The Point of Medicine
The following articles fall under this category of content within The Point of Medicine.
The Future of Christian Medicine
The ability to think critically and deeply is crucial for Christian students in healthcare as they face ethical dilemmas that didn’t exist a generation ago. Should a Christian healthcare professional use a patient’s preferred pronouns if the patient identifies as a member of the opposite sex? What advice should they offer to parents of minors struggling with their sexual identity?
The 10 Commandments of Responsible Chatbot Use
Do you remember the Turing test—that computers will have truly arrived when you can’t tell whether you’re talking with a computer or a human? Well, that bridge has been crossed, and now we’re on the other side.
Christians in Medical School: Why Faith Belongs in Medical Training
Medical school is a like a marathon, for which you are both grateful and terrified to run. For the first half, you are force fed from a fire hose seemingly every factoid about human genetics, embryology, physiology and anatomy, all summarized in the 30,000 Anki cards you will commit to memory.
Chaos in Minnesota
Immigration is a complex issue. God established boundaries among nations for our own well-being. Governments have a responsibility to protect those boundaries. Both extreme positions of no boundaries or borders versus completely closed boundaries or borders leads to social disorder. Advocating for a balance is important.
Ethical Issues in Dentistry: Treatment Recommendations
Perhaps the most pervasive of the ethical challenges in dentistry is related to the area of treatment recommendations. This topic is challenging by virtue of the simple fact that almost all clinical problems in dentistry can be treated in multiple ways.
The Importance of Christian Values in Modern Medicine and Healthcare
I love studying the Bible because it conveys God’s plan and His compassion. We are in the new covenant with Christ. The Mosaic covenant ended. The law had a purpose. Human nature remains the same.
A Christian’s Guide to Practicing Healthcare
The benefits of taking the risk to speak out are not only eternal but will also increase your sense of joy knowing that you are walking in obedience to the Lord. But that does not mean it will be easy, which is why I recommend regularly reading about persecuted Christians around the world.
Not By Might, Nor By Power
Over two millennia, followers of Christ have transformed the world, and today we live in a wealthier, kinder, fairer and freer state than could ever have been imagined by a commoner or slave in ancient Rome. Yet almost none of that was accomplished through seizing the reigns of earthly power.
What Good Has Christianity Ever Done for the World?
“The fact is that the majority of the early church fathers valued their own classical educations…” and that “Christianity became the major patron of education in the Latin West and a major borrower from the classical intellectual tradition.”
Hope, Peace, Joy and Love: Anticipation and Preparation
Oh, how we pray for things to be righted right now in our world! Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now” (ESV).
Christian Healthcare in a Violent World
While violence is not original to our times, it is certainly true of our times. It takes numerous different forms, all of them ugly: child abuse, intimate partner violence, gang violence, “random” violence, political violence, hate crime, elder abuse, workplace violence and countless other manifestations.
Mourning During the Holidays
Tomorrow, my eldest step-son, Travis, my son, would have celebrated his 42nd birthday. He died two years ago. We will not be celebrating with him tomorrow. This year as we have celebrated and will celebrate his three sons’ birthdays, he has not been and will not be here with us.
The Blessing of Justin: Seeing God’s Purpose in Our Son’s Life
Justin—a man with intellectual disabilities whose life has revealed the quiet power of love, faith and belonging. What began as a journey filled with uncertainty became one of profound grace, reminding us that God’s greatest gifts often come through the lives of those who teach us how to love without condition.
How Can We Disagree Well?
“I wish we could have civil conversations to discuss an issue and share perspectives. That doesn’t seem to be possible anymore.”
Itinerant
“Itinerant, adjective, traveling from one place to another, usually to work for a short period.”
Done Early
I was on the verge of getting “done early” as I stepped off the elevator and into the hallway of the medical ward. I expected the scene to resemble every hospital I had walked through in the last 25 years.
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk
My reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk was deep visceral lament. Charlie enjoyed discourse, debate, and dialogue, especially with those who disagreed with him. He was adamant about his beliefs.
Mourning and the Christian Response
Mourning is the outward working of processing significant loss. It may involve talking, counseling, journaling, memorializing, or thoughtful reflection concerning the loss(es). It may be very hard work, and may take a long time. It is during this process that we as caring believers may serve others in love.
Treasures, Tombs and Eternity
One thing the Egyptians are incredibly good at is the preservation of their artifacts and education about them. The last stop we made yesterday was to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a museum that tries to teach the 7,000+ years of Egyptian history chronologically, tying the artifacts, structures and stories together in a way that gives an arc and a progression to the story.
Treasures, Tombs and Eternity
One thing the Egyptians are incredibly good at is the preservation of their artifacts and education about them. The last stop we made yesterday was to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, a museum that tries to teach the 7,000+ years of Egyptian history chronologically, tying the artifacts, structures and stories together in a way that gives an arc and a progression to the story.
In the Trenches: Why Bother?
The issues facing physicians are numerous, covering a broad spectrum. From the nuts and bolts of managing daily practice, providing great care as we stay up to date, dealing with the ethical dilemmas facing our patients and communities—it can be overwhelming.
Let Us Not Forget Ongoing Christian Persecution
During Lent as we approach Resurrection Day, a number of Christians choose to “give up” something they enjoy, such as a specific food or habit, to identify with the suffering of Jesus on the cross. One habit to consider adopting during this season is the admonition found in Hebrews 13:3: “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (ESV).
Kuczewski Errs: Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right
In a recent Hasting Center Bioethics Forum Essay, “Supporting Patients and Students Who Are Immigrants: What to do and Why Most Bioethicists Won’t Do It,” Mark Kuczewski asserts that bioethicists, and medical systems in general, should not cooperate with any governmental attempts to identify or detain aliens who seek medical care within our hospitals and clinics.
Treating Health Disparities on Our Knees
Ecclesiastes 9:11 contains the familiar text, “the race is not to the swift” (NIV) (or to those who run fast), but in the case of Black Americans, the race to health began well ahead of us, particularly with slavery.
A Mission to Protect the Vulnerable
Here at CMDA, we’re often asked about why we, as an organization broadly and as our advocacy team specifically, seem to be more concerned about policy and ethics and less so about domestic missions—for our neighbors in need here in the U.S. These inquires and suggestions are often made out of concern that our engagement in legislation and the ethics around certain life issues comes at the expense or dismissal of the vulnerable.
Ruminations on Behavior
The environment we live in influences our behavior, and this includes the people we spend time with, the things we read or watch, our social media engagement and our leisure activities.
A Tribute to My Brother, Now Gone
Three months of thoughtful reflection later, I’m now utterly convinced of the brevity of life. Life is fragile and precious. People deserve my time. Every minute counts.
New Research Exposed Anti-Christian Bias in Residency Admissions
Progressive and left-wing bias in American centers of higher education is a fact so universally recognized it is barely worth mentioning. “A worrying new study suggests that young doctors with known conservative inclinations would fare worse in residency placement.”