Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Family Planning III
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Good Morning! I am going to try to wake early to blog, because me attatchment to the computer at later points in the day seems to irritate various household members. Therefore, I need to establish a main writing time that does not sacrifice the needs of others. What better time than early in the morning?! I actually love the morning, but since being both in need of greater sleep and at the same time very sleep deprived over the past 4 years, it has been very difficult to renew my pre-family practice of early rising. Perhaps the fun of blogging can wake this weary soul from the dead of 6am. Maybe! (Although you will notice that the post is not really made that early this morning! Fortunately, my family members are sleeping in!)
I want to consider the question of family planning posed in the previous posts from another angle this morning. Thus far we have considered some Old Testament interpretation and some philosophical considerations. Today we will dive into the New Testament. Please read 1 Cor. 7:2-9. This is, I believe, the only NT passage that directly addresses sexual relations withing marriage. What is Paul's concern? Sexual immorality; He instructs couples to come together in order to minister to each others' sexual needs and to prevent discontent and temptation. He does not mention anywhere an obligation to attempt to concieve children, nor does He, in an entire paragraph on sexual immorality, discuss contraception! If women are to be considered, in the kingdom of God established by Christ, "womb-men", vessels through which God is going to fill and expand His kingdom, would Paul not mention it here?
In most of the FQ families I have encountered, especially the most outspoken ones, the girls who are reaching adult hood tend to remain home and "wait for the Lord to bring them a husband" so that they can begin a family and bear children. Please note that I find nothing wrong with that! If my daughter chooses to follow that path, it is fine with me, she can help with housework and cooking for rent 'till she is 40 as far as I care! (But a son will not be allowed to do such!) What concerns me is that such a choice seems to be presented as the only "right" option for the girls. I met one girl who is 24, not allowed to go to any school or college and is still at home. If that is what she wants, fine. If that is what she is forced to do by her parents theology, problem. Paul speaks not of a calling to marry and bear children, but of a call to serve the Lord and the Kingdom Christ has now instituted; a calling that is better served by remaining single!
This passage seems to throw an proverbial wrench into FQ theology. In all my encounters with FQ I have not heared it mentioned. This passage of Paul, along with the rest of the NT, especially the Gospels, seems to clearly indicate that the Kingdom of God is not expanded through birth as much as through evangelism. This is a time when the earth IS now full and when God is sending out workers to bring in the harvest which is ripe.
Please read 1 Cor. 7:28-40. The girls are now up and needing me. Ponder the rest of ch 7 and proceed to FP IV when ready!
I want to consider the question of family planning posed in the previous posts from another angle this morning. Thus far we have considered some Old Testament interpretation and some philosophical considerations. Today we will dive into the New Testament. Please read 1 Cor. 7:2-9. This is, I believe, the only NT passage that directly addresses sexual relations withing marriage. What is Paul's concern? Sexual immorality; He instructs couples to come together in order to minister to each others' sexual needs and to prevent discontent and temptation. He does not mention anywhere an obligation to attempt to concieve children, nor does He, in an entire paragraph on sexual immorality, discuss contraception! If women are to be considered, in the kingdom of God established by Christ, "womb-men", vessels through which God is going to fill and expand His kingdom, would Paul not mention it here?
In most of the FQ families I have encountered, especially the most outspoken ones, the girls who are reaching adult hood tend to remain home and "wait for the Lord to bring them a husband" so that they can begin a family and bear children. Please note that I find nothing wrong with that! If my daughter chooses to follow that path, it is fine with me, she can help with housework and cooking for rent 'till she is 40 as far as I care! (But a son will not be allowed to do such!) What concerns me is that such a choice seems to be presented as the only "right" option for the girls. I met one girl who is 24, not allowed to go to any school or college and is still at home. If that is what she wants, fine. If that is what she is forced to do by her parents theology, problem. Paul speaks not of a calling to marry and bear children, but of a call to serve the Lord and the Kingdom Christ has now instituted; a calling that is better served by remaining single!
This passage seems to throw an proverbial wrench into FQ theology. In all my encounters with FQ I have not heared it mentioned. This passage of Paul, along with the rest of the NT, especially the Gospels, seems to clearly indicate that the Kingdom of God is not expanded through birth as much as through evangelism. This is a time when the earth IS now full and when God is sending out workers to bring in the harvest which is ripe.
Please read 1 Cor. 7:28-40. The girls are now up and needing me. Ponder the rest of ch 7 and proceed to FP IV when ready!
1 Comments:
At 6/22/2005 9:31 AM,
Anita said…
I agree with you. This philosophy that we are still in the position to multiply seems to override the call to go and make disciples. And, you are about the only person that I have seen really investigate this. Thanks so much for looking for an real and honest answer to your question of family planning rather than trying to find scripture that supports your philosophy!
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