A Good Day to Die: A Christian Perspective on Mercy Killing [Paperback]

Alex Tang (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2005

Euthanasia or mercy killing is an emotive and controversial subject. Tremendous advances in medical sciences and biomechanical technologies have prolonged our lives.Unfortunately, these same knowledge and technologies have prolonged our dying. Many today struggle with the issue of euthanasia or mercy killing, either for themselves or for their loved ones. Alex Tang MD approaches this issue from different perspectives. He uses examples from patient case histories to illustrate his points. This book will help those who struggle with euthanasia or mercy killing to come to some resolution of death with dignity.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Today is a good day to die" is the rallying cry of the Klingons, a warrior race in the science fiction worlds of Star Trek. To the Klingons, what is important is glory and honour. To die in battle is to die with full honour and much glory. Hence the embracement of death. Even Christians have assimilated this culture, and live in fear of death though the Bible teaches us that there is nothing to fear. God in His sovereignty determines the times of our birth and of our death.If He has chosen that day for us to die, then it is a good day to die.

When we bring about our own death, however, the day of dying is not of God's choosing but of ours. Do we have the right to choose when we are die? Do we have the right to determine the way we are to die? And do we have the right to ask someone to kill us?

From the Back Cover

This book is the result of Dr.Tang's own experience of facing life-and-death issues and in it he explores theological, medical,ethical, moral and legal issues. He takes the reader from historical perspectives to contemporary issues that defy black-and-white definitions. Dr.Tang addresses some very thorny issues in euthanasia which he approaches from various angles. He contends that being contemporary is not necessarily being right.

Dr.Tang's extensively referenced book is timely indeed, at a time of rapidly increasing knowledge and understanding of the human body. It helps the Christian reader to make important decisions in an informed manner;decisions surrounding sickness and death.

--Datuk Dr, Alex Mathews Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist Chairman, Home Council of Malaysia Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 133 pages
• Publisher: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd (May 12, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 9814138479
• ISBN-13: 978-9814138475
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,061,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a Senior Consultant Paediatrician at the Johor Specialist Hospital, Johor Bahru and is an adjunct teaching faculty of Monash University School of Medicine in Malaysia. I obtained my basic medical degree from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia) and did my postgraduate training in Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. My specialty is in General Paediatrics with special interest in neonatology, respiratory medicine and biomedical ethics. I am a member of many professional bodies, and of the International Child Health Group. I am the chairman of the Johor Branch of the Malaysian Paediatric Association.

While as a student I started the Medical Christian Fellowship in the medical campus of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the Christian Fellowship in the Bangi campus in Selangor, Malaysia. After graduation, I joined the Johor Bahru General Hospital in Johor. I was actively involved in a church ministries; as cell group coordinator, leadership trainer, church board member and was acting pastor for a year. I studied and graduated with a Masters in Ministry from the Malaysia Bible Seminary. In addition I have a Certificate in Spirituality Studies from St. Thomas University, Miami, USA. Presently I am a Doctor of Philosophy candidate with the Asia Graduate School of Theology.

Aside from a ministry in preaching and teaching the Word in churches, camps, seminars and Bible seminary, I also contributed numerous articles to the Asian Beacon, Kairos' Understanding the Modern World Through Christian Eyes magazine and a series of devotions on 1 Chronicles for Asian Notes (2002). I have written a number of books: Random Musings from a Doctor's Chair: A Christian Doctor reflects on life and all that stuff (2005), A Good Day to Die: A Christian perspective on mercy killing (2005), Live and Let Live: A Christian perspective on biotechnology (2006) and Spiritual Formation on the Run (2009).

In 2003, I started the Spiritual Formation Institute at the Holy Light Church in Johor Bahru. The mission of the Spiritual Formation Institute is to nurture disciples of Jesus Christ with informed mind, hearts on fire and contemplative in action. My special interest are in theology, philosophy, spiritual formation, Christian spirituality and biomedical ethics.

In community work, I am very active in Rotary, was a member of Rotary Club of Johor Bahru, Rotary Club of Tebrau and chartered member of the Rotary Club of Puteri Lagoon. In the Rotary Club of Tebrau, I started the Rotary Club of Tebrau Heart Fund to sponsor children with congenital heart diseases for corrective surgery in the Madras Medical Mission in India and developed the Calvary Autistic Centre project for Autistic children in Johor Bahru.

I am listed in the Who's Who in Science and Engineering, and in Asia's 500.

My family and I worship with the Holy Light Church (English) where I am an elder. Holy Light Church is a Presbyterian church in Johor Bharu, Malaysia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boldness, May 24, 2006

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vic "torian" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Good Day to Die: A Christian Perspective on Mercy Killing (Paperback)

The author dives into suicide, euthanasia, suffering, right to die and the biblical perspective on each of these topics, offering various angles, sources of references and thoughts on these topics.

Drawing on his own medical experience, he is bold in offering his own stance on these subjects, a rare peep into a medical doctor's mind on such matters. It is rare to have a doctor be so open in his or her stance on such matters.

Very readable, extensively researched with source references for the reader. Enjoyed it.