Sermon Tone Analysis

! Introduction

Fifty years ago, there was no controversy.

If someone’s organs were failing, either from disease or poor genetic endowment, the only hope was medicinal therapy.

Prior to modern-day transplant procedures, surgical interventions focused primarily on replacing limbs or teeth—although success rates were dismal at best.

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a number of animal organs were transplanted into humans—but without success.

But the seed took root.

The first reliable report of transplant surgery is from 1823, when German surgeon Carl Bunger performed plastic surgery on a woman’s nose by grafting skin from her thigh.

In 1906, Austrian ophthalmologist Edward Zim performed the first corneal transplant, paving the way for surgeons to use dead or donated material.

But the major breakthrough occurred in 1954 when two medical doctors, Joseph Murray and David Hume, performed the first successful living-related kidney transplant from identical twins.

This opened the door to what would soon become the promise of renewed health and life for literally thousands of individuals.

Almost fifty years later, doctors have reported successful heart, lung, heart-lung, pancreas, pancreas islet cell, intestine, and liver transplants.

But, the question arises, “Is this new medical technology in compliance with God’s will?”

What should Christians know about organ transplants, and should we support this fast-growing practice?

!

IS IT ACCEPTABLE?

The Red Cross lists “Statements from Various Religions” regarding their acceptance or rejection of transplantation practices (see Red Cross, n.d.).

The spectrum of positions taken by the religious organizations listed, ranges from those that strongly support organ donation as “an act of charity, fraternal love, and self sacrifice” to those who are strictly against such donations.

Under “Church of Christ,” the listing states simply: “Organ transplants should not be a religious problem.”

While this may appear to answer the question of whether or not it is acceptable to support organ donation and transplantation, the truth is that this statement—in and of itself—is devoid of any real significance.

The truth can be determined only from within the pages of God’s Word, and it is there that we must go for guidance in answering controversial questions such as these.

Most arguments for and against organ donation and~/or transplantation fall into three categories: (1) those centered on loving one’s neighbor; (2) those dealing with treatment of the body; and (3) those that discuss the resurrection.

!! *Love Your Neighbor*

One of the strongest arguments for organ donation is the love and compassion such an act exhibits toward others.

We all are familiar with the biblical premises of “loving our neighbors” and “doing unto others as we would have them do unto us” as we try to emulate Christ’s unconditional love.

While the command to “love your neighbor” was quoted by Jesus (Matthew 5:43), Paul (Romans 13:9), and James (2:8), it can be traced all the way back to Leviticus 19:18.

From the earliest days in the Old Testament, we learn that God’s people were commanded to demonstrate a love for God as well as for their neighbors.

Consider the sacrifice that Jesus Christ was willing to make as He gave up His body for all of humanity.

John summed up the command well when he wrote: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

As Jesus was trying to convey this message of unconditional love for others, He spoke of caring for the hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick, and imprisoned (Matthew 25:35-46).

He went on to clarify: “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

Jesus also used the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) to teach that we, as Christians, are to be kind and show love toward everyone.

The Samaritan neighbor bandaged wounds, poured oil, and transported the injured man to a place so that he could recover.

Medical history records that anointing with oil, bandaging wounds, and transporting a person to a place where he or she could rest, represented the very best medical care available in that day.

Given a similar situation today, would we not use the best medical technology available to prolong the life of those in dire need?

And do we not have the technology and ability today to successfully transplant organs?

Success rates for properly matched kidney and heart transplants are well into the upper 80% range.

If a practice or procedure is not contradictory to biblical principles, then it should be considered permissible, and faithful Christians can support it.

!! *The Body is a Temple*

It also is important to address the issue of mutilation, since some view organ donation as the ultimate form of mutilating the human body.

Frequently, passages such as 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 are used to defend the idea that organs should not be harvested from a person’s body.

As stewards of God’s creation, we should treat our bodies with respect, and abstain from whatever is deleterious to them.

However, when Paul wrote those words to the Christians at Corinth, he stated: “Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (v.

20), indicating this was something that was to be carried out while the individual was still living.

In the apostle’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he reminded them: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (5:1).

Others have suggested that passages in which Jesus taught that we should rid our bodies of our hands, feet, or eyes if that part causes us to stumble (cf.

Matthew 5:29-30, 18:8-9, and Mark 9:43-48), permit and support organ donation.

Understanding these passages in their proper context reveals, however, that Jesus was not advocating self-mutilation or organ donation.

He was, in fact, emphasizing the seriousness of permitting sin into one’s life, and encouraging extreme measures to prevent sin.

!! *The Resurrection*

| | Apologetics Press :: Reason & Revelation \\ August 2003 - 2[8]:29-R—31-R |

| \\ | Tough Decisions Regarding...Organ Donation and Transplantation \\ by Brad Harrub, Ph.D. and Bert Thompson, Ph.D. \\ \\ |

| Printer version | Email this article |

Fifty years ago, there was no controversy.

If someone’s organs were failing, either from disease or poor genetic endowment, the only hope was medicinal therapy.

Prior to modern-day transplant procedures, surgical interventions focused primarily on replacing limbs or teeth—although success rates were dismal at best.

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a number of animal organs were transplanted into humans—but without success.

But the seed took root.

The first reliable report of transplant surgery is from 1823, when German surgeon Carl Bunger performed plastic surgery on a woman’s nose by grafting skin from her thigh.

In 1906, Austrian ophthalmologist Edward Zim performed the first corneal transplant, paving the way for surgeons to use dead or donated material.

But the major breakthrough occurred in 1954 when two medical doctors, Joseph Murray and David Hume, performed the first successful living-related kidney transplant from identical twins.

This opened the door to what would soon become the promise of renewed health and life for literally thousands of individuals.

Almost fifty years later, doctors have reported successful heart, lung, heart-lung, pancreas, pancreas islet cell, intestine, and liver transplants.

But, the question arises, “Is this new medical technology in compliance with God’s will?”

What should Christians know about organ transplants, and should we support this fast-growing practice?

*IS IT ACCEPTABLE? *

The Red Cross lists “Statements from Various Religions” regarding their acceptance or rejection of transplantation practices (see Red Cross, n.d.).

The spectrum of positions taken by the religious organizations listed, ranges from those that strongly support organ donation as “an act of charity, fraternal love, and self sacrifice” to those who are strictly against such donations.

Under “Church of Christ,” the listing states simply: “Organ transplants should not be a religious problem.”

While this may appear to answer the question of whether or not it is acceptable to support organ donation and transplantation, the truth is that this statement—in and of itself—is devoid of any real significance.

The truth can be determined only from within the pages of God’s Word, and it is there that we must go for guidance in answering controversial questions such as these.

Most arguments for and against organ donation and~/or transplantation fall into three categories: (1) those centered on loving one’s neighbor; (2) those dealing with treatment of the body; and (3) those that discuss the resurrection.

*Love Your Neighbor*

One of the strongest arguments for organ donation is the love and compassion such an act exhibits toward others.

We all are familiar with the biblical premises of “loving our neighbors” and “doing unto others as we would have them do unto us” as we try to emulate Christ’s unconditional love.

While the command to “love your neighbor” was quoted by Jesus (Matthew 5:43), Paul (Romans 13:9), and James (2:8), it can be traced all the way back to Leviticus 19:18.

From the earliest days in the Old Testament, we learn that God’s people were commanded to demonstrate a love for God *as well as for their neighbors*.

Consider the sacrifice that Jesus Christ was willing to make as He gave up His body for all of humanity.

John summed up the command well when he wrote: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

As Jesus was trying to convey this message of unconditional love for others, He spoke of caring for the hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick, and imprisoned (Matthew 25:35-46).

He went on to clarify: “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

Jesus also used the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) to teach that we, as Christians, are to be kind and show love toward everyone.

The Samaritan neighbor bandaged wounds, poured oil, and transported the injured man to a place so that he could recover.

Medical history records that anointing with oil, bandaging wounds, and transporting a person to a place where he or she could rest, represented *the very best medical care available in that day*.

Given a similar situation today, would we not use the best medical technology available to prolong the life of those in dire need?

And do we not have the technology and ability today to successfully transplant organs?

Success rates for properly matched kidney and heart transplants are well into the upper 80% range.

If a practice or procedure is not contradictory to biblical principles, then it should be considered permissible, and faithful Christians can support it.

*The Body is a Temple*

It also is important to address the issue of mutilation, since some view organ donation as the ultimate form of mutilating the human body.

Frequently, passages such as 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 are used to defend the idea that organs should not be harvested from a person’s body.

As stewards of God’s creation, we should treat our bodies with respect, and abstain from whatever is deleterious to them.

However, when Paul wrote those words to the Christians at Corinth, he stated: “Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (v.

20), indicating this was something that was to be carried out while the individual was still living.

In the apostle’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he reminded them: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (5:1).

Others have suggested that passages in which Jesus taught that we should rid our bodies of our hands, feet, or eyes if that part causes us to stumble (cf.

Matthew 5:29-30, 18:8-9, and Mark 9:43-48), permit and support organ donation.

Understanding these passages in their proper context reveals, however, that Jesus was not advocating self-mutilation or organ donation.

He was, in fact, emphasizing the seriousness of permitting sin into one’s life, and encouraging extreme measures to prevent sin.

*The Resurrection*

One frequent misunderstanding among Christians is the idea that the entire body needs to be present and preserved in some fashion for the resurrection.

As such, many Christians are reluctant to donate organs because they believe resurrection requires a “complete” body.