The first chapter deals with the difficult subject of birth control.Here are a few of my random thoughts:
-Driscoll does a fantastic job of lifting up the value and blessing of children. He is totally against married couples who prevent pregnancy for selfish reasons.
-Characteristically, Driscoll handles this subject straightforwardly and with humor. He addresses the main issues head-on.
-It is clear that Driscoll has done his homework. This chapter contains 30 footnoted passages of Scripture and 82 endnotes citing sources used. His work on the history of birth control is fascinating. I certainly learned a tremendous amount from this chapter.
-Driscoll is helpfully balanced. While firmly committed to the Biblical view of family, he exposes the legalism and weak arguments of the "no birth control" proponents. He calls out husbands who treat their spouse as more of a womb for making babies instead of a wife to find pleasure in.
-He gives helpful examples of reasons to use birth control that do not constitute sin or selfishness.
-He gives 5 different levels of birth control. The first 3 he labels as available to Christians (no birth control, natural birth control, and non-abortive birth control). Regarding the 4th, Driscoll urges prayer, wisdom, and study (potentially abortive birth control - such as "the pill"). And, he opposes the 5th level (abortive murder).
-Driscoll concludes by discussing the power of Jesus to forgive and save.
One potential problem:
-Driscoll concludes this chapter by leaving open the possibility that there could be an instance where abortion would be considered. He says he opposes "any Christian couple considering level 5, unless there are extremely weighty extenuating circumstances." He leaves it at that.
I cannot think of any situation in which I would even consider it a possibility to have an abortion. I wish he would have at least given an example.
Overall, this is a very helpful chapter that is a good resource for Christian couples dealing with these difficult issues. Your thoughts?
UPDATE: Here is an article by Desiring God that Driscoll quotes in the chapter (HT: Rebecca).
