(image contraceptive pill courtesy Wikipedia)
By Spencer D Gear PhD
A Christian stated on a blog:
It’s impossible for the bible to address every issue that could come up in a person’s life.
I cannot, however, think of one that is not covered somehow by the 10 commandments … or the Great Commandments of Christ.[1]
Another responded:
Contraception is the first one that comes to mind.
Is it right or wrong from a Christian perspective and why?[2]
This is why it is important to have a solid Christian world view and be in a church that encourages Christians to have faith, thinking and reasoning about issues of today. See: Learn how to screw up your worldview.
1. Faith, thinking and reasoning
The Bible supports all 3 of these issues:[3]
- God states we are to reason (Isaiah 1:18).
- We are required to be ready to share a defense with people (1 Peter 3:15).
- It is right to show unbelievers our faith is reasonable and logical.
- This challenge influenced my writing this article: When Christian thinking becomes fuzzy
- ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him’ (Heb 11:6 NIV).
How does contraception fit into this world view? I reason that it is responsible to plan a family (& the number of children we have) that fits the income and expectations for this Christian family.
2. Nothing in Bible forbids contraception
I have not found any Bible references that support or forbid contraception, so Christians should not add rules not in Scripture and make them universal rules.
However, I accept that some contraception does kill the unborn child through an early abortion:
Some forms of contraception, specifically the intrauterine device (IUD), Norplant, and certain low-dose oral contraceptives, often do not prevent conception but prevent implantation of an already fertilized ovum. The result is an early abortion, the killing of an already conceived individual. Tragically, many women are not told this by their physicians, and therefore do not make an informed choice about which contraceptive to use” (Randy Alcorn).?
I’m not surprised the Pope took that position as the anti-contraception view has been part of RC theology for a long time.
3. Papal Encyclical Letter
The Encyclical Letter, Humanae Vitae of the Supreme Pontiff Paul VI states, in part,
Unlawful Birth Control Methods
14. Therefore We base Our words on the first principles of a human and Christian doctrine of marriage when We are obliged once more to declare that the direct interruption of the generative process already begun and, above all, all direct abortion, even for therapeutic reasons, are to be absolutely excluded as lawful means of regulating the number of children. Equally to be condemned, as the magisterium of the Church has affirmed on many occasions, is direct sterilization, whether of the man or of the woman, whether permanent or temporary.
Similarly excluded is any action which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation—whether as an end or as a means.[4]
While I don’t agree with the RC position, I commend that church leadership for its high regard for all of human life, from conception to natural death.
As for Genesis 38:8-10 (NIV), it deals with a specific Old Covenant situation and is not applicable to Gentiles (and Jews) under the New Covenant. These verses state:
Then Judah said to Onan, ‘Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfil your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.’ But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to avoid providing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death also.
4. Conclusion
Intrauterine device
Copper IUD (Paragard T 380A, courtesy Wikipedia)
There is nothing specifically stated in Scripture to affirm or deny contraception. The only exception is the use of a device that prevents implantation of an already fertilized ovum, e.g. an IUD.
5. Notes
[1] wondering#54 2020. Stoned to death. Christianforums.net (online), 1 March. Available at: https://christianforums.net/Fellowship/index.php?threads/stoned-to-death.81713/page-3 (Accessed 1 March 2020).
[2] Ibid., Christ the King#54.
[3] Ibid., OzSpen#62.
[4] The Vatican 1968. Available at: http://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae.html (Accessed 1 March 2020).
Copyright © 2020 Spencer D. Gear. This document last updated at Date: 01 March 2020.
