Luther: Desiring sterility is inhuman and godless
Posted on January 16th, 2013
Luther on Rachel’s words, “Give me children, else I die!” (Gen. 30:1):
One must also consider that at that time fertility was regarded as an extraordinary blessing and a special gift of God, as is clear from Deut. 28:4, where Moses numbers fertility among the blessings. “There will not be a barren woman among you,” he says (cf. Ex. 23:26). We do not regard this so highly today. Although we like and desire it in cattle, yet in the human race there are few who regard a woman’s fertility as a blessing. Indeed, there are many who have an aversion for it and regard sterility as a special blessing. Surely this is also contrary to nature. Much less is it pious and saintly. For this affection has been implanted by God in man’s nature, so that it desires its increase and multiplication. Accordingly, it is inhuman and godless to have a loathing for offspring.
-AE 5

“It is inhuman and godless to have a loathing for offspring.” The full severity of the law on the cusp of 40 years. Kyrie eleison!