ruby_redeemed said:
Question for the Calvinist:
Do you believe that taking birth control, or having health insurance is not trusting in the Sovereignty of God? If you do believe this, can you tell me why, if not why?
Though it's out of order, I'll take health insurance first. To me, it is
irresponsible to not have health insurance. The cost of health care today is exorbitant. Just one major problem could put you in debt for the rest of your life. God exhorts us in his Scriptures to owe no man anything. Unfortunately, we've accepted the premise that car payments, mortgage payments, and all other sorts of debts are a natural part of modern living, and in truth, they are; however, we should endeavor to stave off the potential crippling debt of medical bills. Additionally, not having health insurance increases the burden on the health care system. Most of the time, hospitals and other care providers get
only what insurances covers because many people feel that health care is a right and not a privilege. It is
not a right: it
is a privilege; therefore, we are accountable for the reception of it. We are accountable to the financial obligations that come according to the privilege: just as we are accountable to spread the Gospel according to the privilege of being chosen.
On birth control, I'll say simply that, if God wants you to have a child, then by God, you're going to have a child! I think that birth control lends to responsibility again. Paul teaches that husband and wife are not to deprive each other, but many couples recognize and understand that they are not equipped--financially, by maturity, or by some other reason--to care for a child (yet). In these cases, we should honor the Word and each other by not depriving the other of intimacy, but at the same time, we should realize that it might be too soon for a child. This has nothing to do with not trusting God, it has everything to do with being cognizent of the order by which he has ordained all things. Sex without birth control between two healthy adults
will result in children. In conscious consideration of this fact, I do not see how a couple could honestly not be trusting in God to use birth control. They acknowledge the order he has created and have reasoned that the time is not right for child-rearing. If, in prayerful consideration and the loving fear of God, they decide to use means to prevent a pregancy, then that is okay. Sex was not intented only for procreation. If it were, it would be an wholly instinctive act, just as nature shows it to be. Instead, it is a joyful moment of intimacy between two people in the sight of God. Read the Song of Solomon if you deny this: God delights when man and wife delight in each other according to his will.
I think it's quite safe to say that we, especially as Calvinists, understand completely that God is totally sovereign. Whether we have insurance or not, whether we use birth control or not, it matters not to God. Did he not impregnate Marry, a virgin, with our Lord and Savior? So then, how much can he defeat the human technology of birth control, and so much more can he ordain injury upon us or not. Who are we to reply against God? Therefore, I believe it is safe to conclude that we should act responsibly according to our circumstances. We should keep health insurance, as it is fitting for a responsible adult. And we should use birth control if child-rearing is not possible for certain reasons.
