CONTROVERSY VIII: What about the Sanctity of Human Life? Part Two—Euthanasia

(This is a new article series that I am "trying out" with my readers. These are intended to be thought-provoking. Please see their Intro Article: Jan. 26, 2008)

The next question regarding the sanctity of human life concerns euthanasia; caring for the elderly when their very life source is held only by the technology of medicine. One article I have read poses several good questions, which are included here:

“…assume that a condition has been reached and you are the person legally stated as the one to sign to allow this person to die…What responsibility do the living have to such (the dying) persons? Does it mean leaving your job to care for a dying parent? What sacrifice is ethical? Could it involve losing your home to pay the medical bills?”[1]

These are very real concerns, very real issues, and cause very real anxiety over how one should behave in an ethical matter, especially for a Christian, whose faith is grounded upon Biblical principles. As stated above, God clearly views human life as sacred. How does He address the issue of caring for a dying parent? He states His view, again, in His Ten Commandments:

“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.” (Deut. 5: 16)

It is clearly stated that man is to honor and respect his parents. This is his heritage, from whence he was given life. To God, the parents of a man are just as sacred as his children, for they have participated in an action that is solely God’s privilege, creation. On another note, this commandment is the only one that includes a promise: that it may go well with the one, who honors his parents, in the land that the Lord has given to him. The Lord’s promises are everlasting:

“The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind…” (Ps. 110:4)

“‘Because I have spoken, I have purposed, and I will not change My mind, nor will I turn from it.’”(Jer. 4:28).

The Lord promises to prosper the hands and lives of those, who honor their parents. Honoring a parent may include caring for them in their dying hours, regardless of personal sacrifice. As extreme as this principle may sound, the child has no right to end the life of the parent; he has the obligation to care for them until the Lord takes their lives from them.

The Lord is a Redeemer of that, which is lost. The rewards and blessings of those, who honor and obey His commands, are numerous, and He is faithful to bestow them (ref. Deut. 28). The battle in this issue is not so much “whose responsibility is it to end a life,” but rather “who will believe God in the midst of pressuring finances, emotional turmoil of watching an individual die, etc. that He will restore that, which the locusts have eaten, and give a double portion for the suffering one has endured? (ref. Joel 2:25; Isa. 61:7) The concern is not one’s personal suffering, but one’s faith in the God, Who honors those Who love and obey Him.

Sanctity of Human Life discussion to be continued…

[1] http://atheneo.coccdegree.com/st06.php?id=2080&sched=812 (Article: Life and Death: Biomedical Issues).