Hot Topics: “Euthanasia”
There is no avoiding the fact that euthanasia is a deeply emotional and complex subject that many have thought about and possibly experienced through someone they know. From these reflections and others’ experiences, most people have formed their own opinions, shaping their views on the meaning of life and what defines it.
Some of the topics discussed may strongly impact how a person feels about this subject, tempting them to stop reading or even throw it away. But I humbly ask everyone to stay until the end and see what the Bible says about this highly charged issue.
Maybe we should start with a few questions and thoughts.
We are experiencing a new form of holocaust as human life and death are being redefined. And it is how we answer these questions and thoughts that will determine the legacy we leave behind.
Redefining Life and Death
Advances in medical technology have changed the definitions. It has blurred the lines, raising a whole new set of questions about the traditional definitions.
Before the late 1960s, a patient who was critically ill and stopped breathing was considered dead. However, with the development of artificial respiration, many could be kept alive longer, and doctors were no longer the sole decision-makers on life and death. Now, courts, lawyers, and legislators determine these rulings, making it a social and political issue with significant consequences.
Added to this is another definition where death is now an irreversible cessation of all functions of the brain. With this definition, motive comes into play, complicated by organ transplant technology.
Special Note: I am not opposed to any of these new medical procedures or advances. In fact, I believe they are beneficial because they are life-affirming and life-sustaining, and many lives have been saved through these procedures.
However, it is important for us to know this information when considering the definition of life and how it changed radically in 1973 with the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.
It states, “Only viable human beings who have the capability for meaningful life may, but need not, be protected by the state.”
And with the decision, a death warrant was issued by the government, opening up a “Pandora’s Box,” letting out all sorts of evil, as life is no longer understood as defined by God, but has now been defined by its quality and capability.
So, when those who promote this as being “freedom of choice,” the choice really isn’t about life and death, but instead it involves choosing the quality of life by which someone desires to live.
How Does God View Death?
What we need to understand first is that death was not part of God’s original design. Everything He created was good. Therefore, death is an unnatural intrusion into God’s good universe. Additionally, arguing that death should happen naturally is flawed because it assumes that what is natural is of God. In reality, nothing natural is necessarily good or divine, since the natural world has been corrupted by sin.
First, death is a direct consequence of sin. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23a)
This is evident from the very beginning when the Lord said, “Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)
Death is depicted both physically and spiritually. Physical death occurs because of sin, which causes us to grow old and eventually die. Spiritual death happens because our sin separates us from God.
Second, death is inevitable. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a) Death, however, is not the end of life as propagated by humanistic philosophies, which view death as a “natural” transition of life.
And finally, death is not final when it comes to life. Instead, it is the last enemy of this world that will be defeated at Jesus’s return and during the final resurrection. “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)
The Apostle John describes this time, saying, “Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:13b-14)
Seeing that death and hell are cast into the lake of fire, death is then not an indefinite state, and as such, there is life beyond its gates.
To someone who doesn’t believe in Jesus Christ, this is a prelude to final judgment and eternal punishment.
This is found in Hebrews 9:27, which says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” It is then confirmed in Revelation 20:15: “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Jesus talks about this then as spiritual death, that is, an eternal separation from God. “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)
But for those who believe in Jesus Christ, death is the doorway to eternal life. Jesus contrasts this ending by saying, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46)
The Apostle Paul says, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
Therefore, for believers, death should not be a source of fear, nor should it be something we strive to avoid. Death was the Apostle Paul’s desire, but he also understood that life is preferable for the sake of God’s kingdom here on earth.
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Philippians 1:21-24)
How Does God View Life
First, God considers all human life sacred because He created humanity in His own image and likeness. God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” (Genesis 1:2a)
Also, human life is sacred because humanity was created to be a receptacle for the Lord. “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Second, all human life is viable because God breathed into humanity a living and eternal soul. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being … He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts.” (Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 3:11)
How Does the World View Euthanasia
The word “euthanasia” comes from the Greek meaning “good death,” or “happy death.”
Now, words have power, and when we change the words, we change people’s attitudes toward what those words represent.
Take the word “suicide.” It comes from two Latin words meaning “self-kill.”
The word came about in the 1600s and was more preferable because it made the act more neutral and less judgmental than what it had been previously called, “destroying oneself,” or “murdering oneself.”
Now, I chose this word suicide for a specific purpose, because that is precisely what Euthanasia is, it is suicide by the hands of another. And so, calling this act a ‘good’ or a ‘happy’ death is far more palatable.
Euthanasia is defined as “the act of putting someone to death painlessly who is believed to be suffering from a terminal illness in order to demonstrate mercy.” (Encyclopedia Britannica) The more common definition is “mercy killing.”
Now, according to this definition, there are several distinctions.
First, is it voluntary or involuntary? Voluntary means giving full approval to the act, while involuntary means the act is performed without consent.
Second, is it active or passive? Active (positive euthanasia) involves intentionally and directly killing a human life. Passive (negative euthanasia) involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment when certain justifiable conditions are met.
But these distinctions exist for either judgment or justification because it ultimately involves taking a life or causing another’s death, with or without that person’s approval.
Arguing for euthanasia usually involves extreme or unlikely scenarios. But we should never judge or justify an action based on extremes or emotions because they can cloud rational thinking and make any judgment meaningless.
How Does the Bible View Euthanasia
“So David said to him, ‘How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?’ Then David called one of the young men and said, ‘Go near, and execute him!’ And he struck him so that he died.” (2 Samuel 1:1-15)
To provide proper context, the first book of Samuel ends with the death of King Saul and his son, Jonathan. They were fighting the Philistines when, in battle, Saul was hit by an arrow and severely wounded. Seeing his condition, Saul commanded his armor bearer to kill him so that he would not fall into the hands of the Philistines and be tortured. But the armor bearer refused, and so Saul took his own life, and the armor bearer then took his.
Then, a young Amalekite saw what happened and altered the story by including himself, claiming that Saul asked to be killed. He said he had killed him because he saw no way Saul could survive. Then, he took Saul’s crown to give to David. With this story, David pronounced judgment.
The sixth commandment says, “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)
Taking another person’s life is wrong, or a sin. Some argue that certain justifiable reasons, like war, self-defense, or capital punishment, make it permissible. However, even if these are allowed, it doesn’t make them right.
Now, the standard argument against this is found in the Old Testament, where God’s law called for the death penalty in some instances, and how the Lord commanded Israel to kill their enemies.
Yet in the New Testament, we are now under a new set of rules that Jesus made sure we understood. To James and John, when they wanted to rain fire and brimstone down upon the Samaritans who didn’t receive Jesus, Jesus rebuked them, saying, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” (Luke 9:55)
Jesus also made this pronouncement. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also … You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:38-39; 43-44)
Jesus flipped the script and showed us a new way, which is the way of love. Paul highlights this by quoting something the Lord said in the Old Testament, saying, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19)
Job said, “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” (Job 14:5)
Euthanasia involves taking our own lives into our own hands instead of leaving it to God. It’s our belief that if God knew the pain and agony we’re going through, he would make the same choice.
But this is faulty theology. Jesus died the most horrible death known to humanity. He suffered more than any man could have suffered. And when faced with this decision, wishing the Father could find another way, He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me,” Jesus concluded saying, “yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)
“For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:7-8)
Our lives and deaths are not ours to decide. Instead, everything, including life and death, should be lived for God’s honor and glory.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Therefore, when life is viewed differently than what is prescribed by God, such as what was stated in the Roe vs. Wade decision by the Supreme Court, saying, “viable human beings who have the capability for meaningful life,” is a downward path leading to a very slippery slope of no return.
The wisest man to have ever lived, Solomon, said, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
Therefore, starting with wrong premises always leads to incorrect answers and wrong actions.
Conclusion
What we need to understand is that ending life through euthanasia prematurely cuts short a journey ordained by God. A journey whose purpose has not yet been fully fulfilled because there is still meaningful life to live, even under difficult circumstances. Furthermore, since such a journey is ordained by God, it is filled with eternal significance and meaning.
Therefore, we must be careful about ending life or neglecting to support its continuation.
It all comes down to how big our God is. God is greater than our circumstances and, as promised, will give us the grace we need during these trying times. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
