Euthanasia: Compassion or Murder?

Euthanasia: Compassion or Murder?

Introduction:

Euthanasia is garnering more attention these days. On 3/18, our country became consumed w/the Terry Schiavo case in FL. These events prompted this lesson. There is a growing culture of death in America. Currently euthanasia is illegal in US. But, Oregon passed law allowing euthanasia. This law is currently under review by US Supreme Court. Euthanasia is a product of 20^th century medical success. People who would have formerly died – now kept alive by advanced medical treatments. It is clear that some Americans are tempted by what on the surface seems to be an acceptable, clinical, high-tech “humane” way of disposing of those deemed to be living an unacceptable quality of life.

I. Definitions.

A. Euthanasia literally means “_________ ____________” in the Greek.

1. Euthanasia is divided into two types: ___________ & ______________.

B. Active Euthanasia is the intentional killing of a patient by a doctor to help a patient die. Voluntary/involuntary. Euthanasia is NOT _________ __________ __________.

1. In PAS – doctor provides patient necessary means to commit _____________.

C. Passive Euthanasia: Officials allow nature to take its course w/or w/o patients knowledge.

II. The Bible and Euthanasia

A. Matters of life & death belong to _____________.

1. John 5:26 – God is the ______________ of life.

2. Gen. 2:7 – God is the ____________ of life.

3. Acts 17:24-25, 28 – God is the _________________ of life.

4. Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6 – God is the _______________ of life.

B. Ex. 20:13 – God said you shall not kill.

C. 1 Sam. 31; 2 Sam. 1 – the biblical practice as seen in the death of Saul.

1. Consider Saul’s condition – 31:3-4; 31:4b – the armor bearer’s reaction:

2. 2 Sam. 1:13-14 – David’s reaction to Amalekite who claimed he killed Saul.

a) 13:14 – David called the Amalekite a ___________________.

D. Scripture says there can be value in the _________________ of life.

1. Suffering allows us an opportunity to _____________ our faith. Psa 23:4

a) Lk. 1:38; 2 Cor. 12:9 – problems in life teach us to rely on God for __________ and guidance. Think of Job 1:20-21; 2:10 – Job’s example.

2. We can use our trials to ______________ God – 2 Cor. 4:16-18

III. Why Euthanasia is wrong.

A. Does not value ___________ life. Must place value on those less fortunate: Lk. 14:13

B. No respect for ___________________ parents.

1. Honor/respect for parents does not stop when children move out. Eph. 6:1-2

2. 1 Tim. 5:8, 16 – our ___________ is contingent upon our care of loved ones.

C. No respect for the rightful placement of ______________. Heb. 9:27

1. There is a difference between ____________ death & _____________ death!

D. No compassion or _____________. No respect for God’s __________________.

IV. What’s further down the slippery slope – Mt. 7:20

A. Involuntary Euthanasia. People put to death w/o their consent.

B. Euthanasia for Psychological problems – even in bad cases of depression.

C. Euthanasia for mentally retarded babies – already being done via abortion.

Conclusion:

A. Active Euthanasia is the unlawful taking of a human being’s life.



Euthanasia: Compassion or Murder? Introduction: Euthanasia is garnering more attention these days. On 3/18, our country became consumed w/the Terry Schiavo case in FL. These events prompted this lesson. There is a growing culture of death in America. Currently euthanasia is illegal in US. But, Oregon passed law allowing euthanasia. This law is currently under review by US Supreme Court. Euthanasia is a product of 20^th century medical success. People who would have formerly died – now kept alive by advanced medical treatments. It is clear that some Americans are tempted by what on the surface seems to be an acceptable, clinical, high-tech “humane” way of disposing of those deemed to be living an unacceptable quality of life. I. Definitions. A. Euthanasia literally means “_________ ____________” in the Greek. 1. Euthanasia is divided into two types: ___________ & ______________. B. Active Euthanasia is the intentional killing of a patient by a doctor to help a patient die. Voluntary/involuntary. Euthanasia is NOT _________ __________ __________. 1. In PAS – doctor provides patient necessary means to commit _____________. C. Passive Euthanasia: Officials allow nature to take its course w/or w/o patients knowledge. II. The Bible and Euthanasia A. Matters of life & death belong to _____________. 1. John 5:26 – God is the ______________ of life. 2. Gen. 2:7 – God is the ____________ of life. 3. Acts 17:24-25, 28 – God is the _________________ of life. 4. Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6 – God is the _______________ of life. B. Ex. 20:13 – God said you shall not kill. C. 1 Sam. 31; 2 Sam. 1 – the biblical practice as seen in the death of Saul. 1. Consider Saul’s condition – 31:3-4; 31:4b – the armor bearer’s reaction: 2. 2 Sam. 1:13-14 – David’s reaction to Amalekite who claimed he killed Saul. a) 13:14 – David called the Amalekite a ___________________. D. Scripture says there can be value in the _________________ of life. 1. Suffering allows us an opportunity to _____________ our faith. Psa 23:4 a) Lk. 1:38; 2 Cor. 12:9 – problems in life teach us to rely on God for __________ and guidance. Think of Job 1:20-21; 2:10 – Job’s example. 2. We can use our trials to ______________ God – 2 Cor. 4:16-18 III. Why Euthanasia is wrong. A. Does not value ___________ life. Must place value on those less fortunate: Lk. 14:13 B. No respect for ___________________ parents. 1. Honor/respect for parents does not stop when children move out. Eph. 6:1-2 2. 1 Tim. 5:8, 16 – our ___________ is contingent upon our care of loved ones. C. No respect for the rightful placement of ______________. Heb. 9:27 1. There is a difference between ____________ death & _____________ death! D. No compassion or _____________. No respect for God’s __________________. IV. What’s further down the slippery slope – Mt. 7:20 A. Involuntary Euthanasia. People put to death w/o their consent. B. Euthanasia for Psychological problems – even in bad cases of depression. C. Euthanasia for mentally retarded babies – already being done via abortion. Conclusion: A. Active Euthanasia is the unlawful taking of a human being’s life.