Contraception?

[Boidae]

What is the Lutheran belief in regards to contraception? If against, are there any exceptions such as concerns for health of the mother if she were to get pregnant again?

While I no longer consider myself Catholic anymore, I do know that they consider it sin to use contraception. If there are health risks, than you are to abstain and live as brother and sister. I know their reasoning is that if you use contraception you are not giving yourself fully to your spouse. They also tend to use Onan in Genesis as proof against contraception.

My reason for asking is because I will be getting a vasectomy in the near future. This is to prevent a third pregnancy (my wife is pregnant now) for my wife out of concern for her health. My wife has multiple sclerosis for those who do not know.

The first pregnancy nearly put her into a wheelchair for life after the birth of our daughter. The pregnancy itself went well, it was the time after she gave birth that was the issue ads she is no longer protected by the pregnancy. This second pregnancy had been much worse. There is a definite night and day difference.

 

[SalusaSecundus]

Interesting, my wife and I were just discussing a possible vasectomy for me in the future.

Until relatively recently, all Lutheran theologians, and all the major synods that I know of believed that contraception was immoral.

Then again, it is not spoken of in the scriptures, nor do our beloved confessions address the issue.

Where God himself is silent, we dare not speak.

All the synods now believe that married couples may prayerfully form their own conscience on this matter, and they are free to employ non-abortive contraception measures in order to prevent pregnancy if they choose.

What is the Lutheran belief in regards to contraception? If against, are there any exceptions such as concerns for health of the mother if she were to get pregnant again?

While I no longer consider myself Catholic anymore, I do know that they consider it sin to use contraception. If there are health risks, than you are to abstain and live as brother and sister. I know their reasoning is that if you use contraception you are not giving yourself fully to your spouse. They also tend to use Onan in Genesis as proof against contraception.

My reason for asking is because I will be getting a vasectomy in the near future. This is to prevent a third pregnancy (my wife is pregnant now) for my wife out of concern for her health. My wife has multiple sclerosis for those who do not know.

The first pregnancy nearly put her into a wheelchair for life after the birth of our daughter. The pregnancy itself went well, it was the time after she gave birth that was the issue ads she is no longer protected by the pregnancy. This second pregnancy had been much worse. There is a definite night and day difference.

 

[LilLamb219]

I know of no contraception policy

 

[godenver1]

Hi, Boidae.

I'm not Lutheran so I cannot speak on the matter, but recommend visiting official websites, which may address the issue

 

[Aibrean]

Firstly, it depends on the synod. The ELCA is not entirely pro-life (see http://download.elca.org/ELCA Resource Repository/AbortionSS_Summary.pdf).

Because of this, there is a shift on contraception itself between synods. The ELCA does not have a position regarding any abortifacient contraception.

For the LCMS: Anything that is non-abortifacient is permissible. Anything that could terminate a pregnancy would not be in line with the pro-life teaching of the LCMS.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

While this isn't directly a response, it does highlight some very good points about birth control (and marriage, too!)

| Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

This is also an excellent series on birth control:

http://www.christianliferesources.c...part-1-the-paramount-value-of-human-life-1212

 

[Daniel Stinson]

The LCMS forbids fornification and the use of contraception for such a purpose. The LCMS acknowledges that various forms of medications are by definition is some instances observed as contraceptives, in such instances these contraceptives must not be classified as abortifications. If contraception is the cause and effect of certain pharmaceuticals and these drugs aren't classified as abortifications; then the LCMS has a more passive stance on the issue.

The LCMS overall isn't a promoter of contraceptives and pastors aren't medically trained in thorough knowledge of pharmaceuticals to comprehend the ins-and-outs. This is often a matter of personal faith and pastors are at the mercy of congregational members to make an informed decision.

Life and death decisions and difficult medical complications should be prayerfully approached with the aide of pastoral advice and care.

Boidae, I believe that in your circumstance, the average LCMS pastor would support your family's decision, not to have any more children. I would believe you're well protected under matrimony to one another.

The Bible speaks to this issue, only the word "seed" is used in place of our modern usage of "sperm". Basically, we aren't to allow our "seed" to go to waste, and the Bible also has similar topics that touch on touching yourself, likewise, where "seed" goes to waste.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I gave the WELS "official stance", now I will give you my personal testimony.

I love children. I would've had 50 more if God willed it.

I had three babies in three years and it pretty much wrecked my body. Another pregnancy at that rate would've probably killed the unborn child and probably me as well. My husband, who is a pastor, and I talked it over and decided that a vasectomy would be a good way to go. My doctor said it was safer for the guy to have things tied than for the woman, especially in our case.

We then talked it over with our circuit pastor and basically came to the same conclusion that Daniel Stinson spoke of. We weren't doing it because we didn't want any more "blessings" from God, we were doing it for purely medical reasons.

Motivation is key, as well as what kind of contraception is being used.

 

[Boidae]

Thank you very much for the responses.