A411 : by Tony Garland 
It is encouraging that your are thinking through the issue of contraception as you enter adulthood and consider the possibility of marriage.
There are several aspects to consider in relation to the topic of contraception in Christian marriage.
- When, and to whom, did God explicitly give the command to "be fruitful and multiply"? What was the historical context?
- What is the general teaching of the Bible concerning children?
- What part do we play, as believers, living obediently within the framework of God's promises and blessings?
- What does the Bible have to say about when life begins, and what implications does it have for contraceptive choices by believers? Let's look at each of these in-turn.
#1 When, and to whom, did God explicitly give the command to "be fruitful and multiply"? What was the historical context?
The command to be fruitful and multiply was initially given in response to conditions which were much different than they are today: to Adam and Eve following creation (Gen. 1:22, 28) and the Noah and those who departed from the Ark following the global flood which wiped out almost all of mankind (Gen. 8:17; 9:1, 7). In both of these situations the earth was largely devoid of human life.
Later in Genesis, we see the promise of fruitfulness of offspring directed down the line of promise in relation to Israel: by Isaac to Jacob (Gen. 28:3); by God to Jacob (Gen. 35:11; 48:4), by God upon Israel—building the nation while in Egypt (Ex. 1:7); and by God through Moses to Israel as a blessing (consequence) upon obedience (Lev. 26:9; Deu. 7:13). The command to "be fruitful and multiply," which initially was in response to unusual conditions where earth was largely devoid of human life, later becomes a general blessing bestowed by God upon His chosen nation—and the line of promise leading toward the Messiah.
#2 What is the general teaching of the Bible concerning children?
As the population of the earth grows and sustaining a human population is no longer a concern, we still find passages emphasizing the blessing and involvement of God in producing offspring within marriage.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. (Ps. 127:3-5)
Children's children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. (Pr. 17:6)
Through marriage, God seeks godly offspring (Mal. 2:14-15). When God's people have children, they are instructed to raise them in the knowledge of God which will tend to produce godly children and so on.1 From these passages—and many others—we conclude that having children is an important purpose of marriage and a blessing bestowed by God. This is quite apart from the explicit command and need to initially populate the earth following creation and to replenish the earth's population after the flood.
Modern society's bias against having large families is out-of-step with God's promise that children are a blessing.
#3 What part do we play, as believers, living obediently within the framework of God's promises and blessings?
Having seen that the command to "be fruitful and multiply" was associated with a specific historical context when the earths population was minimal, but then also the general principle that children are a gift from God, we then must consider the role which believers play in relation to appropriating God's blessings. This, of course, is a complex topic because the Bible embraces both divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God is ultimately in control of human reproduction, but human choice—in relation to whether one finds a spouse, when that may happen, and the timing of having children also play a part.
I do not believe, in today's historical context, believers are subject to a command to be fruitful and multiply. However, it seems clear that one of God's purposes and blessings for marriage remains producing godly offspring.2
#4 What does the Bible have to say about when life begins, and what implications does it have for contraceptive choices by believers?
Numerous passages make clear that life begins at conception: when the sperm and egg join to form the zygote.3 The Biblical view asserts that children within the womb are fully persons (in contradiction to SCOTUS which disregards Biblical truth on this matter).4
Samuel was dedicated as a Nazarite from the womb (Jdg. 13:5). A miscarriage is considered the death of an infant (Job. 3:16). The baby being formed in the womb is considered a human (Job 10:11) which God actively forms in the womb (Job 31:15; Ps. 119:73; 139:13). Jeremiah and Jesus are both examples of servants of God called from the womb as God's servants (Jer. 1:5; Isa. 49:5). John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit while in the womb (Luke 1:15; 1:41-45).
The Scriptural teaching is this: once conception has occurred, willfully terminating a pregnancy is the equivalent of manslaughter.5 In our age of tolerance and "free choice," this may sound harsh, but this is the clear teaching of the Bible. Consider this important passage concerning harming the unborn:
22 If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman's husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life ... (Ex. 21:22-23)
Thus we must conclude: any method of contraception which interferes with the development of the fertilized egg is not an option within Christian marriage.
In answer to your specific questions...
- Do you disagree with the use of condoms in marriage?
Since condoms prevent fertilization, but do not interfere with a fertilized egg, they do not fall under the prohibited forms of contraception for a Christian. The question then becomes whether marriage partners should practice contraception in light of God's blessing and desire for children in marriage.
- If God is telling us to be fruitful and multiply why are we using contraceptives to reduce the risk of us becoming pregnant?
As mentioned earlier, the explicit command to "be fruitful and multiply" is anchored within historical contexts when the human population was at an all-time low (following creation and the flood). So it is my view that we are not commanded today to "be fruitful and multiply." So the question becomes whether Christian couples desire the blessing God associates with raising children? And, assuming they do, whether it is acceptable for them to influence that process?
Although God is sovereign, our choices also contribute to God's plan for our lives.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Pr. 3:5-6)
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (Pr. 16:9)
In these passages, we plan our way—within the confines of the commands and principles God has revealed—and then trust that God will direct our path. We are responsible for living according to his revealed will confident that He will guide our lives according to His secret will which cannot be known.
The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deu. 29:29)
For example, we are commanded not to marry an unbeliever (2Cor. 6:14),6 but otherwise—with prayer and the application of godly wisdom—we are free to marry any believer. In that process we can trust that God will direct us to the "right" match by means of His secret will.7
This cooperation between God's guiding principles and our prayerful planning would appear to extend to the area of family planning. Thus, Christian couples may plan their families—always realizing that God is ultimately in control of whether and when they may successfully produce children—not to mention whether they are male or female. And where God promises a blessing, we may also trust His provision when we walk out the promise. After all, God is the ultimate source of everything and our part, as believers, is to take Him at His word.
It is interesting to note that we live in an age of great prosperity, yet there is a disproportionate concern about the viability of a large family than was evident in the past, when times were leaner. It would seem this influence has seeped its way from the culture-at-large into the Christian church.8
In summary, it is my view that condoms are an acceptable means of family planning within a Christian marriage. Even so, Christians should recognize God's general blessing and desire to raise up godly offspring, trusting Him to provide in that process.
Endnotes:
| 1. | Additional representative passages on the responsibility of parents to raise their children in the knowledge of God: Gen. 18:19; Ex. 10:2,10-11; 12:26; 13:14; Deu. 4:9-10; 6:7; 11:19; Ps. 78:5; Pr. 4:3; Isa. 38:19; 59:21; Mal. 2:15; Eph. 6:4; 2Ti. 3:15. | | 2. | Some claim the account of Judah's son Onan (Gen. 38) shows that God is against all forms of birth control. But the issue in the passage concerns the refusal to fulfill a levirate marriage duty to raise up offspring for the deceased. The issue was not the action taken, but Onan's evil motivation. | | 3. | Since the production of semen or ovulation of eggs is a routine bodily function for all those of reproductive age—and not all contribute to a pregnancy—individual sperm and eggs perish without moral implications. | | 4. | We celebrate the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade, but it can hardly be considered a moral victory when SCOTUS rules that taking the life of the unborn is allowable so long as a state deems so! | | 5. | See Q & A on Abortiona. | | 6. | This prohibition applies more broadly than marriage, but certainly includes marriage. | | 7. | A fascinating illustration of divine guidance of human "free-will" choices can be seen in the prophesied timing of the arrival of Jesus (Dan. 9:24-27). The time period—69 "sevens"—is specified in advance. The fulfillment involves arbitrary human decisions concerning romance, marriage, and birth spanning more than 10 generations. This is not just about God—through His foreknowledge—knowing how long it would take and announcing it in advance: the time period is divinely established. Undoubtedly, many of the individuals involved were not even aware of the roll they played as the prediction came to pass. | | 8. | In 1975, when I was graduating high school, the need for population control was a big focus. It was believed that global overpopulation and famine were just over the horizon. |
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