We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Ten Arguments against the use of birth control and a response to each: 1. Genesis 1:28; 9:1. But: a. If this were a specific command to every individual, every man and woman would be required to marry. But clearly marriage is not a universal obligation (Jesus, Paul, 1 Cor. 7). b. This text does address the responsibility to bear children but says nothing about how many or for how long. Nothing in the text explicitly requires us to have as many children as is biologically possible. c. Gen. 1:28 must be read in the light of 1:26. 2. Deut. 23:1 – The argument is that this prohibition reflects God’s displeasure with any means of birth control. But: a. There is nothing to indicate that these men were castrated as a means of birth control. b. In all likelihood, this refers “not to states of infertility produced by illness or accident, but to deliberate acts of castration at times associated with pagan worship in the ancient Near East” (Davis, p. 37). 3. Genesis 38:6-10 (Deut. 25:5-10). But: a. Onan’s sin was not that he violated the general command to have children, but that he violated the specific obligation in the law of levirate marriage. His action was sinful not because he used a form of birth control, but because he disobeyed a legal responsibility to raise up seed in his deceased brother’s name (probably because he didn’t want to assume the personal and financial obligation of raising them). b. Lev. 20:10-21 lists specific sexual crimes punishable by death under the Mosaic Code. If coitus interruptus, such as that committed by Onan, were regarded as an abuse or sin, one would expect to see it in this list. 4. Psalms 127:3-5; 128:1-6 – No one would dare disagree that children are a wonderful blessing from the Lord. But: a. Why should we conclude from these texts that we are morally obligated to have as many children as is biologically possible? b. As with all God's blessings, we must be wise and prudent stewards in the enjoyment of them. 5. The purpose of sex in marriage is procreational, not recreational. But: a. The Bible reveals at least [four other] purposes for sex in marriage. b. “If sex were intended only for procreation, then it would be strange that nature has it that women can procreate less than half of their married life…and then only at a very limited time each month” (Geisler, p. 215-16). c. If this argument were valid, it would be sinful for a married couple to have sexual relations subsequent to female menopause or a hysterectomy or in cases where either husband or wife is sterile. 6. Birth control is unnatural and artificial. Common sense suggests that the purpose for human sexual organs is reproduction. Anything that prohibits or interrupts the sex organs from performing their appointed role is thus sinful. But: a. “If the sole purpose of sexual intercourse is procreation, then why did God give women the desire for sexual intercourse at times when they cannot become pregnant? Does not the natural order of things, then, demonstrate that procreation is not the only purpose of sex?” (Feinbergs, p. 175-176). b. We do many so-called unnatural things that run counter to and hinder so-called nature, none of which any of us would regard as immoral or unbiblical: shaving, air-travel, mowing the lawn, etc. c. If we consistently applied this principle we would be forced never to employ medical assistance, medication, or surgery. d. Those who employ this argument concede the use of the rhythm method and abstinence during times of ovulation, none of which is itself natural (charting or scheduling intercourse based on body temperature, etc., is hardly natural; and abstinence runs counter to the natural sex drive). 7. Birth control betrays a lack of trust or faith in the sovereignty of God. He is Lord over the womb. If God wants us to have children, He should be free to bestow them. If He doesn’t want to, He (and He alone) should have the power and prerogative to prevent conception. But: a. We must be careful that our trust in God is not simply irresponsible behavior. b. If this argument were consistently applied, we should never work, use locks or alarms on our homes, save money for emergencies, purchase life or health insurance, wear safety goggles when using a weed-eater, use sun-screen when outside, or support the police or national defense. 8. Birth control has the potential to alter in a destructive way our concepts and experience of love and commitment. But: a. The fact that birth control may yield negative consequences does not itself make birth control wrong. The absence of intimacy, promiscuity, etc., are wrong, not because one may have employed a contraceptive device, but because such things are declared to be wrong in the Bible. 9. Birth control encourages promiscuity among both married and unmarried people. But: a. We must distinguish between an object and the purpose or use to which an object is put. Cars are not sinful simply because people can use them to escape the scene of a crime they’ve just committed. The fact that an object can be used for immoral purposes does not necessarily prove the object is in and of itself immoral. 10. Birth control devices have negative side-effects and are detrimental to one’s health. Since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we should not employ those things that do damage to our physical constitution. But: a. If a birth control device is found conclusively to have physical destructive side-effects, it should not be used. But such scientific evidence does not exist for all methods of contraception.

Sam Storms

Why can we rejoice in our persecution according to Matthew 5:10-12? 1. Because God told us and we can trust Him at His word even when we must walk by faith and not by sight. 2. Because those who receive persecution and respond this way are identified as citizens in God’s kingdom (Mt. 5:10; cf. Ac. 14:22). 3. Because suffering for Jesus is an unspeakable privilege of having fellowship with the One who suffered so much for us (Phil. 3:10; Ac. 5:40-41, 16:25; Heb. 11:24-25). 4. Because persecution strengthens believers. Throughout history the church is always the strongest when it undergoes persecution. God knows that persecution moves us to leave our comfort zones, be able to better defend our faith, have greater missionary zeal, be more dedicated to personal and group prayer and count the cost with greater intensity. 5. Because persecution results in reward in heaven. To those persecuted, Jesus promised in verse 12, “For your reward in heaven is great.” Only God can take our reproach and dishonor and turn it into praise and glory.

Randy Smith

We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Cashew Chicken #2

January 22, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Meats, Eggs, Dairy, Grains		Poultry	4	Servings

INGREDIENTS

2	lb	Boneless chicken breasts
		Flour
4		Eggs; beaten
1	c	Milk
		Salt to taste
		Pepper to taste
		Peanut oil
4	c	Water
8		Chicken bouillon cubes
2	tb	Cornstarch
1	ts	Sugar
2	ts	Oyster flavor sauce; or to taste
1	cn	(6-oz) cashew nuts
1	c	Chopped green onions
	6	servings.

INSTRUCTIONS

SAUCE
Cut chicken in bite-sized pieces. Flour well. Let stand in flour for 15
minutes. Mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Remove chicken from flour and
place in egg mixture for 10 minutes. Roll in flour and deep fry in oil
(350&deg; to 400&deg;). Chicken will cook in about 15 minutes. Chicken may be kept
warm in a covered pan in a warm oven. For sauce, boil water and add
bouillon cubes. When bouillon cubes are dissolved, remove 1/2 cup bouillon
broth and mix with cornstarch until smooth. Pour back into broth and add
remaining ingredients. Let thicken over low heat. Pour sauce over chicken
and top with cashews and onions. Serve with rice and soy sauce. Yield: 4 to
MARY POWELL
From <Traditions: A Taste of the Good Life>, by the Little Rock (AR) Junior
League.  Downloaded from Glen's MM Recipe Archive,
http://www.erols.com/hosey.

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