Symposium (5)

One of the topics at CCA symposium a couple of weeks ago was contraception. I expected the discussion/debate to be between those who allow contraception in some instances and those who think it should never be used by Christians. That wasn't how the discussion went, though. While most of the speakers seemed to think that there should be allowances for the use of contraception sometimes in the life of married Christian couples, one of the speakers went so far as to suggest that there is a place for voluntary childlessness so that people can serve the Lord unencumbered by children. (Okay, so my eyes about popped out of my head at that one!)

A question was raised during the panel discussion as to the new stance in the church about okaying the use of any contraceptives. ("New" being something that has just been considered okay in the last 3-6 decades within the framework of 200 decades since Jesus' time.)

One speaker pointed out that "Be fruitful and multiply" is not a command which we are obligated to fulfill as best as possible. God said "Be fruitful and multiply" prior to the fall into sin. Before sin, Adam and Eve would have joyfully received children, and conception, pregnancy, and birth would have occurred easily.

But now, after the fall, things have been altered. The only perfect marriage is Christ and His Church. That is the marriage where children are given abundantly and are never a strain. Our marriages are poor shadows of the one true and good marriage. While it is obvious* that limiting the number of children can be contrary to the Gospel (which pours itself out for the other), we also need to remember that the husband must have compassion on the wife who is weak, whose body (or mind) cannot continue to bear children every year or every other year.

On the one hand, we cannot err in emphasizing LIFE too much. On the other hand, we cannot presume that we are capable of living completely the way God intended. If we must consider "Be fruitful and multiply" a command (instead of a blessing), we better be keeping our eyes on Christ and His obedience for us, and His atonement for our weaknesses. The more our eyes are on Him and less on our obedience, the more we find that we become ever more conformed to His image.


*footnote: I'm sure we all know people who "cannot afford" children although they can afford multiple vehicles, second homes, designer clothes, fancy vacations, etc.