Beth-El Baptist Church
09/17/06
Greg Tomlinson
Should Christians sign DNRs?
A DNR is a “Do Not Resuscitate” order that is sometimes used as a generic term for several medical procedures related to the prolonging of life in the case of catastrophic illness or an emergency possibly related to an accident. The various medical orders include “Do Not Resuscitate” and “Do Not Intubate”. The most general term for these orders is an “Advance Directive” and are commonly associated with Living Wills and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
1. When is a “Do Not Resuscitate” order in operation?
A DNR is in operation when a
medical emergency results in the stoppage of the heart. Without the DNR
knowingly in place, the medical profession is obligated to perform heart
defibrillation, chest compressions and any other procedure deemed possible and
potentially useful in getting the heart functioning again. Associated with the
chest compressions is the risk of breaking the ribs. With the DNR knowingly in
place, the medical profession is essentially obligated to not perform
defibrillation and chest compressions.
2. When is a “Do Not Intubate” order in operation?
A DNI is in operation when a medical emergency results in the blockage of the airways so that breathing is impaired. Without a DNI knowingly in place, the medical profession is obligated to try to get air into the lungs. It could include a tube through the nose or mouth and attached to a machine that forces air into the lungs. Associated with the intubation process is the possibility of airway trauma (tooth damage, lacerations, dislocated jaw). With the DNI knowingly in place, the medical profession is essentially obligated to not perform any actions to restore breathing.
3. What are some other things that may be involved with Advanced Directives?
Included in the realm of Advanced Directives can be the withholding of feeding via a tube for bodily nourishment even when the heart and breathing are properly functioning.
4. Is there a “quality of life” issue to be involved in the decision?
Genesis 1:26-27
Psalm 16:11; 27:4; 27:4; 30:5; 63:3; 66:8
Jeremiah 38:15-16
Daniel 12:1-2
Matthew 6:25-34; 7:13-14; 10:39; 16:25
Mark 8:35
Luke 8:11-15; 9:24
John 1:4; 3:36; 5:29, 39; 6:27; 15:11
Acts 2:25-28; 20:23-24
1 Corinthians 15:19-20
Galatians 2:20
Colossians 3:3-4
1 John 1:4; 2:16-17
True quality of life is not found in the time spent on earth, or the possessions one has, or in the comfort of one’s last days. The true quality of life is knowing Jesus as Lord, Savior and God. Only in him can there be a true quality to the life that is lived.
5. What does God’s word say about the value of life?
Genesis 9:4-6; 45:5
Exodus 20:13
Deuteronomy 19:11; 30:19
Numbers 35:31
1 Samuel 25:29
2 Samuel 1:8-16
2 Kings 1:13-14; 20:5-7
Nehemiah 6:11 compare
Esther 8:11
Job 2:4-6; 33:4
Psalm 116:15
Proverbs 4:13, 20-23; 6:23, 26; 8:35; 12:6; 21:21; 22:4
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Isaiah 57:1-2
Jeremiah 21:8; 39:18
Ezekiel 3:18-21; 18:4
Luke 12:15, 22-23; 17:33
John 10:28-29; 14:6
1 Corinthians 6:3
2 Corinthians 4:11; 5:6-8
Galatians 2:20
Philippians 1:21-23; 3:8-9
1 Timothy 6:12
In God’s eyes, life itself is extremely valuable. We are called to “choose life” (Deu 30:19). We are reminded that our very soul belongs to God and that we know that even the righteous of this world will die. Our life itself is to be placed in the hands of God and we are to wait upon him to give us direction and guidance. For the Christian, death is not an end but a new beginning since we will “pass from death into life”. In fact Paul himself looked forward to death, not that he contemplated suicide, but he was looking forward to the day when he would be in the presence of his creator, his God.
When all is said and done, the value of life is the presence of Jesus Christ in the person’s life. Jesus tells us that he “is the life”. Jesus is the ultimate and only life value worth seeking.
6. What does God’s word say about the length of life?
Deuteronomy 6:2
Psalm 90:10; 91:15-16
Proverbs 3:1-2, 13-18; 4:10; 9:10-11
Job 6:11; 7:7
John 6:51; 11:25
2 Timothy 4:6-7
Whatever life you have, it is a blessing and a gift of God. While it is looked at as being an extra blessing to live beyond 70 years, the true blessing is to live the eternal life which God gives through faith in Jesus Christ.
7. What else should be considered with respect to Advanced Directives?
Ecclesiastes 4:10-12
Matthew 22:34-40
Mark 12:28-31
Proverbs 3:5,6; 13:16, 20; 15:22; 19:21; 22:3;
Decisions need to be made with the counsel of others and especially with the counsel of the Word of God. The particular situation of each individual should be considered in light of the life lived and what God’s word has to say about the particular issue being faced.
Summary:
The important thing to consider is that as a Christian, death in this life is not to be a frightening event but a glorious one. There is nothing in the scriptures to identify the necessity of doing anything and everything to increase life here. The important thing is to do what is necessary to have eternal life. Eternal life only comes by way of a personal relationship with Jesus as Lord, Savior, King, and God. Second to that is to ensure that whatever actions are being made from a medical perspective that the life is not being taken. There is a big difference between withholding electrical or mechanical stimulation to prolong live and the withholding of food to hasten the ending of life.
The general guideline is that if a medical procedure has a great potential for success and it is morally acceptable according to the Word of God (taking a life to save your own would be morally unacceptable) then it would probably be best to pursue it. When creating Advanced Directives there needs to be more specific information that a simple DNR or DNI for there are cases when CPR or intubation would most likely be what you would want in the particular case.