Christian Perspective on Physician-Assisted Suicide Essay

Throughout our lifetimes, we ar go more or less with questions that sometimes seem impossible to answer. Every genius is steer by something (or someone) when It receives to making choices both bragging(a) and small. When it comes to issues of a moral nature, three-quarters of all Ameri derrieres take on their religious beliefs are the primary catch on how they find guidance In their lives. (OMathuna and Amundsen, 1998) What is the Christian perspective on physician-assisted felo-de-se (PAS)? While the topic certainly inspires debate, conclusions can be reached using examples from the Bible, cripture verses regarding life and oddment, and denominational statements.There are seven enter accounts of people in the Bible choosing to can their own lives. (Because the Bible does non tell specifically of PAS, insights will be gaunt using examples of self-destruction. According to the Bible, cleanup Is cleaning no matter who commits the act for what rea countersign. ) Abimi lech, bruiser, Ahithophel, exponent Zimri, King capital of Minnesota, Sauls harness bearer, and Judas Iscariot. While there is no specific command in the Bible reprobate the choice to end ones own life, the depictions of the aforementioned characters are non those of a positive nature.Abimelech seizes power in his lifetime by conspiracy and dispatch of 70 of his own half-brothers. He is not chosen or appointed by God. After cosmos mortally wounded by having a woman vault a stone on his head, he asks that his armor bearer run him by dint of with his s boy so that no one can say he was killed by a woman. The passage states that his death repaid the lousiness he had done to his father by murdering his brothers (Judges 950-57, unexampled International Version). Samson is gifted by God with frightening strength. However, he ignores Gods commandments and lives a life tainted with trickery and innerImmorality. He dies after being held captive by his enemies when he tears go through a temple to which he has been tied. It collapses killing Samson and everyone else inside Oudges 1729-30, NIV). Saul becomes the first king of Israel after being warned by God that Israels want for a human king Is a rejection of the kingship of God. Saul eventually becomes alienated from God, his family, and his people. His jealousy leads him to attempt murder on more than than one occasion. Saul becomes wounded during employment and has no one to turn to for suffice and refuses to seek Cod.He asks his armor earer to armed service him die, and after he refuses (and then directly takes his own life), Saul chooses to fall on his own sword (1 Samuel 311-6, NIV). oftentimes in the New Testament, self-destructive appearance (suicide) Is associated with demon possession. Though the suicide of Judas Iscariot in the New Testament is recorded without comment, Judas was called a traitor, a devil, a thief, and a son of perdition. Judas betrayed Jesus. claiming he never knew him. The weight of his guilt feelings lead him to hang himself. A kindred analysis of all the other suicide accounts reveals a consistent pattern.Nowhere is suicide praised or commended. In fact, the lack of uttered comment on the suicides could Just as easily be viewed as a negative evaluation. (OMathuna and Amundsen, 1998) There is one hold water mention of suicide in the New Testament, yet its conclusion is full of consent and life. Two characters, capital of Minnesota night, Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God in the midst of their suffering. A violent earthquake shook the understructure of the prison, opened all the cell doors, and disentangled all of the chains of the prisoners.The ass was awaken and for fear of being killed once prisoners escaped, he drew his sword to kill himself. further Paul shouted and insisted that he not harm himself because no one had escaped. Paul and Silas then spoke with the Jailer about Gods love and salvation. The Jailer was filled with Joy because he had come to believe in God (Acts 1624-34, NIV). Christians believe that the Bible is the spoken word of God through his people. They believe that the move of Jesus Christ from birth to death on a cross demonstrates how they are called to live even in the midst of pain and suffering.