Analysis of Christian Ethical Systems in Regards to Bioethics
By analysing the ethical system of Christianity, show how Christian adherents draw guidance in regards to bioethics.
Refer to two bioethical issues.
Bioethics is the area of science that deals with ethical choices faced in medical research and the treatment of patients where advanced medical technology is used. Two bioethical issues that Christians might have concerns with are abortion and euthanasia. These issues are derived from Christians’ main sources of revealed law, such as the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:17), the Beatitudes (Matthew 5 3:10, Luke 6 20:27) and Jesus’ Commandment of Love (Luke 10 25:27). Natural law and Church law also play a part in determining bioethical decisions. Different Christian denominations place different emphases on the importance of each of these laws when considering bioethical decisions. The foundation of Christian ethics is the life and teachings of Jesus, because for Christians, Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:16). Christians also believe that “all human beings were created in the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26), and thus we are called to “love your neighbour as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:39). These examples of Christian ethics are revealed law. Protestants draw their bioethical considerations from revealed law alone, whereas Catholics and Orthodox groups together with revealed law, consider natural law and church law. Natural law is the unwritten body of universal moral principles that underlie ethical norms by which human conduct is underpinned. Church law refers to the laws and regulations over church matters in regard to personal morality, status and powers of the clergy and personal discipline.
Euthanasia is defined as the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or an irreversible coma. There are four categories of euthanasia which are: suicide, which is defined as death at one’s own hand; voluntary euthanasia which is carried out at the
Refer to two bioethical issues.
Bioethics is the area of science that deals with ethical choices faced in medical research and the treatment of patients where advanced medical technology is used. Two bioethical issues that Christians might have concerns with are abortion and euthanasia. These issues are derived from Christians’ main sources of revealed law, such as the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:17), the Beatitudes (Matthew 5 3:10, Luke 6 20:27) and Jesus’ Commandment of Love (Luke 10 25:27). Natural law and Church law also play a part in determining bioethical decisions. Different Christian denominations place different emphases on the importance of each of these laws when considering bioethical decisions. The foundation of Christian ethics is the life and teachings of Jesus, because for Christians, Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:16). Christians also believe that “all human beings were created in the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26), and thus we are called to “love your neighbour as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:39). These examples of Christian ethics are revealed law. Protestants draw their bioethical considerations from revealed law alone, whereas Catholics and Orthodox groups together with revealed law, consider natural law and church law. Natural law is the unwritten body of universal moral principles that underlie ethical norms by which human conduct is underpinned. Church law refers to the laws and regulations over church matters in regard to personal morality, status and powers of the clergy and personal discipline.
Euthanasia is defined as the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or an irreversible coma. There are four categories of euthanasia which are: suicide, which is defined as death at one’s own hand; voluntary euthanasia which is carried out at the