I recently learned of a very misguided cleric, determined to characterize home educators and biblical principles of patriarchy, who argued that if the Bible does not expressly forbid something, it is therefore allowed. He was trying to make the case for birth control. He was also implying that those Christians who oppose birth control are legalists. In my view, this sort of reasoning is specious and deeply flawed.

For now, let’s set aside the fact that, the vast majority of times modern Christians shout “legalist, legalist,” it is because (a) their definition of legalist is “anyone who does not embrace my personal standards of liberty;’ (b) the issue so touches a nerve that they feel they have to either justify their own behavior or attack the advocates of the alternative position; (c) they know that an accusation of “legalist” is the tactical equivalent of Jesse Jackson labeling someone a “racist” (i.e., once the accusation is made, facts no longer matter); or (d) they are simply too lazy, too nervous of the fallout, or too incapable of making an exegetical case for their own position without the use of an ad hominem.

But for now, let’s put aside the issue of “what is a legalist?”

Even more dangerous than tactical name-calling is the denigration of the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. In my view, there are two fundamental problems with the argument that “if something is not expressly forbidden, it is allowed.” First, this argument is built upon a system of unbiblical proof-texting. Second, this form of reasoning is contrary to the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. Finally, it is dishonest and hypocritical to criticize others for a standard that the critic himself is unwilling to live by. To be specific, I have never met a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ (parent or preacher) who really lives, teaches, or trains his children based on the premise that if something is not expressly stated in Scripture, it is therefore allowed. As I will explain below, most parents and preachers object to the attendance of children to X-rated theaters, notwithstanding the absence of a specific proof-text on X-rated theaters in the Bible.

The Christian should begin with the presupposition that the Bible contains all that is necessary for his faith and practice. Within the pages of God’s sufficient revelation are the necessary principles, precepts, and patterns for believers to make wisdom decisions on any matter of Christian ethics. Those who argue that the Bible is silent on ethical issues like birth control are merely substituting their own private ethical judgment for God’s Word. Although I would disagree with his exegesis, I would soundly respect a preacher who assumed the sufficiency of Scripture on the issue of birth control, but made his case in favor of birth control from the Bible alone — not arguments from silence or claims of biblical neutrality. No Bible-believing Christian should respect or tolerate the argument that God has left us without a revelation to sufficiently make ethical decisions.

The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture, as understood by the great Reformers and authors of our historic confessions, means that the Bible does address (either explicitly or principally) the ethical issues necessary to reach a definitive conclusion on the legitimacy of all ethical issues, including deliberate child prevention. The alternative to the sufficiency of Scripture is the dangerous practice of proof-texting (i.e., “I will only look to the Bible as a guide on the issue of birth control if you can find me a specific passage that addresses birth control”). To argue that one needs a proof-text forbidding an act, else it is valid, is not only bad theology, it is pure foolishness. The Bible does not say “don’t buy girlie magazines,” but it certainly gives the believer enough information that, under most normative circumstances of which we might conceive, the purpose of such a purchase would be clearly unwise and God-dishonoring. Similarly, notwithstanding the fact that marijuana, heroine, and similar hallucinogens may nowhere be mentioned in the Bible by name or category, God’s Word is replete with the necessary principles whereby the Christian can conclude that the use of such drugs for recreational narcotic use is absolutely unacceptable.

Opponents of the historic doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture and advocates of proof-texting are ultimately left without a legitimate moral compass on matters of ethics. It is not that they have no ethical guide, it is simply they have transferred authority from God’s revelation to their own imaginations. Because they assume the silence of Scripture, they insert the authority of their own minds. Often, they become libertines, at which point their best arguments are: “I cannot personally find a text in the Scripture on the subject of birth control, therefore anyone who opposes the Pill is a legalist.” At this point, their arguments are no longer driven by theology, but by their own personal morality.

God’s Word is sufficient. Let us study it carefully to seek His will, especially on issues like child birth where He is so thorough, so emphatic and so clear as to His vision for man.

For more on this, please see our book Be Fruitful and Multiply: What the Bible Says About Having Children.

Recovering from Vasectomies

Over the years, I have received many hundreds of testimonies like the following:

Dear Mr. Phillips,

My husband had a vasectomy shortly after our second was born. At first my husband and I had some reservations about getting the vasectomy and we had asked some of our church friends at the church we were attending on what their opinion or advice on the issue was. Everyone responded the same. You have your boy and your girl all you need is a dog and a picket fence and you have the perfect family. So with some reservation we proceeded to get the vasectomy. (Note: We no longer attend this church).

The day we had the vasectomy and it was done and over, we drove home in silence. My husband then said, I feel like we have made a huge mistake. We both felt guilty, like we had committed a crime or something. Later we would make the decision to homeschool and meet many large families. And it was only a matter of time that the regret on the issue of the vasectomy became a burden. But what could we do? It was done and we had to put it behind us and move forward and make sure our two arrows where straight and narrow.

About 4 years after our vasectomy we met a couple who like us had a vasectomy. But they had done something we had never heard of. They had a vasectomy reversal. Wow! “Does it work?” We asked eagerly. “Well, we have a baby on the way”, they replied. It was not long after we determined to do the same thing.

It took us a year and a half to save enough money to have the reversal done. The doctor that did the reversal was kind and informed us that there was a 50/50 chance that the reversal would work. Before the reversal surgery was done, he prayed for us and with us. He made it clear that we had to keep in mind that my reproductive health as well as my husbands and that we were approaching 40 could prevent success. He did not want to give us any false hope. He was very up front and to the purpose on the success rate. But he also encouraged us in saying that he had some successes and maybe we would be one of them. We felt 50/50 was better then zero percent and it was up to the Lord anyway. We were being obedient and that was all that mattered.

It has been a little over 4 years since the reversal, we still do not have a baby, but we do have contentment and the peace of mind and no regrets, we have done the right thing. We have determined to use our experience to encourage those that the Lord puts in our path to not use birth control or seek permanent birth control. We have a book we share with couples called “A Full Quiver, Family Planning and the Lordship of Christ” by Rick and Jan Hess. We have loaned this book out to many couples. The result has been wonderful. We feel that the Lord has used us to help saved some couples from making the same mistake we had made.

Both my husband and I are 39 years of age and I have some health issues, which may be preventing me to become pregnant. But we also believe it is entirely up to the Lord. It was never easy for me to become pregnant in the past and I do have a history of miscarriages. However we do continue to pray to the Lord that He would bless us with another child some day soon. We are however perfectly content with the idea that the Lord may of only wanted our obedience in this matter and He has given us peace.

We personally know 8 couples who have had vasectomy reversals in our area, us making nine. Out of us nine couples who have had the reversals only two have been successful. We pray to the Lord for the other couples in that the Lord will give them peace and contentment. We also want to encourage every couple out there who is considering a reversal to go forward and do it. The peace in that you have been obedient to the Lord is worth it, in and of it self.

Bless you, Mr. Phillips for encouraging couples to be fruitful and multiply and putting this area of their lives under the Lordship of Christ. I haven’t read the book you are now selling “Be Fruitful and Multiply” by Nancy Campbell. I am sure it is wonderful and I will be ordering it ASAP to add to our library so that my husband and I can continue to minister in encouraging couples to put their reproductive lives into the hands of the Lord. The more resources on this issue, the better! Blessings, Mrs.K

Response to ‘Be Fruitful and Multiply’

Dear Vision Forum

This is too incredibly cool! I have read a number of articles about God’s vision for families and had already noticed myself in studying the book of Genesis that it is the LORD God who is the opener and closer of the womb, ergo, we don’t need birth control. I am thoroughly enjoying reading Mrs Colin Campbell’s book, “Be Fruitful & Multiply” which I recently purchased via VF. After reading chapter 6, “Build the Home and Leave a Legacy,” my own vision for building a dynasty of godly seed for the Lord is renewed and strengthened. You have to know I am a 39 year childless widow, but the Lord has already given me great reassurances in this area that I will be having children in various manners and not to worry about the hows and wherefores - step-children through remarriage likely to a widower with children, biological children, and adopted (after all, WE are adopted into God’s family! :D).

Well, I have been ruminating on this chapter and had already chewed on the verse from Ruth about how Rachel and Leah did BUILD the house of Israel (Ruth 4:11). And the Lord led me to WONDER then about the connection to the HOUSE of the LORD and the many MANSIONS to which are referred in John 14:2. I have traditionally understood this verse to mean the building and dwelling place. Then I did a word study on HOUSE (oikia) and MANSION (mone). Oikia does have a secondary meaning b) the inmates of a house, the family, also with generations of persons. Its root word, oikos, has these family-focused meanings. 2) the inmates of a house, all the persons forming one FAMILY, a household
3) stock, a race/tribe, family, DESCENDANTS of one:D I am so excited about this! Part of what Jesus is doing while in Heaven is BUILDING multigenerational FAMILIES which will dwell together in Heaven! And He wants MANY of these MANSIONS!

The Hebrew word they cite at blueletterbible.com which relates to Oikia is Kalibbow which is used in 1Sa 25:3 to designate one’s LINEAGE - from the HOUSE (tribe) of Caleb. I suspect there is more about lineage here, but I don’t readily have the tools to break down the Hebrew word and examine its subcomponents.

I keep thinking of Doug Phillips’ lectures on multigenerational families and thought THIS was a marvelous connection. I am still goggling over the multilayered meanings and subtleties of meanings in the Lord’s Word about BUILDING nations, cities, dwellings, and the Tabernacle. These are all richly nuanced with God’s mighty vision of multigeneration families/dynasties/tribes whom will all ultimately dwell together in Heaven with Him. God bless! Mrs A.B