Healing and Autonomy: Christian Ethics and Ethical Decision Making

Running Head: HEALING AND AUTONOMY 1
HEALING AND AUTONOMY
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Introduction
Christianity is not a branch of science where patients can be referred to with the view that
one should believe in God if it helps him or her(Keller, 2015). If it is the truth,the physician can
also commit to it wholly. However, it is important to balance both physical and spiritual
life.manyChristians, faith, and belief in God impact their life positively(Keller, 2015).Integrated
healing can be incorporated however not by abusing the health service position by concentrating
on the patient's spiritual needs(Rykkje, Eriksson &Riholm, 2011). It is a challenging task for the
healthcare providers agreeingabout the health of somebody(Koeniget al., 2012). For Mike and
Joanne in the case study, they have to make weighty decisions concerning the health of their son,
James. James has problems of kidney failure, urgently needs dialysis which will be followed
later by a kidney transplant. Their decision to hold the physician’s recommendations for a kidney
dialysis to take him to the pastor for healingby the teachings of the bible made the condition
worse. They later decided to continue with the dialysis until a kidney transplant was possible
later in the year. His brother Samuel was the solution. The essay will focus on the prevalent
ethical issues present in the case study, the Christian ethics and their effect on ethical decision
making.
Pressing issues under Christian view and ethics
There is a contrasting issue between believing in healing from God and healing through
scientific methods. Urgent dialysis was needed for James but Mike and Joannepostponed their
son’s treatment and took him for a healing service which made his situation worse. His son had

to be put on dialysis without any question now. Mike also struggles to know whether God is
testing or punishing him. He had to choose the right thing for his son.
In most cases, Christians prefer faith healing than the physician's treatment(Keller, 2015).
Mike and Joanne trusted the sermon from the pastor more after they had seen a friend of their
healed from a stroke. James in this case also is a minor who has to rely on his parents' decisions.
In this case, it is unethical since it almost cost them life.In the healthcare, chances are either one
may die or live. It is the role of the medics to deliver the information to the patient and the family
members regarding any possibilities (Csikszentmihalyi, 2014). Despite our view of Christianity
we still need doctors to heal.
Another ethical issue is on the kidney transplant. To Christians, the body is the temple of
the Holy Spirit and should not be tamperedwith. The issue of organ transplant is a controversial
issue regarding their view of the body. In our case study, this was the only way James could
survive by being donated a kidney to by his brother since it was the only match and needed to be
carried out before the end of the so that he survives. To Christianity this is unethical. Again mike
sees this as another test of faith by God. His two sons were now involved,and he didn’t know
how to approach the matter.
Mike’s decision making against the physician’s responsibility
It is the responsibility of the parents to make decisions for their children until they grow
up. This includes even the matters of beliefs and practices. In the case study, Mike ignores the
suggestions of the doctor and chooses to continue putting his faith in God even when urgency
was required. The physician had offered an appropriate treatment for James. Physicians are also