And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them. And God blessed them; and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every thing that moves on the earth.” –Genesis 1:27-28
When a college or high school group discussion turns to marriage and the question “so how many kids do you want?” it is unlikely for many to say more than “three.” Why would anyone want more than that? It’s financially impractical. It’s too much work. Nobody does that anymore. Besides, young people are bombarded with a secular worldview predicated on pleasure, leisure, and self-gratification. Although most Christians have smaller families and no one really questions why, it’s important to weigh our choices against what Scripture actually says.
When we read the Bible, we see a clear understanding of family, children, and mankind’s role on earth. God gives Adam and Eve a command to fill the earth with his image bearers. He blesses them by making them fruitful. God is pleased with a planet full of his crowning creation. Sadly, a close examination of contemporary Christianity reveals a worldview less like Genesis and more like Hollywood.
The prevalent opinion is that pregnancy is something to be prevented or protected against to insure quality of life. An Institute of Medicine panel recommended that the U.S. government require health insurance companies to cover birth control for women, without copayments, as “preventive care.”In the last fifty years, wealthier nations (notably Western) have boasted of the alleged correlation between a country’s wealth, life expectancy, happiness, and its low birth rates. It would appear that the most satisfied, fulfilled, and carefree life is one without children. But a declining population in all Western nations, excepting the U.S. and Ireland, has brought the issue to the forefront. A disproportionate aging population is putting a strain on economies trying to support retirees. Moreover, a proliferating Muslim demographic is on pace to overtake many European countries. More children would be the plausible solution to these problems. Interestingly enough, we see God’s Word supports having bigger families over smaller ones.
But what parts of Genesis should be taken at face value? God’s speaking the world into existence? Definitely. God’s creation of man in His image? Certainly. God’s creation of male and female to become one flesh in marriage? Positively.
But what about the little passage in verse 28, “Be fruitful and multiply”?There are many passages and promises in the Bible that I enjoy and love to quote, yet there are others that I would omit from the Ryan Rindels Standard Version (RRSV). Of course, the problem is not with the Bible; it’s with me. When I read the text my natural response would be to doubt the viability of having a big family. The objections range from insufficient finances to time devoted to each child. I realize however, God’s plan is superior to my own and that if he in fact, commands this, he will adequately equip me for it.
What is clear and undeniable upon reading Genesis is God’s plan for mankind to fill the earth with his image bearers. There’s no reason to believe that this intention has become outdated and inapplicable. Sadly, however, many American Christians have bought into the secular world’s materialistic, small-family system. Though such thinking may seem convenient, it is not only unbiblical, but it offends common sense, especially for the future of society. The 2.1 child-per-woman minimum birth rate is necessary for a population not to decline, much less, increase. For more on this, read an article I wrote a year ago: http://theveritasnetwork.org/2010/09/12/procreation-an-intended-blessing-of-sex/.The current U.S. birthrate is hovering just at the 2.1 replacement level.
Most secular nations worry about an insufficient workforce to support retirement programs like social security. Even without a biblical worldview, societies realize more children need to be born, and more than just two per family. But even with tax breaks and other generous incentives the statistics show the birth rates are still below the replacement level.
So when the marriage and family discussion with any Christian prompts the answer “God is calling me to only have two or one children, or maybe not any at all,” I would seriously question if that is God’s voice, especially when such a system is not only insufficient to maintain an economy but also runs contrary to the mandate in Genesis 1. And yet, it seems there are more and more Christians hearing the same message about having fewer kids.
An unmarried friend with whom I grew up in church was seriously considering havinga vasectomy at age 21 simply because he didn’t like kids. I was appalled.
Is this the Christian view of family? Birth rates for American evangelicals are no higher than the rest of the country. I’m bothered by this.
Children are a blessing from the Lord. The Bible consistently and amply supports this. As for birth control, the Bible is not explicit. However, I believe the best answer is understood by examining the scriptural pattern. It’s apparent that the burden of proof is upon those who would artificially limit what God created—not the other way around. You cannot read the biblical passages regarding children, family, and fruitfulness and then successfully justify having few or no kids.
As Christians, we need to repent of our rebellion against God’s plan for the family. To have many children is to bringforth bearers of God’s image, to raise ambassadors and warriors for His kingdom, to bless the nations, and to contend with its enemies at the gate. Let’s get back to the biblical understanding of family and challenge this dwindling generation.
