THE BIBLE AND BIOETHICS
October 27, 2010
University Baptist Church
INTRODUCTION: Are you willing to be an organ donor? Why? Why not?
THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS FOR BIOETHICS:THEOLOGICAL_QUESTIONS_FOR_BIOETHICS MP3
- Shall we play God?
- How do we define human nature?
- What is our attitude toward technology?
- Who should decide?
ONE STRATEGY: Biblical Principles for Bioethics
- Love and justice (biblically defined) should guide all Christian decision-making.
- God ultimately is the Lord of life and death.
- Human beings are created in the image of God.
- Human beings are stewards of God’s creation.
- Suffering and death are typical human experiences.
- Human beings are finite and fallen.
ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION:
Explicit texts?
Principles?
RESOURCES (selected)
Barnette, Henlee. Exploring Medical Ethics.
Lammers, Stephen and Alien Verhey, eds. On Moral Medicine.
Meilaender, Gilbert. Bioethics: A Primer for Christians.
Simmons, Paul. Birth and Death: Bioethical Decision-Making.
THE BIBLE AND BABIES: Beginning of Life Issues
Nov.3,2010
University Baptist Church
CONTEXT: From womb to tomb THE_BIBLE_AND_BABIES MP3
FERTILE
Involuntary conception:
Rape
Incest
Poor birth control
Ignorance of birth control
Options?
Voluntary conception:
Birth control
BIBLE
conception
barrenness
children
sex
marriage & family
prayer/miracle
technology
Stewardship
Church & state
INFERTILE
childless
adoption
foster parent
technological assistance
surrogacy
in vitro fertilization
SAMPLE QUESTIONS on Beginning of Life Issues
- Should a Christian married couple consider using birth control (if fertile) or in vitro fertilization (if infertile)? Why? Why not?
- Does the Bible explicitly deal with birth control, abortion, surrogacy, or in vitro fertilization?
- What biblical principles help us with these issues?
- Do Christians have to choose between miracles and medicine?
- Should a church or denomination have an official view on these issues?
- Should the government be involved in any of these issues? If so, how?
DYING FAITHFULLY: End of Life Issues
Nov.10,2010
University Baptist Church
CONTEXT: From womb to tomb DYING_FAITHFULLY MP3
Types of death:
- Physical death
- Spiritual death
- Eternal death
Types of euthanasia:
- Passive voluntary euthanasia
- Passive involuntary euthanasia
- Active involuntary euthanasia
- Active voluntary euthanasia
Biblical texts on death and dying
Biblical principles:
- Human life is sacred, or human persons are sacred.
- Voluntarily choosing to die is sometimes wrong.
- Death is not always bad.
- Death is not always final.
- Not all killing is condemned in the Bible.
- Spiritual life (zoe) is more important than physical life (bios).
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
- Do you have a Living Will or Advance Directive? Why? Why not?
- Do you know someone who attempted suicide? Do you know what motivated him or her?
- Should there be laws against physician-assisted suicide?
- What is your attitude about your own death? Do you have a “bucket list”? Have you planned your funeral?
DOES SHE DESERVE TO DIE? The Bible and Capital Punishment
Nov.17,2010
University Baptist Church
BIBLICAL TEACHING:
EXPLICIT TEXTS:
Old Testament:
Many capital crimes
Lex talionis
Murderers not executed
New Testament:
John 8:1-11
Rom. 13:4
PRINCIPLES:
Love
Justice (retributive)
Compassion
Forgiveness
Image of God
PRACTICAL CONCERNS
Deterrence
Expense
Discrimination
Innocent person
Methods of execution
Alternatives to execution
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
- Should capital punishment be enforced in the USA? If so, what should be the capital crimes?
- Is the death penalty issue on your moral checklist for evaluating political candidates?
- Would you be willing to serve on a jury for a death penalty case?\
- Does your church or denomination have an official stance on the death penalty? If so, do you support that view?
