Birth Control
Birth Control. The act of deliberately preventing pregnancy by various methods; also known as contraception.
Reasons for Birth Control. God is the giver of life, and ultimately has power over the womb as well (cf. Gen 30:2). However, other than mentioning coitus interruptus (Gen 38:8–10) and eunuchs (Isa 56:3), Scripture gives little direct guidance on birth control, likely because the focus is on the joys of children and the need for large families. And yet, children are a blessing from God, not a right or a mandate (Ps 127:3–5). The phrase “be fruitful and multiply” in Genesis 1:28 is part of God’s blessing, but it does not indicate that every person should have as many children as they want. This blessing was given when the earth was empty (also Gen 9:1). If everyone was to have multiple children, then Paul would be contradicting Scripture by urging singleness in 1 Corinthians 7:5–9.
Depending on our calling and vocation, God’s plans for our lives may include many children, few children, or no children. Other considerations before having children include the health of the mother (cf. Phil 2:4), the circumstances into which the child will be born (Matt 24:19), and the ability to provide for their needs (e.g., 1 Tim 5:8), which urgers responsibility in numbers of children.
Some Christians believe that the main reason for sex is to have children, and that birth control would thwart that purpose. However, sex is separate from procreation, both in Scripture and biologically (i.e., women can get pregnant only a few days every month, but sexual desire is not limited to that time). Married couples are not required to have children when they have sex, which allows for the use of some sort of birth control. Song of Songs, the consummate biblical love song, makes no mention of children in its lengthy descriptions of sexual intimacy between Solomon and his wife (cf. Prov 5:18–19). The creation narratives also distinguish between sex and procreation. In Genesis 1, humans are to be fruitful and multiply, but there is no mention of multiplying in Genesis 2, when God performs the marriage ceremony and makes Adam and Eve one flesh (indicating that unity, pleasure, and companionship are equally important reasons for sex). For these reasons, while some denominations have regulations concerning birth control, the Seventh-day Adventist church has not done so.
Types of Birth Control. Even people in Bible times used birth control methods, such as coitus interruptus, castration, and insertion of chemicals (especially in the ancient Near East). However, family planning today allows for many different options, even for those who wish to avoid the possibility of abortion. Communication and positive discussions between partners are essential to avoid manipulation through pregnancy or birth control.
Natural methods of contraception include the rhythm/calendar method, measuring body temperature and cervical mucus, and coitus interruptus. These have been much less effective until recently, with the development of apps and watches that use mathematical algorithms to track body temperature and prevent pregnancy with similar levels of effectiveness as the pill.
Hormonal contraception often involves taking a pill with progestin and/or estrogen to prevent ovulation. Newer pills avoid side effects by using lower doses of hormones, though these pills may not always prevent fertilization, since ovulation may still occur though sperm are deterred. Patches, injections, implants, vaginal rings, and intra-uterine devices (IUDs) also contain hormones, and the latter provides contraceptive effects that may last up to 10 years. However, some of these methods likely only prevent implantation so may function as abortifacients in certain cases. This definitely applies to ECP (emergency contraception, or the “morning after” pill), which can be taken within 5 days of unprotected intercourse to disrupt the developing fertilized egg or the endometrial lining and is basically a larger dose of birth control hormones acting as a means of early abortion. In addition, many of these hormonal contraceptives can have serious side effects on the woman, and alternative methods of birth control are preferable.
Barrier contraceptives include condoms and other physical barriers to keep sperm from meeting egg, so all barrier methods are morally acceptable for Christians to use. Tubal ligation, vasectomy, and hysterectomy fall under this category as well, since they permanently make fertilization impossible.
Ethical Concerns Surrounding Birth Control. Any manipulation of one’s spouse by using birth control in a deceptive or abusive manner is wrong, even if that birth control involves abstinence (1 Cor 7:2–5). Although often cited as the main biblical passage against any form of birth control, Onan’s sin in Genesis 38:8–10 was not wasting sperm or using coitus interruptus. Rather, he died because of his selfishness and greed in not following through on his vow to fulfill the levirate responsibilities for his brother.
Birth control availability increases the ease and likelihood of sexual immorality, but as extramarital sex is forbidden by God, one may not ban a neutral object that can be positive within marriage because of how it is sometimes immorally used outside of marriage.
One of the main ethical concerns with certain types of birth control has to do with the personhood of the embryo and child. The Bible makes clear that life begins at conception (Judg 13:3–14; Jer 1:5; Luke 1:15, 35, 40-45), and since not all contraceptives prevent fertilization, Adventists should investigate the morality of each new type as technology increases. In addition, all other methods of birth control that involve the death of the child are morally wrong (e.g., abortion, leaving the baby to die, etc.).
Ultimately, though children are a blessing, God gives each of us choices, and each couple must decide whether to have children or not, when to begin trying to conceive, and what type of responsible birth control to use. See alsoAbortion; Contraception.
References
“Birth Control.” Official Statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. https://www.adventist.org/en/information/official-statements/statements/article/go/-/birth-control/
Davidson, Richard M. Flame of Yahweh: Sexuality in the Old Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2007.
Kilner, John F., ed. Why the Church Needs Bioethics: A Guide to Wise Engagement with Life’s Challenges. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.
