This is an outstanding book that presents a compelling case for the Lordship of Christ in every aspect of our lives, including family planning and fertility. It is an extremely enjoyable read.

With cleverness, humor, and real-life anecdotes, the authors effectively argue their point: God wants us to trust Him with our fertility or the lack thereof. Believing the Bible to be the inerrant word of God, they defend their position from Scripture.

This book is not judgmental at all. While it may be convicting, the authors' genuine concern for people to live a life close to God is evident.

Coming from a Christian family of nine myself and praying that God gives me the grace to accept whatever He has in store for me, whether it's zero to twenty-five children, these principles and points were not unfamiliar to me. However, it was still worthwhile to read the book and be encouraged. Now, I am able to recommend this book to my friends.

I highly encourage all Christians to read this book. It offers valuable insights and inspiration for living a life that honors God in all areas, including family planning and fertility.

A Book about Faith for the Family!

This remarkable book is a treasure trove of inspiration and guidance for every member of the family. It delves deep into the essence of faith, exploring how it can bring strength, unity, and purpose to our lives.

With engaging stories, practical advice, and thought-provoking reflections, this book offers a unique perspective on faith that is both accessible and profound. It shows how faith can help us navigate the challenges and joys of family life, and how it can be passed down from generation to generation.

Whether you are looking to deepen your own faith, or to share it with your children and grandchildren, this book is an essential read. It will inspire you to live a life of faith, love, and service, and to build a stronger, more loving family.

So why wait? Pick up this book today and discover the power of faith for your family!

This resource is truly remarkable! It is both thorough and firmly rooted in the Bible.

The depth of its content is truly astonishing, covering a wide range of topics with great detail and precision.

Whether you are a devout believer seeking a deeper understanding of the scriptures or someone who is simply interested in learning more about the Bible, this is an essential read.

The author's knowledge and expertise shine through on every page, making it a highly engaging and informative experience.

I cannot recommend this resource highly enough. It is a must-have for anyone who wants to explore the rich and profound teachings of the Bible.

So, don't hesitate - get your copy today and start your journey of discovery!

I have read this book extensively in the past. I even bought copies for my friends. However, that is no longer the case.

It is great that a high value is placed on children and the validity of having children. This is a positive aspect that cannot be ignored.

But to assume an authoritative understanding of 'the Lordship of Christ' and 'What does the Bible say about the issues of birth control and family planning?' is extremely presumptuous and nauseating for progressives and ex-fundamentalists like myself. It seems rather dogmatic and closed-minded.

The foreword by Mary Pride should serve as an indicator to potential readers of the highly legalist-conservative stance of the authors. It gives an idea of the overall tone and perspective of the book.

At best, one should be selective when reading this book. 'Eat the meat, spit out the bones.' If there is any doubt or discomfort, it is better to leave it. There is a lot of guilt-inducing reading within its pages that may not be beneficial for everyone.

This statement is thoroughly disturbing.

It advises that in medical issues involving pregnancy risk, the husband's opinion should overrule that of his wife and her doctor.

This is a prime example of biblicist prosperity teaching with a warped theology.

It completely undermines the autonomy and expertise of the wife and the medical professionals.

In a modern and rational society, medical decisions should be based on scientific evidence, the patient's well-being, and the input of all relevant parties.

Allowing the husband to unilaterally override the opinions of others in such a crucial matter is not only unjust but also potentially dangerous.

We need to move away from such archaic and incorrect beliefs and embrace a more enlightened and informed approach to medical and personal decisions.

IS EVERY CONCEPTION CAUSED DIRECTLY BY GOD?

Authors Rick and Jan Hess, in the Introduction of their 1990 book, share their journey of studying and meditating on God's Word over the past five years. They feel they now have a clearer understanding of God's plan for marriage and the church compared to when they were first married. They long to present the path God has led them on and the conclusions they live by today. They are an average midwestern couple with eight children, and they praise God for this blessing. They explain that once they learned why children are a blessing and how to benefit from it, they realized that it's not the size of the family that matters but knowing the blessing and how to find it. They hope to share this joy and other special blessings with the readers of their book.

Later in the book, they emphasize the high value God places on children and the need for the church to have a truly welcoming attitude towards them. They also discuss how God controls the process of fertilization and that every conception is directly caused by Him. They provide Scriptural examples to support their claims and state that God alone decides when and if anyone will have children. They also mention the low birthrate in America and how it reflects the world's and even some Christians' attitude towards children. They point out that many famous people have come from large families and that faith is necessary if we want to please God, especially when it comes to having children.

The authors also discuss the role of women as helpmates and the importance of the home as the Christian wife's domain. They argue that natural family planning may be an accurate gauge of the heart and that God Himself is all the birth control we need. They observe that the number of active Christians in America is relatively small compared to the whole country and that if the Christian birthrate matches that of secular society, the numerical gap between believers and unbelievers will increase. They also address the issue of birth defects and suggest two alternatives: statistics and the introduction of system-damaging factors. They conclude that God is still in control and that every baby is born with a sin nature, which is the greatest and most tragic birth defect imaginable. Some of the book's conclusions may be controversial even among Christians who are opposed to birth control, but it is a clear statement of the authors' positions.

Solidly Biblical.

I gave this a 4 only because the population data needs to be updated. Our society is not just pro-abortion; it is Anti-child. We reject children even before they are conceived and belittle those who choose to have more than 2.1 babies. To be clear, the authors do not suggest trying to have the "most kids." They support allowing God to plan your family size. God has been in the "family planning" business for thousands of years. Who am I to think I can do it better?

This book was liberating. It freed us from the need to keep up with the "Joneses." It also freed me as a mom to put my family first, before the pressures that the world (and the Joneses) places on me. When we chose to let God plan our family size, I didn't lose anything. Instead, we were blessed in ways we could never imagine. God expanded our opportunities and income to meet our needs, all while making it possible for me to be a mom at home.

Don't summarily dismiss this book. Give God a chance to open your heart, even just a little bit. You will be blessed!

An interesting book that reveals some insights into the blessing children are.

This book takes us on a journey to explore the true essence of children as a blessing. It delves deep into the various aspects of a child's life, from their innocent smiles to their curious minds.

We learn how children have the power to bring joy and laughter into our lives, to make us see the world from a different perspective. They teach us patience, kindness, and unconditional love.

The author shares numerous heartwarming stories and examples that illustrate the profound impact children can have on our well-being.

By reading this book, we are reminded of the precious gift that children are and how we should cherish and nurture them. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the beauty and wonder of childhood.

Overall, this interesting book offers valuable insights into the blessing that children are, leaving us with a sense of appreciation and gratitude for the little ones in our lives.

I read this quite a while ago and it's taken me some time to sort out what I want to say about it.

Bear in mind it is written by fundamentalist Christians for fundamentalist Christians, and I am not a fundamentalist, but I knew several growing up.

Pros:

Much of the book is dedicated to how children are a blessing and not a burden, which is a good mindset to have. It emphasizes the positive aspects of having children and the joy they can bring.

Cons:

Everything else. I have two main issues. First, the way children are described as a blessing in the book sometimes rubs me the wrong way. It seems to view children as numbers rather than individual humans. For example, it suggests having as many kids as possible for political reasons, which I find atrocious. Also, the idea that kids will take care of you in old age is unreliable.

Secondly, the book is very dismissive of legitimate concerns. It tells people to trust God instead of considering practical issues like medical advice or financial difficulties. It barely mentions couples with fertility issues and completely ignores women who choose not to have children due to health problems.

Basically, there are only two situations in which I would recommend this to anybody: (1) You want to know why fundie families like the Duggars and Bates do what they do, or (2) You like being angry in your spare time.

This is a good book that delves into an important topic.

However, it is in desperate need of an update statistically.

The majority of the data and statistics presented within the book are from the 1980s, which is quite outdated.

In today's rapidly changing world, having the most current and relevant information is crucial.

An update would not only enhance the book's credibility but also make it more useful and engaging for readers.

It would allow the author to present a more accurate and comprehensive picture of the topic, taking into account the latest trends, research, and developments.

Overall, while the book has its merits, an update in terms of statistics is essential to bring it up to date and make it a more valuable resource.

Disclaimer: I don't have the slightest clue about the denomination the authors hail from. Nor do I care if they are from a denomination that I might theologically concur with or not. This review is strictly focused on the contents of this book.

This book is not for the faint of heart or those who are not fully committed to Jesus. It is exclusively for those who are willing to be completely immersed in Jesus. That's right! If you're not ready to hand over full control of your life to Jesus and renounce all worldly wisdom in favor of what is stated in His Word, then this book is not for you. All this book does is delve into what the Bible has to say about family planning and demonstrates how we can put it into practice. This book will seem crazy to the world; if it didn't, I would be seriously questioning whether or not it was truly in line with Scripture. I can guarantee you that it is. You can trust the Bible even when faced with doctors who say you can't or shouldn't have kids. You can trust the Bible in the face of poverty. You can trust the Bible in any situation because it was penned by the Almighty God who is omniscient and has already accounted for every possible scenario (see 2 Cor. 9:8).

This book tackles the numerous excuses people come up with for not wanting to obey the Bible when it comes to family planning. Sadly, our culture only really turns to God in this area when confronted with infertility. The reality is that we should always strive to obey God in all circumstances, not because we are saved by obeying Him, but because He created us and truly knows what is best for us! Submitting to Him in all aspects of life is true freedom. And I earnestly pray that modern Christians would not only recognize this truth in family planning but also in every other facet of their lives.

This text has some truly beneficial aspects that can be used for discussion with your spouse regarding trusting God with the size of your family.

However, it is extremely outdated, and the author appears to be very narrow-minded and, at times, rather rude. There is a distinct lack of grace in the writing.

Nevertheless, I believe it does contain some excellent points. The chapters are well-structured, allowing you to select and read the parts that might interest you.

It's important to approach this with an open mind and take what is useful while also being aware of its flaws.

Perhaps by engaging in a thoughtful discussion with your spouse, you can gain a better understanding of how to trust God in this important area of your family life, while also being critical of the less favorable aspects of the text.

Overall, it's a text that has both its merits and its drawbacks, but it can still serve as a starting point for a meaningful conversation.