As George contemplates life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), how would the Christian worldview inform his view about the value of his life as a person?
How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the hope of resurrection?
Using the narratives described in the previous section, facing such a condition as the one being faced by George, there are various perspectives which may be taken by George. Knowing the world as a fallen place for sinners, with heaven being a place for the righteous, George may view death as a gateway which will allow him to escape the suffering that awaits him with the progression of his medical condition.
By leaving this world, then George may be hoping to resurrect in a world free from suffering.
Alternatively, George may also view escaping his suffering by engaging involuntary euthanasia to be equivalent to committing suicide and in extension, a sin against God (Rumun, 2014). Being his last act, this will prevent him from having any hope of resurrection and in return, guarantee him eternal suffering in the afterlife as per the biblical narrative.
The biblical narrative gives various examples where suffering was used as a conduit to establish a closer relationship with God. Earthly suffering from a biblical perspective is considered an essential part of the process towards eternal life through resurrection. Those who overcame the suffering from the biblical narrative were assured eternal life free of the suffering as experienced here on earth.
With this perspective, then George should not consider voluntary euthanasia as his option of dealing with the expected suffering.
Given the condition being faced by George, there is a high likelihood that he has already lost hope in living depending on his perspective of what a human person is. Many at times, people with terminal illnesses like ALS consider themselves as lesser human beings or people waiting on the death list. As such, their perception of life my change whereby, they are likely to consider their lives as being unworthy.
That is why, in most cases, such patients consider euthanasia as the most viable option (Sharp, 2017).
From a Christian worldview, all life is considered sacred and belonging to God, who is the creator. Therefore, taking one’s own life is regarded as a sin regardless of the condition one is in. Using this narrative, then all lives before the eyes of God can be considered as being equal in value (O’brien, 2017).
The same way God views a healthy person is the same way He views a diseased person. As such, the Christian world view considers George to still retain his value as a person, regardless of his condition. In light of this, the Christian worldview, therefore, prohibits using earthly suffering as a reason to take one’s own life.
According to the biblical narrative which dictates the Christian worldview, every person is purposed to accomplish a certain mission in accordance with God’s design. Upon the accomplishment of that mission, in God’s own timing, one transitions to the afterlife through death. Taking one’s own life is equivalent to departing the world before accomplishing God’s intended purpose on earth.
All the scenarios highlighted indicate the value of life from a Christian worldview which may help George in choosing his preferred course of action in dealing with the illness.