Mercy killing, also known as euthanasia, is the act of ending someone’s life to relieve their suffering. This controversial issue has been debated for centuries from ethical, legal, and theological perspectives. As Christians, it is important we examine what the Bible says about mercy killing to gain spiritual wisdom and insight.
Though the term “mercy killing” does not appear in scripture, there are several biblical principles we can draw from to evaluate the morality of euthanasia:
1. Human Life Has Intrinsic Value
The Bible teaches that all human life is sacred because we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). As image-bearers of our Creator, human life has intrinsic value and dignity. Murder is condemned because it unjustly takes the life of someone made in God’s likeness (Exodus 20:13). Even lives that seem burdensome or insignificant to us are precious to God.
This truth does not change even when a person is elderly, disabled or terminally ill. From conception to natural death, human life is always to be valued and protected. Intentionally ending a human life devalues the sacredness of life given by God.
2. Suffering Has Redemptive Potential for the Christian
Though emotionally and physically painful, suffering is an inescapable part of the fallen human condition (Genesis 3:16-19). Yet Scripture reveals how God can use suffering to accomplish his good purposes in our lives. Suffering can be redemptive by refining our faith, drawing us closer to God, making us more Christ-like, and bringing glory to God (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7).
While we should always work to alleviate suffering, the Bible cautions us against seeking to avoid or end all suffering prematurely. For the Christian, even intense suffering can be redeemed to produce character, hope and witness for Christ.
3. God is Sovereign Over Life and Death
Physical life and death are under God’s sovereign control and according to His perfect timing (Psalm 139:16, Job 14:5, Ecclesiastes 3:2). Taking a life prematurely rejects God’s sovereignty. Scripture cautions against taking matters of life and death into our own hands when that is the Lord’s prerogative (1 Samuel 2:6).
We can trust God in faith that He knows the right time for both birth and death. Seeking to end a life intentionally interferes with God’s sovereignty and providential care. Our times are in His hands.
4. Doctors are Called to Heal and Preserve Life
The Bible portrays doctors as those who preserve and heal life. Their skills and gifts are seen as a blessing from God to care for the sick and dying (Sirach 38:1-15, Luke 4:23). While doctors should always seek to care for patients through pain management or other means, they are not given the moral license to intentionally end a human life. Doing no harm and preserving life are key ethical duties.
5. Intentionally Killing the Innocent is Condemned in Scripture
One of the strongest condemnations against mercy killing comes from the biblical command: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). God forbids the intentional killing of an innocent human being. While mercy killing aims to relieve suffering, it still results in the willful killing of one who has done no wrong. Such direct killing conflicts with God’s commands regarding the sanctity of human life.
6. Palliative Care Aligns with Biblical Ethics
Palliative care focuses on relieving pain and providing comfort to the terminally ill without seeking to hasten death. This approach allows the natural dying process while managing pain and symptoms. Palliative care is consistent with biblical values of compassion, upholding the dignity of life, and alleviating suffering. It provides an ethical alternative to euthanasia.
7. Lay Down Your Life Willingly for Others
While we should not end life prematurely, Christ calls His followers to willingly lay down our lives to serve others (John 15:13, Philippians 2:5-8). Obeying this teaching may involve bearing others’ suffering, forgiving hurts, giving generously, or sacrificing our own desires to care for those in need. We are called to give our lives gladly in service, but never to take innocent life.
8. Our Earthly Life is Not All There Is
As Christians, we have a heavenly hope knowing earthly life is not the end. Suffering believers can look forward to the day when God will wipe away every tear and make all things new (Revelation 21:4-5). For the believer, while death brings grief, it also brings entrance into God’s very presence for eternity (Philippians 1:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:6-9). Clinging tightly to the hope of resurrection and eternal life puts even terminal illness into perspective.
9. Uphold the Sanctity of Life, Even for Enemies
One test of the Christian view of the sanctity of life is whether we uphold it even for those considered enemies, such as the unborn or those who wish us harm. Scripture instructs us to love and pray for our enemies, not seek to end their lives (Matthew 5:43-48). Valuing life stems from being made in God’s image – a trait shared by all people, regardless of age, capacity, or whether friend or foe.
10. Our Response Should be characterized by Compassion and Care
As Christ’s followers, we are called to respond to those considering euthanasia with grace and truth – upholding God’s principles while offering compassionate care. We should surround the dying with love, hope, prayer, comfort measures, and the reminder they are made in God’s image. Additionally, we should ensure they are supported by a caring community of faith. While we cannot support mercy killing, we must always support and care for those facing terminal illness.
In summary, a biblical view of mercy killing involves upholding the sanctity of human life as made in God’s image; trusting God’s sovereignty over life and death; acknowledging the redemptive potential in suffering; prohibiting the intentional killing of the innocent; promoting palliative care; looking to the hope of heaven; and responding with Christ-like compassion to those in terminal illness. While euthanasia may seek to alleviate suffering, it violates key biblical principles about the value of human life, our call to serve, and God’s sovereignty over life and death. As Christians, we can confidently trust God to sustain us through even the most painful trials (2 Corinthians 12:9). While we cannot condone mercy killing, we must also avoid the extremes of vitalism or abandoning the dying. As Christ’s ambassadors, we are called to walk in both grace and truth.
Key Biblical Passages on Mercy Killing
Though the Bible does not specifically address mercy killing, there are a number of passages that provide principles to help us evaluate this issue:
Genesis 1:27 – Humans are made in God’s image.
Exodus 20:13 – Commandment against murder.
Job 14:5 – Our days are determined by God.
Psalms 139:13-16 – Life knit together by God.
Ecclesiastes 3:2 – A time to be born and a time to die.
Matthew 5:43-48 – Loving enemies and prayer for persecutors.
John 10:10-11 – Jesus came that we may have life.
Romans 5:3-5 – Suffering produces character.
Romans 12:14-21 – Bless those who persecute you.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 1:21-26 – To live is Christ, to die is gain.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 – God comforts us to comfort others.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness.
Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens.
Ephesians 5:1-2 – Follow God’s example of love.
Philippians 2:3-4 – Consider others more significant than yourselves.
1 Peter 2:19-23 – Christ suffered for us, leaving an example.
Revelation 21:4 – God will wipe away every tear.
While the Bible does not explicitly prohibit mercy killing, strong themes emerge against taking innocent life or playing God. But it also presents a high call to care for the suffering out of reverence for the image of God in each person.
Mercy Killing in Biblical Examples
Though no biblical text directly addresses euthanasia, there are examples that provide principles related to this issue:
– In 1 Samuel 31, Saul is critically wounded and asks his armor bearer to kill him rather than being abused by the Philistines. His servant refuses, so Saul takes his own life. This example shows mercy killing being avoided.
– In 2 Samuel 1, an Amalekite claims to have killed King Saul at his request when he was wounded. David has the Amalekite executed for killing the Lord’s anointed, showing the consequences of taking a life.
– In Acts 16, when jailor prepares to take his own life rather than face punishment for escaped prisoners, Paul intervenes to save his life. This values life even in bleak circumstances.
– In Genesis 25, Jacob steals his brother’s blessing through deception. Yet rather than killing Jacob, Isaac protects his life from Esau’s anger. This shows sparing and preserving life.
While none of these are clear examples of euthanasia, they illustrate biblical characters avoiding opportunities to prematurely end life. They valued life highly, leaving its timing in God’s hands. These examples undergird principles that apply to the issue of mercy killing today.
Conclusions on a Biblical View of Mercy Killing
In synthesizing the biblical evidence, several conclusions emerge:
– Human life has intrinsic value as made in God’s image; it should be protected.
– Though heart-breaking suffering has meaning and redemptive potential according to God’s providence.
– Only God has the rightful power over life and death, not us.
– Intentional killing violates God’s commands against shedding innocent blood.
– Doctors are called to heal, not kill. They should focus on palliative care, not hastening death.
– Christians should respond with grace and truth – upholding God’s principles while offering compassion, comfort and community to those facing terminal illness.
While the Bible does not specifically address modern medical issues like pain management for the dying, its ethical principles can guide us. After examining the Scriptures, mercy killing proves difficult if not impossible to justify theologically or morally. Yet the Bible also compels us to treat every person, no matter their condition, with love, dignity, prayer and support. Biblical ethics call us to uphold the value of life while also easing suffering. As Christ’s followers, we walk this narrow road with care, wisdom and faith.