Euthanasia has risen in popularity in recent years, especially in Canada, where it is known as Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). In 2022, 4.1 percent of the Canadian population died from MAID, making it the nation’s fifth-leading cause of death. For Bible-believing Christians, these statistics should be troublesome. And with interest and support for physician-assisted death growing at a rapid pace, it becomes imperative for us to articulate a biblically sound and compelling response.
Addressing this urgent need, Ewan Goligher offers an insightful and persuasive response to euthanasia in his book, “How Should We Then Die: A Christian Response to Physician-Assisted Death.”
Goligher’s book explores the moral implications of physician-assisted death and attempts to answer the question, “Why not physician-assisted death?” He wrote this book to help Christians think deeply about this question because, as Jesus’ followers, we should aim to love God and love others, and because Christians have a unique perspective on the value of human life and the sacredness of every individual.
He writes, “Why write specifically for Christians? In the first place, those who follow Jesus are called to be deeply committed to doing and being good. We aim to live a life of love for God and for neighbor. In following Jesus, we are to make others’ interests our own…Second, Christians share a particular understanding of the value of humanity. The Christian cosmic metanarrative of creation, fall, redemption, and glory—sometimes simply referred as the gospel”—gives us a particular understanding of who we are, where we’ve come from, what we are for, and why and how much we matter.”
Goligher adopts a two-fold approach in his case against physician-assisted dying. First, he presents arguments from a moral standpoint, devoid of religious rhetoric. Then, he weaves Christian beliefs and biblical truths into these arguments, enriching and strengthening them.
Goligher begins the book by providing a clear definition of physician-assisted death and distinguishes it from physician-assisted suicide, where a patient administers a lethal drug injection himself. Both situations involve doctors intentionally providing drugs to cause a patient’s death, making them morally and ethically unacceptable. He then explores reasons behind individuals’ decisions to pursue MAID death and provides insight into the demographic of those who seek it.
In the ensuing chapters, Goligher examines three arguments against physician-assisted death. First, he contends that people matter and euthanasia devalues humans. He writes, “When we say that people matter, we are saying that they have an intrinsic value, value that is unconditional and independent of circumstance, value that is always there regardless of whether others place any value on them. We are saying that people are priceless and irreplaceable.”
Since humans are priceless, treating them like mere commodities and discarding them when convenient strips away their inherent worth. In essence, physician-assisted death assigns human beings an extrinsic value, a value based solely on their perceived usefulness.
However, humans have an intrinsic value, so their death is always a loss. Goliger further writes, “If people have intrinsic values, then it is always good that they exist. And if we insist that they really matter—that they have deep, intrinsic, inherent value, then the cessation of their existence (their death) must always be regarded as a tragedy.”
Second, Goligher contends that choosing death is an act of blind faith. People who seek physician-assisted death assume death is better than their current disposition. However, since neither the patient nor the doctor experienced death, they cannot confidently say they will be better off dead. Goligher writes, “Using death as a remedy for suffering is massively presumptuous, and physician-assisted death is properly viewed as an act of blind faith in death…those who provide physician-assisted death should honestly admit that they are functioning less as doctors and more as priests of a modern, secularized religion that teaches that death is nothing but the absence of life and offers death as the means of salvation from suffering.”
Third, Goligher asserts that life, regardless of suffering, has an unassailable purpose, meaning, and significance. Goligher acknowledges the pain of those who choose physician-assisted death, but rather than offering death, he posits that we should help them recover their real purpose and significance in life.
Goligher strengthens his arguments with biblical truths, which helps Christian readers form a theological foundation for engaging with euthanasia. The book concludes with its arguments summarized in nine thesis statements.
How Should We Then Die proved to be a surprisingly delightful read! I was initially hesitant about the book because I thought I was familiar with arguments against physician-assisted death. However, its depth of analysis and new perspectives pleasantly surprised me. I enjoyed delving deeper into physician-assisted death and exploring Goligher’s insightful arguments. I particularly appreciated that he included reasons for physician-assisted death, as it increased my understanding of people seeking it.
Also, I love Goligher’s approach to presenting arguments from a moral and biblical standpoint. This approach broadened my understanding and equipped me with valuable insights for engaging with proponents of physician-assisted death.
I also appreciated Goligher’s unique perspective as a physician, which added depth and authenticity to the narrative. His personal experiences with patients seeking MAID offered valuable insights into the complexities of this ethical issue.
In conclusion, How Should We Then Die is an excellent, timely, and valuable resource that will help Christians navigate the complexities of physician-assisted death. It will equip readers with the knowledge and insights needed to engage in meaningful dialogue on this pressing issue. This book is a five-star for me, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
*Lexham Press graciously gave me a copy for an honest review.*
