PGD essay
Examine and comment on the view that the principle of the sanctity of life should be considered of first importance in medical ethics with regard to the topic you have studied? (50)
The sanctity of life principle is based on the belief that life is sacred from the moment of conception. In Psalm 139:13 it says “You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb.” This proves that God is the only one who gives life to us and only he should have the right to take it away from us as well. Because in Job 1:21 it says “The Lord gave, and now he has taken away” and in Exodus 20:13 it quotes “Do not commit murder!” This is also one of the commandments from the Decalogue, which was given to Moses by God. It shows that only God has the right to end life, and if we try to end life, whether as a foetus or a fully grown man, we are committing murder, and to a bigger extent, putting ourselves on a par with God, which is highly sinful.
The sanctity of life principle can be viewed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God had sent many prophets before him, but the people (at the time and after) were stubborn and would not listen to the word of God. So God sent down his son, Jesus as a final offering unto the world so people would change and receive eternal life. There are many signs/verses in the bible (Old Testament) that indicate to Jesus’ arrival, such as in Jeremiah 1:4-5 “I chose you before I gave you life.” This could be indicating towards the birth of Jesus, as choosing him to be the saviour of mankind, before he was even born. When the time comes and Jesus is crucified on the cross, he cries out “Eloi, Eloi, Sebachthanii.” Translated it means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was in physical and mental anguish at being separated from his Father and from bearing the sins of the world. Right before he died, he said “It is finished!” This shows how much it pained Jesus and yet he did this all for us to reach eternal salvation.
The sanctity of life principle is based on the belief that life is sacred from the moment of conception. In Psalm 139:13 it says “You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother’s womb.” This proves that God is the only one who gives life to us and only he should have the right to take it away from us as well. Because in Job 1:21 it says “The Lord gave, and now he has taken away” and in Exodus 20:13 it quotes “Do not commit murder!” This is also one of the commandments from the Decalogue, which was given to Moses by God. It shows that only God has the right to end life, and if we try to end life, whether as a foetus or a fully grown man, we are committing murder, and to a bigger extent, putting ourselves on a par with God, which is highly sinful.
The sanctity of life principle can be viewed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God had sent many prophets before him, but the people (at the time and after) were stubborn and would not listen to the word of God. So God sent down his son, Jesus as a final offering unto the world so people would change and receive eternal life. There are many signs/verses in the bible (Old Testament) that indicate to Jesus’ arrival, such as in Jeremiah 1:4-5 “I chose you before I gave you life.” This could be indicating towards the birth of Jesus, as choosing him to be the saviour of mankind, before he was even born. When the time comes and Jesus is crucified on the cross, he cries out “Eloi, Eloi, Sebachthanii.” Translated it means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He was in physical and mental anguish at being separated from his Father and from bearing the sins of the world. Right before he died, he said “It is finished!” This shows how much it pained Jesus and yet he did this all for us to reach eternal salvation.