Be Fruitful and Multiply
What the Bible Says About Having Children
~By Nancy Campbell, Distributed by Vision Forum
This is an interesting book with study questions at the end of each chapter. I’m sure it would stir up a little controversy in nearly any women’s group or Bible study. The topic? Let the Lord choose your family size.
Admittedly, I’m quite confident in my opinion that most Christian couples do trust the Lord with regard to the size of their families. Mrs. Campbell’s stand is that even well-meaning, sincere Christians have conformed so much to the world that we have lost our desire to fulfill God’s first command to Be Fruitful and Multiply. This certainly is a matter for prayer for each and every family of faith.
I must say here that I agreed with some things, such as: children ARE a gift from God, we must obey God rather than man, etc. I also agreed with her stance that many women ignorantly choose their birth control without educating themselves as to how it works. But, I confess that there were some things that I had questions about that I felt were not answered…
I, myself, would have loved to have had a large family; 5 children was my dream. Our first beautiful daughter died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Crib Death) at three months, I then had two miscarriages before our other two daughters were born. Apparently, that’s where God wanted our family numbers to end. I figure that, yes, God did give me those 5 children…although I only have two remaining on earth, I will have all 5 for eternity! But, Mrs. Campbell doesn’t address the difficulties that many of us face. My concern is that some may feel somewhat condemned by that by the time they finish this book.
But, fear not! I do leave you with a quote from the book containing some hope and grace: “The fact of the matter is this: It is not a matter of our deciding how many children we should have, or should not have, but having a vision of God’s plan for marriage and family – a vision to bring forth godly seed for God’s glory.”
What the Bible Says About Having Children
~By Nancy Campbell, Distributed by Vision Forum
This is an interesting book with study questions at the end of each chapter. I’m sure it would stir up a little controversy in nearly any women’s group or Bible study. The topic? Let the Lord choose your family size.
Admittedly, I’m quite confident in my opinion that most Christian couples do trust the Lord with regard to the size of their families. Mrs. Campbell’s stand is that even well-meaning, sincere Christians have conformed so much to the world that we have lost our desire to fulfill God’s first command to Be Fruitful and Multiply. This certainly is a matter for prayer for each and every family of faith.
I must say here that I agreed with some things, such as: children ARE a gift from God, we must obey God rather than man, etc. I also agreed with her stance that many women ignorantly choose their birth control without educating themselves as to how it works. But, I confess that there were some things that I had questions about that I felt were not answered…
I, myself, would have loved to have had a large family; 5 children was my dream. Our first beautiful daughter died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Crib Death) at three months, I then had two miscarriages before our other two daughters were born. Apparently, that’s where God wanted our family numbers to end. I figure that, yes, God did give me those 5 children…although I only have two remaining on earth, I will have all 5 for eternity! But, Mrs. Campbell doesn’t address the difficulties that many of us face. My concern is that some may feel somewhat condemned by that by the time they finish this book.
But, fear not! I do leave you with a quote from the book containing some hope and grace: “The fact of the matter is this: It is not a matter of our deciding how many children we should have, or should not have, but having a vision of God’s plan for marriage and family – a vision to bring forth godly seed for God’s glory.”
Amen. No matter how many children we are blessed with.
Blessings from Ohio...Kim W<><
You are a woman after my own heart. I've known so many "quiver full "girls, who have struggled with infertility, or miscarriages and they are held by such legalistic bondage over the fact they are not having kids at the rate their peers, or mothers were. I loved reading your thoughts, and I'm so grateful for His guidance in all matters of life. Thanks for posting this, Kim!
ReplyDeleteamen and amen!!! Anything that gives us a stronghold of legalism or self hatred and guilt is not of Him. I also love reading your thoughts as LeAnna :) So many are in bondage from soemthing and that is not what God intended or the Word says.. But with that said, agreed with the stance of the authors of the book.. Children are a blessing and heritage of the LORD. Kim, you have been such an example of grace and God's mercy even with the heartaches you have dealt with. You are a walking example of wisdom and grace :) Thank you for taking the time to write!! You are touching many!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me say I am sorry for your losses. We lost one baby due to a tubal pregnancy. We chose to close our womb after 6 children due to health issues. I really struggled with that decision, because I do know that children are a heritage from the Lord. I didn't want to close off any future blessings. It is such a personal, individual decision. One, that I believe, is not taken lightly by the majority of believers. Although I have a high regard for Nancy Campbell, I felt the same about this book's potential to bring condemnation onto couples. I actually hid it away for a long time, then gave it to a young couple who had firm beliefs in this area.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I have not read this book, but I have read "A Full Quiver" which is about the same topic. I do hope for more children, but I do know that is all in God's hands. It isn't the number of children that is important, but our willingness to be "a living sacrifice".....We can not say we will trust God with ALL of us if we don't also let Him do His will with our reproduction as well. God controls the openening and the closing of the womb. My best friend in high school was an only child, not because they used birth control but because that is how many God blessed them with. I fear for the church on this matter. SOOOOO many think it no big deal...even pastors....to limit the family size to just a couple. I really believe we need to make ourselves available to God to use us to raise His seed. I love this topic, and could go on and on, but I will stop there for now. =) Thanks for posting this. This is something that needs to be addressed in our Christian community. Many think this is just a "Catholic thing" but trusting God with your family size used to be a protestant thing also up until about 1930.
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