A Christian’s View on Assisted Suicide?

Should a Christian support someone who desires to commit suicide? This is often referred to as euthanasia or assisted suicide and is a very sensitive topic. Here are some of the common arguments for it as well as the common rebuttals that may help you understand the topic more at large and help you make a decision.

Types of Assisted Suicide

1. Termination of Life Support (TLS) – Termination of life support involves stopping medical procedures that keep the critically ill person alive.
2. Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS) – This is when the doctor provides a patient with the means to end their life, typically by prescribing some lethal dose of medication.
3. Euthanasia – It is an act of intentionally ending someone’s life to relieve them from suffering. This is typically considered when an individual is suffering from an incurable disease or in a state of unbearable pain with no prospect of recovery. It is only carried out by a medical professional.

Five Arguments For Assisted Suicide + The Rebuttals

1. Autonomy
   First off, those in favor of this stance believe that individuals should have the right to choose the timing and the manner of their death, especially in cases of terminal illness where death is imminent and suffering is severe. However, As Christians, we believe that life is a sacred gift from God, and only God has the authority to end it. The Bible tells us that our bodies belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and the Bible is very clear that it is appointed for men to die. In other words, it is not us who choose that time but rather God decides.
   
2. Compassion
   Another belief is that assisting in the death of a suffering individual can be seen as an act of mercy, relieving them from the unbearable pain and suffering. However, it’s important to note that allowing death to happen naturally is not the same thing as actively causing death. While compassion is at the core of what we preach as believers, we do not advocate death because that’s morally unacceptable.
   
3. Quality of Life
   Next, those who support this stance believe that a person’s quality of life is diminished due to an illness or suffering, and as a result, they should have the option to end their life. As Christians, it’s important to remember that we value life not based on physical health capabilities or the quality of life. Suffering, while difficult, can still have a spiritual significance and opportunities for growth and deepening of faith. The whole idea of quality of life argument really falls flat because our value is not determined by the quality of our life.
   
4. Death with Dignity
   Another key reason for the support of assisted suicide is the desire for the individual to die with dignity rather than endure a prolonged and slow death process that can often be painful or seemingly unending. As believers, we stand behind the idea that there is dignity in each human because they’ve been created in God’s image. While pain is difficult, the individual’s value is not diminished by an illness or dependency on someone, just like a baby is not any less valuable than an adult because they are dependent on an adult for their survival.
   
5. Reducing the Burden
   Lastly, there is the strong belief that choosing death can be a way to avoid becoming a burden on families or the health care system. To this we respond that the teaching of the Bible is to value community, serving, caring for one another, especially the vulnerable.

What the Bible Teaches

1. Human Life is Made in God’s Image

The Bible says and teaches us that human life is made in God’s image. Human life is a sacred gift, and innocent life is not to be taken intentionally. Human life has good and value, not dependent on the person’s ability to function.

For example, you know there are handicapped people. Their value is no less than the value of a person that is not handicapped. We don’t go and eliminate all the handicapped people. There are poor people. There are some who live on the government support and they’re dependent on other people. We don’t eliminate people because they are valuable. They’re made in the image of God.

2. Death is an Enemy and Normal Part of Life

Next, it’s important to remember that the Bible teaches us that the death we face is an enemy, but also a normal part of life. While it was not in God’s original plan, it is part of the human’s natural cycle now.

3. Taking an Innocent Life is a Sin

It’s also important to note that taking any innocent life is a sin (Exodus 20:13). Now, I do believe that there’s a difference between killing and letting someone die. For example, Paul said, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” In other words, Paul was not resisting death even though it’s was an enemy, but he understood that for Christians death is also a doorway to a better place.

4. God is the Only One Who Can End Life

Next, God is the only one who can end life, as stated above (Hebrews 9:27). Therefore, as believers, we should not interfere and should let the process of dying run its course.

5. Take Care of the Dying

As Christians, we are commanded to take care of the most vulnerable. This includes those who are babies, elderly, widows, and those who cannot take care of themselves.

6. Suffering Has Redemptive Value

Lastly, while we don’t love suffering and look forward to it, we must always remember that it was Christ’s suffering that brought us salvation. And, that suffering in and of itself doesn’t define us. Instead, it refines us and God forms us into the image of God. As believers we must also understand that God develops our character as we help other people who also go through suffering.

I hope that these few thoughts bring you some clarity and guidance if you find yourself in a moment where you must make a difficult decision. May the Lord guide you and give you grace.

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