EUTHANASIA
Euthanasia is the killing of the elderly or assisted suicide or mercy killing. There are situations which complicate a simple yes or no response to this important issue. Should we keep people alive artificially by machines, spending all of one’s resources? When is someone “legally dead?” And we have all heard accounts of those who were in comas, only to awaken months or even years later. Is one doing those who suffer a favor to induce their death? Cannot medicine be given to alleviate the pain? If today it is “OK” because one is suffering physically, then tomorrow would it be OK for those who mentally suffer with grief and depression; do we want to start down this slippery path? Everyone has had hard times in their lives, but a word of encouragement can make a great deal of difference.
I heard a story years ago that has always stayed with me, about those who would jump from a tall building or bridge to end their lives. It used to be when such people were spotted, others would try to talk them out of it, knowing that tomorrow would bring a “new sunrise,” with new hopes. As the bystanders stood there trying to talk the hurting person out of his dilemma, along would come the town drunk, and he would holler, “Jump! Jump!” and laugh as he said it. Do we want to be placed in the category of those who are encouraging others to end it all? The only thing I can point to in Scripture that would be similar would be the death of King Saul (1 Chronicles 10:4). Saul had been wounded in battle and was afraid of falling into the hands of the enemy. He told his armor bearer to kill him with his sword, but he would not, and then Saul fell on his own sword. If it is wrong to kill one’s self, and it is, “Thou shalt not kill” (God did not create us to kill ourselves), then it would be wrong to help someone do it. The Bible says we were all made in the image of God, and all life is sacred (see SUICIDE).
EVANGELIST
Strong’s = “a bringer of good tidings.” “And he gave some…evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11–12). This office is still valid for today, and they can be a great encouragement to the local church. Philip (not the apostle) was an evangelist (Acts 21:8). These are men especially equipped of God to help encourage the believers, and at least from my perspective, seem to be used of the Holy Spirit more than the average preacher. And because God gave them, we must need them (see PASTOR).
EVE
Strong’s = “life” or “living.” The wife of Adam and “the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). Therefore, Cain’s wife came from Eve, just as Abraham married his half-sister (Genesis 20:11–12). Not until the time of Moses was there a prohibition against marrying close relatives (Leviticus 18–20). Cain’s sister/wife probably was fully grown before he met her, as it appears he left his parents before daughters were born to Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:14, 5:4).
EVOLUTION (see CREATION)
Euthanasia is the killing of the elderly or assisted suicide or mercy killing. There are situations which complicate a simple yes or no response to this important issue. Should we keep people alive artificially by machines, spending all of one’s resources? When is someone “legally dead?” And we have all heard accounts of those who were in comas, only to awaken months or even years later. Is one doing those who suffer a favor to induce their death? Cannot medicine be given to alleviate the pain? If today it is “OK” because one is suffering physically, then tomorrow would it be OK for those who mentally suffer with grief and depression; do we want to start down this slippery path? Everyone has had hard times in their lives, but a word of encouragement can make a great deal of difference.
I heard a story years ago that has always stayed with me, about those who would jump from a tall building or bridge to end their lives. It used to be when such people were spotted, others would try to talk them out of it, knowing that tomorrow would bring a “new sunrise,” with new hopes. As the bystanders stood there trying to talk the hurting person out of his dilemma, along would come the town drunk, and he would holler, “Jump! Jump!” and laugh as he said it. Do we want to be placed in the category of those who are encouraging others to end it all? The only thing I can point to in Scripture that would be similar would be the death of King Saul (1 Chronicles 10:4). Saul had been wounded in battle and was afraid of falling into the hands of the enemy. He told his armor bearer to kill him with his sword, but he would not, and then Saul fell on his own sword. If it is wrong to kill one’s self, and it is, “Thou shalt not kill” (God did not create us to kill ourselves), then it would be wrong to help someone do it. The Bible says we were all made in the image of God, and all life is sacred (see SUICIDE).
EVANGELIST
Strong’s = “a bringer of good tidings.” “And he gave some…evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11–12). This office is still valid for today, and they can be a great encouragement to the local church. Philip (not the apostle) was an evangelist (Acts 21:8). These are men especially equipped of God to help encourage the believers, and at least from my perspective, seem to be used of the Holy Spirit more than the average preacher. And because God gave them, we must need them (see PASTOR).
EVE
Strong’s = “life” or “living.” The wife of Adam and “the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). Therefore, Cain’s wife came from Eve, just as Abraham married his half-sister (Genesis 20:11–12). Not until the time of Moses was there a prohibition against marrying close relatives (Leviticus 18–20). Cain’s sister/wife probably was fully grown before he met her, as it appears he left his parents before daughters were born to Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:14, 5:4).
EVOLUTION (see CREATION)
