Christian Perspectives on Death and Dying

Case Study on Death and Dying
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Abstract
This report describes George’s case scenario centered on Christian perspectives. George has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – a degenerative disease that impacts his nerve cells within the spinal cord and brain. ALS has no cure, and George expects to live between three to four years, although there is a possibility that he could live up to 10 years. However, the illness will make George bedridden and depend on a wheelchair and eventually a ventilator to help his breathing. Given this scenario, George is contemplating euthanasia. This report considers the Christian viewpoint concerning the appropriate decision that George needs to make regarding his illness and future.
Case Study on Death and Dying
Introduction
For many individuals, their religious beliefs influence their end-of-life decisions. The need to make appropriate decisions concerning end-of-life care is of significant value, given the potential for medical technologies to extend one’s life. However, the need to allow natural death to happen by avoiding medical interventions raises ethical questions over the moral basis for such decisions. Regardless of the patient’s decision, healthcare professionals are bound to respect their client’s decision-making authority, coupled with the need to uphold human dignity and human life value. This paper employs the Christian perspectives to evaluate George’s situation centered on allowing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to progress or consider voluntary euthanasia. This report evaluates George’s case scenario by considering how he would view his pain and suffering concerning the Christian faith centered on the world’s fallenness and hope for resurrection, how the Christian worldview would inform his perception concerning the value of his life with ALS as a person, Christian worldview values and considerations that would impact his decision, the options that are morally justifiable within the Christian worldview and the rationale, as well as the conclusion that I would make if I were in George’s situation.
George’s Suffering and Fallenness of the World
George has ALS, a degenerative illness gradually affecting his spinal cord and brain cells' functioning. The disease progresses, implying that it would cause muscle atrophy and motor neuron deterioration to the point of complete loss of ability to control muscles. As a Christian, George would interpret his sickness as a consequence of disobeying the Word of God. After God created the world, He described it as “very good” since it represented His perfect paradise with no sorrow, sickness, or suffering. Adam and Eve had a close relationship with God until they disobeyed God’s Word. This decision led to what is referred to as “the fall” (Harvest Baptist Church, 2020). In that vein, humankind was demoted from a place of pleasure, prosperity, and prominence to a context of fatigue, fear, and frustration.
The fall action is documented in Genesis chapter 3. In Genesis 2:17, God has commanded that “You shall not eat,” only for Adam and Eve to disobey ...