I was just wondering your stance on what the Bible says about having children. Being the first commandment issued by God, do you believe in the use of birth control or sterilization as the rest of the world does?
This is a good question. The International Pentecostal Holiness Church does not have a formal statement regarding birth control. The reason is that the church has historically believed that these are matters that a Christian couple should determine within the context of their own marriage. The church does seek to inform them regarding the fact that marriage is the context for conceiving and rearing children and that children are God's gift to us.
The Roman Catholic Church has a much more developed moral theology stance regarding birth control.
There are some within pentecostalism and evangelicalism that are moving more towards the Roman Catholic stance. This is not from a moral legalistic standpoint but rather from the standpoint that the world has so de-valued human life that Christians must be more forthright about affirming the value, dignity, and purpose of children.
God bless you,
Doug Beacham
Executive Director
Church Education Ministries
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