IS IT MORAL FOR CHRISTIANS TO USE CONTRACEPTIVES?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT DIFFERENT PREGNANCY PREVENTION METHODS?
Key Facts
More than nine-in-ten adults think using birth control is either morally acceptable (36%) or not a moral issue at all (57%). [1]
99.3% of evangelical Protestants have, at one point, used a contraceptive method other than natural family planning. [2]
Only 4% of white evangelicals indicated that the use of contraception is morally wrong compared with 2% of the total population’s indication on the subject. [3]
Key Scriptures
Psalm 127:3-5 “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
Genesis 1:28 “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”
1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
Want to Know More?
Application
Up until the last 100 years, the Christian church held to a unanimous belief regarding sexual relations—that the primary purpose was procreation. [4] Trying to separate sexual intercourse from procreation would have seemed illogical, if not impossible. Since then, the invention of contraceptives has given us a way to do just that. As a result, Christians can have significantly differing views about contraceptives. While some Christians promote almost all birth control methods, others completely oppose any contraceptives and choose to have the maximum number of children that they can. Both sides may feel strongly about their convictions to use or refuse contraception. How can Scripture help us to look at the issue of contraceptives through a correct lens?
What are Contraceptives?
Contraceptives, broadly defined, include all methods and medications which seek to prevent pregnancy from occurring. This can come in the form of natural, barrier, or hormonal contraceptives.
Natural contraceptives are those which do not rely on hormonal medicines or physical barriers. Many people employ natural contraceptives by tracking their menstrual cycle with the calendar rhythm method or checking the days they will be able to get pregnant with ovulation testing kits.
There are also barrier forms of contraceptives such as condoms. These forms of contraceptives prevent the sperm from meeting the egg by providing a barrier between the two. Both of the aforementioned methods are forms of contraceptives that do not rely on manipulating either the man’s or the woman’s hormones and overall fertility.
Finally, there are hormonal forms of contraceptives. These are often much more controversial and require more research to understand. Hormonal contraceptives, like the birth control pill, seek to prevent ovulation and keep the body from being in a state for reproduction. For this reason, some Christians may limit their use of contraceptives to only natural or barrier forms.
Should All Types of Contraceptives Be Used?
As Christians research the topic, it is clear that each person will need discernment to do what is best in their situation. There are some methods of hormonal contraception that terminate life by creating an inhospitable environment rather than merely preventing the creation of a new life. These are called abortifacients. The issue of abortion is clear in Biblical teaching and Christians should be careful to avoid these forms of “birth control.” This means that, whenever looking for a contraceptive method, a person should do their research to be sure of the facts. In cases where Christians are unsure of whether the contraceptive can be abortifacient, one should err on the side of caution and avoid the use of this method. IUDs (Intrauterine devices) are one example of a contraceptive that sometimes relies on abortifacient qualities. While IUDs generally work by preventing the meeting of the sperm and the egg, in rare cases, they can prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg in the lining of the uterus. [5] Christians should avoid using abortifacient contraceptives such as these.
In some instances, women can take the Pill or other contraceptive medications for non-contraceptive reasons, including managing dangerous health problems. This poses few moral questions when a Christian woman is unmarried and not sexually active, but addressing how to handle this situation within the marriage context is a question of discernment. Deciding how to best proceed for the woman’s health and the couple’s procreation is something that can be assisted by a medical professional, but such decisions should be sought through much prayer.
Do Contraceptives Violate the Will of God?
One of the most common questions about contraceptives is, “Do all types of family planning undermine the will of God?” Some Christians argue that contraceptives are contrary to natural law since God created sex and our reproductive organs with the natural outcome of procreation. Additional steps must be taken to prevent this from happening. Thus, such actions would be sinful or contrary to his will. However, other Christians say that just because something is natural, that doesn't necessarily mean that we are morally obligated to allow it to occur. For example, consider whether or not a person should cut their hair. If we were to follow God’s natural laws in the most literal sense, we would not cut our hair. [6] The concept that ‘whatever happens naturally is God’s best for us’ seems silly in this context. Likewise, we know that whether or not a couple is using contraceptives, God is not limited by their use of contraceptives (Ps. 138:8). If God wants to bless the couple with another child, He will be successful in this (Isa. 14:24).
Subscribing to natural law such that one has as many children as possible could pose other problems. While children are a gift from God (Ps. 127:3-5), parents have a responsibility to take care of their children (Prov. 22:6). If a person cannot afford to feed themselves, it would be difficult to see how this would be a wise time to create a family of ten (1 Tim. 5:8). Because God has given us the ability to make decisions for ourselves, Christians should be wise in their decision-making (Prov. 2:6). While we have the freedom to make decisions about our own lives, we should ultimately follow God’s will, not our own (Rom. 12:2). This means that God may call a person to have a big family even when they are worried about bills. Our obedience to God’s call is crucial (Luke 11:28). Whether or not one should use contraception is something that falls secondary to our obedience to God. If God calls us to do or not do something, we are commanded to obey (2 John 1:6).
What Other Principles Should Inform Our Thinking On Contraceptives?
Even though it doesn't appear that all forms of family planning are inherently sinful, there are still sinful ways to approach the issue.
Some may use contraceptives as an excuse to be sexually immoral or as a way to avoid the natural consequences of sexual relations outside of marriage. However, sexual relations are created only for the context of marriage (Heb. 13:4). The ultimate purpose of marriage and sexual relations is to be a symbol of the unity between Christ and the church (Eph. 5:22-32). Employing contraceptives in order to have sexual relations outside of marriage without natural consequences is a sinful use of family planning methods.
Children are a gift, not an imposition (Ps. 127:3-5). Part of the blessing of sexual intercourse is procreation. Even as someone may attempt to plan their pregnancies by the use of certain contraceptives, if the woman gets pregnant, the baby is still a gift from God to be cherished.
Christians should be careful not to add to Scripture what is not there. This is what the Pharisees did and it can be quite destructive (Matt. 23:4). Although many wise Christians may avoid certain activities like drinking alcohol or wearing makeup, this is not mandated in Scripture. Likewise, Scripture does not give an explicit command regarding contraception. Christians should be cautious about holding other Christians to a standard that is not in the Bible. We should rely on the guiding of the Holy Spirit in situations like this.
Christians should obey their consciences (Rom.14:5). Romans 14 provides a guide for decisions regarding those issues on which Christians may disagree. On issues that are disputable, each Christian should be convinced in their own mind and done in faith (Rom. 14:5, 22-23). This means that whatever decision we make, our hearts should be pure before God, free of sinful desires. Christians should ask themselves, “what are my motivations for using contraceptives?” If these motivations are sinful (viewing children as a burden, seeking sexual immorality, etc.), then Christians should be diligent in repenting of that sin and seeking a way forward that is honoring to God (1 John 1:9).
Our choices in life should be kingdom-focused rather than worldly focused (Matt. 6:33). Ultimately, our guidance on this issue should be a result of our purpose as Christians in this world (Eph. 2:10; Matt. 28:19-20). John Piper reminds us that Christian children are a blessing to those around them. He says, “Bringing kids into the world and being brought up in the Lord makes them burden lifters, not burden adders.” [7] A Christian should recognize that creating many Christian children is a blessing to the world. At the same time, some may recognize that having a child in their current situation might create some practical concerns. For example, missionaries to a dangerous country may consider that if they got pregnant during their time on the mission field it may put their child in danger or require them to go home. If they were to face this decision due to unexpected pregnancy, the couple should still welcome the child joyfully, but they may choose to attempt a contraceptive method in order to allow for focus on missions. This is just one example that demonstrates how being kingdom-minded individuals will help to guide couples in this decision.
Conclusion
Contraceptives can be a complex and nuanced subject. While Christians should avoid any contraceptives that act as abortifacients, there are many factors which might influence whether a couple uses contraceptives, ranging from non-contraceptive health concerns to plans for missions work. As we seek guidance on issues such as these, Christians should allow for other believers to follow their convictions and recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all response to contraceptives. Ultimately, the decision to use contraceptives or not should be addressed by a couple seeking the will of God for their lives. If we first seek the kingdom of God and follow the other principles laid out in the Bible, our decisions on issues like these will become clearer (Matt. 6:33).
[2] https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2020/10/people-all-religions-use-birth-control-and-have-abortions
[3] https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1317&context=hcoltheses
[4] Campbell, Flann. "Birth Control and the Christian Churches." Population Studies 14, no. 2 (1960): 131-47. Accessed March 24, 2021. doi:10.2307/2172010.
[6] https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/does-the-bible-permit-birth-control