The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths. This calls for knowledge and understanding of a diversity of faith expressions; for the purpose of this course, the focus will be on the Christian worldview.

Based on “Case Study: End of Life Decisions,” the Christian worldview, and the worldview questions presented in the required topic study materials you will complete an ethical analysis of George’s situation and his decision from the perspective of the Christian worldview.

Provide a 1,500-2,000-word ethical analysis while answering the following questions:

1. How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the fallenness of the world?
2. How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the hope of resurrection?
3. 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?
4. What sorts of values and considerations would the Christian worldview focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?
5. Given the above, what options would be morally justified in the Christian worldview for George and why?
6. Based on your worldview, what decision would you make if you were in George’s situation?

Solution:

Case Study on Death and Dying

In the given case, we are introduced to a male patient in his mid-fifties. He is diagnosed with ALS. This implies that it is just a matter of time before his muscles are affected so much so that he will not be able to coach the son’s basketball league anymore. Additionally, he will not be able to continue with his day job as a legal professor. Now, he is left at a point where he is deliberating on whether to take the recommended medication or commit to voluntary euthanasia. In this assignment, I will evaluate the patient’s suffering from a Christian worldview, Christian view of the value of life, and also the Christian view of euthanasia. I will also include my personal worldview of George’s options and best course of action.

Christian view of Suffering and the Fallen World

Worldviews impact a variation in patient’s health attitudes and beliefs (Al-Bannay et al., 2013). It influences their interpretation of health situations, diagnosis, and recommended treatment interventions. According to the Christian view, human beings live in a fallen world. Basically, the world fallen started with the first sin: Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit (Shaw, 2019). God had instructed them to eat everything else in the Garden of Eden but for the fruit of the forbidden fruit. When they broke his command, God was angered. As a result, he imposed judgment and punishment on the two and the rest of mankind. For one, they were cast out of the Garden of Eden and into the fallen world (Shaw, 2019).