Organ donation is the process of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person (the organ donor) and placing it into another person (the recipient). Organ donations are an act of charity that can save or significantly improve the lives of others.
The Bible does not directly address organ donation, as it was not a medical practice during biblical times. However, there are several biblical principles that can guide Christians in thinking through the ethics of organ donation:
1. Saving lives is important
The Bible consistently affirms the value of human life and the importance of saving lives when possible. For example:
- “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter” (Proverbs 24:11).
- “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act” (Proverbs 3:27).
- Jesus healed the sick and restored life whenever he could during his earthly ministry.
Organ donation provides an opportunity to save someone’s life or restore their health. This aligns with the biblical call to value life.
2. Loving others is central to Christian ethics
Jesus called his followers to love God and love their neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). The apostle Paul said, “the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:14). Giving an organ to save someone’s life is arguably one of the greatest expressions of love for another person.
3. Our bodies belong to God
Christians believe that human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), which gives human life sacred value. However, our bodies and lives ultimately belong to God, not to us. Paul said, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Since our bodies belong to God, we can make decisions about them according to how we believe God wants us to steward them.
4. Generosity is encouraged
The Bible frequently encourages generosity, charity, and giving to others freely and joyfully. For example:
- “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
- “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap” (Luke 6:38).
- Early believers “sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:45).
Donating an organ is a generous act that can be an expression of Christ-like giving.
5. We are stewards of creation
Humans were given dominion over the earth to tend and keep it as faithful stewards (Genesis 1:28; 2:15). Our bodies, abilities, resources and intellect are all gifts from God that we are responsible to steward well. Organ donation can be part of fulfilling the mandate to steward our bodies and abilities for the flourishing of others.
6. Death benefits others
Jesus said “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24). This agricultural metaphor points to the deeper spiritual truth that death leads to new life. In a similar way, organ donors freely lay down their lives knowing their death can bring health and new life to multiple other people.
Overall, the biblical principles of saving lives, loving others, stewarding resources, and sacrificial giving lend strong support to organ donation as a morally good choice for Christians who wish to donate.
Common Concerns and Responses
Some Christians raise objections or express concerns about organ donation. Here are some common concerns and brief responses:
Concern: It disrespects the dead body
The Bible teaches burial customs that honor the dead (Genesis 23:19; John 19:40). However, there is nothing immoral about surgical procedures after death if the goal is to save lives. Our bodies decay naturally anyway.
Concern: It delays funeral plans
Donating organs requires coordinating timing of organ recovery with funeral plans. But saving lives is a worthy reason for modestly delaying funeral proceedings.
Concern: It hinders resurrection
God promises to resurrect the dead regardless of the condition of their earthly bodies (1 Corinthians 15). Missing organs will pose no problem for God in the resurrection.
Concern: The industry is unethical
There can be abuses in any medical field that should be reformed. But the principles of saving lives and generosity still make organ donation good. Christians should push for ethical policies.
Concern: Donation isn’t always voluntary
In some cases, presumed consent policies automatically make people organ donors unless they opt out. Christians should advocate for voluntary donation as the ideal.
Concern: The body is one unit
Christians believe in bodily resurrection and the sanctity of the body. But life-saving organ donations do not violate but rather express these doctrines. As stewards, we can generously allow parts of our body to sustain others.
Concern: Keeping the body “whole” shows faith in resurrection
Resurrection does not depend on an “intact” body. And there are other good ways to testify to the resurrection besides refusing organ donation (Acts 17:18; 1 Peter 3:15).
Concern: Donation interferes with God’s timing of death
God is sovereign over the timing of death, yet humans have freedom to make medical choices. Ethically performed organ donation does not constitute wrongfully interfering with God’s plans.
While these concerns are understandable given the significance of death and the body, there are reasonable counterpoints which suggest they should not prevent someone from choosing to be an organ donor.
Additional Biblical Support
Beyond broad principles, there are also specific examples and teachings in Scripture that connect to and support the practice of organ donation:
Blood transfusions to save lives
In the Old Testament, blood represents life and is sacred (Leviticus 17:11-14). But the New Testament lifts restrictions on diet and Jewish customs. So a precedent exists for practices that transfer life-giving biological substances from one person to another (Acts 10:9-16).
Death as sacrifice
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Organ donors sacrificially lay down their lives to save the lives of others.
The Good Samaritan
In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells a parable commending a Samaritan who went far out of his way to tend to the wounds of an injured stranger. Organ donation also involves caring for the injuries of a stranger at personal cost.
Healing and restoration
The ministry of Jesus involved extensive healing of the sick (Matthew 4:23-24). The gift of an organ brings physical restoration, just as Jesus’ miraculous healings restored health and wholeness.
While the Bible does not directly mention organ transplants, it provides precedents and principles affirming the ethical validity of organ donation as an act of love, generosity and stewardship that saves lives.
Conclusion
In summary, organ donation allows generous people to reflect Christ-like love and literally give of themselves to save the lives of others. While there are complexities involved, and organ donation should always be voluntary, the biblical principles of saving lives, loving others, stewarding our bodies, and sacrificial giving provide a strong theological basis for Christians to support and participate in ethical organ donation practices.