I love to read books but I find that it is much easier to read magazines. They fit into my busy lifestyle by offering information in short bits of time. A friend gave me some magazines to read that I have really appreciated. They portray the family in a beautiful way and encourage young parents to raise a lot of children for the glory of God. As much as I have enjoyed reading these articles, I am a little concerned about some people trying to pass off their opinion as a command from God. The Word does give us some mandates on raising children. Though Christians should be raising children who are taught the Word of God, Scripture gives us some freedoms. There are many godly families who don't have ten or twelve children and can serve the Lord in an amazing way and contribute much to our society. Don't get wrong, I am all for large families and there is nothing sweeter than to see a mother nursing her baby. I just want us all to be careful. Because we prefer something very good, does not make it a decree for everyone else.
We must be thoughtful not to portray our opinions as Biblical mandate.
4 comments:
Absolutely on the mark, Lori! I was very disappointed when our state homeschool newsletter published an article basically stating that anyone who did not homeschool was in sin. Also, a friend who had in years past tried to persuade those around her that being a stay-at-home mom and homeschooling is God's only plan for every woman now finds herself having to work and putting her son in school. She is now wracked with guilt and resentment, rather than finding joy in where God has placed her for this season.
As one who has a bent toward legalism, I battle with such things myself. I find it's much easier than dealing with my heart.
Thanks for pointing this out!
Suzanne
Thanks for your comments. There are so many areas in our Christian society that lend themselves to legalism. Issues like the number of children you have, how you deliver, and whether or not you breast feed are just a few other things that seem to loom large before us. Setting un-biblical standards for ourselves and others tends to come back to haunt us all.
Hi Lori,
I hope that you will help to clarify a few things for me. When you said, "Because we prefer something very good, does not make it a decree for everyone else." This is true for some things, but when you are talking about large families it is not. People who have lots of children usually do it not because they prefer it, but because the Scriptures say "to be fruitful and multiply". They trust God in this area and accept each blessing He gives them. Yes, some people look down on others for not doing the same, but this is not always the case.
Also, what did you mean by this," Setting un-biblical standards for ourselves and others tends to come back to haunt us all." Right before, you were talking about natural childbirth and breastfeeding. Are those things un-biblical? I'm just trying to get an understanding of what you were saying here. I believe that in the beginning, women delivered naturally and then breastfed their babies, because that is the way God provided. It is what He wanted. I believe this is the best way still today.
Please respond and help me and possibly others to understand better. I hope you know that it is in love that I write this.
Jennifer :-)
When Scripture says, “Be fruitful and multiply” does that mean we must try to have as many children as we possibly can? I don’t know. I do know we are to be fruitful and bear children if God provides. When families do not have large numbers of children there seems to be an opinion, by some, that they may not be following God’s will. I do believe Christians should delight in having as many children as God provides and training them to live godly lives before the world.
I don’t think natural childbirth and breast feeding are un-biblical. Quite the opposite. They are what God provided for Eve and are wonderful blessings for many today. The problem is when that is set forth as the only way… there are inconsistencies. If we don’t use medical methods that God has provided for helping with childbirth, then we shouldn’t use those methods for any thing else. God had not given wisdom to men to heal many diseases at that time. Does that mean we should not use medicine and doctors today to heal disease?
Also, there were lots of women in biblical times who were nurse maids. They kept milk going specifically to help those mothers who couldn’t breast feed. We don’t know why other women do not always nurse their babies. We can’t set forth that it is scriptural for them to do so.
The point of this article is that Scripture speaks clearly on some issues. But some it does not. We can not say it is God’s command for all women to deliver naturally and breast feed. We are required to believe all that Scripture teaches on any given subject. We are not required to believe or do anything that Scripture does not establish. We are free to do what Scripture does not forbid (using the law of wisdom). In all things we must be charitable especially in areas where the Scripture is not explicit.
Thank you for your remarks that I found helpful to challenge my thinking. I receive your remarks in love and appreciate your responses.
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