Christian guide to end-of-life care. Common medical jargon, biblical principles and guidance for making critical decisions
“To prepare yourself to make difficult medical decisions in a distinctly Christian way, you won’t do better than to read Between Life and Death.” — Tim Challies
Modern medical advances save countless lives. But for all their merits, sophisticated technologies have created a daunting new challenge, namely a blurring of the expanse between life and death. The dying process is often hidden behind a complex web of medical terminology, statistics, and ethical decisions, making it difficult for patients and loved ones to know how to approach the end of life in a dignity-affirming, God-honoring, faith-filled way.
This book offers a distinctly Christian guide to end-of-life care. It equips readers by explaining common medical jargon, exploring biblical principles that connect to common medical situations, and offering guidance for making critical decisions. In these pages, readers will find the medical knowledge and scriptural wisdom they need to navigate this painful and confusing process with clarity, peace, and discernment.
Part One: Dying, but Alive in Christ
Introduction
1. Framing the Issue
2. Wisdom Begins with the Word
Part Two: A Detailed Look at Organ-Supporting Measures
3. Resuscitation for Cardiac Arrest
4. Introduction to the Intensive Care
5. Mechanical Ventilation
6. Cardiovascular Support: Vasopressors, Inotropes, and Lines
7. Artificially-Administered Nutrition
8. Dialysis
9. Brain Injury
Part Three: Discernment at Life’s End
10. Comfort Measures and Hospice
11. Physician-Assisted Suicide
12. Advance Care Planning
13. Being a Voice: Surrogate Decision Making
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Summary Chart of Organ-Supporting Measures
Appendix 2: Sample Advance Directive
| Contributors | Kathryn Butler |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781433561016 |
| Format | Paperback |
| First published | April 2019 |
| Dimensions | 140mm x 216mm x 12mm |
| Weight | 0.27 kg |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 224 |
| Publisher | Crossway |
