OPINION:
On Nov. 5 West Virginians narrowly passed a bill by a margin of 55.44% to 49.56% that added an amendment to the state’s constitution prohibiting “medically assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of a person.” Proponents stated it increased the protection of persons in a state where these actions were already considered illegal.
The narrow margin seen in this vote reflects an emotionally charged topic much like the pro-choice and pro-life conversation. In fact, many call the protection of life at both ends of the human experience – “from womb to tomb.”
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Yet, in contemporary discussions surrounding end-of-life issues, particularly the debate over assisted suicide and euthanasia, clarity is contextual. The complexities of modern medicine, personal autonomy, and the reality of suffering challenge traditional Christian views on life and death, often leading to deep moral and theological dilemmas.
The intrinsic dilemma
The question of whether Christians should be “pro-death” might seem provocative, if not outright contradictory. Christianity is a faith that values life, as evident in its teachings, traditions, and the very life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This belief is rooted in Scripture, where humanity is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), imbuing each person with inherent dignity and worth.
From this perspective, the very idea of being “pro-death” seems antithetical to Christian values. To endorse the intentional ending of life, even in cases of extreme suffering, could be seen as a violation of divine law and a rejection of the belief that God is the ultimate author of life and death.
However, the reality of suffering introduces a significant moral complexity to this discussion. For many, the experience of extreme physical pain, loss of autonomy, and the mental tolls of terminal illness can lead to a perspective change. In these moments, the clear-cut moral teachings of the Church can seem distant and out of touch with the harsh realities of the human experience.
Would our loving God desire our continued suffering?
God will pursue us in the good, and the mundane. But it is often the hard, or the hard hard that drops us to our knees and causes us to look up. The God who knows the number of hairs on our head also knows the journey we must go through for our soul at the end of life.
Dying is never easy, whether it is immediate, delayed, or designed. I have not and cannot walk in the shoes of another who has a terminal disease and wants to choose the date, time, and method of their dying process. However I have witnessed some extraordinary events occur in the final week, days, and hours of dying patients that may not have occurred in a curated death.
End-of-life experiences may result in reconciliation among loved ones, testimony to the lost, and comfort for family members witnessing a soul anticipating heaven upon departure.
Role of autonomy and free will
Another critical aspect of the debate over assisted suicide is the role of autonomy and free will. Christianity teaches that humans are endowed with free will, which is the ability to make choices that reflect their moral and spiritual values. This freedom is a fundamental part of what it means to be created in the image of God and is central to the Christian understanding of moral responsibility.
In the context of end-of-life decisions, the principle of autonomy is often invoked to argue that individuals should have the right to choose how and when they die, especially when faced with terminal illness and unbearable suffering. Proponents of this view argue that respecting a person’s autonomy means allowing them to make decisions about their own body and life, including the decision to end their life through assisted suicide.
However, from a Christian perspective, autonomy is not an absolute value. We must consider it within the framework of God’s moral laws. The concept of free will in Christianity is closely linked to the idea of moral responsibility and accountability to God. This means that while Christians have the freedom to make choices, they are also called to make choices that align with God’s will and the teachings of Scripture.
Compassion and the Christian response
The Christian response to suffering and death must also be grounded in compassion. Compassion, derived from the Latin “compati” meaning “to suffer with,” is a core Christian virtue that calls believers to accompany those who suffer, offering comfort, support, and care.
In the context of end-of-life care, this means providing holistic support that addresses not only physical pain but also emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs.
Palliative care, hospice care, and other forms of compassionate end-of-life care are ways in which Christians can respond to suffering in a manner that honors the sanctity of life while also acknowledging the reality of human pain.
Call for moral reflection
In a world where the boundaries between life and death are increasingly blurred by medical technology and changing social values, we are called to be witnesses to the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life. This hope does not diminish the reality of suffering, but it does offer a different perspective — one that sees death not as an end, but as a passage to a new and eternal life with God.
As Christians navigate the moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding assisted suicide, we must do so not only in the abstract but in the context of real lives and real suffering. We can with humility, recognize the limitations of human understanding and the depth of human suffering.
This question challenges us to consider what it truly means to follow Christ, to love our neighbors, and to bear witness to the Gospel in a world that is often filled with pain and loss.
Ultimately, the Christian response to death and dying should be one that affirms the sanctity of life, respects the dignity of the individual, and reflects the love and compassion of Christ. For through him, death has been conquered and that gives us the hope of anticipating heaven.
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Dr. Pamela Prince Pyle is a Board-Certified Internal Medicine physician, Chair of the Board of Africa New Life Ministries in Rwanda, Museum of the Bible Woman of Legacy, speaker and author of the forthcoming book, “Anticipating Heaven: Spiritual Comfort and Practical Wisdom for Life’s Final Chapters,” which releases on Jan. 7, 2025 (Thomas Nelson).
She speaks and writes nationally and internationally on the topics of evangelism, women’s discipleship, healthcare, and end-of-life care. She has been a featured speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast and the Refresh Women Global Conference.
Her website, www.drpamela.com, is a resource for navigating the foreign world of healthcare by uniting faith and medicine.
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