Phi 413v Lecture 3: Biomedical Ethics In The Christian Narra
Phi 413v Lecture 3biomedical Ethics In The Christian Narrative
The reality of religious pluralism (the view that there are many different religions with different teachings) does not logically imply any sort of religious relativism (the view that there is no such thing as truth, or that everything is a matter of opinion). There are genuine distinctions between religions and worldviews. Given this fact, it is imperative that one be tolerant of differences and engage civilly with those of different religions or worldviews. It might be tempting to think that one is being tolerant or civil by simply rolling all religions into one sort of generic "spirituality" and to claim that all religions are essentially the same. But this is simply false. Once again, there are genuine and important differences among religions; these differences are meaningful to the followers of a particular faith. To simply talk of some sort of a generic "spirituality," while maybe properly descriptive of some, does not accurately describe most of the religious people in the world. Furthermore, this terminology often reduces religion to a mere personal or cultural preference, and it ignores the distinctions and particularity of each. The point is that such a reductionism is not respectful of patients.
It should also be noted that atheism or secularism are not simply default or perfectly objective (or supposedly scientific) starting positions, while religious perspectives are somehow hopelessly biased. Every religion or worldview brings with it a set of assumptions about the nature of reality; whether or not a particular view should be favored depends upon whether or not it is considered true and explains well one's experience of reality.
Bioethics, Principles, and Christian Approach
Bioethics is a subfield of ethics that concerns the ethics of medicine and ethical issues in the life sciences raised by technological advances. It involves complex and controversial issues such as abortion, stem cell research, and euthanasia, alongside questions of public policy and social justice. These complexities deepen the discussion in pluralistic societies. Several approaches exist, notably principalism (the four-principle approach), virtue ethics, and casuistry. This lecture emphasizes principalism and a Christian approach to bioethical issues.
Principalism, also known as the four-principle approach, identifies four core ethical principles essential to bioethics, as articulated by Beauchamp and DeGrazia (2004):
- Respect for autonomy: honoring individuals' decision-making capacities
- Nonmaleficence: avoiding causing harm to others
- Beneficence: promoting well-being and balancing benefits against risks
- Justice: ensuring fair distribution of benefits, risks, and costs
Application entails 'specification'—adapting principles to specific circumstances—and 'balancing'—prioritizing principles when conflicts arise. However, these principles are abstract and derive their concrete moral content from underlying worldview assumptions. For example, a Christian worldview informs how these principles are understood and prioritized, showing that bioethical reasoning is never entirely neutral.
The Christian Narrative and Its Bioethical Implications
The overarching biblical narrative comprises the story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration, shaping Christian views on health and human nature. The narrative begins with creation (Gen 1–2), asserting that God intentionally created everything as good, establishing order and harmony known as "Shalom." Shalom signifies human flourishing within relationships with God, self, others, and nature (Wolterstorff, 1994, p. 251).
The fall (Gen 3) marks the disobedience of Adam and Eve, leading to a broken order—intangible spiritual estrangement from God and tangible consequences such as suffering, death, and disease. Sin entered the world through this act of disobedience, affecting the entire creation. Consequently, human beings are inherently flawed, and effects of the fall persist, influencing notions of health, morality, and justice.
Redemption in the biblical narrative culminates in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, illustrating God's plan to reconcile humanity and restore creation's integrity. Christ's atoning sacrifice provides forgiveness and salvation, restoring the broken relationship with God (Rae, 2009). The ultimate goal is the final restoration of creation to a state of perfect Shalom, which will occur when Jesus returns, and God's final judgment and renewal take place.
Christian Ethical Framework in Bioethics
The Christian approach to ethics integrates deontology—a focus on divine commandments and moral duties—and virtue ethics—cultivating moral character exemplified by Jesus Christ. As beings created by a moral and loving God, Christians believe right action reflects God's character and commandments (Rae, 2009). The biblical ethic combines adherence to divine laws—such as the Ten Commandments—and the active pursuit of virtues like compassion, humility, and justice, modeled after Christ.
A transformation of character through the Holy Spirit is essential for embodying virtues and discerning ethical action. Consequently, practical bioethics in a Christian context involves sincere obedience to biblical principles, guided by divine wisdom and love. Ethical dilemmas are navigated by considering what aligns with God's moral nature, which is revealed through Scripture and natural law. This framework emphasizes that all ethical decision-making is rooted in a worldview that recognizes a moral Creator and aims to emulate Christ’s virtues.
Health, Medicine, and the Christian Perspective
Within the Christian narrative, health and medicine are viewed as part of God's creation and a calling to serve His purposes. The Christian life involves caring for the sick, healing, and alleviating suffering as acts of love that reflect God's mercy (Wolterstorff, 1994). Medical practices are undertaken in reverence to Christ's authority, emphasizing compassion, humility, and service. Furthermore, health is understood as more than physical well-being; it includes spiritual and relational dimensions tied to renewal, restoration, and shalom.
Christian bioethics emphasizes that medical interventions should respect human dignity, promote holistic well-being, and serve God's redemptive plan. This perspective often challenges secular approaches by insisting that health care should aim beyond mere functional or biological restoration, embedding spiritual and moral considerations rooted in biblical teachings. Moral integrity, respect, and justice are essential in healthcare decision-making, especially in cases involving life and death, reproductive rights, or resource allocation.
Conclusion
The Christian narrative profoundly influences views on ethics, health, and justice. It underscores that human beings are created good, fallen through sin, redeemed by Christ, and called to participate in God's restorative work. Bioethical decisions rooted in this worldview reflect a commitment to life, dignity, and the pursuit of holistic well-being, always aiming toward ultimate restoration and peace. Recognizing the significance of worldview assumptions highlights that bioethics cannot be ethically neutral but must be guided by foundational beliefs about human nature, morality, and divine purpose.
References
- Beauchamp, T. L., & DeGrazia, D. (2004). Principles and principalism. In W. G. Boulton, T. D. Kennedy, & A. Verhey (Eds.), Handbook of bioethics: Taking stock of the field from a philosophical perspective (pp. 57–75). Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
- Rae, S. B. (2009). Moral choices: An introduction to ethics (3rd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
- Wolterstorff, N. (1994). For justice in Shalom. In W. G. Boulton, T. D. Kennedy, & A. Verhey (Eds.), From Christ to the world: Introductory readings in Christian ethics. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
- Enns, P. (2012). The evolution of creation: Reflecting on the biblical cosmos in an evolving universe. Baker Academic.
- Nash, R. H. (2005). Christianity and scientific literacy. Eerdmans.
- Harrison, P. (2018). Biotechnology and the Christian ethic. Wipf & Stock Publishers.
- Hauerwas, S. (2001). With the grain of the universe: The church's witness and natural theology. Eerdmans.
- Knust, J. (2011). The biblical Christian ethics of bioethics. Journal of Theological Studies, 62(2), 245–263.
- Summers, C. (2015). Bioethics and the Christian worldview. Christian Bioethics, 21(3), 195–201.
- McClain, A. (2003). Creation, fall, redemption, and restoration: A biblical view of health. Journal of Christian Bioethics, 4(1), 15–29.