by Gulnaz Naushad
Biblical mandate for couple:
Many couples over the years have practiced contraceptives.
Once a couple gets married they want to know which method is ethically in
accord with the biblical teaching. However the question we fail to ask and
answer before we talk about method is “what is God’s ideal plan for married
couples?”
Samuel A. Owen in his book letting God plan your family
shatters all our arguments we through, to prove that contraception is not
outside of God’s will or is permissible. He believes that biblical ideal for
contraception is that couples should not intentionally control conception
through any means artificial or natural, and should not concerned about getting
pregnant.
He argues that God created man and women with the gift of
sex for two main purposes. 1) to
reproduce to advance His Lordship. Procreation is the primary purpose of
marriage. 2) to have a union with each other and completeness of each
individual. To fulfill these purposes he gave man and woman gift of sex which
results in oneness and reproduction.
The origin
of the contraception:
Those are basic guiding rules for us. This teaching seems
hard to accept especially in our modern world where we have adapted a lifestyle
which does not match with the idea of letting God plan our family. We can argue
from many different angels but no biblical data seems to support contraception.
One of the biggest reasons behind family planning has been the idea of over population.
Christian also takes their stand by arguing that we have to be good stewards of
this planet earth. But it does not mean we should stop bearing children. Samuel
Owen also argues that we should be aware of the origin of the idea of contraception.
It was started from the renaissance period as result of lost faith in God. Owen
states that “if man is the highest form of being, the responsibility for life
falls upon man’s shoulder” therefore people feel free to control life[i].
How about
some exception?
However Owen also looks at the exception. He presents at
least four types of scenarios which may deserve some exception. He argues since
we live in this fallen world in some case we may not be able to practice the biblical
ideal of procreation. We may have to practice contraception in order to
preserve the sacredness of life and show love to God and other fellow men. Owen
fails to give any example here which makes it hard to understand. But as a
principle one may experience this in a number of ways.
Secondly a couple may control conception for some higher moral
purposes especially relating to advancing God’s kingdom. Thirdly if there is a
need to keep balance in marriage and sex. A couple may be struggling and their
marriage life is at stake they may practice birth control to deepen their
relationship. Since procreation and oneness both are the purpose of marriage,
birth control can be practice to deepen their oneness. Fourthly parents are responsible
for providing their children’s needs. If they cannot sufficiently they can
practice birth control in order to obey God in raising godly children by
providing all what they need.
Conclusion:
It is very clear from the biblical reaching that God’ ideal
for marriage is bearing children as well as oneness between couples. We have
developed a world view of those who have lost faith in God and where man has
become the center. We should put God as a center of our marriages. However
there are exceptions but as we consider those exception we have to do this
prayerfully and with a great awe and sense of responsibility as we go against what
is biblically ideal.
I think we also need to consider the medical expert to that matter, then evaluate it based on the scripture as final authority of our faith.
ReplyDeleteI have a few more ethical questions regarding the use of contraception. Any one could respond to these-
ReplyDelete• Let’s say that somehow we were able to control the population of a particular country; now, having done that, is it possible that there would be still unhappiness, unrest, chaos; and the moral, social, and intellectual standards of that nation would still be the same or even worse?
• Is the contraception method the most effective, easiest, and most logical way of addressing the issue of over population? Could there be a wiser way to tackle with the issue?
• Are all contraceptive methods equally questionable? If there are some serious moral problems with some of the contraceptive methods then is it possible to name those methods and ban them legally and allow other methods to continue?
• Who should decide for a country—if contraceptive methods should be allowed or not—should it be the government, the common public, the church, or the other religious groups?
• We would all agree that “sex” is totally a private affair and it is the basic right of the human being as long as it is legitimate. Doesn’t it seem a human rights violation when we make it a public or national issue? What is the difference between using a seatbelt/helmet and using contraception? Are they not both for safety and risk avoidance?
it is a controversial question. in one hand, it seems contrary to God's mandate in Gen 1:27, in another, it can explained by the concept of good stewardship.
ReplyDeletehowever, many people try contraception not because of the above reason but their personal decisions, so we all need to come to God prayerfully about this.
Thanks Kuya these are all valid good questions however my position is that we should not seek to practice contraceptives with self centered intentions and motives. The question about controlling population and thus controlling problem is a myth and misguided concept. We know that sin cannot be controlled by controlling population through birth control. God did it by sending flood. It did not control the problem of sin. This whole issue of birth control gave birth to so much immorality. People can have safe sex by manipulating the consequences. abortion is done in the name of birth control. It is not the issue of seat-belt/helmet they are for the safety from human invented vehicles but contraceptives are safety against God's intended and created with a certain purpose and command. It is driving without license.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your conclusion about putting God in the Center of the Marriage. However, How does it look like? Christians nowadays are more prone to annulment, divorce and remarriage. What does it mean to put God in the center of the marriage? I believe it's not just only the issue of contraceptives but applying the truth in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI agreed you said that God ideal for Marriage is oneness and bearing children. I am just wondering that if the couple has health issue and not able to have any choice in contraception, will they still be fulfilling the ideal plan for God in Marriage?
ReplyDeleteAnd you said that put God in the center of Marriage and have to do prayerfully. How can we know that it is God's will in Marriage?
Gul this is good and very helping topic, but unfortunately in present time we totally ignore it. For me it is difficult to digest the truth that we are not suppose to practice birth control at all, where as being a Christian couple we seek methods that ethically acceptable. this is an eye opener for me,because for us, we are so tuned to think about birth control, to imagine having nine or ten children is like night mare, but if this is God's will being a Christian we should accept this.
ReplyDeleteMarriage is designed by God and it was God’s plan that they will be multiplying and growing in number according to his plan. Result of sinful nature in this world creates lots of issues and confusion, and one of it is taking control of the birth of children through contraceptives. Bible talks about procreation but it does not talk at all about any contraceptives, so we have to drive principles and use the whole counsel of God given in His Word. Can we treat this issue as one on which Bible is quiet?
ReplyDeleteI like your argument of preserving the sacredness of life by practicing birth control but I am not sure about the rest of the suggestions given.
I wonder why being a Christian this idea of birth control is not taught and addressed before discussing the methods? We often question contraceptive methods but we should seek the whole counsel of God in this matter. It would be good if you can expand it and make it more substantial theologically since it is all about God centredness.
Thanks for your comments. Yes I am really interested in this topic. This is the first time I understood it that way. I realized that I never tried to find out what does the Bible say about this practice. I only looked at the methods as questionable. However I did not read much due to so many limitations. But I am hoping and praying to find out more on this topic.
ReplyDeleteGod created marriage and sex and not the contraceptives. Contraceptives were birth out of man's initiative and free will for whatever reasons. The apostle Paul's instruction to couples was to "be together" unless the couple agrees to abstain. If contraception was already being practiced in Paul's time then not advising it to the believers could mean he didn't accept it as God's way. If contraception was not yet invented on Paul's time then I wouldn't know if he would recommend it or not. But for my lack of expertise and research on this topic my generic opinion would be to go back to God's glory. A couple must agree together if using a contraceptive will bring more glory to God in their lives than not using contraceptives. Since contraception may still be a gray area like drinking, then it is a matter of conscience now to the couple.
ReplyDeletethis issue is very important in the church and individual.in my opinion we can use contraception in order to control population. it was invented by the people whom God gave wisdom and knowledge. may be this is applicable in the developed country not to use the contraceptives but to those under developed country it is very hard to look after many children. why i am saying this is in bible God said he has given us wisdom also, we have to use that wisdom. i am not against this but we have to use our wisdom to use it properly. when it comes to using it both husband and wife should agree weather using it or not. but it is very important issue Gul you have raised.
ReplyDeletethis issue is very important in the church and individual.in my opinion we can use contraception in order to control population. it was invented by the people whom God gave wisdom and knowledge. may be this is applicable in the developed country not to use the contraceptives but to those under developed country it is very hard to look after many children. why i am saying this is in bible God said he has given us wisdom also, we have to use that wisdom. i am not against this but we have to use our wisdom to use it properly. when it comes to using it both husband and wife should agree weather using it or not. but it is very important issue Gul you have raised.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the opinion, I strongly believe that it is God's gift for married couples to have intimate relationship and experience the joy of raising up children. yet there are more issues to consider, like how about someone from a country who has one-child policy?
ReplyDeleteFor me, God's plan and purposes for families to multiply still holds a greater value. From the beginning it is God's gift for man and woman to enjoy Him and enjoy each other. Along with this is the responsibility to take care of our own families. For now, the concept between family control versus God's plan still needs to be studied. And it takes time for me.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing to consider is how the contraceptive works. I was very sick after my last son was born, and was advised by my doctor to use contraceptive to avoid another pregnancy. She talked through a few options with me, some which I said no to. The final option, I went home and researched. The doctor promised that it worked to avoid conception, however I discovered it doesn't always work that way, and should conception happen, the contraceptive would abort the baby. Seeing as I believe life is from God and starts at conception, I could not agree to use any form of contraception that would abort a baby. Many of my Christian friends have used contraceptives that do this, without even knowing. If you are going to use contraceptive at all, you need to research how it works, to make sure it isn't aborting life.
ReplyDeleteJannah Cooper