Be Fruitful and Multiply: What the Bible Says about Having Children

If you're looking for a strong exegetical defense of not using contraception, this really isn't your book. I didn't look up every scripture reference but it wouldn't surprise me if some of them were out of context. HOWEVER, many of her other points were excellent. In fact, much of the book was about how our attitude should be towards having children, the harm contraception can cause, and how the world is not overpopulated. As an aside, the burden of proof really isn't on her to exegete the issue of non-contraception. Rather, the burden of proof is upon the contraception user to show that it is morally acceptable. After all, the church was universally opposed to contraception until 1930. This book, while not perfect, was a huge encouragement to me. I was so excited when we found out I was pregnant with my fourth child but I didn't want to tell anyone because I didn't want them to spoil my happiness. The next time I'm pregnant I'll pick up this book to remind myself that children really are a blessing from the Lord.

This beautifully writen book presents the truth on how God feels about our fertility and about precious children! My husband and I were truly convicted about our attitude of superiority to God and His Wisdom when it came to the issue of family planning. The Scriptures that are shared in Be Fruitful and Multiply, attributed to our family's turning point in how we tried to control this area of our life! Now we are working to conform to the image of Jesus, meekly watching as the Child-giver fills our quiver!

When I finished this book I felt refreshed and renewed. My husband and I committed years ago to have as many children as God would bless us with. As of now, we only have four so that decision certainly doesn't mean everyone will have a dozen! God does open and close the womb, but he also gives us what we want a lot of times--even when it's to our own detriment. When we tell him that we choose not to have any more of his blessings (by birth control, sterilzation, etc) He usually gives us just that--no more blessings. I have heard the argument of another reveiwer many times--just because children are a blessing, does that mean that we should want as many as we can have? Well, I think so! But it's the whole attitude of that statement that needs to change, which is exactly what Nancy Campbell tries to do in this book. We need to change how we view children. They are not around just to bug us--they are here for us to bring up as Warriors for Christ! What a priviledge that God gives us as their parents. I know that I want to influence as many as I can for 18 years teaching them the Christian faith to go out into this world and be a witness for Him! Another reviewer stated that Mrs. Campbell doesn't write about the difficulty of being a mother, that she only writes of "rosy" things. I think there's enough writing and talk out there of the difficulties of being a mother! We hear that from everywhere--how our children take up so much time that we never have time for ourselves, how much we need babysitters, how much we need help from dad, how much we need outside activities, we need, we need, we need.....makes us sound a bit needy as mothers, huh? No, WE NEED to realize that if we are Christians, there is no place for selfishness in our lives! Our lives do not belong to us. Our bodies do not belong to us. We shouldn't be doing things with them (sterilization) or putting things into them (birth control) or using them for things other than the holy way God created them to be used--for His glory only! I can't think of a more glorious way for my body to be used than by bearing little image bearers of God! Thank you, Nancy Campbell, for having the courage to publish that!

I have been looking for a book that discusses what the Bible says about birth control for some time. The truth is, most Christian books about sex offer opinions about birth control, but not Bible verses. I wanted something that said, "Here is what the word of God says," separated from arguments like "children used to serve an economic purpose" (What... no one used to live in towns? Not everyone before the 20th century was a farmer.), or psychology (it's hard on the kids? That doesn't even make sense. What kid doesn't want to be around other kids?), or economics (Did God somehow stop owning the cattle on a thousand hills? Is He the Creator or not? Is He going to give children and then not provide for them? ). On either side, the other books I've read have an author who starts with their opinion... either pro or against birth control... and then manipulates scripture to meet their agenda. This book is set apart from any other on the subject because instead, it STARTS with scripture (from the very first lines!), and draws conclusions later. As Christians, we need to be concerned with what the Bible says first, and then look at the world around us, making decisions that have their basis in God's word rather than our observations. Unlike negative reviewers of this book (whose arguments contain no scripture, and are ironically the same arguments that the author scripturally proves to be wrong thinking), this author constantly and consistently proves her skill and correct handling of scripture. She has brilliantly traced what well respected theologians have said for centuries, as well as the church's wishy washy position on this controversial subject in the last 100 years. Documenting history, scripture, and over 1000 years of doctrinal analysis, this volume makes the case against birth control in a way that truly makes the intelligent student of the Bible consider their position, regardless of which side they are on. I found it a delightful read, and it truly challenged me to consider what God desires of me.

I have to admit that the title of this book made it sound unappealing and old fashioned, but being interested in what the Bible had to say about children I got it. I have been changed. My way of thinking has been so ingrained in the spirit of the age and I didn't even realize it. I have made some serious mindset changes. Reading this book set into order a personal searching out of what the Bible does indeed say about the blessings of children.