Exploring Christian Values and Decision-Making in Healthcare

Exploring Christian Values and Decision-Making in Healthcare

The Christian Perspective of the Nature of Spirituality and Ethics In Contrast To the Postmodern Relativism

Christianity provides a religious viewpoint and ethics. Christianity argues that spirituality is the theological lens that explains the concept of God regarding who, what, and how. In Christianity, God is viewed as omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Based on this concept of God, Christians have devised belief systems present in the Bible. The Bible is the holy book that guides the Christian religion (BibleProject, 2018). The belief systems developed by Christians explain the true meaning of life. By knowing the true meaning of life, human beings can truly live a holy life that glorifies God. Even though human beings have the right to make choices concerning their life, spirituality guides them on choices that glorify God.

Furthermore, God guides what happens in life, whether good or bad (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Spirituality thus has a symbolic function in Christianity. Christians perceive ethics as making decisions based on God’s guidance through the Bible (Grand Canyon University, 2020). They use the Bible to make ethical decisions that conform to God’s requirements. Consequently, Christianity’s viewpoint of spirituality and ethics affects healthcare since it guides decision-making based on Biblical scriptures. The main focus is reducing human suffering and restoring life.

On the other hand, postmodern relativism offers a more open-minded comprehension of spirituality. Postmodern relativism argues that the truth depends on preferences, opinions, and cultures (Grand Canyon University, 2020). It believes the truth is subjective and not absolute. Postmodern relativism also argues that ethical dilemmas could be valid or invalid since they are subjective (Grand Canyon University, 2020). The implication is that no single opinion should be rejected due to its contradictory nature. Postmodern relativism is essential in healthcare since it promotes multicultural care that accepts diversity.

Scientism and Arguments Against It

Scientism is a speculative ideology concerning the reality of the universe and its meaning (Burnett, 2018). It is a position in philosophy that is different from science. The views of scientism are assertions concerning science. On the one hand, strong scientism opines that the only knowledge we can possess concerning is those that have been adequately tested in hard sciences such as chemistry and physics (Moreland, 2018). All other opinions in theology, politics, and ethics are private opinions and emotions.

On the other hand, weak scientism believes in justified beliefs outside of the sciences (Moreland, 2018). However, the claims made by hard science supersede weak scientism. Weak scientism is an enemy of science. Science is based on many assumptions, such as math and the objectivity of the external world (Moreland, 2018). Our faculties can gain knowledge of the external world. These assumptions cannot be tested within the limits of science, more so hard sciences. Weak scientism disregards the rationality of philosophy and clarification of scientific assumptions, making it an enemy and not a friend of science (Moreland, 2018).

The first main argument against scientism is that science has clear limitations. Even though science is a powerful means of gaining knowledge of the universe, it has limitations since it is not the only way to gain knowledge. Science does not have the authority to tell individuals what should be done morally and cannot determine the right course of action in ethical conflicts (Grand Canyon University, 2020). The second argument is that scientism is a contradictory philosophy. It validates itself by definition since it cannot be scientifically proven (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Lastly, scientism distorts science and disintegrates ethics and religion (Moreland, 2018).

Ultimate Reality

Ultimate reality can be defined as searching for the highest authority in life and the world. Ultimate reality is the source of good and bad (Grand Canyon University, 2020). It is a foundation or person beyond which no person can appeal for knowledge or truth. It answers questions of whom, where, and final meaning. Atheism opines that ultimate reality is present in the material world (Grand Canyon University, 2020). This shapes how they view human nature, ethics, and human life. My ultimate reality is that I am a product of my interactions with my environment. I am a product of nature. My friends, family, neighborhood, and environmental factors have influenced my values, cognitive processes, and mannerisms. As a Christian, I believe in monogamy. Christianity allows me to make decisions based on Biblical scriptures and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Nature of the Universe

The nature of the universe is closely related to ultimate reality. Some individuals may view the universe as the only natural matter. Atheists believe that all objects in the world are composed of atoms. They believe that the formation of the universe was a natural process without the intervention of God (Grand Canyon University, 2020). On the other hand, theists believe that God is personal. They believe that there is a greater existence of God and human souls interacting (Grand Canyon University, 2020). They believe that there is a spiritual and physical world. This is the belief of major religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. My perspective is that the nature of the universe is always changing. The universe depends on the energy that drives extinction, evolution, and completion. The struggle for existence and survival of the fittest determines the nature of the universe since it results in extinction and adaptations.

Defining a Human Being

There are two different definitions of human beings, depending on an individual’s worldview. Atheism believes that a human being results from pure chemical and biological processes without God’s intervention (Grand Canyon University, 2020). They believe that human beings do not have a soul. The existence of human life in atheism is that once someone dies, there is no afterlife or ongoing consciousness. Life ends after physical death. On the other hand, Christianity opines that God created human beings. The existence of human beings is due to God, who is involved in all aspects of their life (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Human beings were created in the image of God. God is a spirit, and human beings possess the qualities of God. God gave human beings the ability to forgive, love, and have personal relationships with Him. I believe that God created human beings in His image and that human beings were created to worship and glorify God.

Defining Knowledge

My main fundamental question is whether knowledge can be from divine sources and the physical world. For instance, atheism relies on empiricism. This opines that knowledge can only be obtained from human reasoning (Grand Canyon University, 2020). This viewpoint has limitations. It does not define morality and ethics. As a Christian, I follow the viewpoints of theists. Theism argues that knowledge can be obtained from natural sciences and God. God gave human beings the intellectual ability to explore the physical universe and gain knowledge (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Empirical knowledge can provide accurate knowledge to human beings. Knowledge is a gift from God to human beings. As a Christian, I do not view religion and science as enemies. These two disciplines complement each other. Christians seek guidance from God to develop technologies from science that can be used to improve human life. The development of medications, roads, and buildings can only happen due to the knowledge of God.

Personal Basis of Ethics

Ethics form the foundation of what is right or wrong. The basis of ethics for atheists is human reasoning, while that for theists is God and holy scriptures (Grand Canyon University, 2020). My basis of ethics is based on two aspects. The first aspect is personal preferences, values, and beliefs that determine what is morally right or wrong. This is due to my interactions with the environment. I believe that stealing is wrong, and honest individuals will be rewarded. The second aspect is related to public beliefs. Even though I may have the values that I adhere to, they may differ from public beliefs developed through consensus. Regardless of my beliefs, ethical principles govern the privacy and confidentiality of protected health information. I must adhere to these principles despite my personal beliefs.

The Purpose for My Existence

I have two main purposes for existence. My primary purpose is to build a family and create a better world for future generations. This will involve finding a long-term partner, having children, and a fulfilling career that will help me change my family’s life and society. I will also protect the environment to ensure future generations have a better world to inherit. My second purpose is to worship and serve God, my creator. My purpose is to follow the Biblical scriptures and lead a holy life that glorifies God.

References

BibleProject. (2018). Watch: What is the Bible? Video | BibleProject™. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/what-is-bible/

Burnett, T. (2018). What is scientism? AAAS – DoSER. https://sciencereligiondialogue.org/resources/what-is-scientism/

Grand Canyon University (Ed.). (2020). Practicing dignity: An Introduction to Christian values and decision-making in health care.

Moreland, J. P. (2018). 10 things you should know about scientism. Crossway. https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-things-you-should-know-about-scientism/

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INSTRUCTIONS

USE TEXT RATHER THAN GOOGLE. This week’s reading from our textbook, Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-making in Health Care, can be found along with other essential article resources. Most of the reading will be in the course textbook, which has one weekly chapter.

Please note this textbook was written specifically for this course (5 weeks, 5 chapters) and is designed to cover each of the weekly topics addressed. This is your most important resource for the class. It will be difficult to understand the concepts of this course without reading this textbook. Please use it rather than searching the internet, or you will likely get off-topic in some other direction. Each week’s assignment specifically asks students to support their work with the “Topic Resources.”

Exploring Christian Values and Decision-Making in Healthcare

***You DO NOT need to do any outside research for your assignments. Everything needed is provided in the weekly Resources***

Personal Worldview Inventory – Please review the rubric before beginning your paper to clarify the assignment. It will help. The six worldview questions that we are using for this course are intended to help you (or any person) evaluate our assumptions about the meaning of life – why we are here, what our purpose in life is, what happens at the end, etc. Your paper is about your personal answers to these questions, not what the textbook or anyone else might think. You may not have thought about this before, and so may not actually know what you believe in regards to these questions, but that’s ok. We’re really looking for you to begin to grasp the concept of a worldview as well as grasp what exactly each of the six questions is asking. You might also consider the connection between your answers to each of the questions. Do they form a coherent whole? Does your view of ultimate reality (question #1) provide a coherent connection and foundation to your answers to each of the other five questions?