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Exploring an Evangelical Approach to the Laws Surrounding MAID in Canada and an Application of Scripture to MAID and Suicide

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Exploring an Evangelical Approach to the Laws Surrounding MAID in Canada and an Application of Scripture to MAID and Suicide Medical Assistance in Dying: Exploring an Evangelical Approach to the Laws Surrounding MAID in Canada and an Application of Scripture to MAID and Suicide. Glenn Shewchuk A Thesis in The Department Of Theology Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Theology) at Concordia University Montreal, Quebec, Canada March 2021 © Glenn Shewchuk, 2021 CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY School of Graduate Studies This is to certify that the thesis prepared By: Glenn Shewchuk Entitled: Medical Assistance in Dying: Exploring an Evangelical Approach to the Laws Surrounding MAID in Canada and an Application of Scripture to MAID and Suicide and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Theology) complies with the regulations of the University and meets the accepted standards with respect to originality and quality. Signed by the final Examining Committee: Chair Marie-France Dion Examiner Marie-France Dion Examiner Lucian Turcescu Supervisor Christine Jamieson Approved by . Lucian Turcescu Graduate Program Director 2021 . Pascale Sicotte Dean of Faculty iii ABSTRACT Medical Assistance in Dying: Exploring an Evangelical Approach to the Laws Surrounding MAID in Canada and an Examination of Scripture on MAID and Suicide Glenn Shewchuk Medical Assistance in Dying is presently a reality in Canada. There are numerous changes which have gradually taken place in Canadian society and in the Canadian legal context to bring about the legalization of MAID. There is extensive literature available on the topic, but little scholarly literature from an Evangelical Christian perspective. The Truchon court decision and Bill C-7 have raised concerns that access to euthanasia could continue to be extended and promoted until it endangers vulnerable Canadians, (which is called “the slippery slope”). Ableism, the emphasis that able bodies are the norm, has also been an influence on the legalization of MAID and therefore an area of deep concern for the disabled. The possible removal of restrictions for persons with mental health issues poses serious ethical questions. Evangelicals have a strong view of the authority of the Bible. The Scriptures are examined in application to MAID. iv Acknowledgements Dr. Jamieson, who helped in steering my work on this thesis. Dr. Manirbona Amissi, who helped answer questions on international and Quebec law. Jean Pierre Lalonde, who helped to clarify the Canadian legal system. Ruth Goddard, my wife, who gave input as a nurse in palliative care and helped with proof-reading. Christina Plamondon, who pointed me to the influence of Augustine on the church’s view of suicide. v Table of Contents Contents Introduction. .................................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1: Scan of the Horizon. ................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Survey of the Scholarship................................................................................................ 3 1.1.1 Survey of Evangelical Opinion. ...................................................................................... 3 1.1.2 Survey of Non-Evangelical Scholars. ............................................................................. 5 1.1.2.1 Bio-ethics. .................................................................................................................... 6 1.1.2.2 Theology. ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.1.2.3 Websites. ................................................................................................................... 10 1.1.3 A review of the literature and the Evangelical approach. ............................................. 12 1.2 Understanding and Clarifying the Concepts around Euthanasia, PAD and MAID.12 1.3 Examining the Process in MAID Becoming Legal in Canada. .................................. 25 1.3.1 The Canadian Judicial System is Unique, Appointed, and Independent. ..................... 25 1.3.2 Previous Laws and Judicial Decisions Leading Up to MAID. ..................................... 26 1.3.3 Quebec Bill 52. ............................................................................................................. 31 1.3.4 The Carter Case Overturned the Prohibition of Assisting Suicide. ............................. 33 1.3.5 Response to Carter by the Special Joint Committee on Physician-Assisted Dying. .... 35 1.3.6 Canada Passes Federal Legislation Bill C-14 Legalizing MAID. ................................ 36 1.3.7 Truchon v. Attorney General of Canada Overturned Bill C-14. .................................. 37 1.3.8 Bill C-7: Government of Canada’s Legislative Response to the Truchon Decision. ... 39 1.4 Summary of Chapter 1. ................................................................................................. 42 Chapter 2: Practical Concerns and Other Considerations Related to MAID. ...................... 43 2.1 Access to Good Palliative Care. .................................................................................... 43 2.2 Government Budgets. .................................................................................................... 43 2.3 The Effects of Medical Assistance in Death on Society as a Whole. .......................... 44 2.4 Philosophical & Cultural Shifts. ................................................................................... 48 2.4.1 Modernism and Eugenics. ............................................................................................ 48 2.4.2 Post-Modernism. .......................................................................................................... 49 2.4.3 Hyper-Individualism and John Locke. ......................................................................... 49 2.4.4 Suffering, Pain, and Theodicy. ..................................................................................... 50 2.4.5 Quality of Life. ............................................................................................................. 51 2.4.6 Determinism and Fatalism vs. Volitionism and Freewill. ............................................ 55 vi 2.4.7 Theology and the Sanctity of Human Life. .................................................................. 55 2.5 Other Faiths and Their Stance on PAD. ...................................................................... 56 2.6 Summary of Chapter 2. ................................................................................................. 59 Chapter 3: Surveying Scriptures. .............................................................................................. 60 Section 3.1: Understanding Biblical Exegesis from an Evangelical Perspective. ........... 60 3.1.2 An Evangelical Understanding of the Inspiration and Authority of the Bible. ............. 61 3.1.3 Verbal-Plenary Inspiration, .......................................................................................... 61 3.1.4 Accepted Canon. ........................................................................................................... 62 3.1.5 Sola-Scriptura and Inerrancy........................................................................................ 63 3.1.6 Authority of the Bible. .................................................................................................. 63 3.1.7 Exegesis vs. Eisegesis. .................................................................................................. 64 Section 3.2 Survey of the Scriptures .................................................................................. 65 3.2.1 Biblical References to Assisted Dying. ........................................................................ 65 3.2.2 Biblical References to Suicide. ..................................................................................... 68 3.2.3 Suicide and Self-Sacrifice in War and by Jesus............................................................ 70 3.2.4 Biblical References to the Sanctity of Human Life and Dying..................................... 73 3.2.5 Theodicy and Biblical References to Suicidal Ideations. ............................................. 76 3.2.6 In Biblical Examples of Suicidal Ideations: God Does Not Grant Their Request. ....... 77 3.2.7 Biblical Example of Job and Pressure to Die Under Duress. ....................................... 78 3.2.8 Biblical Principles Related to MAID. ........................................................................... 79 3.2.9 Biblical Soteriology of Suicide and Assisting Dying. .................................................. 79 Conclusion. ................................................................................................................................... 85 Appendix 1: Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations. ..................................................................... 87 Bibliography and Works Cited. ..................................................................................................... 89 1 Introduction. Medical assistance in dying (MAID) has become an emotionally charged and divisive topic of great concern in western society. MAID has also become a spreading phenomenon in its different forms across Canada and the United States of America. What was only found in dystopian fiction has become a reality in several western countries. Some see
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