Organ Donation
I was visiting with a veteran who had lost a leg in Vietnam and I asked if there anything I could help him with? He said “Yes, you can answer a question. Will I have another leg in heaven?”
My answer provides some rationale for my support of organ donation. Without hesitation I replied, “Yes, you will have another leg.” Neither amputation not organ donation has any effect on the resurrected body because in the resurrection all things are made new.
Those who worry about organ donation somehow affecting them in the afterlife do not understand the biblical view of resurrection. The teaching of Scripture is that those who know Christ will have a new body, not only will we be healed but whole.
In light of the resurrection the Christian should not hesitate to sign up as an organ donor. The mortal will put on immortality. The Christian should not take to the grave that which can give life to those who remain behind.
Nearly 100,000 people across the US are currently waiting for organ transplants. At least 18 will die today without one. Perhaps if some clear biblical principles were presented in support or organ donation more Christians would give so more would live.
Five years ago I signed a donor card without hesitation because it seemed the right thing to do. Recently though I was asked to present the Protestant view of organ donation at a seminar at Nason Hospital. I was not comfortable with the grocery list of verses proposed in other papers. I wanted to present something of substance. These thoughts were proposed as a protestant view.
I began by taking a trip back to the Garden of Eden. Although God had created man and women, Adam was alone for some period of time. Then God caused a deep sleep to come on Adam and taking a rib God brought Eve to life
This is certainly not an illustration of organ donation but it does show that Eve was given life by a gift from Adam. Life came from his life.
Secondly, Jesus told his followers to do unto others as they would have others do unto them. We should ask ourselves if we would accept an organ if we were dying? Sadly, many people who have reservations about donating organs have no such reservation about receiving. If the Golden Rule applies in this situation shouldn’t we be willing give what we want to receive?
I believe, however, that the best foundation for organ donation is found in the New Testament emphasis on love. The Greek word agapao implies a concern for others over oneself. I appreciate the definition given by Van Harvey “the selfless commitment of the lover to the one loved, to the enrichment and enhancement of the beloved’s being.”
In light of these consideration I support and promote the donation of organs for the enrichment and enhancement” of the other’s being.
