Subject: How about common sense? |
Bible Note: Dear Friend, I appreciate your doggedness regarding this issue, and admire and respect your faith. I have read your many contributions and am impressed by your knowledge. You are correct, common sense can be holy and heathen. However, Prudence and 'evident' wisdom ARE from the Bible. The problem remains that, as another saint pointed out, the Bible is silent about contraception. Your 'generalities' may make sense where you are, but to tens of millions of Christians living in poverty, in famine, in oppression, in political turmoil, surrounded by real death, real danger, and real persecution, they are 'specifics.' To your 'hypotheticals' I can only say the punch-line of an old joke, "Speak for yourself, white-man!" (Tonto, speaking to the Lone Ranger, I forgot the joke, but I think you get it. And before anyone screams, "Racism!" I am a Christian caucasian living in a country over 99 percent non-Christian and non-white.) I live in Japan where abortion is not just commonplace, it is the norm. A typical home is less than 700 sq.ft. and costs USD300,000. As to my daily 'experience,' I fellowship regularly with saints from Malaysia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Ghana. Many of my acquaintances are actively involved with mission work in Uganda, India, China and the Philippines. To these Christians, trusting God in the sense you use is not prudent or wise. Finally, though the Lord has blessed me with two 'miracle' children, now my wife has a tumor in her womb. It is not life-threatening in itself, and fairly common, but bearing children is not advisable, and possibly dangerous. I must 're-think' the issue, and answer to God for my actions. Indeed, modern contraception is a new thing, and as with many 'new-fangled' technologies we must be careful to use them carefully. Even the PC I am using to discuss this with you, and the internet in general can be Satan's tool if abused. I do not promote abuse, but careful, thoughtful use under the guidance of ministerial counsel and God's Spirit. My friend, this is just another view of the issue. I look forward to continued fellowship. Blessings to you in Christ Jesus. |