PHI-413 Case Study End-of-Life Decisions
Dying and death are undesirable, but they are a reality of life. The nature of dying and death has many philosophical and religious beliefs. Euthanasia is a controversial bioethical and religious issue. Euthanasia can be defined as the act of giving an individual a painless death or allowing the individual to die by withholding medical care for an incurable medical condition (Fontalis et al., 2018). Christians and theists view death, dying, and euthanasia differently. It is thus essential for healthcare professionals to be aware of ethical issues related to euthanasia to guide patients on end-of-life decisions better.
George’s Interpretation of His Suffering Based on the Fallenness of the World
Christians believe that human suffering and the fall of man are interconnected. Adam and Eve were created by God and given the authority to care for and have dominion over God’s creation. Adam and Eve had a good life in the Garden of Eden. They lived freely, ate anything they liked and did not experience any suffering. However, they disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit they were warned against (Grand Canyon University, 2020). As a result, God kicked them out of the Garden of Eden, and this was when human suffering began. This was the beginning of the fall of man. God separated Himself from Man after the original sin. Christian narrative opines that the fall of humankind is the cause of suffering (Grand Canyon University, 2020).
God cursed Adam and Eve after the original sin and commanded that they would suffer to put food on their table. Suffering is thus a result of God’s curse. The original sin changed human life. George can thus connect his suffering to deviating from God’s ways and sinning against Him. The Christian narrative opines that sinning is the primary cause of human suffering. Humans fall short of God’s glory. This is similar to George’s case. George’s suffering can be attributed to the sinful ways of humans (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Human beings rejected God in the Garden of Eden by failing to obey God’s instructions and eating the forbidden fruit. Humans have corrupted God’s creation. They constantly sin against God and disobey God’s commandments. God thus uses human suffering as judgment for going against His will. George should, therefore, console himself that all humans fell short of God’s glory and sinned against Him. Suffering is due to sin.
George’s Interpretation of His Suffering Based on the Hope of Resurrection
The Christian narrative is that God is the creator of everything. Huma beings are created in the image and likeness of God (Stahl & Kilner, 2017). Christians are thus expected to glorify God as long as they are alive in their words and actions. The suffering George is experiencing is God’s will. Human suffering, such as the one experienced by George, is aimed at bringing humans closer to God (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Jesus Christ died to save humans from sin. Jesus Christ resurrected and conquered death. According to the Christian narrative, death is defeated. God constantly redeems what is broken. Human beings should thus live according to the will of God. When Christians view suffering as God’s will, it helps them strengthen their belief in God and have stronger faith. Suffering is a result of sin, and hence, Christians suffering can turn back to God and repent their sins.
Even though some humans view suffering as God’s punishment, it shows that God loves humanity and wants them to live according to His will. Jesus Christ was resurrected on the third day after his death. With this in mind, Christians hope that they will conquer death and live eternal life. Accordingly, this can help George to assess his life. He can repent his sins and ask God for forgiveness to allow him to have eternal life without suffering.
Christian Worldview of the Value of the Life of a Person
The Christian worldview opines that even though George is suffering, he should believe life is precious. Human life can only be taken away by God. Even though he has ALS, an incurable disease, George should endure the pain and suffering associated with the condition. He is contemplating voluntary euthanasia to relieve his suffering. George’s life is valuable even though he is suffering. He should try to figure out God’s teachings from his suffering and use them to glorify God. He should preserve and respect human life since God is the creator (Stahl & Kilner, 2017). The Christian worldview has beliefs and values through which Christians interact with the world. Thus, this must guide George’s decision. He should know that his suffering is God’s will.
Euthanasia is an ethical issue in the modern world. People who advocate for it aim to reduce human suffering (Evenblij et al., 2019). This is, however, contrary to Biblical teachings, which view suffering as an aspect of human life that cannot be avoided (Grand Canyon University, 2020). It can also be considered God’s will on humanity due to their sins or demonstrating His powers. Christians must rejoice in their suffering since it strengthens their belief in God. This trial tests their faith and brings them closer to God. From the Christian worldview, raking one’s life and euthanasia is a sin that breaks the Ten Commandments. Any unnatural death goes against God’s will and, hence, a sin against God.
God is the one who gives life, and hence, He is the only one who can end it after an individual fulfills his purpose on earth. Sin separates humans from God, and hence, euthanasia or assisted suicide will separate humans from God. George should thus respect the value of life. This is expected of all Christians. Accordingly, he should preserve the suffering and consider it a test of his faith in God. This suffering will result in him fulfilling God’s purpose. Instead of considering euthanasia, he should look for alternative healthcare strategies to minimize his suffering and bring him closer to God.
Christian Values and Considerations Regarding Euthanasia
Many Christian values guide healthcare practices related to end-of-life interventions. One of the values related to George’s case is dignity. Human beings are God’s creation. They are created in God’s image and likeness and should be treated with respect (Stahl & Kilner, 2017). The image of God confers value to human life. The practice of euthanasia thus contravenes this value since it considers life worthless. Hence, George’s best approach would involve providing palliative and hospice services to improve his quality of life. Christianity also has the values of love and compassion. For patients with terminal conditions, compassionate care would involve emotionally focused care that aims to make human suffering bearable. Healthcare professionals should be kind and help individuals who are suffering. In George’s case, it can involve administering pain-relieving medications and providing care that improves his quality of life at the end of life. Even though euthanasia alleviates human suffering, it is a sin against God since it does not respect human life. It goes against the Ten Commandments and is considered to be murder. Healthcare professionals should provide compassionate care as George waits for his natural death.
Another Christian value is that human beings should accept suffering as God’s will. Jesus Christ died and suffered on the cross to provide salvation to human beings. George’s illness is God’s will, and he should endure this period and seek God’s favor to guide him in this difficult time. Consequently, George should take advantage of his situation and determine what lessons God has for him. Human expectations concerning life and death determine how they welcome the likelihood of death. If Christians believe that suffering and death are God’s will, they have hope that there is life after death. In the case of George, he should view his suffering as God’s will. He should believe that he has a purpose in life and that God controls everything.
Morally Justified Options for George per the Christian Worldview
The moral option for George would be to persevere in his suffering and wait for his natural death. Euthanasia is sinning against God and should not be considered an option. Christians believe that God is the creator of all life and that taking human life is morally wrong. Furthermore, Christians believe that suffering is God’s plan for humanity (Grand Canyon University, 2020). It is thus a sin to interfere with God’s plan for humanity. A terminally ill patient should accept suffering since Jesus Christ also suffered on the cross for our sins.
Christians should preserve any form of suffering they face. They should turn to God to intercede on their behalf. Faith is an essential value in Christianity. The morally accepted option for George would be to consider palliative and hospice care. George should believe that his suffering is God’s will and there is a reason for it. He should comprehend that euthanasia is murder, which goes against God’s commandments. Human beings are created in the image of God, and hence, they should be treated with dignity (Grand Canyon University, 2020). The other option for George would be holistic care. George should be prayerful and seek the help of religious leaders to strengthen his faith in God.
Personal Decision
Death is a natural process. There is life after death for individuals who fulfill the will of God. Christians should thus embrace suffering from the belief that there is eternal life. To honor God’s will in my life, I will endure my suffering through sickness and wait for God to take my life. Christianity considers euthanasia a sin that involves murder and, hence, morally unacceptable (Grand Canyon University, 2020).
Furthermore, the Ten Commandments forbid killing. Life is sacred and a precious gift from God. Subsequently, I will wait for God to fulfill His will and not involve myself in euthanasia. I will repent my sins and resort to the Bible as a guiding tool in my journey. As a result, this will help me fulfill God’s purpose and hope for eternal life. I will also keep my faith in God and believe in his powers to perform miracles. Instead, I will repent of my sins and pray for healing from God since the Bible notes that sins can be the cause of suffering. Essentially, this will enable me to get to heaven with the hope of resurrection into a better life. I also believe that God can heal from suffering in His own time to manifest His power and miracles through testimony.
Conclusion
According to the Christian viewpoint, life is a gift from God, and hence He is the only one who can end human life. Accordingly, suffering results from the original sin, and it aims to bring humans closer to God. Humans should preserve suffering and believe that God has the power to alleviate their suffering.
References
Evenblij, K., Pasman, H. R., Van der Heide, A., Hoekstra, T., & Onwuteaka-Philipsen, B. D. (2019). Factors associated with requesting and receiving euthanasia: A nationwide mortality follow-back study with a focus on patients with psychiatric disorders, dementia, or an accumulation of health problems related to old age. BMC Medicine, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-019-1276-y
Fontalis, A., Prousali, E., & Kulkarni, K. (2018). Euthanasia and assisted dying: What is the current position, and what are the key arguments informing the debate? Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 111(11), 407-413. https://doi.org/10.1177/0141076818803452
Grand Canyon University (Ed.). (2020). Practicing dignity: An Introduction to Christian values and decision-making in health care.
Stahl, D., & Kilner, J. (2017). The image of God, bioethics, and persons with profound intellectual disabilities. Journal of Christian Institute on Disability, 6(1–2), 19-40.
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Question 
please see the attached document for details. This paper needs an abstract and APA-style writing.
Assessment Description
The practice of health care providers at all levels involves contact with people from various faiths. This calls for knowledge and understanding of a diversity of faith expressions; this course will focus on the Christian worldview.
PHI-413 Case Study End-of-Life Decisions
Based on “Case Study: End of Life Decisions,” the Christian worldview, and the worldview questions presented in the required topic Resources, you will complete an ethical analysis of George’s situation and decision from the Christian worldview.
Provide a 1,500-2,000-word ethical analysis while answering the following questions:
How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, which emphasizes the world’s fallenness?
How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, emphasizing the hope of resurrection?
As George contemplates life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), how would the Christian worldview inform his view about the value of his life as a person?
What sorts of values and considerations would the Christian worldview focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?
Given the above, what options would be morally justified in the Christian worldview for George and why?
Based on your worldview, what decision would you make if you were in George’s situation?
Remember to support your responses with the topic Resources.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.