Q: You’ve explained to us the Hermeneutics of Isaiah 53:5, and James 5:14: my follow-up question is, in the case of a terminally ill family member, who should decide when to discontinue life-support?”
A: Believe it or not, a majority of the time, this weighty decision is left/put into the hands of the neurosurgeon, whose caring for your loved one, because he’s considered the resident expert, in terms of whether or not your loved one is brain-dead.
There’s no straight answer, concerning when to pull the plug, however, there are ethical principles that should be considered, and the ACLS (Advance Cardiac Life Support) Training Association states, “The biggest pro of life support is that it sustains life for a longer period of time, allowing for hope and solutions. People against life support point to situations where it is clear that there are no chances of recovery and life support only prolongs the dying process. There are other considerations as well, such as what constitutes a good judgment of use of medical resources.”
However you view it, this weighty matter should not be based on your mood, behavior, or suggestions from friends; but should be made after gaining wise counsel from a joint committee of health care physician, mature family members, and minister.
The physician is needed because he is trained to maintain health and fight illness, and at the appointed time, communicate the diagnosis of the family member being terminally ill. The mature family members can help refocus hope despite the inevitability of death. And the minister is there, because the family desperately/seriously need spiritual guidance during this emotional time.