What does the Bible say about birth control?
The Bible's perspective on family planning and procreation can be understood through several interconnected themes, though it doesn't directly address birth control. The creation account establishes procreation as part of God's divine plan, with the command to "be fruitful and multiply" given both to Adam and Eve and later to Noah's family (Genesis 1:28, 9:1). Throughout the Old Testament, there is a strong emphasis on family lineage and continuation, particularly evident in the detailed genealogies and the stories of the patriarchs where God's covenant promises often centered around descendants (Genesis 12:2, 15:5). Children are consistently portrayed as divine blessings, with the Psalmist comparing them to "arrows in the hands of a warrior" (Psalm 127:3-5).
The biblical narrative also acknowledges the reality of infertility, as seen in the stories of Sarah, Rebekah, and Hannah (Genesis 16:1, 25:21; 1 Samuel 1:2). These accounts demonstrate God's sovereignty over reproduction while also showing how infertility and pregnancy loss relate to the broader effects of sin in the world. The resolution of infertility in these cases is presented as a specific divine intervention rather than a universal promise.
With the advent of Christ, the concept of family expands beyond biological connections to encompass spiritual relationships. The church is portrayed as a mother that spiritually births sons and daughters of God (Galatians 4:19, 26). This shift doesn't diminish the importance of biological family but places it within a larger spiritual context. Marriage is presented as a sacred covenant that mirrors Christ's relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:31-32), serving as both a spiritual metaphor and the natural context for procreation.
The New Testament particularly emphasizes the church as a spiritual family where believers are adopted as God's children (Romans 8:15-16, Ephesians 1:5). This community provides support and love, especially when biological families cannot meet these needs. The Kingdom of God operates on principles of divine faithfulness rather than worldly ambition, calling believers to prioritize spiritual over earthly concerns (Matthew 6:33). Throughout all these themes, God's sovereignty remains paramount–while humans have free will in their decisions, including those about family planning, the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes doesn't depend on human choices (Isaiah 46:10, Romans 8:28).
These biblical principles provide a framework for understanding procreation and family but don't prescribe specific rules about birth control. Instead, they present a holistic view of family, both biological and spiritual, within God's larger plan for humanity. This understanding allows for various interpretations regarding birth control while maintaining the core values of faithfulness to God and recognition of children as blessings.
Verses about birth control:
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.'"
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 38:9-10, "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother’s wife, he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also."
1 Corinthians 7:5, "Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
Proverbs 16:9, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
