Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Though I can not recall ever hearing any any good reason not to have children.
What if only one of the partners doesn't want children?
Marriage was ordained... for the increase of mankind with legitimate issue, and of the church with an holy seed. WCF 24.2
I can see where it might be appropriate in rare cases of certain known genetic defects.
If able, yes.
If both partners decide not to have children, is it Biblical?
What if only one of the partners doesn't want children? Who wins?
I absolutely love this!My wife asked that of Dr. Schaeffer about 37 years ago. He said (short version), "that would be limiting the creativity of God, wouldn't it?"
If able, yes.
If unable the question is moot.
Caroline,
No one in this thread has argued that people who are unable to bear children (i.e. the elderly, infirm or infertile) should not marry. Companionship is a big part of marriage that no one is disputing. The question more surrounds those who have no impediment to conceiving or raising kids but for whatever reason, just don't wont them.
Carolyn,
I believe you may be creating a false dichotomy with an overly simplistic notion of marriage. Either (1) kids are essential in every marriage or you can't get married or (2) their not, and whether you have any is irrelevant.
Procreation is an essential aspect of the biblical understanding of marriage. This is clear from Scripture and upheld by our confessions of faith. Having children within the bonds of marriage is the normative pattern. But this doesn't mean that there aren't obvious exceptions to this rule (as already mentioned). However, for one to view marriage as having no necessary connection to procreation is to essentially redefine it in a way foreign to Scripture.
And by the way, it is all too common these days for couples (even professing Christian couples) to opt-out of having kids because they are more concerned with their careers or because kids would 'cramp their style.'
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."
- God
Motivations vary, and are the primary concern of the individuals and those set over them to whom they are accountable. Holy Spirit through Paul said it is better to remain unmarried, but for those who could not contain themselves it is better to marry than to burn. There is no mention of a requirement of procreation. To assert otherwise is to go beyond scripture and bind men's consciences with commandments and doctrines of men.
Dear Caroline, I am truly sorry that you experience such struggles with your health. I have health problems of my own that can make motherhood an extraordinary challenge, so I know somewhat of what you're dealing with. Many times when I have had an infant in my arms I have been tempted to question God's command to be fruitful and multiply because I just didn't know that I could make it through another pregnancy or handle the late nights with another baby.I myself would like to have been blessed with ten children. My health broke down severely in my third pregnancy, and I think it would be irresponsible to have more, since I must care for the ones I already have, and they do better when their mother is alive. So there are reasons when reluctantly, people may decide they cannot accept more blessing.
When there is a significant likelihood that a pregnancy may end in death, we shouldn't ignore the teaching of the Larger Catechism on the Sixth Commandment: "Whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any"
When there is a significant likelihood that a pregnancy may end in death, we shouldn't ignore the teaching of the Larger Catechism on the Sixth Commandment: "Whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any"
Putting aside what one means by the term significant, let us imagine an earlier period of time when various forms of birth control were not available. Would the proper solution to be to tell the husband and wife to stop having sex because a pregnancy could result?
CT
Good point. This could be looked at from 2 directions. If we look at it from Edwards POV, with medical technology and medical knowledge in mind, that death will occur every time to the mother if she becomes pregnant and with that certain condition one could argue the 6th. Though I will add I am still waiting for any example of such condition that would indeed kill the mother every time she gets pregnant and thus I think the 6th does not apply here. The same could be said from your POV in that can you tell me where in "earlier times" where pregnancy resulted in death of the mother every time?