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Why the Church Needs Bioethics: A Guide to Wise Engagement with Life's Challenges
In a world where incredible medical technologies are possible ... does 'can do' mean 'should do'? Why the Church Needs Bioethics helps you understand and constructively engage bioethical challenges with the resources of Christian wisdom and ministry. Three rich and true-to-life case studies illustrate the urgency of such bioethical issues as reproductive and genetic technologies, abortion, forgoing treatment, assisted suicide, stem cell research, and human enhancement technologies. Leading Christian voices bring biblical and theological perspective to bear on the incredible medical technologies available today; mobilize useful insights from health care, law, and business; and demonstrate the powerful ways the church can make a difference through counseling, pastoral care, intercultural ministry, preaching, and education. This book equips students, church and lay leaders, and people in health-related fields with the knowledge to make faithful bioethical decisions and to help foster a world where human beings are shown respect as people created in the image of God. Contributors to Why the Church Needs Bioethics include leading Bible and theology scholars, such as D. A. Carson and Kevin Vanhoozer; leaders in the areas of preaching (Greg Scharf) and ethics (Scott Rae); and 15 other experts in the fields of biblical-theological studies, ministry, communication, business, law, healthcare, and bioethics.
304 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 26, 2017
SUCH A GOOD BOOK
August 29, 2011
This is a collection of essays built around three case studies, illustrating why the Church needs to study and explore bioethics. Each of the case studies presents a moral and ethical dilemma which the affected parties are not handling well. Each situation is then examined in several essays from a variety of perspectives, by experts from different fields: legal, medical, business, multicultural, bioethics, psychology, pastoral care.
The three case studies are a couple trying to have a baby via egg donation from the wife's sister; four graduate students who have been told by their very distinguished and powerful thesis advisor that they can help him make the critical breakthroughs in cold fusion, but only if they take a brain stimulant that's illegal in the US and is "reasonably safe"; and a man dying a painful death of pancreatic cancer, whose teenage daughter is angry and resentful because he has stopped chemotherapy, and whose wife is wondering if assisted suicide can end his suffering and give him a good death. The essayists are all Christians, and all approach these issues from a Christian perspective. Their professional backgrounds, and hence much of their viewpoint apart from religion, varies widely. Individually and collectively, they make clear why the Church needs to address issues of bioethics, and how informed and thoughtful bioethical guidance from religious leaders, fellow parishioners, and others can help believers who face moral and ethical dilemmas relating to modern medical technology, as well as the doctors, lawyers, counselors, and others who must assist them in these decisions.
This is a serious, thoughtful, well-written book that does not provide simple answers or suggest that simple answers are possible. There is not one unified viewpoint here, except as the essayists share the Christian faith. The essays are not all equally good, and sadly, I have to say that Mr. Kilner's is the weakest, but they are all well worth reading, and will lead you to think seriously about the issues involved.
Recommended.
The three case studies are a couple trying to have a baby via egg donation from the wife's sister; four graduate students who have been told by their very distinguished and powerful thesis advisor that they can help him make the critical breakthroughs in cold fusion, but only if they take a brain stimulant that's illegal in the US and is "reasonably safe"; and a man dying a painful death of pancreatic cancer, whose teenage daughter is angry and resentful because he has stopped chemotherapy, and whose wife is wondering if assisted suicide can end his suffering and give him a good death. The essayists are all Christians, and all approach these issues from a Christian perspective. Their professional backgrounds, and hence much of their viewpoint apart from religion, varies widely. Individually and collectively, they make clear why the Church needs to address issues of bioethics, and how informed and thoughtful bioethical guidance from religious leaders, fellow parishioners, and others can help believers who face moral and ethical dilemmas relating to modern medical technology, as well as the doctors, lawyers, counselors, and others who must assist them in these decisions.
This is a serious, thoughtful, well-written book that does not provide simple answers or suggest that simple answers are possible. There is not one unified viewpoint here, except as the essayists share the Christian faith. The essays are not all equally good, and sadly, I have to say that Mr. Kilner's is the weakest, but they are all well worth reading, and will lead you to think seriously about the issues involved.
Recommended.
May 24, 2014
This book approaches the discipline of Christian bioethics from a Case Study perspective. It is an extended discussion of ethical considerations regarding three fictional narratives (reproductive therapy, pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement, and physician assisted suicide)from a purely Christian perspective.
I enjoyed this book although, as with many academic-focused books, the editor took too long to state and defend his case (in this instance, for a Christian bio-ethic discipline to be established and commended in the local church) through the contributors expending too much material simply developing a foundation of their own, individual perspectives. For example, in the chapter on Preaching and Bioethics, it really isn't necessary to lay out a theology of preaching (its purpose, goal, disciplines, etc.), as much as to cut straight to the assertions the author would make about preaching and bioethics.
The chapter on Pastoral Care and Bioethics is a matchless description of how a loving, thoughtful shepherd can bring the wisdom and comfort of Christ into the local fellowship, and is worth the price of the book.
I enjoyed this book although, as with many academic-focused books, the editor took too long to state and defend his case (in this instance, for a Christian bio-ethic discipline to be established and commended in the local church) through the contributors expending too much material simply developing a foundation of their own, individual perspectives. For example, in the chapter on Preaching and Bioethics, it really isn't necessary to lay out a theology of preaching (its purpose, goal, disciplines, etc.), as much as to cut straight to the assertions the author would make about preaching and bioethics.
The chapter on Pastoral Care and Bioethics is a matchless description of how a loving, thoughtful shepherd can bring the wisdom and comfort of Christ into the local fellowship, and is worth the price of the book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews