DEATH AND DYING

Case Study on Death and DyingNameInstitutionInstructorCourseDate Case Study on Death and DyingAbstractThe nature of healthcare provision requires healthcare practitioners to provide healthcare services to all patients regardless of their cultural, spiritual, or other factors that may be different from the physician’s perspective (Meynell, 2014). In such cases, healthcare practitioners have a duty of being culturally aware that allows them to interact and provide healthcare services to diverse patients. One of the important areas of patient care is spiritual health that requires healthcare practitioners to be equipped with adequate knowledge to enable them to understand diverse worldviews (Meynell, 2014). This also helps them in making effective decisions pertaining to patients that improve the well-being of patients in spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects. The case study: End of life decisions involves George who is an attorney and a legal scholar living in Oregon. George who is in his mid fifties is suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which is a disease that affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord as well as the brain (Rieg, Newbanks, Sprunger, 2018). His family is frustrated since the disease has no cure and a patient has to use medications to ease pain and prevent some of the complications associated with the disease. George’s current health status is expected to worsen where he will need the help of his family members to perform normal activities. These circumstances have influenced George to think about going through a painless death to prevent going through the challenges associated with this disease (Rieg, Newbanks, Sprunger, 2018). This requires a healthcare practitioner to help George make the right and effective decision since this discouragement may lead to a poor decision-making process. This paper analyses George’s situation and his decision from a Christian perspective.Case Study on Death and DyingInterpreting George’s Suffering In Light Of the Christian Narrative, With an Emphasis on the Fallenness of the WorldThe Christian worldview is based on God who is a supreme being in charge of the earth and all things in it. He is the one who gives and takes away life. Christians should make decisions based on God’s values regardless what circumstances that he/she may be facing (DiVincenzo, 2014). One of the key values of God is that he is a righteous and loving God who loves all people despite some living sinful lives. He created the world a beautiful and perfect place for humans to live and gave them dominion over all that he has created (Genesis 1:26). However, the first humans disobeyed God that led to a curse on the earth and humans. This has been attributed to some of the negative issues affecting humans today including sicknesses. However, God has a plan to redeem humans and the earth from sin and all problems in it (John 3:16). This is achieved through Jesus Christ who died for all sinners and overcame the powers of Satan. This gives humans access to God for different reasons including seeking healing from chronic illnesses that have no cure (DiVincenzo, 2014). Christians suffering does not mean that God does not love them rather they should persevere and see the glory of God who is able to save them from any problem on earth as God has power over all the earth. This means that George should have a hope for better health regardless of the discouraging report from the doctor (DiVincenzo, 2014). The Bible has different examples of individuals who were healed from serious illnesses to show other Christians the power of God. Job who was a righteous man lost everything that he owned. However, God restored him with everything good which is a sign that God is able to restore George’s health despite the discouraging doctor’s report (Job 42:10-16). Interpreting George’s Suffering In Light Of the Christian Narrative, With an Emphasis on the Hope of ResurrectionGod initially made the earth a beautiful and perfect place for humans to live in. However, due to their disobedience on the Garden of Eden, God cursed the earth and sin brought sicknesses and other negative effects on the earth and on people (Genesis 3: 14-19). However, due to the nature of God who is loving, he gave his only son Jesus Christ to die for all individuals and pay the price for man’s disobedience as a process of restoring human beings to their initial place at the creation time. Jesus Christ overcame all persecutions and troubles on earth until his death (Chakraborty, El-Jawahri, Litzow, & Syrjala, 2017).. However, he resurrected after the third day and went to be with God as well as create a place for all Christians. Jesus Christ will come again at the end of the world to judge all people according to their deeds on earth. Those found to have lived righteous lives will receive eternal life in heaven while sinners will go to hell for eternity (Revelation 20:11-15). This gives hope to Christians in that even though God may not heal them from all sicknesses, death is just a transition from one state to another and will resurrect just as Jesus did after death (Chakraborty et al., 2017). This can be witnessed from the first apostles of Jesus who were not afraid of dying due to this great hope that Jesus will resurrect them at the end of the world where they shall live with Jesus in heaven. Jesus is the savior of the world and one cannot access God or eternal life in heaven except through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Jesus also did miraculous works while on earth including raising the dead and healing individuals from worse diseases that were considered incurable. George should continue trusting on Jesus that he is able to heal him as well as give him eternal life in heaven if he continues to live in righteousness (Chakraborty et al., 2017). How the Christian Worldview Would Inform George’s View about the Value of His Life as a Person As He Contemplates Life with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)The Christian worldview gives Christians hope of overcoming some of the difficult challenges on this earth just as Jesus Christ. Although amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a serious disease that has no cure, Jesus is able to heal George from this disease just as he healed people in the Bible and has continued to heal people from chronic diseases as witnessed in many churches where people give healing testimonies (Rieg, Newbanks, Sprunger, 2018). These testimonies continue to give hope and encourage other individuals undergoing challenges and sicknesses just as George. The disciples of Jesus had also power to heal the sick and perform wonders just as Jesus which shows that Jesus may use a pastor or an apostle to heal George through prayer. Jesus also loves all people that he gave his life for all to be saved (John 3:16). This shows that God is able to heal George since he loves George to the extent of giving his life for him to be saved. The reason that God has not taken George’s life means that God still values his life on earth and George should not contemplate voluntary euthanasia rather hope for a better tomorrow since God is able to heal him (Rieg, Newbanks, Sprunger, 2018). No one has the right to take his /her life since God is the giver of life, has authority over life, and decides when to take the life of an individual. Values and Considerations That the Christian Worldview Focus On In Deliberating About Whether Or Not George Should Opt For EuthanasiaGod has gives certain values for all Christians to apply in their daily lives to make decisions as well as addressing certain situations. The Christian values are based on love and righteousness to enable Christians make effective decisions that are meant to improve life and not cause any harm (DiVincenzo, 2014). Jesus applied these values while on the earth by showing love to all including sinners and those who crucified him on the cross. Despite Jesus’ going through all the troubles and tribulations, he never curse anyone rather forgave those who persecuted him (Mathew 27: 1-51). Most of his teachings are also meant to instill good values based on love and showing compassion to all individuals including our enemies. Considering voluntary euthanasia is not a decision based on love, as death is a painful experience to close relatives and friends. However, trusting God will strengthen and give George’s family hope that there is a better tomorrow (DiVincenzo, 2014). By George opting voluntary euthanasia, this shows that he does not love and respect God since this is going against God’s values and commandments. This decision cannot be amended since once a person is dead, there is no hope of ever seeing the individual again until the Judgment Day. Human life is precious to God as human beings are made in the likeness and image of God that makes human beings special creatures compared to all other living creatures created by God (Genesis 1:26). Human beings should respect the gift of life from God and give God full control of their life regardless of the circumstances. Morally Justifiable Options in the Christian Worldview for GeorgeOne of the options for George based on the Christian worldview is persevering all that he is going through by trusting on God for a better tomorrow. Since God has promised all individuals that he has good plans for those who trust and believe in him, George should trust in God and not be discouraged by the doctor’s report (Meynell, 2014). God has also stated that no one is able to please God without faith. By George considering euthanasia, this may be a sign of lack of faith as he only sees the negative effects of the disease and not the power of God to change his situation. God rewards those who persevere through challenges and difficult times (Meynell, 2014). George is undergoing through a tough time where the best option is to trust in God for a better tomorrow. Job who was a righteous man persevered an attack from Satan where God restored him more than what he previously owned. This circumstance was tough for Job since he lost all his property, children, and wife. However, he did not opt to take a different stand rather trust on God to the end. God rewarded him in the end (Job 42:10-16). The disciples of Jesus who also underwent through tough times persevered some even to their death without losing hope on the greater reward.Another option for George is continuing with prayer that can change his life. Prayer is the main weapon given to Christians by God to use in times of attacks, when facing challenges, and in times of sicknesses (Meynell, 2014). Prayer involves communicating with God who has the answer to any problem on earth. The option to consider euthanasia will be a sin to God since God has commanded Christians not to kill one another or take their own lives, as God is the only being in control of all lives. He decides when a person comes to this world and when a person should die (Meynell, 2014). Considering euthanasia will not have any reward compared to trusting to God. God should continue accessing palliative care from a healthcare facility and trust in God for healing.Personal Decision If I Were In George’s SituationAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a serious health condition that has negative effects on the health of the affected person as well as the family, as they have to take care of the patient due to lose of speech and mobility (Chakraborty et al., 2017). A diagnosis of this disease may be discouraging to patients who may lose hope to continue with lives. However, no condition is beyond God’s control as He has previously and currently healing people from worse sicknesses. God is powerful and able to restore individual’s health regardless of the underlying sicknesses (Chakraborty et al., 2017). Although Christians have Jesus to help them in times of trouble, this does not mean that they are immune to trouble as the earth is full of sin which contributes to majority of the troubles on the earth. However, we have hope in that Jesus is able to save us from any situation if we continuously pray and have faith on God (Mark 11:24). Christians should not be discouraged if God does not save us from these situations even after praying for God has promised all believers that he has good plans for them despite what might be happening (Jeremiah 29:11). Christians should also look at the reward after judgment Day where they will receive eternal life on heaven and be saved from destruction. We should not be tempted to engage in sin due to discouraging circumstances since sin is what led to sicknesses and other negative issues on the earth (Genesis 3: 14-19). The wages of sin is death and Christians are expected to make morally justifiable decisions. This is a time to pray and spend time with family for support in diverse aspects. ReferencesChakraborty, R., El-Jawahri, A., Litzow, M., & Syrjala, K. (2017). A systematic review of religious beliefs about major end-of-life issues in the five major world religions. Palliative and supportive care, 15(5), 609-622.DiVincenzo, A. (2014). The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life. Phoenix, Arizona: Grand Canyon University.Life application study Bible: New King James Version. (2013). Carol Stream, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers.Meynell, H. (2014). Philosophy and the Christian Worldview: Analysis, Assessment, and Development. Heythrop Journal, 55(1), 170–171. Rieg, L. S., Newbanks, R. S., Sprunger, R. (2018). Caring from a Christian Worldview: Exploring Nurses’ Source of Caring, Faith Practices, and View of Nursing. Journal of Christian Nursing, 35 (3), 168–173.