Biblical Family Planning

Dr. Caldwell has delivered many sermons on marriage, parenting, raising children, and the importance of the Godly instruction we need for each area of our lives. Following are a few of those sermons that can assist in helping you think biblically about these things:

The First Attack on God's Design: https://youtu.be/EawfTtrMkVU
The Anchor for the Christian Family: https://youtu.be/I1ujBXM_czg
Generational Instruction: https://youtu.be/2Maf8B1bfJY
Foundational Matters for Healthy Marriages: https://youtu.be/MCF3J6ql11Q
The Simplicity of Saving Faith: https://youtu.be/3kgC0uPz56s
Joyful Parenting: https://youtu.be/G0WBY-T-f6I
The Love that Endures - Part 1: https://youtu.be/XIWBgxtG8bQ
The Love that Endures - Part 2: https://youtu.be/iA0Ct9OaSdo

In Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam and Eve to "Be fruitful and multiply", and we see this commandment repeated after the flood to Noah and his sons. So first, Christians need to see that God intends for children to be produced from the union of a husband and wife. Second, Scripture makes it clear that children are a heritage from the Lord and that the fruit of the womb is a reward (Psalm 127:3–4). Throughout the Bible, God is clear about the value of children, so children should be highly valued and seen as gifts. But when it comes to when we should have children, how many, and how far apart they should be, the Bible is silent. How should a young married couple think about these things? Can a married couple plan and act according to their desires regarding procreation? Is God opposed to Christians making plans for their family, even those that might limit the number of children they have? What principles can husbands and wives draw from the Scriptures that will help them navigate the issues of family planning? Join us on the Straight Truth Podcast this week as Dr. Josh Philpot asks Dr. Richard Caldwell to share some biblical advice and wisdom for Christians planning a family.

Dr. Caldwell believes that any time we walk into an area that the Bible doesn’t give us a lot of specific information about, then we have to recognize that it is a matter of judgment, but; it's a matter of judgment that is Scripture informed. It should always be a matter of judgment that desires to honor and glorify God above all. With this in mind, Dr. Caldwell says that when we think about family planning, our attitude needs to match that of Scripture. Do we see children as God sees them; do we understand them as a treasure and a privilege? Where God gives children, there is an imparted responsibility with respect to training those children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Several Scriptures could be quoted that speak about these responsibilities. Deuteronomy 6 alone reveals the entire world to be the schoolhouse, and from the time the children get up until the time they go to sleep, parents are to be teaching, teaching, teaching them. The psalmist in Psalm 127 tells us the man that fills his quiver with them is blessed, so we should see every child from the Lord as a blessing. Do we see these things? Do we have this attitude? Do we understand the weighty responsibility we are given when gifted with children? Do we truly understand that every child is a blessing? Through much prayer and Scripture-informed conversations, a husband and wife may wisely plan their future and the future of any children God blesses them with as they seek His guidance in making these decisions.

Dr. Caldwell also speaks about the role of our parents, our siblings, and even elders in the local church that can help assist young married couples as they seek to navigate the decisions regarding family planning. Sometimes our families can have very strong opinions and want us to do it their way. But ultimately, God has granted husbands and wives (parents yet-to-be) the responsibility for family planning. The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes call us to be wise in making decisions, which includes our growing and raising a family. So as husband and wife, a new family unit, you must decide what responsible family decision-making looks like for your family. But of course, this does not mean that we should reject or not even seek the wisdom of those who have gone before us. Dr. Caldwell says to do this is foolish. Those older and wiser than us can counsel us, offer guidance, and help us think through the questions we have about when we should have children, how many, and how far apart they should be, in addition to helping us with other questions we have about raising children.

Additional questions Dr. Caldwell answers regarding Christians and family planning are: What if one spouse or the other wants to have more children? Does financial stability have anything to do with having children? And what if we, as a Christian married couple, disagree with our parents regarding family life and how to go about it?