page-0308-1 – We Love God!

My conclusion is that the Bible nowhere prohibits the use of birth control. But are there any texts that suggest or imply that birth control is morally permissible? 1. 1 Corinthians 7:5 – “While this passage does not mention contraception, it does carry important implications for the discussion. Here it seems evident that God's will for the Christian couple is not “maximum fertility,” i.e., the maximum number of conceptions biologically possible during the course of a Christian marriage. By mutual agreement, sexual relations may be renounced for a time in order to pursue spiritual objectives – in this case, prayer. The larger principle would be that Christian couples have the right to choose to “override” the usual responsibility to procreate (Gen. 1:28) for a season in order to pursue a spiritual good” (John Jefferson Davis, Evangelical Ethics, P&R, 2004, p. 39). 2. 1 Corinthians 7:26-28 – Here Paul advises Christians to avoid taking on the responsibilities of family life due to the impending persecution. 3. 1 Timothy 5:8 – This text not only demands that we work or in some way provide financially and physically for our family, but also forbids us doing anything that would hinder such care, even if we are employed. We are forbidden to take on obligations, no matter how well intentioned, which would lead us to fail to provide basic necessities for those who are dependent upon us.

Sam Storms