Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 2/11/2010

Question
Greetings. I recently heard of a christian movement called "Quiverful" that requires each of it's members to stop and use of contraception at all. They also make their women dress only in skirts and dresses. (pants are prohibited because pants are for men or are not modest) does the baptist faith agree with these rules. Just curios.

Answer
Hello Meg,
Thank you for your question. I have not heard of 'Quiverful' but I am English and live and Minister in England and I suspect the group you refer to are from the USA. There have been many groups over the years who have prohibited the use of contraceptives and some who insisted on a certain style of dress for women. Mainstream Baptist groups do not support either emphasis for two main reasons. One is that we seek to base our practices on scripture and the other that Baptists have long pioneered freedom of conscience in more secondary matters.
The forbidding of trousers is based on a misunderstanding of the command in Deut 22:5 that a woman should not dress in men's clothing nor a man women's clothing. This is a prohibition of what we would term cross dressing and does not prohibit any particular style. Pants (or trousers as we refer to them in England) can be made for men or women. In the 16th century it was common for a man, especially a wealthy man, to wear tights and skirts. These were not women's clothing. The clear implication of scripture is that it is the 'fetish' dressing in clothing of the opposite sex which is forbidden. It is also clear that in many circumstances pants are likely to be more modest than a skirt or dress. Before leaving this aspect I also must point out that the New Testament is about grace not legalism.
Regarding contraception the bible is silent. The sin of Onan in the Old Testament in causing his sperm to fall to the ground was one of deceit and pretence. Also the bible is clear that marrying in order to satisfy a sexual drive is legitimate. Paul tells people it is better to marry than burn with sexual desire. There is no forbidding of contraception stated or implied in scripture. However, the sanctity of human life does become an issue with some forms of the pill and indeed of the coil methods of contraception. Some of these procedures do not prevent the beginning of life but destroy it and it is best for Christians to do their research on the subject.
I hope my comments are of some help.
May God bless you.
Stuart Woodward