Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Struggling with Conception

I've been reading the interesting line of discussion over on Centuri0n's blog regarding a Biblical view of children, conception, and contraception. Four parts altogether (1,2,3,4).

Here's a sampling:

So in that same way, when we marry, and we allow sex to be only about the satiation of passion, we have missed out on the rest of the blessing. It is easy to say that we have the liberty to have no children. . . The question, really, is why we would choose such a thing? Why choose to let God's blessing - the material blessing, not the high-brow theoretical blessing which cannot be seen until we have run the race and fought the fight and receive the crown - slip through our fingers?
I am attempting to point out that we are purposefully limiting the number of children that we have for purely selfish, economic reasons.
...for most of the world, the paradigm is this: life in poverty is worse than death.
What I am saying is this: in spite of the active right to life movement in sociologically-Christian circles, the view that children are a burden rather than a blessing is pandemic.
Now, if you haven't already done so, read section 4, then come back for my meager comments.
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My interest is actually very personal--my wife and I just found out that we are pregnant with #5, and so I can resonate with his statements and others' comments.

Much of what is said here is true, I'm afraid. This is not to say there isn't a balanced position on this issue, but just to say that too many people who call themselves Christians fail to see children as a blessing from the Lord. As a result, I expect that as we disseminate the news about #5, we will see some who have joy with us, but others who will make jokes, take pity, and a few who might even consider us fundamentalists or legalists. But I can't get away from this, so I say to all, (myself included),"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord..." (Ps. 127:3)

P.S. On a lighter note--Pixley, if you read this, Hollie says that if we're having a boy, maybe we could swap with you. Let me know what Christy says.

1 comment:

Daniel said...

Congrats on #5. We are presently awaiting the timely arrival of #4.

I am scheduled to lose my job one month after our baby arrives, and as the sole bread winner in our family, knowing that I am going to likely have about 1/3 the cash flow I currently enjoy, and at the same time have a greater financial responsibility - well it has caused me to move this topic out of the 'theoretical' arena.

Praise God, because through Christ I can say with zeal that surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!