Most Protestants and many uninformed Catholics find no objection to using artificial birth control. In our modern world it seems the normal thing for couples to do. Arguments supporting contraception include population control, quality of life, lack of money, etc..... Often the same arguments used to defend abortion. Without bothering to examine the flaws in these arguments, we will instead study the only important factor in determining if birth control is allowable to a Christian. Does God approve? The Catholic Church has always condemned contraception. But obviously many deny the authority of the Catholic Church claiming to go only by Scripture. But what does Scripture, the Word of God, have to say on the issue?
Children are a blessing from God, not a burden:
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"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;" (Psalms 127:3-5)
Having no children is unfortunate:
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"But you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst. There shall be no one miscarrying or barren in your land." (Exodus 23:25-26)
"But they came to Baal-peor and devoted themselves to shame, and they became as detestable as that which they loved. As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird- no birth, no pregnancy and no conception." (Hosea 9:10-11)
"And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground. your grain and your new wine and oil, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock, in the land which He swore to your forefathers to give you. You shall be blessed among all peoples; there shall be no male or female barren among you......" (Deuteronomy 7:13-14)
The Onan incident
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"....so it came about that when he went in to his brothers wife, he wasted his seed on the ground, in order not to give offspring to his brother. But he was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He took his life also." (Genesis 38:8-10)
Other death penalties for sexual offenses
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"If there is a a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death." (Leviticus 20:13)
"If there is a man who lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, you shall also kill the animal." (Leviticus 20:15)
Seed as Children
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"And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him." (Hebrews 7:9:10)
"Didst Thou not pour me out like milk, and curdle me like cheese; clothe me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews?" (Job 10:8-11)
Childbirth and Salvation
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"For it was Adam who was first created then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression. But women shall be saved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self restraint." (1 Timothy 2:13-15)
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The Holy Scriptures reaffirm the historic and official teachings of the Catholic Church on this or any other issue. One cannot claim contraception is morally permissible while claiming to be either Catholic or a Scripture alone protestant. There is no historical or biblical justification for contraception. We see in the above quotes that when contraceptive measures are taken God kills a man. When he wants to punish sinners he makes them "barren." "Seed" is refered to as a person. St. Paul tell us women will be "saved" through childbirth. The list of reasons contraception is contrary to God's Word could go on. Nowhere in scripture is contraception endorsed but is rather explicitly condemned. Quite simply, the use of contraception is incompatible with a Christian lifestyle.