101 | P a g e
Luther Rice Journal of Christian Studies
Is Cadaveric Organ Donation an Implied Christian Duty? By Marian Stewart, D.Min.1 Introduction The common rationale proffered in favor of cadaver organ donation and transplantation by Christians for Christians suggests that this practice is in line with the biblical principle of selfsacrifice as reflected in God Himself showing the extent of His love by sending His Son to die on behalf of humankind (Rom. 5:8).2 David VanDrunen writes that organ donation instantiates the love of Christ by demonstrating the Christian’s willingness “to suffer dissolution of the body and soul” for his neighbor.3 VanDrunen links organ donation to Mark 12:30-31, “’And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”4 VanDrunen also cites 1 John 3:16, arguing that just as Jesus laid down His life for His brothers, Christians, in the
1
Marian Stewart is an alumnus of Luther Rice Seminary, having earned her Master of Arts in Christian Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry degrees at the institution. Dr. Stewart has served full-time in missions ministry for 14 years in Liberia, West Africa, and is currently a missions and ministry consultant working with non-profit Christian organizations with a focus on international missions and ministry. Dr. Stewart has previously published in The Luther Rice Journal of Christian Studies and in the Evangelical Mission Quarterly, Missio Nexus. For the purposes of this article, the terms ‘organ donation’ and ‘transplantation’ will be used interchangeably. 2
3
David VanDrunen, Bioethics and The Christian Life: A Guide to Making Difficult Decisions (Wheaton: Crossway, 2009), 84. 4
All Scriptures taken from the New King James translation.
