Should Christians Use Birth Control?
The Christian perspective on birth control generally falls into two camps: one that permits it as a matter of responsible stewardship, and one that restricts or forbids it based on the sanctity of life and the purpose of sex.
1. The Perspective of Responsible Stewardship (The Majority Protestant View)
Most Protestant denominations and many non-denominational churches permit the use of non-abortifacient birth control. This view is rooted in several principles:
The Purposes of Marital Sex: This view holds that the Bible teaches sex in marriage has two main purposes:
Procreation ("Be fruitful and multiply," Genesis 1:28).
Union and Pleasure (1 Corinthians 7:5, Song of Solomon). Since sex is not only for having children, a couple can ethically choose to use non-abortive methods to time or limit children.
Stewardship and Wisdom: Marriage is an act of stewardship over the family and resources. Christians are commanded to use wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6). A couple may wisely decide to space children, or limit family size, to ensure they can provide sufficient spiritual, emotional, and financial care for the children they already have.
Personal Freedom (Conscience): Since no Bible verse forbids contraception, the decision is seen as one left to the conscience of the married couple, guided by prayer and wisdom, not by a church mandate.
Conclusion of this View: The use of methods like barrier methods (condoms) or hormonal methods that primarily prevent conception (not implantation) is morally permissible when the motivation is responsible planning, not selfish avoidance of children.
2. The Perspective of the Sanctity of Life (The Catholic View)
The Roman Catholic Church, and some conservative Protestant groups, forbid the use of artificial birth control. This view is based on the following theological commitments:
The Unity of Procreative and Unitive: This position holds that every act of marital intercourse must remain open to the possibility of life (the procreative aspect) because God is the sovereign giver of life. To intentionally block the possibility of conception is seen as a violation of the natural and divine design of the marital act.
The Inherent Value of Potential Life: Many in this camp emphasize the command to "be fruitful and multiply" as an ongoing mandate. They argue that to interrupt God's creation process is to usurp His role.
Natural Family Planning (NFP): The Catholic Church approves of Natural Family Planning (also known as the rhythm method or fertility awareness), which involves abstinence during the fertile window. This is considered morally acceptable because it uses the woman's natural biological cycle rather than artificial intervention to avoid pregnancy.
Conclusion of this View: Artificial methods (like The Pill, IUDs, condoms) are seen as intrinsically wrong because they separate the two God-intended meanings of the marital act.
The Critical Moral Line for All Christians: Abortifacients
Across nearly all Christian traditions, there is strong consensus that any method of birth control that acts as an abortifacient (meaning it causes the destruction or prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg, which is considered a human life) is morally forbidden.
The Image of God: Christians believe human life begins at conception. Therefore, any method that destroys a fertilized egg violates the sanctity of human life created in the Image of God (Psalm 139:13).
Contraceptives to Investigate: This is why couples must research their chosen method. Methods like the "morning-after pill" and certain types of IUDs or hormonal pills are often classified as having the potential to prevent implantation of an already-conceived human life, raising serious ethical concerns for any Christian.
In summary, for a new Christian learner
The decision should be made in prayer and unity with your spouse. The most important guideline is to seek a method that does not destroy an already-fertilized life and is used out of responsible wisdom to care for the family God has given you, rather than selfishly avoiding the blessings of children.
