Bible Question: Good morning, bjanko! Awake, now? I read your answer, and could not but agree with you that children are a gift from God. However, 'it follows that a gift not be returned to the Giver' speaks maybe of abortion, but hardly about preventing conception for reasons of common sense(not personal self-interest). I am absolutely against abortion. I also do not believe in couples 'waiting for better days' or 'deciding not to have kids (at all).' I am not sure of the 'inference' connection between this and salvation or obedience/disobedience. Please do be more specific, especially about the common sense issue. I agree that young couples should hope and desire for children, but after a certain amount of blessing, with some volition of the participants, prevention makes sense. You may live in a society where unlimited blessing is not a problem, but many do not. And how about illness or danger to the woman? How about the danger of abstinence to a middle-age couple? These may not be concerns to YOU, but many would disagree. Or do we make holy exemptions, and based on whose decision? Because ALL is in God's hands, do complications or death become His fault? Or is it the judgment of sin? I don't believe in 'situational ethics,' But without a bit more specific scriptural direction, I cannot see throwing out common sense. The Bible does, however, tell us to be wise and discerning. To throw away the gift of reason is also foolish. Finally, a properly shepherded marriage will find personal direction from the Lord through His church. My friend this is a good discussion. I appreciate your input, and await your answer. In Christ Jesus. |
Bible Answer: I would ask you to supply Scripture for some of the things you have stated as well. The main thrust of what I am saying is that we should trust the Lord with our children, i.e., with how many He blesses us with and when. And this fits perfectly into the context of us living a life of total trust and dependence on the sovereign will of God. I do not believe in abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, or even when the mother's life is in danger. An abortion is the murdering of a guiltless person and Scripture says, "Thou shalt not murder." Anyway, it is a fact that instances where it's the child's life or the mother's are extremely rare. These are hyped-up scenarios in the media, unbelieving secularists, to bring fear confusion to the issue. God is in control and He is sovereign over all. Many forms of contraception, like RUD480 (or whatever it's called) and the IUD, simply kill the fertilized egg,or at least they at times work in that manner. So even some "contraceptions" actually work like tiny abortions. I do not think we ought to try and have as many kids as possible; but I also do not think we ought to try to prevent having any kids either. Again, my reasons come down to this: 1. If a Christian mother becomes pregnant God has provided that child for the family and its care. 2. We have a loving God, a God who provides for us, one Whom we can trust. 3. If God gives us a child, we should trust Him in that matter. "Practical matters" just do not come into these precepts; although I acknowledge that there could be some scenarios where things become less clear and we have to use our God-given wisdom. I just think those scenarios are the exception rather than the rule. My points are not so much about childbirth, but on absolute trust and dependence on the One who brought US into the world. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." (Prov 3:5-6) |