Case Study on Death and Dying

Case Study on Death and Dying
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Case Study on Death and Dying
Different people use different approaches to deal with difficult situations in life. Through the Christian worldview, many people have been able to make meaning of their suffering and, as a result, have been able to cope with difficult situations. This paper discusses suffering and ethical decision-making from a Christian worldview aspect.
Suffering and the Fallenness of the World
As a Christian, George would interpret his suffering as a consequence of sin and the world's fallenness. According to Hall, Shannonhouse, Aten, McMartin, and Silverman (2018), Christians do not view suffering as a reality of the world. Instead, they consider suffering as an altered reality of the world caused by sin. In this case, sin is not necessarily an individual sin but the original sin committed by the first human creation. As such, suffering is attributed to the original sin, allowing Christians to cope with suffering.
Further, even though George is suffering and will continue to suffer as his disease progresses, he would not interpret his suffering negatively from a Christian perspective. As revealed by Hall et al. (2018), Christians view suffering as an opportunity to be saved and rescued by God. George would therefore see his suffering as an opportunity to be saved, not only from the original sin but also from the world's fallenness. He would see his suffering as an opportunity to receive God’s grace and love.
However, it is worth mentioning that if George believes that he has led a good Christian life, he would question God and His powerfulness and beg Him to alleviate his suffering. As revealed by Hall et al. (2018), this feeling is normal amongst Christians because even Jesus Christ, who died to save the world from its fallenness, begged God to alleviate his suffering. George would use his suffering to relate with Jesus and glorify God (Hall et al., 2018). What is most important about the interpretation of suffering in Christianity is that it is always associated with God's will. According to Anderson (2017), Christians believe that when a person fails to follow God's will, they experience suffering. As such, it is through suffering that Christians learn to accept and follow the will of God (Hall et al., 2018). George would therefore interpret his suffering as the will of God, accept it and endure through it.
Suffering and the Hope of Resurrection
As a Christian, George’s interpretation of suffering would also be influenced by the hope of resurrection. The hope of the resurrection is based on the afterlife belief, which helps Christians deal with suffering and imminent death. McTavish (2016) indicates that the hope of resurrection, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is essential in the interpretation of suffering because although resurrection does not alleviate suffering, it allows Christians to make meaning from suffering based on the promise of salvation. George would interpret his suffering as a stepping stone to salvation and eternal life, free of further suffering.
As mentioned earlier, Christians interpret suffering to relate to Jesus and his suffering at the cross (Hall et al., 2018). As such, suffering allows Christians to become like Jesus, resurrected from death and experience resurrection just like He did. George would see his suffering as an opportunity to die and resurrect as a new person in a free world from suffering. The Christian narrative paints suffering and death as the final stage before Christians can resurrect and live in a redeemed world (Hall et al., 2018). The hope of resurrection gives Christians the hope that their suffering will be absolved one day and they will become renewed. In this sense, George’s interpretation of his suffering is that it is an opportunity to be part of those who will be absolved through resurrection. To him, suffering would indicate that, indeed, just like Jesus, his life here on earth is temporary, and one day, he will get to lead a better, eternal life. The hope of resurrection cements the belief that human beings will live forever (McTavish, 2016). George would believe that his life will not end at death.
View of the Value of Life
The Christian worldview places a high value on human life, and as such, George would consider his life as valuable to him, his family, and God. As indicated by Choudry, Latif, and Warburton (2018), Christians believe that human beings are created in the image of God. As such, their life is of utmost importance, especially when compared to other living creatures. Therefore, other than God, no one else has the right to end a life. George would have a similar belief and would value his life, despite his current medical condition. The belief that human beings are created in God's image also places more value in human life in the sense that it promises a better quality of life in the afterlife. Miller (2020) reveals that because human beings are created in God's image, they will acquire a new life that is of be...