Why the Church Needs Bioethics: A Guide to Wise Engagement with Life’s Challenges

by John F. Kilner

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2011

Overview

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, leaders in the areas of preaching and ethics, and other experts in the fields of biblical-theological studies, ministry, communication, business, law, healthcare, and bioethics.

Key Features

• Introduction by John F. Kilner
• Suggested resources for further insight
• Bibliographical references

Contents

Top Highlights

“the goal of medicine is the health of the patient, while the goal for business is the maximization of profit.” (Page 45)

“It is difficult, however, to imagine any situation when Christian prudential wisdom could justify withholding food and water on the ground that this is withholding medical treatment, if that food and water is itself life-sustaining.” (Page 203)

“God is generally more interested in changing people than he is in changing their circumstances” (Page 26)

“only around 25 to 30 percent of couples achieving a live birth” (Page 44)

“Is it ever right to take active steps to hasten death (Mary)?” (Page 188)

Contributors

• D. A. Carson
• Kevin J. Vanhoozer
• Greg R. Scharf
• Scott B. Rae
• Richard E. Averbeck
• Helen Eckmann
• Stephen P. Greggo
• Miriam Stark Parent
• John F. Kilner
• Paige Comstock Cunningham
• Harold A. Netland
• Bruce L. Fields
• Elizabeth Y. Sung
• William P. Cheshire
• Robert D. Orr
• Susan Salladay
• Steven C. Roy
• John T. Dunlop
• Miriam L. Charter

Product Details

• Title: Why the Church Needs Bioethics: A Guide to Wise Engagement with Life’s Challenges
• Author: John F. Kilner
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2011
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Pages: 304
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Medical ethics › Religious aspects--Christianity; Bioethics › Religious aspects--Christianity; Christian ethics
• ISBNs: 9780310497073, 9780310328520, 0310497078, 0310328527
• Resource ID: LLS:CHRCHNDBIOETH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T22:37:46Z

About John F. Kilner

John F. Kilner (PhD, Harvard) is a Franklin Forman Chair of Ethics, professor of bioethics and contemporary culture, and director of bioethics programs at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. The author or editor of 20 books, Dr. Kilner served as President and CEO of The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity in Bannockburn, Illinois from 1994–2005.