What's God's Think Of Birth Control ?
Question:
What is God's view of birth
control for married couples? On one hand, using birth control seems to
be playing God by blocking the creation of a baby, but on the other
hand, not using it could mean couples end up with more children than
they could handle. Did God create sex only for producing children, or
can married couples have sex for pleasure, even if they don't want
children at that time?
Answer:
Before answering your question, I
want to acknowledge that not all Christians see eye to eye on this
matter. Thus, my opinion may be different from other Christians you
respect. So be sure to talk to your parents and pastor.
I believe married couples are free to use birth
control. Are they playing God? Not any more than doctors play God when
they prescribe medicine, or farmers play God when they grow crops. God
gave us the intelligence and the freedom to make our own decisions and
direct our lives wisely, according to God's commandments. And if that
means some couples want to plan when they have children, I think that's
alright.
And, just for the record, let me state clearly that
abortion is not a form of birth control. Birth control is used to
prevent conception. Abortion, including the "abortion pill," is about
ending a life that has already been conceived. In no way do I want
anyone to consider abortion as a method of birth control. It is not.
Back to your question. I don't think a married couple
having sex for the sheer joy of it is going against God's plans either.
Sex is not designed just for producing children. The story of the
creation of man and woman in Genesis 2 emphasizes the pleasure and the
partnership that Adam and Eve found in each other. God said, "It is not
good for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). After Eve was created,
Adam exclaimed joyfully that this was somebody who, unlike the animals,
was like him—somebody he could relate to. He didn't say, "At last, a way
to reproduce!"
In Genesis 2, which describes the first marriage,
nothing is said about children at all. Really, if God were strictly
interested in reproduction he could have done it other ways. I presume
we could reproduce like plants, through cuttings—just bury your
fingernail clippings, and up would come babies! But God preferred that
babies come through the loving, ecstatic embrace of their parents.
Sex and babies do go together, certainly. But they
don't have to go together every time. God intended couples to love each
other, to marry, to enjoy sex together, and to have children together.
It's their whole life together he cares about.