DQ for Playing God

PLAYING GOD - Moral Tensions in Health Care
in Journal of Christian Nursing, Volume 20, Number 4 Fall 2003
by Barbara J. White

A Christian Framework for Ethical Decision Making

Examine God's Character
Who is God and how does his character inform my ethical decisions?
• Holiness (Ps 29:2; Mat 5:28; Rom 6:19; Eph. 4:24; Heb 10:12)
• Justice (Ps 11:7; Is 30:18; Is 61:8; Amos 5:15,24; Zech 7:9)
• Love (Ps 36:7; Ps 101:1; Hosea 12:6; Rom 13:9-10; Gal 5:13-14; 1 Jn 4:7-8)
• Mercy (Ps 25:6; Mt 23:23; Jas 2:12-13)

Study God's Word
What does the Bible say about the ethical dilemma?
• God is sovereign. He has ultimate authority over life and death (Dan 4:25; Ps 139; Is 30:15)
• We are made in God's image (Gen 1:26-27)
• Disease, suffering and death are the result of sin (Gen 3; Rom 6:23)
• We have been bought with a price; we are not our own (1 Cor 6:19-20)
• In life and death, we are the Lord's (Rom 9:19-24; Rom 14:8)
• We have free will and can make decisions that may or may not be God's desire (Deut 30:19; Gal 5:13)

Commit to God's Way
How will this decision influence my moral character and Christlikeness?
• Jesus is the answer to disease and suffering (Jn 3:16; Jn 10:10)
• Submit to God's authority and rely on God's power (Phil 4:13)
• Be a good steward of your body and your life (1 Cor 6:20)
• We are to love God, others and ourselves (Deut 5; Mt 22:37-40)
• There is meaning and purpose in suffering (Rom 8:17-18; Phil 3:10)
• Physical life is not the "greatest good" (Phil 1:21-27)

Be Encouraged by God's Provision
How can I witness to a fallen world?
• Let God sustain you by his grace (2 Cor 12:9)
• God promises to supply all of our needs through Jesus (Phil 4:19)
• The Holy Spirit is our comforter and will provide knowledge and wisdom (Rom 8:26-27; 2 Cor 1:3-7; Jas 1:5-8; Col. 2:2-3)
• We are more than conquerors through Christ (Rom 8:28-30; Rom 8:37)
• Our hope is in Jesus (Ps. 130:7; Col. 1:27; Tit 2:13)

Search Scripture. Fast and pray. Seek wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit, worship and fellowship with other believers in order to know the heart of God.