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I can't think of it as addressed directly. But there is an instance in the OT where Tamar's husband would not perform his husbandly duties and the consequences were pretty severe. He was engaging in sex while preventing her from conceiving. There was a lot of awful things going on in Judah's family at this time so I don't think we can really use that example as instructive for us today; but some may disagree.
Overall, the Bible teaches that God has a very high regard for all human life...even those embodied in microscopic bodies. Our God-given blessing of having the ability to make another person is awesome and we need to consider it carefully.
Personally, I don't think it's a sin to prevent conception as long as it doesn't harm a fertilized egg. Others will disagree and say that God intends sex for only procreation...yet many couples are unable to financially and emotionally support 12 or so children.
Overall, the Bible teaches that God has a very high regard for all human life...even those embodied in microscopic bodies. Our God-given blessing of having the ability to make another person is awesome and we need to consider it carefully.
Personally, I don't think it's a sin to prevent conception as long as it doesn't harm a fertilized egg. Others will disagree and say that God intends sex for only procreation...yet many couples are unable to financially and emotionally support 12 or so children.
S
I used birth control pills for 10 years before I got married and we decided to have a baby. I personally don't think that method of contraception is particularly good for a woman, but now we use another method because I am not in good health. I have gotten worse after each pregnancy. I know those who are Catholic or Russian Orthodox and they believe in having as many children as God blesses them with. That is great for them. I personally know it would be a strain on our marriage to have more children (we have 3 now) and terrible for my health, but we have also not decided that we are done. I have thought about this very thing many times. I feel that as long as a method of BC is not removing a fertilized egg, then you are not doing any harm or destroying life. As fertile as I am, we would have 9 children by now and I would be in a mental institution. LOL. Not everyone is cut out to raise a family that large. Just my opinion, and I'm sure there are many who disagree. Like many issues, I say pray about it and follow your conscience.
i went on birth control for a few months after having my daughter.. i now have pcos.. polycystic ovarian syndrome. i did not have this while i was pregnant with my daughter... i often wonder if birth control pills can cause more harm than good. i had a very hard pregnancy with her and miscarriages prior to conceiving her... i am DONE with the pill.
As far as I can tell, contraception is not a bad thing, unless it affects your health in a negative manner or kills a fertilized egg. God doesn't say that you absolutely have to have this many children or that many, He simply states that children are a gift and to have many is a beautiful thing.
You should also consider that God formed us, so He can do anything and He loves everyone. If His plan is that you have more children, then He will make it so, contraception or not. If a woman can't have children and it's in His plan that she have children, He will make it possible, be it through a miracle in her own womb or an adoption. He still loves his daughters, be they barren or no. <3
You should also consider that God formed us, so He can do anything and He loves everyone. If His plan is that you have more children, then He will make it so, contraception or not. If a woman can't have children and it's in His plan that she have children, He will make it possible, be it through a miracle in her own womb or an adoption. He still loves his daughters, be they barren or no. <3
B
I CONSTANTLY ask myself this question - only because it isn't Strictly mentioned in the Bible. However, the objective of only having sex for procreation isn't strictly mentioned in the Bible as well.
There's much more reason to think that sex is Not only for procreation rather than it is. Here's some pointers -
#1. Deuteronomy KJV - "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."
NIV -
"Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you."
And Proverbs 30:6 -
KJV -
"Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
NIV -
"Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar."
Automatically, you cannot say that sex is Only for procreation or that it's Only for pleasure or that it's Only for Both. The Bible Never states any of those things and you can not add to his word.
#2: Hebrews 13:4 - "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
God will honor those in marriage, but judge those who indulge in sexual sins - such as fornication and adultery (sex for no procreation is Not ever mentioned as a sin).
#3. Leviticus 15:16-18 states (KJV) : "And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even. And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even. The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even."
"The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation" states that regardless of if the seed impregnates her or not (possibly due to contraception or infertility) that the two will still remain "unclean" according to the Old testament.
#4. The possibility of Childless Widows -
1 Timothy 5:3-4 KJV:
"Honor widows that are widows indeed. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God."
NIV:
"Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God."
If a widow has any children, grandchildren or nephews, they should take care of her.
The "If" is a possibility that the widow lost her children or a child due to death (Common sense, the chances of more than one child dying before she does is very rare, so most likely if that were the case, she has only had one), has not decided to bear children yet or is infertile. Most likely, her child (or children) died as well as her husband or she was waiting at the appropriate time to have children.
Some may claim that they're not children if they're married and / or an adult - However, that doesn't mean that they're no longer Her (as in, the widow's) children. They're still related to her and she gave birth to them - therefore, they are still her "children".
1 Timothy 5:5 states:
"Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day."
NIV:
"The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help."
1 - She would not be in need if at least One of her children would still be alive - regardless of if they're actually child aged or not.
2. If she did indeed have children - regardless of if they're actually child aged or not, then she would not be considered "Desolate" or "Truly alone".
Also, common sense provided while reading the bible shows that Very quickly after the agreement of marriage between husband and wife, they consummate in their marriage.
"Finally Jacob said to Laban, 'Give me my wife, for my time of service is up. I want to have marital relations with her.'"
The chances of the couple waiting to have marital relations strictly just to have children are Very low. Not only does marital relations have the possibility of making the wife pregnant, but the main idea of marital relations are how the husband and wife unite.
1 Corinthians 6:16 - "Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh."
#5. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 - "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."
To avoid Fornication - let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Not if a couple were to have children or if a couple were actually in love (which is recommended of course..) but to Avoid Fornication, regardless of if they were intending to procreate or not, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
1 Corinthians 7:5 - "Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."
Still, no strict meaning of procreation is mentioned. Actually, within the whole Corinthians 7 chapter - there's no strict rule for a married couple to have sex only to procreate.
#6. Isaac and Rebekah's situation -
Isaac prayed to the lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. So the Lord blessed Rebekah with twins, Jacob and Esau. While she was giving birth,
(Genesis 25:22)
"..the children struggled inside her, and she said, 'If it is going to be like this, I’m not so sure I want to be pregnant!'"
The Bible never mentions if God closed her womb up or not, but Isaac and Rebekah Never had anymore kids. The chances of the two no longer having martial relations are very low.
Genesis 26:8 states - "After Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines happened to look out a window and observed Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah."
Rebekah did clearly state that she "wasn't so sure" that she wanted to be pregnant anymore, not that she wanted to stop having martial relations with her husband Isaac. I personally doubt that they didn't do anything else other than just caressing each other, especially since Isaac died at 180, 120 years after Jacob and Esau were born.
#7. Song Of Solomon
I'm going to be honest - when reading this, I hardly understand it. :/ However, I know that it involves the love between a couple (who's most likely married). I also know that many of the spices are Not good towards pregnancy. In other words, these spices are pretty much considered an ancient form of birth control -
Spices and Herbs Mentioned in the Song of Solomon:
Aloe (Sandalwood) (Aloe professional information from Drugs.com)
Calamus (Calamus professional information from Drugs.com)
Cedarwood (Cedarwood Oil | Cedarwood Essential Oil)
Myrrh (Myrrh professional information from Drugs.com)
Saffron (Saffron professional information from Drugs.com)
Spikenard (What Is Spikenard Oil? (with picture))
Cinnamon and Frankincense are the only two spices (or herb..if Frankincense is an herb instead of a spice) mentioned in the Song of Solomon that have no adverse effects on pregnancy or make it more difficult for a woman to concieve. Frankincese may Possibly be okay, but most likely it isn't since more websites claim that it harms pregnancy than help it / not effect it at all.
Other spices and herbs mentioned in the Bible are
Onycha (Not known for bad or good when it comes to pregnancy or getting pregnant), Galbanum (Pregnant women are better off not using it, but they can use a limited amount of it), Cypress (considered okay during pregnancy), Hyssop (Not recommended - Hyssop professional information from Drugs.com), Myrtle (Not recommended to take medically), Cistus (Not recommended)
I personally don't think that the couple in the Song of Solomon were just using those herbs for any other reason, besides the scents. Myrrh is very well known as an emmenagogue and abortifacient.
Also, the Song of Solomon does not mention the meaning of procreation in any way.
Those are Seven pointers that come from the Bible that indicate that sex is Not Only for procreation. Here are more pointers that may be biblically related, but come from an even more common sense point of view.
#1. Levitcus Rules:
Here are many rules when it comes to sexual relations during the Old testament:
Leviticus 18 KJV - And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, - Bible Gateway
Leviticus 20 KJV - And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, - Bible Gateway
After the whole Onan situation involving contraception (so that he wouldn't give offspring to his brother), if the meaning of that passage was indeed that contraception was a sin, wouldn't that be stated within the Levitcus rules of sexual relations? After all, if one man - Onan, knew what caused a woman to become pregnant, many other men know this as well.
#2. Dogs?
Here's a scientific point of view (keep in mind, I'm just stating facts - not literally Trying to be graphic)..
When a male and female dog mate, they become locked together. This is called a Tie.
A tie is a natural phenomenon of dog breeding in which the bulbus glandis of the male's penis swells inside the female dog's vagina. The dogs are virtually Locked together for 15-30 minutes, during which time ejaculation has taken place. This is strictly for reproduction / procreation between the two dogs.
So how is this according to dogs, but not for Humans? If sex was Only for procreation towards humans, how come a couple does not go into a Tie phenomenon after the man has ejaculated? How come the couple has the Ability to use a contraception method regardless if they're using a condom or not?
#3 Other animals?
It's known that female Woolly Spider Monkeys from Brazil appear to intentionally consume certain plants that affect fertility.
Foods reduce or enhance fertility: woolly spider monkey - Ask Nature - the Biomimicry Design Portal: biomimetics, architecture, biology, innovation inspired by nature, industrial design
So if sex was only to procreate, why are there plants that contain estrogen that reduce the effectiveness of fertility in existence? If sex was only meant for procreation, how come animals, such as the Woolly Spider Monkey, assume that eating such plants will help lower their fertility rate?
---
With all of that stated, I believe that sex is not Only for Procreation, not Only for Pleasure and not Only for both. It depends on the couple, and it is believed that it also depends on their motive in life. Here's a christian website that explains it (however, I honestly don't quite agree with them with it comes to other situations - but this still helps).
What does the Bible say about birth control / contraceptives? Should Christians use birth control?
Is it wrong for a married couple to have sex just for pleasure?
There's much more reason to think that sex is Not only for procreation rather than it is. Here's some pointers -
#1. Deuteronomy KJV - "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."
NIV -
"Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you."
And Proverbs 30:6 -
KJV -
"Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
NIV -
"Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar."
Automatically, you cannot say that sex is Only for procreation or that it's Only for pleasure or that it's Only for Both. The Bible Never states any of those things and you can not add to his word.
#2: Hebrews 13:4 - "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
God will honor those in marriage, but judge those who indulge in sexual sins - such as fornication and adultery (sex for no procreation is Not ever mentioned as a sin).
#3. Leviticus 15:16-18 states (KJV) : "And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even. And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even. The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even."
"The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation" states that regardless of if the seed impregnates her or not (possibly due to contraception or infertility) that the two will still remain "unclean" according to the Old testament.
#4. The possibility of Childless Widows -
1 Timothy 5:3-4 KJV:
"Honor widows that are widows indeed. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God."
NIV:
"Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God."
If a widow has any children, grandchildren or nephews, they should take care of her.
The "If" is a possibility that the widow lost her children or a child due to death (Common sense, the chances of more than one child dying before she does is very rare, so most likely if that were the case, she has only had one), has not decided to bear children yet or is infertile. Most likely, her child (or children) died as well as her husband or she was waiting at the appropriate time to have children.
Some may claim that they're not children if they're married and / or an adult - However, that doesn't mean that they're no longer Her (as in, the widow's) children. They're still related to her and she gave birth to them - therefore, they are still her "children".
1 Timothy 5:5 states:
"Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day."
NIV:
"The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help."
1 - She would not be in need if at least One of her children would still be alive - regardless of if they're actually child aged or not.
2. If she did indeed have children - regardless of if they're actually child aged or not, then she would not be considered "Desolate" or "Truly alone".
Also, common sense provided while reading the bible shows that Very quickly after the agreement of marriage between husband and wife, they consummate in their marriage.
"Finally Jacob said to Laban, 'Give me my wife, for my time of service is up. I want to have marital relations with her.'"
The chances of the couple waiting to have marital relations strictly just to have children are Very low. Not only does marital relations have the possibility of making the wife pregnant, but the main idea of marital relations are how the husband and wife unite.
1 Corinthians 6:16 - "Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh."
#5. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 - "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."
To avoid Fornication - let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Not if a couple were to have children or if a couple were actually in love (which is recommended of course..) but to Avoid Fornication, regardless of if they were intending to procreate or not, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
1 Corinthians 7:5 - "Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."
Still, no strict meaning of procreation is mentioned. Actually, within the whole Corinthians 7 chapter - there's no strict rule for a married couple to have sex only to procreate.
#6. Isaac and Rebekah's situation -
Isaac prayed to the lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. So the Lord blessed Rebekah with twins, Jacob and Esau. While she was giving birth,
(Genesis 25:22)
"..the children struggled inside her, and she said, 'If it is going to be like this, I’m not so sure I want to be pregnant!'"
The Bible never mentions if God closed her womb up or not, but Isaac and Rebekah Never had anymore kids. The chances of the two no longer having martial relations are very low.
Genesis 26:8 states - "After Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines happened to look out a window and observed Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah."
Rebekah did clearly state that she "wasn't so sure" that she wanted to be pregnant anymore, not that she wanted to stop having martial relations with her husband Isaac. I personally doubt that they didn't do anything else other than just caressing each other, especially since Isaac died at 180, 120 years after Jacob and Esau were born.
#7. Song Of Solomon
I'm going to be honest - when reading this, I hardly understand it. :/ However, I know that it involves the love between a couple (who's most likely married). I also know that many of the spices are Not good towards pregnancy. In other words, these spices are pretty much considered an ancient form of birth control -
Spices and Herbs Mentioned in the Song of Solomon:
Aloe (Sandalwood) (Aloe professional information from Drugs.com)
Calamus (Calamus professional information from Drugs.com)
Cedarwood (Cedarwood Oil | Cedarwood Essential Oil)
Myrrh (Myrrh professional information from Drugs.com)
Saffron (Saffron professional information from Drugs.com)
Spikenard (What Is Spikenard Oil? (with picture))
Cinnamon and Frankincense are the only two spices (or herb..if Frankincense is an herb instead of a spice) mentioned in the Song of Solomon that have no adverse effects on pregnancy or make it more difficult for a woman to concieve. Frankincese may Possibly be okay, but most likely it isn't since more websites claim that it harms pregnancy than help it / not effect it at all.
Other spices and herbs mentioned in the Bible are
Onycha (Not known for bad or good when it comes to pregnancy or getting pregnant), Galbanum (Pregnant women are better off not using it, but they can use a limited amount of it), Cypress (considered okay during pregnancy), Hyssop (Not recommended - Hyssop professional information from Drugs.com), Myrtle (Not recommended to take medically), Cistus (Not recommended)
I personally don't think that the couple in the Song of Solomon were just using those herbs for any other reason, besides the scents. Myrrh is very well known as an emmenagogue and abortifacient.
Also, the Song of Solomon does not mention the meaning of procreation in any way.
Those are Seven pointers that come from the Bible that indicate that sex is Not Only for procreation. Here are more pointers that may be biblically related, but come from an even more common sense point of view.
#1. Levitcus Rules:
Here are many rules when it comes to sexual relations during the Old testament:
Leviticus 18 KJV - And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, - Bible Gateway
Leviticus 20 KJV - And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, - Bible Gateway
After the whole Onan situation involving contraception (so that he wouldn't give offspring to his brother), if the meaning of that passage was indeed that contraception was a sin, wouldn't that be stated within the Levitcus rules of sexual relations? After all, if one man - Onan, knew what caused a woman to become pregnant, many other men know this as well.
#2. Dogs?
Here's a scientific point of view (keep in mind, I'm just stating facts - not literally Trying to be graphic)..
When a male and female dog mate, they become locked together. This is called a Tie.
A tie is a natural phenomenon of dog breeding in which the bulbus glandis of the male's penis swells inside the female dog's vagina. The dogs are virtually Locked together for 15-30 minutes, during which time ejaculation has taken place. This is strictly for reproduction / procreation between the two dogs.
So how is this according to dogs, but not for Humans? If sex was Only for procreation towards humans, how come a couple does not go into a Tie phenomenon after the man has ejaculated? How come the couple has the Ability to use a contraception method regardless if they're using a condom or not?
#3 Other animals?
It's known that female Woolly Spider Monkeys from Brazil appear to intentionally consume certain plants that affect fertility.
Foods reduce or enhance fertility: woolly spider monkey - Ask Nature - the Biomimicry Design Portal: biomimetics, architecture, biology, innovation inspired by nature, industrial design
So if sex was only to procreate, why are there plants that contain estrogen that reduce the effectiveness of fertility in existence? If sex was only meant for procreation, how come animals, such as the Woolly Spider Monkey, assume that eating such plants will help lower their fertility rate?
---
With all of that stated, I believe that sex is not Only for Procreation, not Only for Pleasure and not Only for both. It depends on the couple, and it is believed that it also depends on their motive in life. Here's a christian website that explains it (however, I honestly don't quite agree with them with it comes to other situations - but this still helps).
What does the Bible say about birth control / contraceptives? Should Christians use birth control?
Is it wrong for a married couple to have sex just for pleasure?
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B
*when..not with.
Also, if sex were only for procreation, that would mean that women who are born without the ability to conceive or women who have illnesses that severely hinder their ability to bear a child / cause a serious risk to her if she were to bear a child (or even men who cannot produce enough sperm) will automatically not be able to have sex with their partner - meaning they can not even unite as one.
I actually have to take medication that makes me infertile while I take it in order for me to have a higher chance of having less fertility problems and other health concerns in the future. The only way I can have a child (without risking birth defects from my meds) would be to stop taking the medicine and focus strictly on conceiving. That would mean that I would technically be one of those people that would automatically not be able to have sex and unite as one with a married partner if sex was only to procreate.
Also, in the Bible, you never read about a married couple being chaste from each other when they do not want children. If that were the case, this would be mentioned often + it probably would've been mentioned within the situation of Isaac and Rebecca since they did not have any more kids within the 120 years after Jacob and Esau were born.
Also, if sex were only for procreation, that would mean that women who are born without the ability to conceive or women who have illnesses that severely hinder their ability to bear a child / cause a serious risk to her if she were to bear a child (or even men who cannot produce enough sperm) will automatically not be able to have sex with their partner - meaning they can not even unite as one.
I actually have to take medication that makes me infertile while I take it in order for me to have a higher chance of having less fertility problems and other health concerns in the future. The only way I can have a child (without risking birth defects from my meds) would be to stop taking the medicine and focus strictly on conceiving. That would mean that I would technically be one of those people that would automatically not be able to have sex and unite as one with a married partner if sex was only to procreate.
Also, in the Bible, you never read about a married couple being chaste from each other when they do not want children. If that were the case, this would be mentioned often + it probably would've been mentioned within the situation of Isaac and Rebecca since they did not have any more kids within the 120 years after Jacob and Esau were born.
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