Are Christian Couples Required to Have Kids?

Summary

In this podcast, Pastor John responds to a listener’s question about whether it is permissible for Christian couples to choose not to have children. He emphasizes that having children is a biblical blessing and a natural part of God's plan for humanity, despite modern cultural trends that often prioritize avoiding hardship. Pastor John explains that concerns like climate change or financial strain shouldn't overshadow the deeper, God-given calling to have children and raise them in faith. He encourages believers to reflect on biblical teachings and personal convictions rather than worldly pressures when making decisions about family life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The biblical view of having children is that it is a blessing and a gift from God, not merely a choice based on personal preference or convenience.
• 😀 The idea of 'simply choosing' not to have children ignores the deep emotional, cultural, and theological realities that shape such decisions.
• 😀 God’s command for couples to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28) reflects the normal, natural order of life and the divine plan for families.
• 😀 While parenting can bring hardship, the Bible does not prioritize avoiding suffering but encourages enduring it as part of God's calling.
• 😀 The Bible acknowledges the difficulties of family life, such as heartbreak and betrayal (e.g., David's grief over Absalom), but still affirms that raising children is part of God's good plan.
• 😀 Modern concerns about climate change or personal hardship shouldn't be the driving factors in deciding whether or not to have children, as God's plan transcends these worldly fears.
• 😀 No one can predict whether a child will be a 'debit' or a 'credit' to society, and such predictions are beyond our ability, making it unwise to base childlessness on them.
• 😀 Parenting requires significant sacrifice—financial, emotional, and spiritual—but these challenges are presented as opportunities for growth, sacrifice, and service, according to biblical principles.
• 😀 The decision to have children for most couples is motivated by a God-given longing to be parents, rather than calculated considerations of global warming or societal issues.
• 😀 The Bible does not encourage making decisions about children based on global or environmental factors but encourages a view of children as part of God's sovereign plan for His glory and the good of His people.

Q & A

Why is it significant that the Bible encourages married couples to have children?

The Bible views children as a blessing and a gift from God, as seen in Genesis 1:28 and Psalm 127. Having children is seen as part of God's plan from creation, emphasizing the natural and normative role of raising children within a marriage.

What does Pastor John mean when he says there is no such thing as 'simply choosing' to not have children?

Pastor John argues that the decision to not have children is always influenced by deep-seated realities, including personal desires, fears, and experiences. There is no 'simple' or neutral decision because our choices are shaped by the heart.

What does the Bible say about the potential struggles of raising children?

While the Bible recognizes the challenges and hardships that come with raising children, it does not suggest avoiding them. Instead, it teaches that through difficulties, we can grow in faith, and that children are ultimately a blessing despite the possible struggles they may bring.

How does the Bible's view of life contrast with modern attitudes towards hardship?

The Bible does not prioritize avoiding hardship, unlike modern perspectives that often see life's goal as minimizing suffering. Instead, the Bible teaches that tribulations lead to spiritual growth and that self-sacrifice and giving are blessings, not burdens.

Why is it problematic to use climate change or other global concerns as a reason to avoid having children?

Pastor John explains that it is not possible to predict whether a child will have a positive or negative impact on the world. The idea that one should refrain from having children due to concerns like climate change assumes control over factors that only God can foresee, and overlooks the potential blessings a child can bring.

What does the Bible teach about the role of parents in raising children?

The Bible emphasizes that parents have a responsibility to raise children with spiritual focus, love, and care. This includes both the demands of attention and financial resources, as well as the deeper commitment to raising children in the faith and for God’s glory.

What does Pastor John mean by saying that childlessness is not a 'self-denying path of Christ-exalting obedience' unless God makes it clear?

Pastor John argues that childlessness should not be chosen as a means of avoiding responsibility or hardship. Instead, it should be a decision rooted in God's specific calling. If God directs a couple to remain childless for His purposes, that is a different matter.

What is the connection between having children and the glory of God in the Bible?

Children are seen as instruments to glorify God. By raising children according to God’s design, parents reflect His image and carry out His plan for creation. This is tied to God’s overarching purpose to display His glory in all aspects of life, including family.

How does the Bible portray the relationship between parents and their children in terms of generational blessings?

The Bible consistently portrays children as a generational blessing. Proverbs 17:6 highlights that grandchildren are a crown to the aged, and Psalm 127 speaks of children as a heritage from the Lord, reinforcing the idea that raising children is part of God's blessing across generations.

What is the biblical perspective on whether people should 'plan' or 'calculate' having children based on global or economic factors?

Pastor John asserts that the Bible does not encourage making decisions about having children based on worldly factors like global warming or economic stability. Instead, children should be welcomed as blessings, with trust in God’s provision and plan for their lives.