It's Not Law, It's Logic

Sometimes people can be so afraid of legalism that they embrace the opinions of unbelievers without a second thought. My aim in rejecting birth control and discussing it is not to be legalistic. It is to be a thinking person who "examines all things." And I think that the average Christian (at least the average Evangelical) does not examine the issue of birth control because it has become such a normal part of our culture. Because the society has done such a good job of making large families look unattractive, shabby, faceless, stupid, and deprived, many Christians unknowingly absorb the same attitude. It makes so much sense, doesn't it? To want to put off having children for a few years until you have more money or are more "ready" for children, until you've gotten to know each other better... Society has also done a good job of spreading the general impression that it is laughably easy to get pregnant whenever and wherever one chooses. Christians tend to fend off discussions of this type by declaring that Jesus said nothing about the issue; giving the family planning rights to God was never a command in the Bible, therefore we should also not concern ourselves whether it is right or wrong and just let the "Spirit" lead. Closer examination might reveal that many people are listening to the wrong spirit.

Today I noticed in our family reading Solomon asserting that his father David had "walked before [God] in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward [God]." (1 Kings 3:6) It is true he sought the heart of the Lord. He made a big mistake with Bathsheba and was rebuked for it and repented. But what about all the many wives he had? Would we today consider that walking in uprightness of heart toward God? Well, the truth is that it is not actually written in Levitical law or as a direct command from God's mouth to stick with only one wife. What then? Should we see the example of all the polygamist kings and faith blazers as good examples of family formation? Examples that bring about God's desire for families? Let's see... Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon... of course not!!! We have only to glance one generation down in each case to see that the multiple wives thing didn't work out so well. But not only looking down the line is it clear that one wife is best, it is also important to look at God's intent in creation--"up" the line.  And up the line we see Adam--and Eve. Not Adam and Eve and Nieve and Ella and Stella and Bella. That is why it's so important to study Genesis and origins. It tells us a lot about God's intentions and desires for mankind.

So also is God's creating man and woman to receive the children that He creates in them for the duration of woman's fertility... it's not law, it's logic. it's a logical conclusion of getting into beginnings, intention, purpose. The Bible does make it very clear that God Himself is involved in every single conception, causing the womb to open or close. That topic can be further explored by studying births and barrenness in the Bible, or on the fast track by reading a number of books that put the Bible's comments on conception succinctly in one place, such as A Full Quiver, by Rick and Jan Hess. the point is: are we trying to hinder God's intention? Are we afraid of God's intention? Or are we surrendered to God's intention? Of course God has grace for those that have never given thought to the subject or are trying to be good stewards and don't know any better, or those that believe that their ministry must come first and are therefore preventing God's creation of their own blessed offspring. I have seen God work in mighty, amazing ways in people who have held a completely different viewpoint than I on the subject. As He indeed worked mightily through Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon. But that doesn't mean we should ignore it, either. If there is a way that we can walk on the high road when it comes to our attention, let us do so with submission! There is power and joy in submission. When dealing with people of the opposite opinion on this matter in the future, I won't allow myself to become legal and graceless. God has a different journey for everyone. I will remember: it's not law, it's logic.