LCMS - what is the Church's stand on birth control?

[vle045]

This seems to be a huge hot button topic with RCC. They only promote Natural Family Planning. Any other form is evil and if you knowingly do it, you are told you will basically burn in hell.

Seems kind of harsh to me. Especially hearing from those who sincerely try it and end up with more kids than they can afford and a marriage that is in trouble from the restrictions it places on you.

Is there a similar stance in LCMS???????

[DaRev]

This seems to be a huge hot button topic with RCC. They only promote Natural Family Planning. Any other form is evil and if you knowingly do it, you are told you will basically burn in hell.

Seems kind of harsh to me. Especially hearing from those who sincerely try it and end up with more kids than they can afford and a marriage that is in trouble from the restrictions it places on you.

Is there a similar stance in LCMS???????

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2122

[CaliforniaJosiah]

This seems to be a huge hot button topic with RCC. They only promote Natural Family Planning. Any other form is evil and if you knowingly do it, you are told you will basically burn in hell.

Seems kind of harsh to me. Especially hearing from those who sincerely try it and end up with more kids than they can afford and a marriage that is in trouble from the restrictions it places on you.

Is there a similar stance in LCMS???????


Here's the answer, from the LCMS website:


Q. What is the LCMS stance on voluntary contraception?

A. The LCMS does not have an official position on "voluntary contraception" or voluntary childlessness


You'll find that most Lutherans have an OPINION on everything from beer to UFO's and it's possible you'll met a Lutheran pastor who has an opinion on this (one way or the other), but there is no official LCMS position on this issue.

ONE of the things I very much appreciate about Lutherans is thier willingness to shut up (OFFICIALLY anyway, LOL)...



.

[vle045]

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2122
OK, thanks for the link... I DID read that... you probably gave it to me in another thread and I forgot.

So I would guess that there is not much chatter about it being "wrong" when used within a responsible context... such as a married couple that does not want to have a dozen kids that they can not afford to properly care for...

... and that other Lutherans don't go around pointing fingers and say that artificial birth control is evil and that you will burn in hell for not being "open to life"...

It seems to be a firestorm with the Catholics.

As if somehow birth control is just as evil as rape or murder.

[LutheranChick]

I realize you asked specifically about LCMS, but as WELS is confessional as well, here is another explanation - again, not an 'official' church position, but in answer to a question:
http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuTopic_topicID=27&cuItem_itemID=11270

[vle045]

I realize you asked specifically about LCMS, but as WELS is confessional as well, here is another explanation - again, not an 'official' church position, but in answer to a question:
http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuTopic_topicID=27&cuItem_itemID=11270
Thank you. I love that answer. It is fair and compassionate to people, IMO.

[Lupinus]

As said the LCMS doesn't have a big one way or the other type answer of it's perfectly ok or it's sinful. But I'll give my opinion.

I am fine with birth control. And much as Romans would love to say they only use natural family planning because birth control try's to control Gods will? To that I have to ask...huh? Doesn't matter how you try and prevent pregnancy, trying to prevent it is the same regardless of if it is done chemically or by looking at a calendar.

Gods will WILL be done, and I think those who say a sheer piece of latex or the chemicals of a pill can trump God's will need to reexamine what they are saying, cause they either don't believe what they say and are lying or they are severely lacking in faith.

God has often used physical means to support our physical being. God had the power to make the Israelites not hunger or need food, instead he gave them manna. God could easily simply cure us of our illnesses, instead he blesses us with medicines so that doctors may treat us according to his will. Now I am not saying BC is on par with mana, BUT, we are physical beings and God often provides us with physical means to have his will carried out. God is capable of doing it all spiritually, but he chooses not to. Hence, we have medical treatments in general and, more specific to the discussion, birth control. Least that's my view.

[Aibrean]

Well I have a condition to where it's treated with BC pills and if I were to try having kids I can't tell if I would be pregnant without a pregnancy test.

Not going into detail for the sake of the men.

[RandomLayman]

There is a minority in the LCMS that consider Birth Control a sin. I know a relatively small number of Missouri Synod Lutherans that believe this way, including myself. However, before the 1950's, it was nearly the unanimous view. Some in the WELS & ELS also believe it is a sin.

This subject has been debated a lot on LutherQuest, so I will post the links to some of the debates and some old Lutheran Witness articles concerning the subject:

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/41700 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44701 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/32884/32879 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44748 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44699 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/49356/49347 . html

Also see the "Lutherans and Contraception" Blog:

lutheransandcontraception.blogspot . com/

[RadMan]

If you're an LQ member then this should get interesting. :) I belong also but don't post very often. Welcome to our board.

[DaRev]

Friends don't let friends read LQ.

[DaSeminarian]

Friends don't let friends read LQ.


I would not even tell my enemies to read it if I had any enemies that is.:D

LQ is the epitome of bad Lutheran forums.

[vle045]

I would not even tell my enemies to read it if I had any enemies that is.:D

LQ is the epitome of bad Lutheran forums.
Really? Why is that? (I really don't know... never been there)

[RadMan]

Really? Why is that? (I really don't know... never been there)
It's a forum of some of the greatest Lutheran theologians and thinkers of our time. Filled with professional people like ministers, professors, university heads, historians, lawyers, doctors and educated laymen from all Lutheran Synods. Has a large majority of confessional/conservatives. Most of us here couldn't manage a coherent, intellectual discussion there. Including me. Many people here also won't go there because Jack Cascione started the forum.

[vle045]

Who is Jack Cascione ?

[RadMan]

Cascione and Herman Otten and many other Ultra conservative Lutherans are trying to get LCMS back to it's original confessional basis. Cascione and his congregation have withdrawn from the LCMS and Rev Otten never received received his accreditation from LCMS even though he graduated from St'Louis seminary. The rest of the Lutherans are sticking their heads in the sand hoping that President Kieshnick's liberal agenda will get better and they (most people on this board also) hope that if they just ignore all the problems they will go away. Massive deniability.

[CaliforniaJosiah]

Who is Jack Cascione ?


Lutherans take their theology pretty seriously and they hold each other accountable. As in all denominations, there are small fringes on each side and (SADLY) there can be absurd politics played in power struggles (usually with the best of intentions but the worst of actions). It happens in many congregations and it happens in all denominations. Sometimes these things actually rip congregations and denominations apart (ironcially, both extremes usually consider that a victory, lol).


The LCMS is a very conservative church body - not just in theology (where they are probably the most united large Protestant denomination in the USA) but in practice and policy (where they often squabble endlessly - often over issues that make everyone outside the LCMS and 90% of those inside wonder what in the world is the problem). Fortunately, this, too, seems to be on the fringes and the great majority of congregations are entirely unimpacted by it. For being a large, fairly old church body which such strong convictions and where accountability is so high, it is amazing that it's pretty much only found at the extreme edges.


Every three years, there is a denomination wide convention. EVERY congregation has an EQUAL vote (no matter how large or small) to elect a pastoral and a lay delegate (they are in EQUAL numbers at EVERY convention). Nothing could be more democratic or embracing. Everything but the Bible and the historic Lutheran Confessions is debatable. In the last one, Dr. Kieschnick was overwhelmingly re-elected (again). In fact, the convention was fairly solidly one of affirmation for the LCMS.


I understand that after every US presidential election, there are a few hundred Americans who take literally the "Love it or leave it" mentality - and they do leave (Costa Rica seems to be the "in" place to go to these days). They usually drift back.... I think it was Lincoln who said, "You can't please all of the people all of the time." I recall, not even Jesus could do that, LOL. That these conservative, passionate LCMS people - who embrace accountability so firmly - are so united and live together so well (as the last Convention last summer revealed once again) and have done so with no significant splits in nearly 200 years speaks well, I think. But those small minorities on the fringes will kick and complain and probably never be happy - and maybe that's good. I grew up in a denomination with a "whatever" attitude and a tiny fringe ended up taking it over and.... well, not a good thing, not at all. A lively, open debate is often a good thing. Conservative Lutherans are KNOWN for that - good or bad or whatever, LOL.


MY perspective.
Some will passionately disagree (welcome to community - ANY community - where two or three or more are gathered together).


PAX


- Josiah




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[DaRev]

Really? Why is that? (I really don't know... never been there)

Luther Quest is mainly a bunch of cry babies who can't carry on a decent discussion without resorting to name calling and childishness.

[RadMan]

Lutherans take their theology pretty seriously and they hold each other accountable. As in all denominations, there are small fringes on each side and (SADLY) there can be absurd politics played in power struggles (usually with the best of intentions but the worst of actions). It happens in many congregations and it happens in all denominations. Sometimes these things actually rip congregations and denominations apart (ironcially, both extremes usually consider that a victory, lol).


I see you have an extensive amount of experience and knowledge to draw all these conclusions from being 19 and all. I know you have a dad and gfather that is a pastor but that doesn't scratch the surface of the amount of information that is available to everyone out there if they would just research it out and find that the LCMS is heading for trouble. All your extensive words and many paragraphs doesn't obviate that fact. You can't counteract the conservatives just by writing as essay about it. Opinion don't mean anything. Facts do. That's all I'm saying about it since this OP is for information for a person seeking and not our personal agenda.

[vle045]

One thing that drives me nuts is a bunch of people that want to force their views on to others. That's what is frustrating me right now the RCC.

I don't mind sharing various opinions and a good discussion. But I hate when it turns into a match of I am right and you are wrong so you are a heretic... or whatever. It makes me tired and frustrated.

And especially with regard to things like birth control.

I am more of the "different strokes for different folks" type. Ya know, live and let live.

I think Church should be a place that lifts you up, gives you hope, encourages you in your faith, etc.

Not a place that tears you down and makes you feel like garbage stuck to the bottom of a shoe.

[CaliforniaJosiah]

I see you have an extensive amount of experience and knowledge to draw all these conclusions from being 19 and all.

Thank you. Your kind and embracing words are appreciated. It's good when we can discuss views rather than personalities or engage in flaming diversions. Just as no one would use your age as a disparaging aspect, so nor would any use mine. I'm sure we all appreciate that very much.



You can't counteract the conservatives just by writing as essay about it. Opinion don't mean anything. Facts do. That's all I'm saying about it since this OP is for information for a person seeking and not our personal agenda.

I don't think this thread is about the future of the LCMS. Nor was my post.

I don't have a personal agenda regarding the LCMS. Do you?

I think what I stated is true (if you want to discuss that issue, we certainly can - although you did not): many congregations and all denominations have their radical fringes that are often vocal and highly political. The LCMS is no different. The internet gives such a mode to preach their agenda and keep the heat up. I suspect that's true in our denomination, as well (don't know why it would be any different).

I just stated a fact. The LCMS is extremely open, with a very influential convention every three years at which every single congregation (large or small) has an equal voice - either directly as a delegate or indirectly by the selection of such. These delegates are EQUALLY lay and clergy. I know of no denomination so open and democratic. The last one re-elected President Kieschnick - again. On the first ballot, by a significant margin, if my memory is correct. From what I understand (and I was not a delegate), it was largely an affirmation of the direction of the LCMS. What I am CERTAIN about is that not everyone likes that and that some radicals that don't are certain the 'end is at hand' and some will even act on that "love it or leave it" mentality. Of that, I have no doubt. It's not unusual in congregations and it's a universal aspect of denominations.

I posted that I don't consider the loud voices of the radical fringes to be a negative, such can serve a congregation and denomination well as long as such acts in respect, humility and Christian love - and they know what "synod" means (it's not: "MY way or the highway"). That the LCMS gives them the a mic and a vote in a very open forum speaks highly for the LCMS.

I think the LCMS is some 170 years old (ancient by American Protestant denominational standards, LOL) and has never had a significant split, growing from a handful to over 1.5 million, becoming a denomination of which many outside the denomination regard with respect and esteem, IMHO, speaks well for her. But we tend to be a passionate, very conservative people, embracing accountability strongly. That we "walk together" so very, very well is something I affirm and appreciate - even though I realize a few won't and don't (it's okay).


Again, thank you for your kind respect and embrace. Perhaps, since this thread is about the LCMS's official synodical position on birth control, if you want to discuss political wars, radical fringes and/or the future of the LCMS, that can be taken to a separate thread???



Thank you!


May God richly bless you and those your love in Christ our Savior.


- Josiah





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[RadMan]

Here is a link for the concerns of the people on the "lunatic fringe". Maybe you would like to review these posts. There are some very valid points here

http://christianforums.com/t6206079-good-ol-lcms.html

[LutheranChick]

One thing that drives me nuts is a bunch of people that want to force their views on to others. That's what is frustrating me right now the RCC.

I don't mind sharing various opinions and a good discussion. But I hate when it turns into a match of I am right and you are wrong so you are a heretic... or whatever. It makes me tired and frustrated.

And especially with regard to things like birth control.

I am more of the "different strokes for different folks" type. Ya know, live and let live.

I think Church should be a place that lifts you up, gives you hope, encourages you in your faith, etc.

Not a place that tears you down and makes you feel like garbage stuck to the bottom of a shoe.

This is one of the many things I love about my Lutheran faith. We know that we are all sinnners and cannot possibly come to know the Lord on our own. Works do not get us anywhere near heaven, so we trust in and rely on Jesus's perfect life, death on the cross and resurrection. The law shows us our sins, and our need for Jesus. The Gospel tells what Jesus did for our salvation. We try to live a God-pleasing life out of thanks for what Jesus has done, not to earn our way into heaven.

My husband, an ex-Baptist, got away from the church as quickly as he could, as a youth, because of the 'fire and brimstone' he heard every Sunday. He hated sitting there being told what a lousy rotten sinner he was and if you didn't shape up you'd be sorry. He finds the Lutheran faith so refreshing - now he doesn't leave church feeling guilty!

[Eikon]

Friends don't let friends read LQ.

Is there another set of Lutheran forums even out there, or maybe a chat room?

[ByzantineDixie]

There is a minority in the LCMS that consider Birth Control a sin. I know a relatively small number of Missouri Synod Lutherans that believe this way, including myself. However, before the 1950's, it was nearly the unanimous view. Some in the WELS & ELS also believe it is a sin.

This subject has been debated a lot on LutherQuest, so I will post the links to some of the debates and some old Lutheran Witness articles concerning the subject:

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/41700 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44701 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/32884/32879 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44748 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44699 . html

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/49356/49347 . html

Also see the "Lutherans and Contraception" Blog:

lutheransandcontraception.blogspot . com/

I strongly urge young Lutherans to read and digest this materal regarding opposition to contraception. If you find the cat fights at LutherQuest too much for you to take (as I did) at least take a gander at the blog address. You may initially disagree with the position. But as we journey through life our perspective and point of view shift. Knowing this information now may help someone prevent a mistake he/she may later come to regret.

A lot of people (and I used to be one of them) do not see the difference between natural family planning and other birth control methods...and accordingly do not see NFP as submitting to God's plan for children. However, historically in the Church, fasting from sexual activity has been practiced, in order to imitate Christ's own behavior as well has to advance in the Christian disciplines. NFP is a form of fasting from sexual activity. It requires discipline. Of course, you may disagree with this notion but I think that is one way it can be viewed as different from artificial contraception.

I post this not to debate any Lutheran position here or even to defend NFP but in the hope that someone will read the alternate information and it might help prevent future heartache. Some decisions regarding contraception can be irreversable and some unintentionally so...from a few hormonal contraceptives which interfer with the woman's body making future conception (when desired) almost impossible to some forms of sterilization.

Thank you for your patience with me in this. I'll not post again in this thread unless invited.

[LilLamb219]

Luther Quest is mainly a bunch of cry babies who can't carry on a decent discussion without resorting to name calling and childishness.

Now, that's not fair :sigh:

There are many wonderful posters on LutherQuest!

[DaRev]

Now, that's not fair :sigh:

There are many wonderful posters on LutherQuest!

This is true, but the troublemakers that frequent the place ruin it.

[Tofferer]

I am "fixed". I don't see it as having any problems with my faith. However, if I were in the RCC, I would likely be condemned to Hell.

[maylor]

Hello all,

New CF member here and baby Lutheran too. My wife and I were confirmed (WELS) this year. Our fourth child is expected in July. My house is very small, 1200 sq. ft. and my income has remained stagnant for 3 years. Wife is stay at home mom, with son age 4, daughters ages 2 and 10 months. Wife gave me the name of a urologist (sp?) that accepts our insurance....she wants it permanent . I know WELS is fairly neutral on the issue. I do struggle with the morality of birth control. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and posting links. Givin' me more sides to the issue to ponder.

[MarkRohfrietsch]

This is a little personal:blush: and may be offensive to some viewers;)

Hello all,

New CF member here and baby Lutheran too. My wife and I were confirmed (WELS) this year. Our fourth child is expected in July. My house is very small, 1200 sq. ft. and my income has remained stagnant for 3 years. Wife is stay at home mom, with son age 4, daughters ages 2 and 10 months. Wife gave me the name of a urologist (sp?) that accepts our insurance....she wants it permanent . I know WELS is fairly neutral on the issue. I do struggle with the morality of birth control. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and posting links. Givin' me more sides to the issue to ponder.

My wife and I have always considered artificial birth control as a means of stewardship. As we grew a bit older the hormones were getting to be harder and harder on her system. We both despised the lowley condom, and did not trust NFP since her cycle was irregular from puberty. After discussing it we decided that a vasectomy for me was far less invasive and lower risk, than it would be for her to have her tubes tied. There was a few months off minor discomfort, but the unfettered intamacy that we now enjoy far outweighed any discomfort. Likewise for my wife, no more worry for her regarding pregnancy or hormone related risks, or mood swings related to the hormones. (Doctors don't tell you about these when the prescribe the pill).

I am "fixed". I don't see it as having any problems with my faith. However, if I were in the RCC, I would likely be condemned to Hell.:thumbsup:

That's the official position, but two RC Priests that I have known advised the use of birth control, also in the light of stewardship. They were good Christian men, and only viewed contraception as a sin when used as a licence to sin, or for selfish reasons.

Mark

[PreachersWife2004]

Hello all,

New CF member here and baby Lutheran too. My wife and I were confirmed (WELS) this year. Our fourth child is expected in July. My house is very small, 1200 sq. ft. and my income has remained stagnant for 3 years. Wife is stay at home mom, with son age 4, daughters ages 2 and 10 months. Wife gave me the name of a urologist (sp?) that accepts our insurance....she wants it permanent . I know WELS is fairly neutral on the issue. I do struggle with the morality of birth control. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and posting links. Givin' me more sides to the issue to ponder.

A lot of how the WELS feels about things depends on the motive behind them.

I'm in your boat. I have a 12 year old, two babies and one on the way. After this last baby is born, we are taking permanent steps ourselves because we realize that we just can't afford any more children. It is a responsible decision to make.

I'm married to a staunch WELS doctrine preacher-man, so if the WELS was against measures like this, he would be against them. He's even willing to get the procedure done instead of me, simply because he heard that there are many risks with the woman getting tied and fried.

[RadMan]

Words for promiscuous people.......................and crime offenders.

"If you can't do the time,
then don't do the crime"

[PreachersWife2004]

Words for promiscuous people.......................and crime offenders.

"If you can't do the time,
then don't do the crime"

Right.

I wish more schools talked about abstinence more, rather than showing kids the "right way" to have sex.

I learned how to put a condom on a cucumber in my public school sex ed class. The teacher wasn't ALLOWED to talk about abstinence because kids were gonna have sex anyway. But that might be a different thread all by itself!!

[LilLamb219]

Right.

I wish more schools talked about abstinence more, rather than showing kids the "right way" to have sex.

I learned how to put a condom on a cucumber in my public school sex ed class. The teacher wasn't ALLOWED to talk about abstinence because kids were gonna have sex anyway. But that might be a different thread all by itself!!


:swoon:

[RadMan]

A cucumber??? Was that a math class were they did multiplication? No---my bad. Subtraction. :D

[PreachersWife2004]

The joys of a public school education are boundless...

[LilLamb219]

I went to public school and we didn't have THAT!! We learned Sex Ed in Biology class so it was very clinical.

[vle045]

We didn't have that in our public school either. It was part of our biology class and there were no "demonstrations" of any artificial birth control. Just lists of STD's and lists of contraceptions. And the lists and descriptions of STDs were enough to freighten me.

[RandomLayman]

Hello all,

New CF member here and baby Lutheran too. My wife and I were confirmed (WELS) this year. Our fourth child is expected in July. My house is very small, 1200 sq. ft. and my income has remained stagnant for 3 years. Wife is stay at home mom, with son age 4, daughters ages 2 and 10 months. Wife gave me the name of a urologist (sp?) that accepts our insurance....she wants it permanent . I know WELS is fairly neutral on the issue. I do struggle with the morality of birth control. Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread and posting links. Givin' me more sides to the issue to ponder.
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)

If you are doubting that it is right, consider Paul's words here. Here he talks of of eating meat sacrificed to idols, but it's application is much broader. Basically, it says that if you doubt the morality of a deed, the deed is immoral and a sin for you, no matter whether it would still be a sin or not for a person who was not doubting the morality of the deed.

(I learned this from Franz Pieper's Christian Dogmatics.)

I believe that Birth Control is a sin for all people in all times, but even if I was wrong, it would still be a sin for you because of your doubt that it is moral.

[DaRev]

Back in the dark ages when I went to public school, we were taught sex ed but were also taught abstinence.
This just goes to show how far in the toilet our public schools have sunk in recent years.

[PreachersWife2004]

Back in the dark ages when I went to public school, we were taught sex ed but were also taught abstinence.
This just goes to show how far in the toilet our public schools have sunk in recent years.

Not even that recently, Rev. I graduated class of '92. That was, uh, 15 years ago.

[RandomLayman]

A lot of how the WELS feels about things depends on the motive behind them.

I'm in your boat. I have a 12 year old, two babies and one on the way. After this last baby is born, we are taking permanent steps ourselves because we realize that we just can't afford any more children. It is a responsible decision to make.

I'm married to a staunch WELS doctrine preacher-man, so if the WELS was against measures like this, he would be against them. He's even willing to get the procedure done instead of me, simply because he heard that there are many risks with the woman getting tied and fried.
The leaders of the WELS had a change in thought in contraception in the 1960's. However, before that, it was condemned as a sin:

This article is from the Lutheran Witness, June 26, 1917. It is a reprint from the WELS publication, the Northwestern Lutheran and is in the public domain.

Birth Control a Curse.

The world is stricken with reform madness. To the reformers of our time nothing is so sacred that it must not be tampered with. Institutions that have grown old with the world and are of divine origin must needs submit to the activity of the “reformer”; nor can God expect anything else: where He Himself has been “reformed” out of existence, His institutions can hardly expect to be spared. One of the reformers of to-day makes the following statement: “It now seems to many people that the time has come to take childbirth out of the realm of chance, that the birth of human beings is too important to be left to irresponsible nature.” How wide-spread the reform movement referred to has become may be understood when the reformers assert: “To-day men if high standing, scientists of international reputation, physicians, psychologists, political economists, sociologists, and literati advocate birth control as a counter-move against poverty and disease.”

Every Christian will readily perceive that this “reform” is a curse to the individual and the State. Dwelling on this point, a Roman Catholic writer says: “Duty and conscientiousness are to throw their mantle of protection over practices that tamper with the very fountains of life and defy the will of the Creator to the destruction of individual, family, and State as exemplified in the fall of pagan Rome.”

Church people are, however, not the only ones who are becoming alarmed at the activity of these reformers. The subject was discussed before a gathering of club-women at Chicago recently, and, addressing the club, Mrs. Leonora Z. Meder said the following:

“Birth control is making us a retrogressive people, returning to the days of Sodom and Gomorrah.” “Birth control is immoral, degrading, and stupid. It is a perversion of a natural faculty; it logically and inevitably leads to deliberate childless marriages; it does not attain its purpose of human welfare, and leads to luxurious vice, compared to which the suffering involved in rearing children is a blessing, indeed.

“It is better to improve the economic conditions of the poor than to attempt to remedy matters by decreasing the numbers.

“Statistics compiled in Chicago show that in almost every case where divorces were sought the applicants where either childless or had only one child.

“Theodore Roosevelt compiled these facts, showing that fertility and genius are compatible: Horace Walpole, one of nineteen children ; Benjamin Franklin, one of seventeen ; Peter the Great, one of fourteen ; Napoleon Bonaparte, one of thirteen ; Walter Scott, one of twelve ; Cooper, one of twelve ; Tennyson, one of twelve ; Washington, one of ten ; Webster, one of ten ; Cleveland, one of nine ; Dickens, one of eight ; Longfellow, one of eight ; Milton and Emerson, one of six.

“Genius is rarely found where there is one child. You have only to visit the asylums at Elgin, Kankakee, and Dunning to see the appalling ruin of mind and body brought on by the heinous practise of birth control. Eighty-five per cent. of the women in Chicago hospitals are ill as a direct or indirect result of the same practise.”

This article caused a debate on Lutherquest, which can be read in the following link:

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/41821/44701 . html

[DaRev]

Not even that recently, Rev. I graduated class of '92. That was, uh, 15 years ago.

I graduated in '79 after only three years of high school. I couldn't wait to get out of there and when the opportunity arose, I took full advantage.

[PreachersWife2004]

One must only take a look at what birth control methods were available early on in the century to understand why it might've been considered a sin.

BC has taken leaps and bounds since then.

As always, we can point to the motive behind birth control and consider whether the motive is a sin or not.

From the WELS Q&A site, a very good response to the question about birth control:

hen it comes to birth control, there are three key issues to consider--management, methods, and motive.

First let's consider the matter of management. Since God has made us managers of our bodies, including our reproductive systems, we cannot say that it is wrong in and of itself for a Christian to practice birth control. This is but one of many areas where God asks us to apply the principles of Christian management and seek to glorify him with our lives.

This leads to the other key points--methods and motive. Since life begins at conception (Psalm 51:5), as Christians we would want to use a form of birth control that prevents conception, that is, that prevents the sperm and the egg from joining and forming an embryo. We need to be specific here because in some circles the term "contraceptive" is used in a very broad sense to include forms of birth control that would allow conception but prevent implantation. A God-pleasing form of birth control would prevent a life from being conceived rather than prevent that life that has been conceived from implanting in the mother's uterus. In general barrier methods of birth control (condom, diaphragm) prevent conception while a method such as the IUD (IntraUterine Device) allows conception but does not allow implantation. Such a method would be abortifacient and not God-pleasing.

The other important factor to consider when it comes to birth control is motive. Are we motivated by selfish and greedy desires for a higher standard of living or for personal freedom from the care and responsibility of children? Or does our use of birth control flow out of our desire to manage our bodies and lives in a way that gives glory to God? Is it because we see children as a burden we want to avoid, or it is because as we look at the big picture we feel God would have us delay the birth of a child, or place some space between our children? It is not always easy for us to analyze our motives. But motive, together with management and methods, are some of the matters we will prayerfully consider as we continue to look to God's Word for guidance in all areas of our lives.

[PreachersWife2004]

I graduated in '79 after only three years of high school. I couldn't wait to get out of there and when the opportunity arose, I took full advantage.

Hey! What a coincidence. I graduated in 1979, too!



















From kindergarten!! ^_^

I truthfully LOVED high school. But I was a nerd, so that explains it.

[RandomLayman]

Does your husband have a copy of the 1945 edition of Fritz's Pastoral Theology (or the recently republished Fritz from I think 2003)?

J. C. Fritz's 6 page polemic against birth control in this book is the best I have ever seen. If he does not have a copy, perhaps some of his friends do.

Sadly, in 1959, CPH published "Planned Parenthood", only 14 years after publishing Pastoral Theology. This spearheaded the doctrinal change toward a pro "Planned Parenthood" orientation. The leaders of the WELS, which had enough sense to reject Missouri's doctrine of church-fellowship, went along with these new Missouri Synod leaders on birth control.

[RandomLayman]

Part of the article, "Marriage a Success":

(This is from the 1915 Lutheran Witness, page 100-102. This is public domain, so do whatever you want with it.)

“No home should be without a child, no child should be without a home.” We approach a delicate, but a most important question of the day. It is the sin of the age to prevent conception, or to otherwise frustrate the purpose of marriage, such people foolishly believing that the absence of children would make their union a happy one. Is sin ever a source of happiness? Read what the Bible says of the prevention of conception Gen. 38, 8-10. God slew Onan. He may not visit that same dire punishment at once on such as perpetrate the same wrong to-day, still: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Also, sin without fail has sorrow and unhappiness in its train. True, in some cases marriage is naturally barren. Christian parents will consider that a sore visitation of God, but, no doubt, will gladly apply to our orphanages for a child, or children, and be happy with them.

Yes, thanks be to God, Christian parents will continue to consider children a heritage of God, His most sacred charge. How pious men and women of the Bible yearned for children! How they cherished and nourished them! They rightly considered them the direct gift of God. “Take this child,” God says to parents, when He gives us a child, “take this child, and nurse it for Me, and I will give thee thy wages.” (Ex. 2, 9.) Yes, He gives to parents sweet wages. What, the sleepless nights, the worry, the expense? Yes, add them also; is it not sweet to work and to worry for those whom we love? You go and dare propose to a mother who is passing a sleepless night at the bedside of her child that you will deprive her of her child so she can be at ease. You try that, and see what she will say.—But not all nights are sleepless, not all days filled with anxiety; in fact, only a small proportion of them are such. “I will give thee thy wages.” God says; “you may suffer your little children to come unto Me in Holy Baptism, teach them to know Me, to love Me, their Savior, send them to a Christian school; in short, you may, as a part of your wages, bring them up in My nurture and admonition.” And is it not the greatest and grandest thing on earth to be instrumental in making our children eternally happy? Is not this privilege sweet wages?

The Psalmist says (Ps. 27): “Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them.” They, in turn, will rise up and call you blessed when they have children. Your children's children will bless you. Even if the angel of death visits your home, and takes a darling from the family circle, you would not then pronounce marriage a failure, you would then rather pronounce marriage a failure, you would then rather pronounce heaven all the more your home, because that little angel is there awaiting you.


O blest the house, whate'er befall,
Where Jesus Christ is all in all;
Yea, if He were not dwelling there,
How poor and dark and void it were!

O blest that house where faith ye find,
And all within have set their mind
To trust their God and serve Him still,
And do in all His holy will.

O blest the parents who give heed
Unto their children's foremost need,
And weary not of care or cost:
To them and heaven shall none be lost.

Blest such a house! It propers well,
In peace and joy the parents dwell,
And in their children's lot is shown
How richly God can bless His own.

A. W. MEYER

You can find the full article here:

lutherquest . org/discus40/messages/49356/49347 . html

[PreachersWife2004]

Not sure if he does or not. He lost a lot of his library in our house fire three years ago and has not been able to find it elsewhere.

Does your husband have a copy of the 1945 edition of Fritz's Pastoral Theology (or the recently republished Fritz from I think 2003)?

J. C. Fritz's 6 page polemic against birth control in this book is the best I have ever seen. If he does not have a copy, perhaps some of his friends do.

Sadly, in 1959, CPH published "Planned Parenthood", only 14 years after publishing Pastoral Theology. This spearheaded the doctrinal change toward a pro "Planned Parenthood" orientation. The leaders of the WELS, which had enough sense to reject Missouri's doctrine of church-fellowship, went along with these new Missouri Synod leaders on birth control.