Friend Assisted Suicide

Welcome to Every Thought Captive, I’m Phil Steiger.

In a recent article in the LA Times, self-proclaimed Christian Anne Lamott tells the tragic tale of the death of a friend suffering from cancer. Part of what makes the tale so tragic is that she and another friend assist in his suicide. In her piece, “At Death’s Window,” Lamott not only tells the story, she heartily supports her actions in what she calls “friend assisted suicide.”

Lamott’s so-called Christian view on death and suffering is more influenced by our American culture than by the life of Christ himself. In our past, long before medical technology could alleviate most pain and suffering, our Christian forefathers referred to Christianity as “the way of the cross.” They meant to convey the fact that believers, from time to time, may need to follow Christ into the garden and utter His words, “not my will but thine be done.”

This has been Every Thought Captive. I’m Phil Steiger, pastor at Quail Lake Community Church and Director for Dayspring Center for Christian Studies. For more information please visit everythoughtcaptive.org.