AT THE CROSSROADS: A DUTY TO DIE?

•mutually exclusive value systems

•physician-assisted suicide live issue in Quebec, BC, Belgium

WHAT EUTHANASIA IS – AND IS NOT

•is - action that hastens death, with or without consent

•is not - allowing to die of natural causes

•is not - respecting right to refuse treatment or stop treatment if useless/burdensome

•is not - giving drugs to ease suffering even if shortens life

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES: PRICELESS PEARLS

•A) THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

•created in God’s image (Gen 1:26f) - life is sacred, has intrinsic value

•B) STEWARDSHIP OF LIFE

•have been entrusted with much: need to steward the gifts God gave (Lk 12:48)

•C) CARE FOR THE VULNERABLE

•love neighbour; serve Christ in serving others (Lev 19:18; Lk 10:28; Mt 25:34ff)

•D) COMMUNAL RESPONSIBILITY IN LIFE

•we are our brother’s keeper, to honour parents (Gen 4:9; Ps 139; Eph 6:2,4)

•legal / social systems recognize interrelatedness of community / person

ANSWERING OBJECTIONS

•A) Self-determination: God is sovereign, we will give an account as stewards

•B) Escape from a Life of Suffering: palliative care advances; God sustains us (2Cor 4:17)

•C) Low Quality of Life: all of equal value to God; elderly to be honoured (Ex 20:12)

•D) Being a Burden to Relatives and Society: care for parents / grandparents repays them, pleases God (1Tim 5:4)

ENDING WELL

•no ‘end-of-life’ measures for Jesus, yet died well

•resurrection gives reason to fight for sanctity of life