title: Bonhoeffer and universal health care as a human right.
abstract: Bonhoeffer gave a theocentric basis for human rights, as God is the ground of ethics. In our earthly world, the "ultimate" must be prepared by what is "penultimate." That includes humanity's natural life and bodily wholeness, leading to human duties crafted by human reason. Nowadays, biblical texts should not be used as partisan weapons attacking government provision of health care, since all Scripture (even the Law) is seen as a Christ-centered focus on human redemption. Thus, Bonhoeffer implies a right to universal health care, but leaves entirely open which practical structures may best provide it.
authors.affiliation: Comenius Center, Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA, 18018-6650, USA, cchapman@moravian.edu.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Clarke Chapman
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000266:history*; D005858:Germany; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006806:Human Rights / Q000266:history*; D006801:Humans; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D019472:Universal Health Insurance / Q000266:history*