Resuscitation??

Question

Random question: What are the strictly observant's views on resuscitation? I have known people within the church who strongly believe in medical treatment, but I'm curious whether they believe in 'bringing people back from the dead' so to speak. And if not, where is the line drawn? Does this mean treatment for terminal illnesses is a problem?

Answer 1

As Christians, we believe that human life is a sacred gift from God to be cherished and respected because every human being is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26).

In heeding God’s command, "Thou shall not kill" (Exodus 20:13), we recognize that we cannot end of our lives or the lives of others as we please. We must respect and protect the dignity of human from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

Discontinuing the medical procedures of a dying person that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; this is the refusal of "over-zealous" treatment. This would include not resusicating a dying person with a non-resusitation order.

Here one does not want to cause death but merely accepts one's inability to stop it.

The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

In contrast to not keeping dying persons alive by extraordinary means are these morally unacceptable options:

+ Euthanasia occurs when a doctor or medical staff person administers a lethal dose of medication with the intention of killing the patient.

+ Assisted suicide occurs when a doctor or medical staff person prescribes a lethal amount of medication with the intent of helping a person commit suicide. The patient then takes the dose or turns the switch.

We also recognize the need for the proper management of pain. Modern medicine provides effective treatments for pain that guarantees that no one will suffer a painful death. No one needs to escape pain by seeking death.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2270 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art5.htm#2270
http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0897.asp

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Great Question! Well worded and thought provoking. I don't give many stars but this deserves one.

I think the answer lies in the level of spiritual maturity.

"Babes in Christ" can't be expected to

bring their Bibles to church.
study on their own
or pretty much do anything on their own except

cry because it is too hot or too cold
cry because the presentation of the sermon/music wasn't to their taste
cry because they are asked to give rather than receive
you know, baby things

So the mature have to bring the equivalent of a "diaper bags" and care for these babies who can't care for themselves.

Bringing back someone from the dead requires spiritual maturity. Believing someone rose from the dead requires spiritual maturity. And they aren't the same thing.

The difference between the babe and the mature is the ability to recognize the Holy Spirits voice and follow it. Spiritual babies don't grow up because they have "done time in church." They grow up because they "put God's word into practice." (Parable of the Buiilder) The second principle to understand is that when we are faithful with a little, God will give us much. LK 19 (Parable of the Minas)

And so God gives us opportunities to grow and join Him in His work according to our capabilities. When we are faithful, we grow up and can handle more....but we first have to hear His voice to know what His plan is for us ....and that usually comes by reading the only book that is living and active, the Bible.

I have said all that to address your question: "Where is the line drawn?"

I think your question is asking, "When do we as Christian have the faith to believe God can do all things without us and pray for Him to do what we can NOT do?" God is God and can do those Godly things without having to use humans. So when do where do we draw the line and stop expecting human involvement?

The answer: When He tells us. ....which requires hearing His voice and putting what He said into practice.

There are two principles:

1. Miracles in the Bible bring glory to God and assist us to having more faith. Example: Elijah apparently needed the training of eating his last meal from birds each day till the stream dried up before he ate his last meal provided by a widow with the oil and flour. Through this training, he learned He could trust God enough so he could stand alone before a large crowd and believe that fire would come down and consume his offering WHEN HE PRAYED. Moses was trained in the same manor. He did a lot of growing between arguing with God at the burning bush to being frustrated with the people because they didn't believe God could make water flow from a rock. Each learning experience we have is designed to help us trust God.

2. Trusting God is something that all Christians do at different degrees. As the man wanting healing for his child that the disciples could not heal said to Jesus, "I believe. Help my un-belief."

There are people that believe God doesn't work throught doctors, that God need doctors to work and that God doesn't need doctors in order for Him to do His work. These are different levels of faith and it take maturity to believe God can work alone. ....which is most of the answer to your question.

Let me finish with this question, "Jesus went to the Temple and walked by the 40 year old cripple that sat in the gate that Peter and John healed in Acts 3. Why didn't Jesus heal him and all the other sick, lame and blind before He ascended?"

Do you believe Ro 8 where it says God works all things to good? Do you believe the blind man in Jn 9 was born blind to bring glory to God or can only those without health issues bring glory to God? Does God entrust cancer and other illnesses to people? Is physical death unGodly?

Hope this helps.