What can the Bible teach us about birth control and contraception? What do Christians need to know about birth control as they plan their families? Are the words "Bible" and "birth control" contradictory? Indeed, should a husband and wife actually "plan" their family?
As a teacher (ultimately receiving my Ph.D. in the field of health education and public health, and teaching at the university level), I have lectured on these topics in various settings since 1994. Over the years, pastoring several Living Church of God congregations, I have fielded members' questions about issues surrounding birth control and family planning, and I have seen firsthand just how vital this topic is for Christians—not just for married Christians who are contemplating the use of birth control, but also for young adults discussing family plans with a prospective spouse, as well as for older adults to whom God has given the responsibility of sharing their wisdom and guidance with younger generations (Titus 2:1–10).
God created us with the potential to become like Him one day—to be future members of the God family (1 John 3:2). God desires "godly offspring" (Malachi 2:15). He designed man and woman—husband and wife—to reproduce in His image, and to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:26, 28). Sexual intercourse is not sin; it is a beautiful gift God has given to His children (see "Is Sex Sin?," Tomorrow's World, July–August 2005). It is a gift He intends human beings to reserve for husband and wife (see "Teaching Chastity in an Unchaste World," Tomorrow's World, July– August 2002).
God loves children; He created them as a heritage from Him and a reward to their parents (Psalm 127:3). He makes it clear that we as Christians have a responsibility to prepare our environment and our lives for family (Proverbs 24:27).We are commanded to ponder or "prepare for" our future (Proverbs 4:26; Luke 14:28).
But God's purpose for the sexual relationship between husband and wife goes far beyond His intent for the physical act of procreation animals perform. For human beings— made in the image of God—sexual intercourse is not just a means of physical reproduction; it begins the lives of potential future members of the God family (Ephesians 3:14–15). Additionally, God made sexual intercourse as a tool to bind a husband and wife more tightly together in marriage—to help them become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24), physically for a time, as well as spiritually and emotionally. Sexual intercourse is God's gift of love to the people He created, to help them express love for each other. It is an act of love and giving, intended for use only within marriage, to help cement the marriage relationship (1 Corinthians 7:1–5).
Does God make plans? Yes, indeed, God has planned from the beginning. The Father and the Word planned for the future as They created the earth, created human beings and created a 7,000–year plan for human life and civilization. They did not randomly scatter planets, continents, trees and animals across the creation. From "before" the foundation of the world, they planned Christ's sacrifice as the coming "Savior," and planned for those of us in God's Church today to be firstfruits (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20). They planned for Christ to be born as the first of firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:20). They planned to create human beings who would one day be "raised" up at "the last day" (John 6:44) and change from fleshly to spirit beings (1 Corinthians 15:51–53). They planned for a future Millennium and Great White Throne Judgment through which the vast majority of human beings—first the firstfruits, and later the rest of humanity—will ultimately inherit all things alongside our elder brother and joint-heir, Jesus Christ (Revelation 21:7; Romans 8:17). God is a family, and is the ultimate practitioner of "family planning." The timing, sequencing and spacing of His family was planned out in fine detail from the beginning.
God similarly expects all of us to plan wisely for the future. He does not appreciate when we fail to plan, and then attempt to pressure Him into bailing us out (Matthew 4:7). Nowhere does the Bible teach against the principle of contraception or birth control. In fact, powerful godly principles support it. Respecting God and His word involves both listening to what it says and recognizing what it does not say. Notice what Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, a dedicated long-time servant of God, pointed out decades ago in his book, The Missing Dimension in Sex:
"Planned parenthood violates NO LAW OF God! Planned parenthood is a definite contribution to this supreme purpose of character building. It entails, of course, the responsibility for right and wise planning… Any teaching or legislating which violates this divine PURPOSE of God—which instills in wives the dread of and fear of pregnancy—is a religious heresy, and/or a violation of the higher Laws of Almighty God! No wife should ever need to suffer the fear of pregnancy… To prevent having children and producing a FAMILY would be a direct violation of God's command, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.' But to PLAN a family in an intelligent manner, as to the time of the first arrival, and the time-spacing of other children—that is a different matter. Nothing in the Bible forbids this. MUCH in the Bible, in principle, supports it!" (p. 232).
When Does Life Begin?
The biblical birth control debate is founded on the traditional Christian understanding that "life begins at conception"—at the moment that the father's sperm joins with the mother's egg. This is and has always been the understanding of the Church. As Dr. Douglas Winnail wrote in a Tomorrow's World article, "the biological fact is that life begins at the moment of conception. From that point, every cell in the developing embryo contains the exact number of chromosomes and all the genetic material that distinguishes this new human being from its parents" ("Abortion: A Modern Holocaust," March–April 2005, p. 11). In fact, by describing us as "begotten" but not yet "born," God is characterizing Christians today as spiritual embryos (John 3:1–11). This point is a key to understanding the methods of birth control— some of which do, some of which do not, and some of which may or may not threaten the life of a living being developing inside the mother's womb.
Once the father's sperm, with its genetic material, penetrates the mother's egg, an embryo (a new life) is formed. This point in time is called conception. At conception, the embryo's cells immediately begin developing under the direction of the new individual's own unique DNA. Cell division occurs rapidly in the first week, preparing the way for the development of body organs in this new embryo. From the moment of conception (which occurs in the fallopian tubes of the mother), it takes about one week for the new embryo to move through the fallopian tube and implant in the uterus wall, where it will grow and develop for approximately nine months. If the embryo does not attach to the uterine wall, it cannot obtain nourishment to further develop and it dies and is discarded by the mother's body. When a once-attached embryo detaches from the uterine wall, this is called "spontaneous abortion" or "miscarriage."
How Does Contraception Work?
Contraceptive methods prevent pregnancies in one or more of three ways:
- They may prevent the sperm—the father's genetic material—from reaching and fertilizing the mother's egg. This is commonly achieved through "barrier" methods such as condoms.
- They may prevent the mother's body from releasing an egg, by using chemical contraceptives such as the "birth control pill."
- They may prevent the egg from implanting in the womb after it is fertilized, by using chemical methods such as the "morning after pill" or physical devices placed in the uterus.
For Christians desiring to make godly decisions in every aspect of their lives, including family planning and birth control, it is vital to understand the types of birth control available and how they work. As God's people, we need correct information so we can make the best choices possible, based on God's written word and a clear understanding of how the body works.
Birth Control Methods
It is not possible to cover all birth control methods in this article, but a brief description of the categories and most prevalent methods of birth control will follow, outlining how they work and whether or not they potentially violate God's principles.
Abortion, a several-thousand-year-old practice, is the termination of the life of a developing baby in the mother's womb. In society today, abortion is often used as a birth control method and is performed either chemically or surgically.
God knew us before we were even born, as He does all developing babies (Psalm 139:13–15). Abortion is a clear violation of the sixth commandment—"You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). Although David chose to transgress God's law by having Bathsheba's husband Uriah murdered, we see that he never thought of murdering his unborn child to avoid embarrassment, even though evidence suggests abortive agents were known, even then, in both physical and chemical forms. God clearly regards even the life of an unborn child as precious (Exodus 21:22–23). In this regard, we should note that chemicals in "morning after pills" are designed not to prevent pregnancy, but rather to prevent the embryo's implantation in the womb and even to cause miscarriage. Like the knife in a surgical abortion, these pills can terminate a life.
Chemical contraception involves using chemicals that mimic a woman's natural reproductive hormones in order to prevent pregnancy. The "birth control pill" has proven to be effective in preventing pregnancy 92–99.5 percent of the time, depending on use (Contraceptive Technology, 19th ref. ed. [2007]). Chemical contraceptives are not risk-free for the mother; they have been shown to bring about an increased risk of stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart attack, some types of cancer, and possibly dental caries.
The most prevalent chemical contraceptive methods are the birth control pill, Depo-Provera (a hormone injected at three-month intervals) and Norplant (chemical strips inserted under the surface of the skin, effective for five years). New chemical birth control methods are constantly being developed. Chemical contraceptive methods are intended to work in three widely recognized ways: 1) in the majority of cases, they should prevent ovulation, or release of the mother's egg—making pregnancy impossible, 2) they should thicken mucus in the mother's cervix (the opening to the uterus), making it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg, and 3) in the cases where they fail to prevent ovulation or fertilization, they should prevent attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterus wall (a process that some refer to as "chemical abortion," because this causes the fertilized egg to die).
Even with the use of chemical contraception, ovulation can still occur. In fact, depending on hormone concentrations and user diligence, reported ovulation rates vary widely—from 2 percent to 65 percent—among those using the pill (Latimore, W.L., Stanford, J.B. [2000]. "Post-fertilization effects of oral contraceptives and their relationship to informed consent," Archives of Family Medicine, 9, 126–133). So, even though these methods should typically work by preventing ovulation, fertilization and conception, in some cases they work by causing a "chemical abortion"—preventing implantation of the fertilized egg. Using a very conservative 2 percent conception rate, the organization Physicians for Life estimated that the birth control pill terminates the life of 800,000 embryos annually in the United States alone. There is some controversy regarding whether or not chemical contraceptives actually do cause chemical abortions; however, even pharmaceutical companies refer to this on their package inserts as one way these methods are designed to work. There is also some controversy surrounding whether or not chemical contraceptives actually prevent release of the mother's egg.
Because of the confusion and lack of clarity on this matter in the medical community, the Church has not made doctrinal determinations regarding the appropriateness or inappropriateness of each specific variety of chemical contraceptive. What can be stated clearly, however, is that abortion is murder. Brethren whose research convinces them that a particular chemical contraceptive does not pose an abortion risk may exercise their consciences and use that contraceptive responsibly. However, those who are persuaded of the above-mentioned risks will not consider chemical contraceptives a viable means of birth control for Christians. The Apostle Paul explained that "whatever is not from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). As in many other matters of conscience, the principle, "When in doubt, don't do it!" is a proper standard here.
Intrauterine devices or IUDs are small devices of copper or other metals, inserted by a physician into a woman's uterus. They can remain in place for one to ten years. Their primary function is to change the environment of the uterus in order to prevent implantation of the fertilized egg after conception. Some IUDs contain an additional chemical component designed to prevent ovulation. IUDs have proven effective in preventing pregnancy more than 99 percent of the time (Contraceptive Technology, 19th ref. ed. [2007]), but they are essentially abortion inducers, and are therefore not a viable birth control option for Christians.
Barrier methods, like male and female condoms (latex and non-latex), the sponge, and the diaphragm, create a barrier that prevents the sperm from reaching the egg— thus preventing conception. These methods are usually about 84–98 percent effective, depending on how careful the users are (ibid.). There is no biblical condemnation of this method of birth control.
Some mistakenly cite the example of Onan as a condemnation of barrier methods (Genesis 38:8–10). Onan's sin, however, was not the withholding of semen as birth control; it was his intent to prevent his widowed sister-in-law from having an heir as God had commanded (Deuteronomy 25:5–6). By choosing not to sire children— failing to fulfill his duty to his dead brother—Onan directly disobeyed God.
Natural family planning or the rhythm method uses the woman's monthly cycle and "periodic abstinence" from intercourse when the woman is most likely able to become pregnant. This method can involve a wide variety of measures, such as use of a calendar to count days of the woman's cycle and keeping track of body temperature and cervical mucus. This form of birth control is less effective than some others, but can be quite effective with the dedicated efforts of both husband and wife (75–88 percent), and with a commitment to abstain from sexual intercourse for several days to a week each month, or to use a barrier contraceptive at that time.
There is no biblical command against this method of birth control, when used properly. However, some teachers of this method go so far as to advise couples to have sexual intercourse during the woman's monthly period— which theoretically will prevent pregnancy. God plainly forbids that practice (Leviticus 18:19). Not only does the blood contain certain disease-causing organisms; some research also suggests that intercourse during menstruation can increase the risk of endometriosis (the dangerous presence of uterine tissue elsewhere in a woman's abdomen).
Sterilization: Tubal ligation for women, and vasectomy for men, are ways for a couple to prevent pregnancy indefinitely, because the path that the egg or sperm follows is surgically "removed" or "sealed off." These procedures require surgery, are expensive, and are essentially irreversible, though they are essentially 100 percent effective. The Bible does not directly discuss this method of birth control, but husbands and wives who are considering sterilization should carefully consider their perspective regarding surgical alteration of the body, and should evaluate their action and the current size of their family in light of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). Couples contemplating this serious step should also carefully consider: "Are we both certain that the potential side effects and costs of sterilization outweigh our concerns about having another child?"
The "no method" method—the deliberate choice not to plan—is practiced by some couples whose idea is, "We will be happy with whatever God wills." This method generally leads to pregnancy 85 percent of the time (ibid.). By failing to plan, families can grow to large numbers— and, in theory, will do so unless there is a biological problem.
Interestingly, however, most animals only mate one or a few times throughout the year, because of their instinct and the way God designed their reproductive cycles. By contrast, God designed marriage as an institution in which husband and wife can enjoy unique intimacy with each other through sexual intercourse. Because of this, a husband and wife have many more opportunities to begin a pregnancy than is typical for most creatures. Yet human beings are not "animals" who must constantly reproduce for the survival of the species. Ask yourself: is it really God's intention for a woman to become pregnant at every opportunity? Would a loving husband really desire his wife to remain pregnant for decades on end, for as long as she is fertile? Will a wife be endeared to her husband if she fears pregnancy every time he is near her? Can a couple really afford to maintain an unusually large family? These are important questions to ponder.
The ministry of God's Church has a responsibility to teach God's people how to develop more of God's mind and character in their lives. God's ministers must provide His people with truthful and accurate information, and teach them godly principles for living. But it is up to individuals to apply these principles in their own lives. Christians are to "work out" their "own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).
Building a family is an exciting and fulfilling opportunity God gives to husbands and wives. God created the institution of marriage as a way for human beings to assist in His plan of reproducing Himself. That is an amazing blessing, and the decision to have children is an important and serious matter. God expects responsible parents to plan wisely for the birth, upbringing and education of the future God-beings whose lives He begins in their care. And, although family planning and birth control can be used for godly purposes within marriage, some of today's most common "planning" methods are not godly at all! Future parents need to know the facts, biblically and biologically, so they can make truly godly choices!