Introduction to Bioethics: Foundations

by John T. Dunlop

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	John T. Dunlop, MD is Fellow of The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity and a physician at Zion Clinic, Zion, Illinois
	Post Date: October 10, 2003

Editor's Note: The following article is an excerpt adapted from a more comprehensive bioethics curriculum currently under development. The positions posted on this web site regarding various bioethics issues are rooted in the Christian world-view, some of the foundations of which are provided below. An overview of secular ethics is forthcoming.

Unless we give an emotional response to an ethical question, we make our decision based upon a principle or foundational belief. We often do this without even realizing it. From the principles that ground our thinking and our lives, we reach conclusions based upon the fundamental truths we hold dear. Whether they are derived from our particular religious faiths or come from a sectarian view of the world, those beliefs shape the everyday decisions we make.

To come to a correct conclusion on what is right or wrong, to reach an ethical decision, our principles must be sound. For those who base their beliefs in a Christian worldview, those beliefs should be based upon the Bible, the sourcebook for the faith.

Use of Scripture in Bioethics

If we are to do bioethics in a distinctively Christian way, it is essential to allow our thinking to be transformed by the truth of Scripture. The nature of biblical revelation is to present many aspects of truth in many different ways. God's mind is infinitely wiser than the human mind. He will frequently present His truth in a manner that to us may seem logically contradictory, but which to Him is entirely consistent. For example, we see in Scripture affirmations both of the free will of human beings and the sovereignty of God and wonder how these seemingly contradictory notions can fit together; however, we know that in God's mind there is no tension between the two. For this reason, we must be very careful to consider the whole of Scripture (rather than just a small portion) when seeking to determine the biblical position on a bioethics issue. Though it is often helpful to quote a passage as a means of illustrating how Scripture provides us with direction, it is rare that we can summarize the whole teaching of Scripture on a particular matter by citing one verse. (An entire field of biblical studies called hermeneutics is dedicated to the proper interpretation of Scripture.)

We should also keep in mind that Scripture places as much emphasis on preserving proper attitudes and values as it does on right actions. Micah 6:8 instructs us saying, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. The balance between justice and mercy presented in this verse is one that we constantly confront today. It would seem that the prophet is suggesting that a proper relationship with God enables us to obtain that balance. We must see ourselves as creatures and recognize His role as Creator. Once that relationship is understood, we are in a position where we can do what the Lord requires of us.

On some bioethics issues, there are clearly right and wrong answers and the entire Christian Church should find unity in their approach to them. On other issues, however, there are no clear rights and wrongs and one must be very careful about being dogmatic when discussing such matters. With regard to still other issues, there are many shades of gray. We must be careful to guard the truth where it is clear, but we must be equally careful to preserve unity among believers with respect to disputable matters and to engage in discussions in such a way that they can be both loving and productive.

The Foundation of Christian Ethics: Faith, Hope, and Love

The apostle Paul repeatedly refers to the triad of faith, hope, and love in referring to Christian behavior (1 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8). This emphasis is clearly applicable to Christian ethics.

First, we have faith. Faith, according to Scripture, is being able to see life from a different perspective. It is recognizing that our greatest joy comes from God through our relationship with Him. It demonstrates that we are willing to root our lives in Him--to play the game, as it were, by His rules and to give up any claim to run our lives for ourselves. It opens up to us the potential for fulfillment that can come only from God and frees us from the disappointment of living life within the limits of our own resources. Faith is rooted in the past--in Who God is and has been for all eternity and in what He did for us 2000 years ago when Jesus died and rose again.

Love is the next emphasis. Love has a present-day orientation. The life I live today is to be lived by giving myself to God and to others. It is to recognize the importance of others and to give myself sacrificially to them. This love for God and for others is to be one of the driving motivations of all that I do.

The third motivating factor is hope. This involves not only the hope that I will some day be in God's eternal presence, but also the hope that I have in His provision of strength and grace for each day that I live. I am able to make plans for the future, trusting that He will be there to give grace sufficient to fulfill those plans. I can extend myself now beyond my ordinary limits of strength for I know that an eternal rest awaits me when I will be totally fulfilled in His presence.

These three truths are at the core of all of my behavior as a Christian. By faith, I know that God's way is right, even when it may seem to lead to insurmountable difficulties. My hope is that the injustices in this world that I am unable to address will be addressed in the proper time and place. I am able to truly love others and put their needs above those of myself. I do not live exclusively for comfort in the here-and-now, but am able to extend myself beyond my comfort level with the expectation that God will provide grace for each day and a future eternal rest.

The framework of faith, hope, and love can be applied to real-life bioethical challenges. Consider the mother of four who is pregnant and has been deserted by her husband. Should she seek an abortion? Thinking rooted in the values of this world would indicate that she should. If, however, she looks at her situation from God's vantage point--having faith that God will daily provide His grace and that His way is best, recognizing the hope manifest in His gift of a child, and acting out of love for the baby and the rest of her family--she will choose to carry her child to term. Other difficult bioethical situations may also be resolved in a God-honoring way by employing this framework in the decision-making process.

As we begin this series outlining a basic Christian approach to issues in bioethics, it is important to keep in mind that we do believe in eternal truth. We believe we are to love our neighbor and pursue truth wherever it may be found. In the end, we engage the issues because we believe that we are required to shape the world...make it a better place. One where all people act for a truly human future--one where we care for the sick and uphold the weak. One where no one is left behind. CBHD