ABSTRACT
This chapter distinguishes minimal notions of justice and mercy from the richer notions available to story-formed communities, and suggests reasons to be suspicious of the minimal notions. It provides a theological defence of the distinction between killing and accepting death and theological backing for attention to the identity and integrity of medicine. Suicide is not a viable alternative. Faithfulness in the face of one's own death need not do everything possible to preserve life, but it should not choose suicide. Faithfulness in the face of another's death will always care, but it will not kill or assist in suicide. Justice and mercy are also, of course, standards of excellence for those who would be faithful to God, who would walk humbly with God. Assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia, after all, are chosen by autonomous individuals and end the suffering of one who hurts. The minimal notion of justice is used to defend the moral legitimacy of suicide.
