When Christians move away from scriptural support, they venture into worldly opinion. I often find myself disagreeing with Calvin WHEN he moves away from scripture. While Luther and Calvin were great theologian and godly men, you'll find their view on either contracepton or In-Vitro Fertilization are simply not part of scripture. The article that NYer posted has very limited references (one-I think) and that reference is in regards to a man failing to be obedient to the will of God-not because he "spilled his seman". This is an antiquated interpretation in my view.
There is nothing in scripture that forbids contraception or In-Vitro Fertilization. One can only assume that if God has given us these tools, then we should use them as long as they are used within the context of God's divine purpose of a husband and wife.
IMO-it is rather disingenuous for Catholics to complain about contraception while permitting homosexual priest in the Church. The scriptures does have a lot to say about what is viewed as normal acts. What is carried on between a husband and wife is for them to decide as long as they do it within God's divine plan.
There is no divine plan for homosexuals-be they priests or otherwise. They are asked to repent of their sin. And, yes, forget the PC crap. Homosexuality is a sin.
And what is that?
***IMO-it is rather disingenuous for Catholics to complain about contraception while permitting homosexual priest in the Church.***
Harley, I have come to the point that I don’t prescribe oral contraceptives in my practice. But that being said I do find it amusing (in a sad kind of way) how many Catholics ask me to be put on the pill.
Any Catholic who cites the example of Onan as an authoritative statement re contraception should do a study on the "kinsman redeemer" laws in the Old Testament (cf. Deut. 25:5-6). Onan wasn't guilty for ejaculating outside of a woman, he was guilty of willfully trying to utterly disinherit his brother's family from Israel (IIRC the entire Tribe of Judah, as Onan had no children of his own). Any other reading of the text is, IMO, a false exegesis.
"Then Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife, and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother. Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother's wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother." (Genesis 38:8-9)If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel (Deut. 25:5-6).