Decision Making Cases Part 1

Decision Making Cases Part 1

Ethical Decision-Making

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For questions 2-6, chose from the “Decision-Making Cases” document in the topic Resources. Use critical thinking as well as support from the topic Resources to answer the following prompts.

1. Why do Christians believe that morality is absolute and objective, rather than relative and subjective? If morality is objective, where do Christians get their moral standard? Cite Chapter 7 of The Beginning of Wisdom textbook and/or topic overview. Include the resources you use on a reference page at the end of this document.

Your answer in 75-100 words:

Christians believe that morality is absolute and objective. This is because Christians follow the word of God as the true north for them and this is applicable to all those who believe. Those who seek the face of the Lord through confession of sins and seeking His forgiveness are assured of entering the Kingdom of God. In the teaching about Christian exclusivism, Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the only true way to God, nothing short of this. Moral standards for Christians are undebatable because they are guided by God’s wisdom as manifested in the holy Book, the Bible and even notable Roman and Jewish historians’ works (Dockery & Wax, 2019). DAT 530 Module Six Short Paper

• Use the case you chose from the “Decision-Making Cases” document to answer the following questions to build the Christian ethical response. Use logical reasoning (general revelation). Cite Bible passages (special revelation), The Beginning of Wisdom textbook, and/or the topic overview. Include the resources you use on a reference page at the end of this document.
  • Which case did you choose?

Decisions of life and death

• In Chapter 2 of The Beginning of Wisdom textbook and the Topic 1 Overview, the elements of a worldview (ultimate reality, nature of the universe, humanity, knowledge, ethics, purpose) are presented. In the case you chose, which worldview element is going to be the biggest factor for determining right and wrong in the case you chose? Why?

Your answer in 75-100 words:

The biggest determining factor for right or wrong in Janie’s case is the worldview element of purpose. This is based on the understanding that God created everything that exists on earth and in heaven with love and purpose. It is expected that all people should live according to God’s expectations and understand that His purpose may be hard to comprehend at this time, but that everything that God does for humanity is meant to be. The pain and suffering that humans experience are the result of their sins. Christians must rely on the word of God which promises that God will heal their hearts from desperation.

• How does the Christian worldview describe the worldview element you identified?  

Your answer in 75-100 words:

The worldview element of purpose implies that God has a purpose for all human beings regardless of whether or not they understand the reasoning. Human beings should live in accordance with God’s purpose failure to which they will not be having trust in him (Moreland & Craig, 2017). The scripture according to Romans 8:18 says “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2016). This verse exhorts Christians not to give up even in the face of suffering for ultimately God’s purpose will be revealed to them.

• What are Bible passages (cite two or three) that will guide the ethics for the case you choose? How do these Bible passages apply to this case?

Your answer in 75-100 words:

Several Bible passages can help to guide in making decisions about life and death. According to Isaiah 41:10, the Bible encourages those who believe in God not to fear for he is with them and working on their behalf. It says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV). Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) is another verse to help solve the ethical dilemma about suicide and euthanasia. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2016).This verse comforts someone facing difficult situations today that God will work through their sufferings to prosper and give them hope.

• Based on your answers to b and c, explain the Christian response to the case you chose. In other words, how might the Christian worldview resolve the issue?

Your answer in 75-100 words:

Desperation like in the case of Janie can be resolved through cultivating stronger faith in God. Although desperation can shale even the strongest of faith, it is important to remember God’s purpose in one’s life. The issues of suicidal thoughts and psychological problems can be resolved through Christian counseling, seeking support from local mental health providers, using suicidal hotlines, and getting adequate family support. This belief is supported by the passion of Christ, i.e. he suffered death on the cross but rose on the third day in victory.

• Your previous responses built a Christian ethical stance and provided a Christian resolution for the case. How might this Christian resolution to the issue increase human dignity and human value?

Your answer in 50-75 words:

The Christian resolution to the ethical dilemma about suicide and euthanasia can increase human dignity and human value in the sense of encouraging Christians to put their trust and have strong faith in God. With this in mind, Christians might then overcome even the most challenging situations such as suicidal ideation in times of despair. As a result, human dignity and value will be upheld because life will be preserved at all cost with the help of God.

• The Christian position that humans should flourish comes from belief in the goodness of God. How so? What are the connections between God’s goodness and human flourishing?

Your answer in 50-75 words:

God’s initial plan for humanity was that they flourish and rule the earth. However, with the fall of man through sin, the aspect of human pain and suffering emerged. The fall of man did not deter God from manifesting his love for man because he sent his Son to rescue humanity, an opportunity for mankind to flourish again (Moreland & Craig, 2017). God’s continued goodness for us is a sure sign that he wills that humans should flourish.

• Considering the Christian resolution you built for the case and everyone involved in the scenario, what might be some benefits or unintended consequences that come from this resolution? What might be challenging for people to accept or do?

Your answer in 75-100 words:

The benefits that might come out of the above Christian resolution include the desire from Janie to hold onto faith and live on despite her suffering and the emotional and spiritual wellbeing from knowing that God is with her even in difficult times. It might not be easy for Janie to comprehend how she will live with her condition and achieve her dreams for college, romance, and a meaningful life, but with assistance, she can still live a fulfilling life. She should be encouraged that disability is not inability. Romans 5:3-5 which says that “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” can encourage her (Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2016).

• What are some ways that Christians should be active in helping to alleviate the suffering related to this issue? Give specific examples that ordinary people can do.

Your answer in 75-100 words:

To help people such as Janie, Christians should strive to develop their faith by offering Christian counseling. As the Bible says, faith comes by listening, people in a similar situation as Janie can develop a strong faith in God if they have access to information about God and what he wants them to do. Also, Christians can help people in similar situations as Janie by assisting with daily activities such cooking, washing, dressing, and feeding. Certain modifications can also be made to the environment such as the house in which they live to make them comfortable. Emotional support is critical in alleviating suffering and therefore Christians can provide companionship and counseling to promote emotional stability.

References:

Dockery, D. S., & Wax, T. (2019). Christian Worldview Handbook. B&H Publishing Group.

Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/#vinfo.

Moreland, J. P., & Craig, W. L. (2017). Philosophical foundations for a Christian worldview. InterVarsity Press.