Blood and Organ Donations

Question

Is it biblical to participate in blood drives and donate one's organs?

Answer

The issues you refer to are not directly addressed in Scripture. However, as the WCF: Chapter I - Of the Holy Scripture states:

VI. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men.

I believe a "good and necessary consequence," of the 6th commandment (thou shalt not to kill) addresses the issue. Additional light is brought to bear on the proper interpretation of this commandment by the Westminster Larger Catechism - Q 134-136 where it indicates to us to do whatever is lawful and within our power to preserve the lives of others.

Again, though not directly addressed in Scripture, the good and necessary implications of texts like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and "what you have done to the least of these" (Matthew 25:35-36), and other similar passages would seem to indicate that lawfully donating blood and organs in order to assist others are acts of mercy and fitting with biblical principles.

As Christians we should do whatever is lawful and within our power to preserve the lives of others by these and other lawful and merciful acts.