Subject: How about common sense? |
Bible Note: Maybe you could list the other variations of circumstances where a believer's situation should come into play. Because unless I have a specific idea as to the various types of scenarios I'm omitting, I'm unable to more properly -- or "wisely" -- admit modification of what I have already exressed. In a general discussion, after all, we cannot always account for every situation, but it would be good to account for EVERY TYPE of situation. So, maybe you can itemize a little more clearly the TYPES of situations I might be omitting, rather than just toss out of a handful of examples. By the way, I never said or implied that "Under no circumstance is it allowable!"; I simply gave a general principle/guideline. And in fact far from making the above statement, I even admitted that my view might not apply in certain circumstances which I have not considered. A refrain of mine has been, though, that even if we allow for exceptions in certain situations, I think the tendency would be for most Christians to claim these exceptions rather than just bite the bullet and do the right thing. But even so: there might still very well be some exceptions. You seemed to say that in your country (or somewhere) there are people living in poverty, etc. Having many children in such a situation would not be a new or unusual thing. Anway, I don't say they should have many children; they just ought not prevent the having of children. You are right: this is not directly addressed in the Bible. What I am saying is based on a bit of inference and also the idea that we should resist modernist ideas which smack of worldly wisdom and rob of us the opportunity to trust the Lord. However, since this is something which is less clear in Scripture, I could concede that it may be like the food which Paul mentions in Romans 14. Some feel right about contraception and others do not; each one should be led by his own conscience. However, we should remember that any form of contraception which retroactively destroys the egg after conception is really an abortion! Birth control pills are not safe. So, the only thing I can think of that's left would be condoms, which are not, of course, one hundred percent reliable. If a pregnant woman is likely to die while in labor, I would say that is a very, very unfortunate situation, like having a fatal disease. Yet, to "save" her by murdering the child is still murder. In your own case, since your wife is not yet pregnant, then I would say that contraception is not only called for, but demanded. There is no child to "abort" at this point, and the best thing to do is to prevent that, since it might prove fatal for your wife. While nothing is one hundred percent, it would seem wise in your particular instance, to save your wife's life, that she have her tubes tied or you have a vasectomy or BOTH! How can I turn around and suddenly advocate such a radical form of contraception in your case, after all I have said? Because I believe the biblical precept which does apply here is "Thou shalt not murder." This is broader than it sounds; we know from the Sermon on the Mount that it ranges from hatred to murder and therefore, we can assume that the preserving of innocent life in all cases in which we can is the correct option. You and I agree that abortion is murder. Well, since the Lord, in His goodness, has allowed you to know about your wife's tumor, Lord willing the doctors will be able to remove it. But if you know pregnancy could bring her into a condition which might cost her life, then you should do all that you can to prevent that from occurring. Total abstinence is unhealthy and unbiblical for a marriage. But in a case such as yours, it would seem that a radical form of contraception -- tubal ligation AND vasectomy would be called for. Realize friend, I'm approaching this all in the abstract; I cannot empathize or share your worries as much as I would like, since we are only communicating in these little boxes. But forgive me if my tone sounds harsh and uncaring. I'm trying to respond as best and honestly and as helpfully, I pray, that I can. Regards. |