PHI-413 Week 4 Joanne Case Study End Of Life Decisions Paper
Case Study: End-of-Life Decisions Example
Death is an unpleasant component of life but unavoidable for all humans. Many unanswered theological and philosophical concerns surrounding the subject of death exist. It is widely agreed that Euthanasia is immoral and has been the subject of harsh criticism. Christians have a unique perspective on death and Euthanasia, which differs from the modern world (Evlampiev & Smirnov, 2021). George, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is the subject of this research. The degenerative nature of this illness makes it difficult, if not impossible, to communicate, walk, to inhale, feed, and sustain life. In this essay, I will examine the Christian perspective on Euthanasia and its moral implications in light of George’s impending death.
George’s Interpretation of His Suffering in Light of The Christian Narrative
An Emphasis on The Fallenness of The World
Christian theology teaches that sin and evil in the universe are inextricably linked to human suffering. This started back in the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, with Adam and Eve. The two had the responsibility of protecting the world that God had made. The task of conquering the planet fell to them. Life was easy and free of pain before Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit God had advised them against (Wilhite, 2019). After being deceived by the snake, Eve ate the forbidden fruit, enraging God and forcing Adam and Eve to flee the Garden of Eden.
God allowed Adam and Eve to experience pain because of their role in bringing about the wicked state of the world. Their sinful behavior caused him to distance himself from them. According to Christian teaching, suffering was ushered alongside the world’s fallen state. As punishment for their disobedience, God placed a curse on Adam and Eve (Evlampiev & Smirnov, 2021). The husband had to work hard to provide for the family, while the mother had to endure the agony of childbirth. Therefore, God cursed humanity, and that was a turning point. They had earned God’s wrath.
Thus, George can attribute his adversity to the fact that he is a sinner, as God has identified sin as the primary cause of humankind’s enduring misery. God does not have mercy on the wicked. As a matter of fact, he despises sin. Human beings consistently disobey God by sinning against Him. In many ways, George’s situation is similar to this. George is correct in attributing the suffering in his life to the sinful nature of humankind. Since humanity rejected God in Eden, the curse He placed on the world has become something we all naturally strive to avoid. All that God has given to humanity is in danger of being tainted by corruptible humans. The result was pain, as God had decreed that punishment must always precede human wrongdoing. Every single being is a sinner, George would tell himself, which is why everyone suffers.
An Emphasis on The Hope of Resurrection
Christians believe that God created the universe and humankind and that Jesus came to earth to impart God’s likeness to humans. So, a Christian would say that George’s pain is ultimately what God wants for him. Christians believe that individuals go through trials like George’s to bring them closer to God and increase their hunger for knowledge of God. The pain is designed to teach us about the anguish Jesus endured. Christian teachings claim that Messiah died and rose again on the third day, altering how people think and feel about death.
Despite the tragic nature of death and the explanations offered for it, Jesus triumphed over it on the cross. In light of this victory over death, Christians look forward to the second coming of Christ with the confident expectation that they, too, shall triumph over death at that time. Christians have faith that God will rescue them from death in the future during the resurrection of the church, just as he has always repaid what is wrecked. They anticipate that God will one day return to execute judgment on unrepentant sinners and to welcome into heaven all those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The importance of maintaining a strong relationship with God and seeking His guidance in all endeavors can be learned from this. Because they think that God allows suffering as a result of their own free will, Christians use adversity to strengthen their convictions (Wilhite, 2019). This has been a major factor in their increased conviction. If Christians truly believe that their pain is the result of some terrible deed they committed in the past, then they will be more likely to repent and seek God’s forgiveness. God’s ordered operation is demonstrated by the fact that he permits human suffering to bring about repentance, turning back to him and experiencing his love. Even though some people may think their suffering is a punishment from God, it is nonetheless evidence that God still loves the human race. These words serve as a call to action toward the goal of conforming one’s life to God’s plan.
The fundamental belief of Christians is that they will rise from the dead one day, just as Jesus did. Once George fully grasps all of these factors, he will be moved to repent and trust that God can and does forgive him of his sins. When George dies, he may be assured that his pain will finally be relieved. Having sought forgiveness for his crimes and been granted God’s pardon, George will be looking forward to the day God returns for His church.
Christian worldview about his view about the value of his life as a person
From a Christian perspective, George should treasure his life and regard it as God’s gift, even though he is afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Because of this, no person has the right to end his life. God alone has the ability to do that. In an analogy, George must bear all the anguish and pain that his illness causes, even as it causes him great pain. Nobody should ever consider suicide because of the difficulties they are having in life, even if they are as severe as the ones George is experiencing. Christians are taught to remain resilient in the face of adversity (Mack & Camosy, 2022). George wants to know that he is a good person and that his life is important despite the horrific and crippling effects of his sickness.
Life is a gift from God, and George needs to learn to appreciate it as such. However, since the introduction of sin into the world, suffering has also been a component of human life. George needs to learn that he is priceless in God’s sight and that the Lord has a plan for him even though he must endure amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. George should try to understand why God is allowing him to endure this ordeal in the first place since God may have a specific lesson in mind for him (Evlampiev & Smirnov, 2021). Maybe God has a teaching for him in this, and he is going through it for the sake of His great glory. Because of the Christian belief that every human life is sacred and must be safeguarded, George must accept the necessity of continuing to endure pain to preserve his own.
Values And Considerations for A Christian Worldview Focus on In Deliberating About Whether George Should opt For Euthanasia
In light of Jesus’ example of accepting and suffering through his own trials, George must do the same. The anguish Lord Jesus Christ endured before His death on the cross is well known. At one point, He even prayed to God, asking whether it was His will that He have to go through all of this anguish. He even prayed to God to take away his pain (Evlampiev & Smirnov, 2021). Because of this, it is possible that God intends for George to suffer. He must bear the pain and ask God for the strength to bear it. He must learn that God occasionally allows people to experience hardship so that they can get near to Him and develop a longing for Him, which leads to repentance. George needs to take to heart what God is trying to teach him and make a sincere effort to become nearer to Him.
How open someone is to death depends heavily on their inherent disposition toward mortality. If Christians accepted all of their experiences, including pain and misery, as God’s will and looked forward to a resurrection like Jesus did, they would have confirmation that God is monitoring and He is in command of all of it. George must accept his adversity as God’s plan in light of this.
Morally Justified in The Christian Worldview for George
If George were to choose to stay alive until God took his life, he would be doing it morally. Therefore, Euthanasia should not be an alternative for George, according to this ideology. Christians believe that every individual life is a blessing from God and hence, should be treated with the utmost respect. Attempting to end a person’s life and disrupting God’s plan is both immoral and unacceptable. Many Christians see hardship as God’s will and a part of the way of life. Because of this, it is clear how unjust it is for one human to take another’s life. This is why, even in the face of fatal illness, one must be prepared to suffer as Christ suffered on the cross.
The decision I Would Make If I Were in George’s Situation
Despite my Christian beliefs, I would consider Euthanasia if I were in George’s position and facing the inevitable pain and incapacity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Even if Euthanasia goes against Christian principles, it can be agonizing to see patients in pain. For me, that amount of suffering would be intolerable, and Euthanasia would be a welcome relief. However immoral it may be, the Bible teaches that there is forgiveness for every transgression. There is no wrongdoing that cannot be forgiven.
Conclusion
Christians believe that only God has the right to grant and take life. God allows suffering because he wants a closer relationship with his people through it. It is in a person’s nature to suffer. For his part, George needs to keep going even if ALS is excruciating. Christians should be encouraged to consider Euthanasia as a treatment option for terminal illness. George needs to have this perspective on his life and illness and see that they are all part of God’s plan for him. Despite our hardships, our lives are meaningful in God’s eyes, and he alone is the source of our very being.
References
Evlampiev, I. I., & Smirnov, V. N. (2021). Dostoevsky’s Christianity. RUDN Journal of Philosophy, 25(1), 44-58. https://doi.org/10.22363/2313-2302-2021-25-1-44-58
Mack, A. N., & Camosy, C. C. (2022). Bioethics for Nurses: A Christian Moral Vision. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
Wilhite, S. J. (2019). “One of life and one of death”: apocalypticism and the Didache’s two ways. Gorgias Press.
WEEK 4 PHI 413 Assessment Description
The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths. This calls for knowledge and understanding of a diversity of faith expressions; for the purpose of this course, the focus will be on the Christian worldview.
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 his decision from the perspective of 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, with an emphasis on the fallenness of the world?
- How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on 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.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Attachments
PHI-413V-RS-T4CaseStudyEndOfLifeDecisions.docx
RESSOURCES
Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care
Read Chapters 4 from Practicing Dignity.
View Resource
Euthanasia
Read “Euthanasia,” by Wells, Frey, and Cataldo, from Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health (2013).
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/galegnaah/euthanasia/0?institutionId=5865
Optional – Topic 4: Optional Resources
For additional information, see the “Topic 4: Optional Resources” that are recommended.
PHI-413V-RS-T4OptionalResources.docx
RUBRIC
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Case Study on Death and Dying – Rubric
Suffering and Fallenness of the World
Criteria Description
Suffering and Fallenness of the World
Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the fallenness of the world is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.
Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection
Criteria Description
Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection
Analysis of how the man would interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative and the hope of resurrection is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.
Value of Life
Criteria Description
Value of Life
Analysis of how the Christian worldview of the man might inform his view about the value of his life as a person with ALS is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.
Euthanasia
Criteria Description
Euthanasia
Evaluation of which values and considerations the Christian worldview focuses on when deliberating the option of euthanasia for the man is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.
Morally Justified Option
Criteria Description
Morally Justified Options
Evaluation of which options would be justified in the Christian worldview for the man is clear and demonstrates a deep understanding that is skillfully supported by topic study materials.
Personal Decision
Criteria Description
Personal Decision
Reflection hypothesis of which personal choices would be make if faced with ALS based on personal worldview is clear, relevant, and insightful.
GooThesis Development and Purpose
Criteria Description
Thesis Development and Purpose
Thesis is comprehensive and contains the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
Argument Logic and Construction
Criteria Description
Argument Logic and Construction
Clear and convincing argument presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.
Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
Criteria Description
Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
1Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)
Criteria Description
Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and assignment)
Documentation of Sources
Criteria Description
Documentation of Sources (citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, etc., as appropriate to assignment and style)