Expert: Marvin Howard - 2/17/2005

Question
Marvin,

I appreciate the time and thought you have put into the response on my questions. I have been studying based on this response. I have often herd the Romans “eat meat scruples” story referenced on any issues that can not be explicitly addressed from scripture (not black/white). I personally feel that this example is of a much less jugular nature than the obstruction of a God given gift of life creation abilities. It seems that this is not much more than the semi liberal stand on at what physical state is an abortion an abortion. Contraception falls on the other end right below the day after pill and again we are making a human judgment on life happening or not. Is this our call or Gods call?

It appears 1st Timothy 2:11-15 in context has nothing to do with one child as the norm or limiting the number of children.

1st Timothy 5:8 Is speaking of widows and how we Christians are required to provide even for our relatives (even widows) so this would not apply.

I can not see how Luke 12:42 could be related to this basic teaching on life. You could almost justify not committing to any hardship by saying well I cant really do that because I know I would do poorly and in turn not be a good steward in the presence of the Lord. You must see how using this in a selfish way could be very dangerous. Even if someone for example had only one child. Not being able to send them both to Disney World because of finances etc would not fit this glove. (more than most this is the case) Its seems to me it is more about selfishness and convenience. I want the sex but not the responsibility that unobstructed sex produces.

So can one make the choice biblically or do we require facing God hoping we made the right guess on this life giving issue? How could one teach on the question in a church without binding sin to the act one way or another other?

Marving I thank you again for the time you have spent on this.

In Christ
-Sean

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Followup To
Question -
I realize the church of Christ makes a stand on abortion. In the area of two other jugular issues effecting the God given gift of procreation I have seen multiple churches of Christ (as well as others) attempt to bind sin or not on the following subjects:

The support/acceptance/denial of all forms of birth control (and related topics)
-and-
The support/acceptance/denial of all forms of gene cloning (and related topics)

It is either sinful or it is not. Please share your wisdom as I struggle with these questions.
Answer -
Hi!

Sean, I will gladly answer this for you. I do ask you to understand I am disabled, and practically homebound. The only sermons I have heard in the past 4 years or so are the ones I have preached, as we have a small congregation meeting in my home. This reaches far enough into antiquity where cloning and such were not yet discussed except in a few animals, let alone being practiced and researched.

Human life is human life. Murder is sin. With these thoughts in mind, let's look at just a very few scriptures.

Luke 1:44, "For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy."

Luke 2:12, "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

Notice please, the exact same Greek word for babe is used in both references. It is brephos. It refers to both infants and the unborn. With a small knowledge of Greek, it is my contention that this is not accidental. After all, that language has 7 different words, which all translate to love in English. Greek is a very specific language. If what was in the womb was different from that which was born, there would most assuredly be a different word for it.

With that said, both abortion, and gene research where a viable embryo is taken are taking of life. The question is, "Is all taking of human life sin."

Exodus 20:13 is often qouted to try proving that it is. What people fail to realize, is that catholicism had deep rooted false doctrines before there was ever an English translation. These roots extend into the "Mother's" daughters: the denominations themselves. One of these was that it was a sin to kill anything for any reason. Even stepping on an ant by accident was considered to be breaking this commandment, which was accepted and expanded by our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount.

The Hebrew word for kill in this verse is pronounced raw-tsakh'. I have no way of placing the actual word here. In Strong's Lexicon, it is H7523 so you may look there. It is especially used for "murder," a specific type of killing. I am going to include a portion of Matthew Henry's commentary here for comparison.

"The sixth commandment concerns our own and our neighbour's life (Exo_20:13): “Thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not do any thing hurtful or injurious to the health, ease, and life, of thy own body, or any other person's unjustly.” This is one of the laws of nature, and was strongly enforced by the precepts given to Noah and his sons, Gen_9:5, Gen_9:6. It does not forbid killing in lawful war, or in our own necessary defence, nor the magistrate's putting offenders to death, for those things tend to the preserving of life; but it forbids all malice and hatred to the person of any (for he that hateth his brother is a murderer), and all personal revenge arising therefrom; also all rash anger upon sudden provocations, and hurt said or done, or aimed to be done, in passion: of this our Saviour expounds this commandment, Mat_5:22. And, as that which is worst of all, it forbids persecution, laying wait for the blood of the innocent and excellent ones of the earth."

Not all killing is forbidden. Government executions and wars are even authorized by Romans 13:1-7. What is forbidden is unjust and unnecessary killing of humans. Gene research does just this. Most abortions do this. The only time when the killing is justified is if BOTH mother and child will die if it isn't performed, and performing it will save the life of at least the mother.

So, on these two issues, unless one life is being saved where both would die, it is sin.

On birth control, the issue is not as black and white. However, there are principles in the Bible to guide us in our understanding.

1st Timothy 5:8, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

A person must be a good steward (Luke 12:42). Having children for whom you cannot care violates both of these principles. I consider us lucky that we now have science which will allow us to comply with both this and 1st Corinthians 7:4-5.

There is, however, another issue to consider in this matter.

1st Timothy 2:11-15, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."

It seems that having at least one child is the expected norm for a Christian family. There are instances where God doesn't allow this, for whatever reason. But, I see no reason to try to go beyond what you are able to do as far as raising children are concerned.

There are matters which lie in the realm of opinion. Consider the following, please.

Romans 14:1-8, "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."

As I said, there are things which fall into the realm of opinion. I feel that birth control is one of these. I see no reason to believe otherwise, and there are scriptures to support both sides of the issue. When it comes to any such matter, it would be the wisest course to remember the above passage, along with the next one.

Philippians 2:12-16, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."

I hope this reply has helped you with your question, and your study. May you be richly blessed by the reading of God's Word.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
preacherman_1962@yahoo.com
preacherman@phoneco1.net
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962

Answer
Hi!

Sean, I offer my apologies at the delay in answering this. I am disabled, and had a crisis that needed to be handled in my congregation. When I finished with that, there was no way I could sit at my desk long enough to check anything.

2nd Timothy 3:15-17, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Sean, the scriptures furnish us completely and perfectly on all the good works which must be done for salvation. Since the scriptures cover murder, taking any life is out of the question. Life in the womb is also covered, even more specifically.

Exodus 21:22-23, "If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,"

If a man caused a woman to bear her child early, he was to be punished. If she miscaried (aborted), he is said to have taken a life, and his was required.

1st Timothy 2:11-15 speaks to how a woman is saved, since she cannot speak in church. God wants all to be saved (i.e., no Greek or Hebrew; male or female). A woman is saved by childbearing. This is why I believe there should be at least one child born to a family if God so allows. Though there are instances where we read of multiple children within a family, nothing, anywhere, is commanded about having more than one, or not having more.

You cannot take or destroy something that doesn't exist. In contraception, no life has been created, so none can be taken. It is not the other end of the scale from abortion. They are two different issues entirely. One, abortion, is forbidden. The other is not even mentioned. Since the scriptures completely furnish us with everything we need for salvation, and contraception isn't mentioned, it is a necessary conclusion that must be drawn: contraception is not an issue that effects our salvation.

On things which do not effect our salvation, the Bible offers general principles. It is up to us to determine what is best for our circumstances in these cases. Determining family size is one of these, since it is not covered in a specific manner by God. There is no need to worry about "making the right guess" as you phrased it.

Whichever choice is made would be correct, provided it is the one that does the most good for your family.

I wish you well with your further studies on this subject, and any other you undertake in searching the scriptures.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
preacherman_1962@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/preacherman_1962