According to your worldview, what value does a human person have?
What is the Christian concept of the imago Dei? How might it be important to health care, and why is it relevant?
Expert Answer and Explanation
Christian Concept of the Imago Dei
Imago Dei can be translated to mean “the image of God.” Christians believe that human beings were created in the image and likeness of God and are to be treated with the highest form of respect. Human life, unlike any other life on earth, is holy just like the temple of God. At the beginning of time, God created the world separating land from ocean and created the plant and animals (Evans, 2019).
On the sixth day, God created human beings where He said that he was happy with his creation. Imago Dei depicts those human beings who were given power over all that is on earth and were supposed to continue with the work of God by taking care of the world. The dominion that God bestowed to human beings is critical in all human interactions (Moritz, 2018).
According to the bible, there are commandments that human beings have to follow and one of them is associated with not killing each other, these guidelines depict how human life is important for Christians.
The healthcare sector is one area where the concept of human life is at risk. The concept of Imago Dei is important to medical professionals. For instance, the condition of the human body needs to be free of pain and suffering (Secor, 2020). As a Christian nurse or patient, it is within their responsibility to ensure that all the patients are treated and their pain or suffering removed.
The concept can be used to make critical decisions in terms of the type of care to use for different patients. Medical professionals need to depict humanity in their actions and ensure that each person gets to have a quality life free from any harm, risk, or suffering.
References
Evans, A. (2019). The concept of the imago Dei: coherence with evolutionary science?. Scriptura: Journal for Contextual Hermeneutics in Southern Africa, 118(1), 1-11.
Moritz, J. M. (2018). One Imago Dei and the Incarnation of the Eschatological Adam. T. Peters et al., Astrotheology, 330-346.
Secor, C. (2020). Imago Dei—In the Image of God. Journal of Christian Nursing, 37(4), 201.
Alternative Expert Answer and Explanation
Imago Dei, a concept that Nicholas Wolterstorff introduced in the 1970s, is one of the tenets of the Christian faith, primarily symbolizing the relationship between humans and God. Although the concept maintains that humans resemble God, its meaning goes beyond the idea of human’s resemblance to God.
By extension, the concept presents a message that humans echo God’s character, divine power, and other abilities. The notion of a human resembling God is a fundamental feature of Christianity because it shapes how Christians view or perceive others (Nepil, 2020). A Christian who adopts a perspective presented according to Imago Dei, for example, would respect everyone because they recognize the fact that every person deserves fair treatment.
When deliberating issues from the perspective of the Imago Dei, one is likely to be considerate in terms of how they treat others or respond to the needs of other people. In healthcare particularly, it is sensible to treat people with respect, allowing them to choose what they feel is best for them. The concept promotes the idea that humans have dignity, and it is upon individuals to protect human dignity.
Acts such as speaking up against unjust work conditions and advocating for the socially disadvantaged are some of how people can champion the protection of freedom and rights of others (Grand Canyon University, 2022). One needs to be conscious of their position as far as Imago Dei is concerned because such a person would present themselves as an instrument for actualizing God’s works such as caring for the sick and providing interventions that lead to healing.
From the healthcare standpoint, the concept is relevant because it shapes providers’ perspectives about caring for patients. When one recognizes how significant Imago Dei is, they are likely to respect others and let them freely make decisions (Iltis, 2022). Still, they are likely to comply with the principles that dictate how one should treat people from diverse cultures.
References
Grand Canyon University. (2022). Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Healthcare. https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/1000000000591/epub/Imprint.html#page_3.
Iltis, A. (2022). (Re)-Emerging Challenges in Christian Bioethics: Leading Voices in Christian Bioethics. Christian bioethics, 28(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1093/cb/cbab017.
Nepil, J. (2020). Relational Dependence in a Culture of Self-Creation: A Theological Query into the Health of the Medical World. The Linacre quarterly, 87(4), 438–443. https://doi.org/10.1177/0024363920949785.
According to your worldview, what value does a human person have? How does your position affect your stance on controversial bioethical issues, such as abortion, designer babies, and stem cell research?
Values of a Human Person
Human beings were created in the image and likeness of God and as such, there is a need to respect the existence of a person from the time of conception until the end of the day. The value of a human person can be attributed to their existence and intellectual abilities as bestowed upon them (Mezzaroba & Silveira, 2018). Each person is a temple of God and as such represents God’s image and likeness. While interacting with one another, each person has to act with kindness, love, and truth.
There is also the need for respect to human life, acceptance of different life forms, and appreciation of one another. As human beings, doing the right thing according to spiritual teaching can be important in the attainment of better outcomes and a non-violent existence. The value of a human person is very important that the bible warns against killing each other (Onimhawo & Adamu, 2021). The commandment of “thou shall not kill” can be used to attest to the meaningfulness of human life and the need for it to be protected at all times.
The existence of human life is usually from sexual intercourse leading to the conception of a fetus that grows into a living child. However, there are other controversial issues such as abortions, designer babies, and stem cell research. While human beings are governed by certain rules, there is also the need for free will. As a human being, one has to make choices that are important to their life and capabilities.
My position on these issues is that they need to be performed with caution and in moderation. There should be rules that govern abortions to ensure that it is safe and it does not affect the mother (VanDrunen, 2021). The other researches should also be conducted in a safe environment.
References
Mezzaroba, O., & Silveira, V. O. D. (2018). The principle of the dignity of human person: A reading of the effectiveness of citizenship and human rights through the challenges put forward by globalization. Revista de Investigações Constitucionais, 5, 273-293.
Onimhawo, J. A., & Adamu, C. O. (2021). Religion And Human Values: An Inquisition Of The Afro-Centric Imperative. Formation of the Human Person in the 21st Century, 337.
VanDrunen, D. (2021). Abortion in the Reformed Christian Tradition. In Abortion (pp. 111-125). Springer, Cham.
Case Study: Fetal Abnormality
Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband Marco have been in the United States for the last three years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their Aunt Maria’s home and into an apartment of their own. They are both hard workers. Jessica works 50 hours a week at a local restaurant and Marco has been contracting side jobs in construction. Six months before their move to an apartment, Jessica finds out she is pregnant.
Four months later, Jessica and Marco arrive at the county hospital, a large, public, nonteaching hospital. A preliminary ultrasound indicates a possible abnormality with the fetus. Further scans are conducted, and it is determined that the fetus has a rare condition in which it has not developed any arms and will not likely develop them. There is also a 25% chance that the fetus may have Down syndrome.
Dr. Wilson, the primary attending physician, is seeing Jessica for the first time, since she and Marco did not receive earlier prenatal care over concerns about finances. Marco insists that Dr. Wilson refrain from telling Jessica the scan results, assuring him that he will tell his wife himself when she is emotionally ready for the news. While Marco and Dr. Wilson are talking in another room, Aunt Maria walks into the room with a distressed look on her face. She can tell that something is wrong and inquires of Dr. Wilson. After hearing of the diagnosis, she walks out of the room wailing loudly and praying aloud.
Marco and Dr. Wilson continue their discussion, and Dr. Wilson insists that he has an obligation to Jessica as his patient and that she has a right to know the diagnosis of the fetus. He furthermore is intent on discussing all relevant factors and options regarding the next step, including abortion. Marco insists on taking some time to think of how to break the news to Jessica, but Dr. Wilson, frustrated with the direction of the conversation, informs the husband that such a choice is not his to make.
Dr. Wilson proceeds back across the hall, where he walks in on Aunt Maria awkwardly praying with Jessica and phoning the priest. At that point, Dr. Wilson gently but briefly informs Jessica of the diagnosis and lays out the option for abortion as a responsible medical alternative, given the quality of life such a child would have. Jessica looks at him and struggles to hold back her tears.
Jessica is torn between her hopes of a better socioeconomic position and increased independence, along with her conviction that all life is sacred. Marco will support Jessica in whatever decision she makes but is finding it difficult not to view the pregnancy and the prospects of a disabled child as a burden and a barrier to their economic security and plans.
Dr. Wilson lays out all of the options but clearly makes his view known that abortion is “scientifically” and medically a wise choice in this situation. Aunt Maria pleads with Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy and allow what “God intends” to take place and urges Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother.
Assignment
Based on “Case Study: Fetal Abnormality” and the required topic study materials, write a 750-1,000-word reflection that answers the following questions:
- What is the Christian view of the nature of human persons, and which theory of moral status is it compatible with? How is this related to the intrinsic human value and dignity?
- Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? What from the case study specifically leads you to believe that they hold the theory you selected?
- How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendations for action?
- What theory do you agree with? Why? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?
Remember to support your responses with the topic study materials.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
