Pastor's Corner by Pastor Larry

February, 2006

A few months ago, President Bush took the initiative to ask the Federal Supreme Court to examine the legitimacy of Physician Assisted Suicide in Oregon. On Tuesday (Jan. 17), the Supreme Court upheld the right of Oregon’s state law. It states that it is legal for physicians to assist patients with terminal illness to commit suicide. At this moment, Oregon is the only state that permits physicians to prescribe medication to end a patient’s life if certain criteria are met. With the Supreme Court’s decision, it is believed that the door is opened for other states to pass similar legislation this year. This issue has been circling the political arena in California during recent times. It will not be surprising if this is presented on a voting ballot within the next couple of years.

Euthanasia has been a “hot-topic” in society, as well as in the Christian circle recently, probably second only to “same-sex marriages.” Euthanasia is a highly emotionally charged topic because it involves pain and suffering which people want to avoid at all costs, in addition to the dignity of human beings from a theistic and an atheistic view, and financial obligations from the involved families and society, just to name a few. In this short newsletter, I will not attempt to dissect this complex issue, but rather to simply say that although it is morally wrong and biblically incorrect to actively take someone’s life whether it is by homicide or suicide, it is not wrong to passively let someone die without using any mechanical device to prolong life. Within these two spectrums is a gray area in which more discussion is needed.

At the time this newsletter is being written, Judge Alito is to be voted by the full Senate to be a Supreme Court Judge. His confirmation is believed to pass. What does this mean? Does that mean Christians will win by adding one more conservative judge on the bench? Hardly! While the conservatives celebrated the appointing of Judge Roberts as Chief Justice, thinking that with his conservative views, some of these “border-line” issues, such as physician assisted suicide and abortion rights, would be overturned. The latest Supreme Court decision was a rude awakening. I’m not here to criticize the outcome because I don’t know enough of the decision process in the legal system, though I’m a little disappointed. In the end, I’m once again reminded by the words of God that we shouldn’t rely on men because they are inconsistent at best. I feel that sometimes Christians, with good intention, put too much faith on the leaders. It is futile to put our faith in people, no matter how dynamic or conservative the person is. Our Christian worldview must be grounded on God who is still in control. At no time in history did God lose control of the world’s direction, and neither will He lose control of your destiny.

Before I sign off, I want to say that the world will run its course, and in the end, a new heaven and a new earth, where there is no politics, will be established for those who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is inviting you to come along with us to this beautiful place.

Pastor Larry