Considerations Regarding Contraception

 

If there was a list of taboo topics that you are definitely not supposed to bring up at the Thanksgiving table, certainly the ethics of contraception would be very near the top of that list. With something so intensely personal and private, and in an age where no one can tell anyone else what they ought to do, it is no wonder why this topic remains off limits. Sadly, this leaves many Christian couples searching for direction and counsel while few people are willing to offer any help. Thankfully, God’s word is not silent on these questions, and it’s my hope that Christians would take seriously the biblical and ethical considerations related to an important topic like this. 

Is Contraception Biblically Lawful? 

In addressing this topic, the first question we as Christians should consider is whether or not the use of contraception is biblically allowed at all. For our purposes, “contraception” will narrowly mean anything that prevents the fertilization of sperm and egg, though sometimes it is used more broadly (and inaccurately) to refer to that something that prevents implantation or terminates a pregnancy. Believe it or not, Christians throughout the ages have differed on the answer to this question, yet within the last century the topic of contraception has certainly come into vogue. 

On one extreme end of the spectrum are those who would say that all forms of contraception are inherently sinful and wrong. This camp often finds itself legalistically casting judgment on anyone who thinks there are biblically legitimate forms of contraception. 

On the other extreme end of the spectrum are those who would say there are no limiting ethical factors related to the use of “contraception”. Based on my own observation of the evangelical world around us, I would consider this group significantly larger than the first group. This camp essentially takes an antinomian position on the issue and refuses to acknowledge that there might be biblical principles limiting the use of birth control. 

Over and against both of these views, I believe that some contraceptive measures are biblically permissible, while others are prohibited for Christians. For contraception to be acceptable and pleasing to God, it must come out of virtuous motives, it must be done with appropriate means, and it must be pursued with good ends in mind. I will begin by evaluating the motives behind and goals of contraception, and then lastly I will consider a range of means or methods. 

Contraception and the Moral Imperative to “Be Fruitful and Multiply”

First, we will consider the motives behind the use of contraception. People might use contraception for a whole host of reasons: Some married couples don’t want to have children at all so that they can travel the world. Others only want so many, and no more. And still others might have a compelling medical or financial reason. But are all motives created equal? This question we must consider. 

The Bible opens with a moral imperative given to the first couple to “be fruitful and multiply” (cf. Genesis 1:28). Not only did this command apply to Adam and Eve, but it is paradigmatic for all married couples after them and was not rescinded with the advent of the New Covenant (cf. 1 Timothy 2:15; 5:14). God desires the earth to be filled with his image-bearing worshippers! 

Furthermore, the Bible speaks to us of the blessing of children in multiple places. Psalm 127:3-5 says:  

Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

It is worth noting that these verses do not require Christian families to be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of kids they have. (For anyone who is wondering, the record for one woman is 69 children, so good luck!). There is no set number of children a family must have. However, these verses ought to shape our attitude toward children and our evaluation of them—Christians must think of children the way that God does in his Word. 

Children are a gift from the Lord, and unless there are very good and compelling reasons not to have children, it should be natural, normative, and expected for married Christian couples to pursue and welcome children into their homes as they seek to obey the moral imperative to “be fruitful and multiply.” 

In saying this, I do not mean to downplay the sovereignty of God in this process, nor do I mean to gloss over the significant heartache that married couples experience when the Lord does not grant their desire to have children. Nevertheless, a refusal to take seriously this command to “be fruitful and multiply” reveals an illegitimate motive for using contraception; namely, the intentional, convenient, and selfish desire to have no children. Another illegitimate motive might stem from a proud, anxious, or fearful desire for control—and children would interfere with that desire. I’m sure we could list others, but the bottom line is that our motives for wanting to use contraception must be honoring to God and to his design for marriage.

Contraception and the Concept of Dominion

Not only did God command us to be “fruitful and multiply,” but he also directed us to take dominion over the creation that he made. Regarding this idea, Philip Kayser says, 

Dominion involves stewardship, study, exploration, managing, planning, rationing, apportioning, starting work, resting from work, categorizing, improving, and using this creation to God’s glory. Man was not to be passive in relationship to his environment, his family, his time, future, or any other aspect of creation. Indeed, to passively allow creation to order itself is the opposite of the dominion mandate. 1

Under this definition, there really is nothing in all of creation that was exempted from man’s dominion, not even fertility! However, this dominion should never be selfishly employed and it should always be done in accordance with God’s law. So what motivations might be God honoring? 

A legitimate dominion-minded motivation to use contraception might be related to the health of the mother or the father. Perhaps, it would be appropriate to allow the mother’s body to rest for a period of time before the next baby. Another legitimate motivation for using contraception might be the inability to effectively discipline or disciple the number of children that you have. Children are not an automatic blessing, and we should not have so many kids that they become hellions due to our inability to raise them well. Perhaps, there is a lack of a solid support structure around you or there is no more space in your house at the moment.  Or maybe it is worth using contraception while awaiting further medical testing to ensure that there is not a risk of genetic disease or disorder. Again, I am sure there are many more legitimate motivations we might list, but one final consideration to note could be a financial one (though we should view our children as assets and not liabilities). Maybe it is worth improving your financial situation before adding another child into the mix. 

All of these things should be taken into prayerful consideration when evaluating the motivations behind the use of contraception. 

Contraception and When Life Begins

Second, when considering the use of “contraception”, it is imperative that we consider the ethical ends, or goals, related to this topic. Question 135 of Larger Catechism informs us that the duties required of the sixth commandment are “to preserve the life of ourselves and others,” and further that we should resist all thoughts and purposes “which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any” (WCF Question 135). If we apply this to the topic of contraception, our goal must be to preserve life. So, perhaps the most important question to consider is this: when does life begin? 

Theologian John Frame says, “The soul exists from conception, for it is an aspect of the total person, who exists from conception.” 2

Likewise, Scripture points to this same reality in Psalm 139:13-16, which says, 

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 

This passage shows that personhood existed before the body was fully formed! King David even indicates elsewhere that he was sinful since conception when he says, “Surely I was sinful at birth; sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:1). And we know that only people can sin! Therefore, we must conclude that the Bible recognizes life to begin at the point of conception. 

Numerous scientists also attest to the plain fact that life begins at conception (see Appendix B of Randy Alcorn’s book “Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?” for more evidence of this claim). 

The unanimous and overwhelming testimony of theology, Scripture, and science clearly points to the reality that life begins at conception, not at implantation or birth or sometime later. 

In applying this truth to the topic of fertility control, Philip Kayser is again helpful when he says, 

The most fundamental principle related to conception control is that it must not cast off a fertilized egg. If the ‘birth control’ method functions after fertilization, it is no longer legitimate to call it conception control. Instead, it is the killing of a conceived person within the womb. 3

Earlier in his book, Dr. Kayser is also quite perceptive when he says that Christians really should prefer the term “conception control” over the term “birth control” because the latter fails to differentiate whether conception is actually prevented or whether new life is destroyed in the womb. More than mere semantics, this really is a worthwhile change in the terminology that Christians use.

With that being said, while there may be other prudential factors to consider, the main ethical consideration for Christian couples related to taking control of their fertility ought to be whether or not the “contraceptive" method prevents fertilization or not.

A Taxonomy for “Conception Control” Methods

Thus far, we have established that Christians need not reject all contraception in a legalistic way and that they must not disregard all ethical considerations in a licentious way. In addition, we have also established that Christians ought to pursue the use of contraception with the right motives and, considering ends, must take care never to destroy life after it begins. 

We would now like to offer some hopefully helpful categories for Christian couples to use as they think through the different means (or methods) of “contraception” that are available should they choose to use contraception. In no way is a taxonomy like this able to address every scenario or any combinations of methods utilized, so use these categories as a starting point for thinking through these issues and not as something that is completely airtight or binding. 

  • The first category is what we would consider Green Light methods of contraception.  As pastors, we would not discourage the right use of these forms of contraception. A Green Light method would include anything that inhibits the fertilization of the female egg by the male sperm and that is not known to negatively impact the health of the mother or the father. In this category would be things like male condoms, mucus testing methods, fertility monitoring, and others. 

  • The second category is what we would consider Yellow Light methods of contraception. As pastors, we would gently discourage the use of these forms of contraception. A Yellow Light method would include anything that inhibits the fertilization of the female egg by the male sperm but may be known to negatively impact the health of the mother or the father or could have other negative or permanent implications. In this category would be things like spermicides, vasectomies, tubal sterilizations, cervical diaphragms or caps, and others. The reason that vasectomies and tubal sterilizations are considered in this category is due to their permanence and because of the potential health risks involved (though the studies are not entirely conclusive on this point). For these reasons, it is worth considering the wisdom of entirely ruling out the possibility of having children down the road. What would happen if your kids were unexpectedly or tragically killed like Job’s children? Or further, what if your motives or reasons for not wanting kids today would change in the future? 

  • The third category is what we would consider Orange Light methods of contraception. As pastors, we would strongly warn against the use of these forms of contraception. As you will see, these methods might not even be appropriately considered “contraceptives.” An Orange Light method would include anything that attempts to inhibit the fertilization of the female egg by the male sperm but also inhibits implantation as a backup mechanism (i.e. it likely could be abortifacient) and may be known to negatively impact the health of the mother or father. In this category would be things like The Pill, IUDs, and many other forms of hormonal “contraceptives”, etc. It is our conviction that far too many Christians blindly or ignorantly use some form of The Pill without appropriately considering how it functions or the way that it impacts the health of a woman. There is strong evidence to support the fact these drugs act as an abortifacient when ovulation is not suppressed. Not only that, but data has also indicated that being on The Pill might cause long term damage to the endometrial lining of a woman’s uterus and may even increase the risk of cancer in women. 4

  • The fourth and final category is what we would consider Red Light methods of birth control. These can no longer be truthfully considered forms of contraception. As pastors, we would consider these forms of birth control to be explicitly sinful. A Red Light method would be anything that does not inhibit the fertilization of the female egg by the male sperm and knowingly acts as an abortifacient by inhibiting implantation, or terminating the life sometime after this point. In this category would be things like the morning after pill, and any other form of known abortion. 

*Though it is a very important topic with significant ethical implications, I will not address the ethics of IVF (in vitro fertilization) in this blog post as it does not really fit into the category of “contraception.” Rather, it is a fertility method that infertile couples sometimes pursue to have children. What I will say, though, is that the same ethical considerations related to when life begins are applicable to this procedure. 

Gospel Hope

Our aim in this post is not to cast condemnation on Christians who haven’t thought through these issues more carefully. Our aim is to help Christians to think more critically and wisely about the topic of contraception.  

The good news is that if you’ve messed up, if you’ve sinned in either your motives, methods, or goals, there is hope for you. God meets you where you are and not where you should be. And not only that, but when we confess our sins to him, he offers forgiveness, full and free (cf. 1 John 1:7-9). There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). So live in that reality and seek to honor the Lord in your marriage with how you consider and use contraception—for his glory and for your good. 

Questions for Christian couples to consider surrounding the use of contraception? 

  • What is our goal in controlling conception and is it biblical? 

  • Have we thought through what the moral imperative to “be fruitful and multiply” means for our family?

  • Have we rightfully considered the blessing and goodness of children? 

  • How many children do we think we can effectively disciple?

  • How do we trust the Lord’s good providence if he has not granted us the ability to have children?      

  • Do we understand the mechanisms involved and the purpose of the contraceptive methods we utilize? 

  • Are there any changes we should consider based on the taxonomy mentioned above? 

Further Resources to consider: 

Footnotes:

1 - Philip G. Kayser, Ph.D. “Conception Control: Avoiding Antinomianism and Legalism”, Biblical Blueprints, 2021, pg. 16

2 - John M. Frame, “Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief,” P&R Publishing Company, 2013, pg. 802

3 - Philip G. Kayser, Ph.D. “Conception Control: Avoiding Antinomianism and Legalism”, Biblical Blueprints, 2021, pg. 105

4 - Philip G. Kayser, Ph.D. “Conception Control: Avoiding Antinomianism and Legalism”, Biblical Blueprints, 2021, pgs. 173-183

 
Logan Thune