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Stewards of Life -- Bioethics and Pastoral Care
by Sondra Ely Wheeler © 1996.
(Abingdon Press: Nashville, TN). All rights reserved.
[Answer 7 of 10 questions correctly to receive 11 hours of Continuing Education credit].
  Introduction: Playing God or Struggling to be Human? (p 11-17)
1. The author considers medical ethical decisions to be
a. “playing God.”
b. a private matter.
c. unavoidable.
d. not trusting in God’s sovereign care.

Chapter 1: Christian Faith, Ethics and the Moral Practice of Medicine (p 19-35)
2. In the New Testament, Paul encouraged a community of believers to behave in ways that would
a. conform to one another.
b. edify the weakest member.
c. minimize differences.
d. avoid disputes.

3. The New Testament teaching on suffering implies that the suffering of the sick, the dying and the handicapped
a. is not evil, since God can bring good from it.
b. must be ended at all costs.
c. is unexpected and unusual.
d. should be endured with courage.

Chapter 2: The Language of Bioethics (p 37-67)
4. To St. Augustine, being made in the image of God meant
a. every person who is alive reflects a tiny portion of God’s glory.
b. every person can reason and reflect about the meaning of their existence.
c. every person has the potential to love God and others.
d. all of the above.

5. A doctor who seeks to relieve suffering, effect a cure, prevent death or disability, and improve the health of patients is following the principle of
a. autonomy.
b. non-malficence.
c. beneficence.
d. justice.

6. The Biblical picture of justice does NOT allow for providing medical treatment
a. on a “first-come-first-served” basis.
b. on a lottery-based system.
c. based on standards of medical fitness.
d. based on social worth.

Chapter 3: Thinking Through Conflicts (p 69-91)
7. The decision to end artificial feeding should be determined by
a. the resulting benefits and burdens to the patient.
b. the resulting benefits and burdens to the patient’s family.
c. how it affects the patient’s “quality of life.”
d. how it affects the “quality of life” of the patient’s family.

8. The author believes that Mrs. E’s refusal of food and water
a. spared her of unnecessary pain and suffering.
b. spared her family of unnecessary pain and suffering.
c. was in contrast to the Christian courage to live within limits not of her own choosing.
d. was in keeping with the Christian view of exercising independent autonomy.

Chapter 4: Discernment and Witness (p 93-112)
9. The most essential aspect of pastoral care to the sick and suffering is the pastor’s
a. theological knowledge.
b. presence.
c. training.
d. advice.

10. The author believes that a minister’s role in a medical crisis includes
a. being a sensitive interpreter between the patient’s family and medical personnel.
b. being a partner in difficult ethical decisions about treatment.
c. being a witness to the Gospel in a hospital where persons are often reduced to failing organ systems.
d. all of the above.