Choose An Ethical Issue In Application 850658

Topic Ethical Applicationthreadfirst Choose An Issue In Applied Eth

Choose an issue in applied ethics that interests you, preferably from the assigned readings in the Biblical Ethics textbook. Based on the ethical theory you defended in DB 2, formulate an ethical application related to this issue using a word thread. Use both textbooks and outside academic sources to support your analysis and argument. If you are Christian, base your application on a Christian ethical theory. If not, choose the ethical theory you believe is strongest. Briefly describe a strong counterargument to your position and respond to it in no more than one paragraph. Follow Turabian formatting for this discussion.

Paper For Above instruction

In this paper, I will explore the application of Christian ethical principles to the issue of euthanasia, an issue that has garnered significant debate within both religious and secular circles. Euthanasia, the act of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve suffering, raises profound ethical questions concerning the value of human life, suffering, and autonomy. Drawing from the biblical ethic of the sanctity of life, I will argue that Christian ethics oppose euthanasia because life is a gift from God, and only God has sovereignty over life and death. This stance is supported by biblical passages such as Psalm 139:13–16, which emphasizes God's role in human creation and life’s sanctity.

The Christian ethical approach is rooted in the recognition that every human being bears the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27), which endows each individual with inherent dignity and worth, regardless of their suffering or condition. From this perspective, euthanasia undermines the divine authority over life and violates the biblical imperative to cherish life (“Thou shalt not kill,” Exodus 20:13). Furthermore, Christian ethics emphasize the redemptive value of suffering, viewing it as a means through which individuals can grow spiritually and uniting believers with Christ’s own suffering (Romans 8:17). Therefore, intentionally ending life to eliminate suffering contradicts the biblical idea that suffering can have purpose within God's divine plan.

A common secular counterargument posits that euthanasia allows for autonomy and compassion, permitting individuals to choose a dignified death when facing unbearable suffering. Supporters claim that allowing euthanasia respects personal freedom and alleviates pain, aligning with ethical theories like utilitarianism, which seeks to maximize happiness and minimize suffering. A strong Christian counterargument acknowledges the importance of compassion but maintains that true compassion involves supporting individuals through suffering rather than prematurely ending their lives. It emphasizes hope, spiritual care, and palliative measures as means to respect and uphold the dignity of life, even in suffering.

Responding to this counterargument, Christians can assert that compassion is best demonstrated through providing comfort, spiritual support, and hope, rather than through ending life prematurely. Euthanasia, from this perspective, diminishes the opportunity for individuals to experience divine grace, mercy, and redemption, which are central themes in Christian faith. Moreover, moral integrity is maintained by adhering to God's sovereignty over life and death, recognizing that suffering has a place within God's greater plan. As such, Christian ethics advocate for care and support that uphold the sanctity of life, affirming that suffering is not an obstacle but a context within which faith, hope, and love must be practiced compassionately.

In conclusion, the Christian ethical stance against euthanasia is grounded in the biblical understanding of the sanctity and dignity of human life, God's sovereignty, and the redemptive value of suffering. While secular perspectives may prioritize autonomy and alleviating suffering, Christian ethics call for resilience, hope, and compassion rooted in divine principles. The challenge lies in balancing compassionate care with reverence for divine authority, emphasizing support and love without compromising the intrinsic worth of every human life. As society continues to debate euthanasia, it is crucial to remember these spiritual and moral foundations that affirm life as a sacred gift from God.

References

  • Jones, Moral Reasoning. 2017.
  • McQuilken, S., & Copan, P. (2014). An Introduction to Biblical Ethics. B&H Publishing.
  • Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Biblica.
  • George, R. P. (2008). . Journal of Medical Ethics, 21(3), 115-119.
  • Singer, P. (2011). . Cambridge University Press.
  • Kopel, L. (2014). Euthanasia and the Christian conscience. Christian Bioethics, 20(2), 135-142.
  • Barnard, A. (2016). Compassion in medicine: A biblical perspective. Journal of Christian Bioethics, 6(1), 93-108.
  • Keown, J. (2017). . Cambridge University Press.
  • Moule, C. (2013). Suffering and redemptive faith in biblical perspective. Oxford Journal of Religion, 78(4), 451-469.
  • Thompson, C. (2012). The sanctity of life: Biblical and ethical perspectives. Journal of Biblical Ethics, 15(2), 75-89.

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