou shalt treat thy patient as thou wouldst thyself be treated.” - Anonymous
In the medical field, doctors are finding it increasingly legally and socially acceptable to take the lives of others into their own hands. With the advent of modern technology, doctors are now well-equipped with a whole host of methods to dictate the course of life and death. Constantly faced with the dilemma of choosing between their obligations to preserve life and alleviate suffering, it is inevitable that all doctors would sometime in their career have to take a definitive stand on the controversial issues of euthanasia and abortion. Are doctors obliged to grant a patient’s request to die or to abort a foetus?
First of all, it is important to define euthanasia as “good death” or the bringing about of a gentle and easy death in the case of incurable and painful disease.
By simply looking at the world’s understanding of euthanasia, it is easy to understand why many would think of it as a humane and justifiable act as it seeks to relieve a terminally ill patient of the torment of suffering. Proponents of euthanasia argue that suffering is valueless, and the quality of life should take precedence over the sanctity of life. They question the understanding of personhood and whether one should have the freedom to choose, for example, against the ‘dehumanising’ act of hooking oneself up to a life-support machine. Moreover, utilitarian concerns and the idea of self-sacrifice on the part of the patient further complicate matters.
The arguments for abortion are quite similar to those for euthanasia. The central debate over the morality of abortion revolves around the issue of personhood. Is the foetus a human life? Invariably, the baby’s right to live is pitted against the mother’s freedom of choice. There are also arguably justifiable cases like ectopic pregnancies when therapeutic abortions are performed to save the mother’s life, while in other cases eugenic abortions are performed to abort a foetus that has or is at risk for some physical or mental handicap such as Down’s syndrome to spare the child and its parents the agony of suffering.
However convincing these pro-euthanasia or pro-abortion arguments may be, we as God-fearing Christians should seek to adopt a godly stand – one that God will be pleased with.
Life is sacred and the bible strictly prohibits killing. We are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image, and should respect God’s prerogative to create and sustain life. Compromise is a slippery path, for who then should we deem fit to live?
Though suffering is neither enjoyable nor to be sought, it can have a positive influence in a person’s life. Similarly, in the case of abortion of a handicapped child, let us consider that handicapped children can be blessings; drawing a family closer together and to God! In John 9:3, Jesus said that even though neither the blind man nor his parents sinned, “this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” Rom 8:28 proclaims that in all things God works for good. Thus, suffering need not be deemed as valueless and to be escaped at all costs, even by death!
Let us remember, however, that there is a time to be born and a time to die (Ecc 3:2). Man’s manipulations cannot overturn God’s sovereign control. For unbelievers, death is something to fear, whereas for Christians the outcome of death is positive (2 Cor 5:8, Phil 1:21). However, nowhere does Scripture encourage us to ‘speed up’ entry into the Lord’s presence, for He does things in His own perfect time.
In all cases, it is crucial to consult the best medical opinion of a pro-life doctor and make decisions in the light of his advice and the Holy Spirit’s leading. In cases when the sustenance of life is dependent on a life support machine and it is impossible to predict whether or not the patient will die, or when the outcome of a medical procedure is uncertain, we are obliged to do what is reasonable and moral to preserve life and relieve pain, and then leave the outcome in the hands of God who is sovereign. While euthanasia is wrong in general, there are some forms in some instances that may be acceptable. We need to seek divine guidance in these cases!
As for abortion, while from a Christian perspective elective abortions for the mere convenience of the mother and eugenic abortions are undoubtedly wrong along the same lines as those in euthanasia; this judgement does not encompass hard cases such as the morality of abortion in cases of rape or incest. Even then, Rom 12:21 exhorts us, “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” Thus, we have to question whether the sin of robbing the foetus of life can be justified by being a victim of the sin of rape.
Finally, no amount of logic or reasoning can bring us to a concrete stand on the countless complexities of these issues. God has given us freedom of choice. Different Christians live by different standards, and ultimately only God has the right to judge us. Thus, it is imperative that we live our lives guided steadfastly by biblical principles and not conform to the ungodly pressures of this fallen world. When confronted with controversial issues, we should always fall back on the convictions of the Holy Spirit and do what Jesus would do. This is only possible when we walk closely with Him; understanding His heart and knowing His will.
