Priscilla Noble-mathews

A Search for a Theology of Resuscitation: is It Possible to Find in the Bible and Subsequent Christian Tradition a Theology to Underpin the Ethics of Resuscitation? Priscilla Noble-mathews

This is an attempt to search for a theology to underpin the ethics of resuscitation. Because reference is sometimes made to resuscitation being attempted in the Bible, the Search examines the Old and New Testament for instances of resuscitation or revival from the dead which may shed light on such theology. However, it is also contended that, in the time before Christ, it was life in this world which was prized, and that it was only towards the end of the Old Testament era there was the beginning of a perception of resurrection after death, to a different sphere of existence. Following the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ it was eternal life that was to be the goal of living. This, it is contended, is why there is a dearth of material in Christian Tradition on any reference to a value of revival to life in this world. It is also contended that, in Christian Tradition, up until approximately the last century, there is always a fundamental acknowledgment of God as the Author of life and the Arbiter of death. However, in modern times the emphasis which has been laid on the autonomy of the individual is encouraging people to replace and edge out God, thus twisting the first strand of theological underpinning of the ethics out of recognition. An additional strand of theology is uncovered, in that the biblical recorded resuscitations were all carried out for some purposwe, or for the benefit of someone, other than the person being revived, although the person themselves may have derived some indirect benefit.