Journal: Trinity Journal
Volume: TRINJ 14:2 (Fall 1993)
Article: A Physician’s Advice To Spiritual Counselors Of The Dying
Author: John Dunlop

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TrinJ 14:2 (Fall 1993) p. 201

A Physician’s Advice To Spiritual
Counselors Of The Dying

John Dunlop*

The Christian community has taken a strong pro-life stand. This is biblical and stands squarely on the fact that all human life bears the image of God and is protected by him: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man” (Gen 9:6).1 In the medical world of the 1990s this biblical truth obligates believers to face the forces of abortion and euthanasia. Although there is some looseness in the contemporary use of the term euthanasia, I refer specifically here to “active euthanasia”—acting to take a life with or without the victim’s consent (voluntary or involuntary). Helping someone to take his or her own life, “assisted suicide,” is analogous to active voluntary euthanasia. Numerous excellent statements in Christian literature eloquently argue against euthanasia, using biblical, sociological, historical, and philosophical arguments.

Our present medical advances give us a wide range of potential interventions that can often reverse, or significantly delay, the dying process. In spite of these great advances, death is inevitable. It has been said that we are smarter than we are wise. Our knowledge of how to prolong life may have surpassed our wisdom to know when to apply that knowledge. Consequently, there exists the danger that we could use medical technologies to resist the hand of God. Just as it is wrong to resist God’s gift of life in abortion, it may be equally wrong to resist his call at death. It is imperative that evangelicals speak with a united voice against euthanasia. At the same time we must present a thoroughly ethical and biblical approach to death. In our determination to be “pro-life” we cannot afford to be “anti-death.”

This discussion will first review the basis for a biblical theology of death, and present attitudes which all Christians should share toward death and dying. This theological perspective should force us to rethink our approach to aging. Our attention will then go to the decision most of us will eventually face—a decision to accept death without resistance and no longer to

* John Dunlop is a practicing Medical Doctor and committed Christian lay-leader. His medical practice is in Zion, Illinois.

TrinJ 14:2 (Fall 1993) p. 202

seek aggressive medical treatment. We will consider not only the factors in the decision, but who should be involved in the decision, and procedures to implement the decision. A careful evaluation of these issues is prerequisite to minister effectively to others going through diffi...

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