The Demographic Bomb – The Problem is not Islam. Part II

Lately, I saw a video on Muslim Demographics that got me thinking. Watch it (below) and form your own opinion on the issues. The Roman Empire expanded by conquest controlling extremely vast territories through military might and bureaucracies. As birth rate amongst the Romans declined, the armies and bureaucracies began to be dominated by peoples from conquered regions with diverse religions. Due to manpower shortages, Rome was left with no choice ultimately but to recognise a wider citizenry and “heathen” religions - instituting a “polytheism” in which all religions were equal as long as they served and obeyed the government. Soon the whole system began to decline and decay from within. What does the Bible have to say about population growth?

Genesis 1 [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. [28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Deut [8:1] All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.

The Population Bomb was a best-selling book by Paul R. Ehrlich in 1968. It warned of the mass starvation of humans in 1970s & 1980s due to overpopulation and advocated immediate action to limit population growth. The book has been criticized more recently for its alarmist tone and unfulfilled predictions though Ehrlich stands by the basic ideas in the book.

Psalm127 [3] Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. [4] As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. [5] Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Psalm [128:1] Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. [2] For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be , and it shall be well with thee. [3] Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Biblically children are a blessing from the Lord – but a world view was formed to perceive them as liabilities....also encouraging more expensive upbringing processes...almost literally idolising children. Rather than see mankind as a blessed race that will replenish and cultivate the earth to be fruitful – man was a destroyer to be controlled if the earth was to be saved. The result - more efforts and funding to save the earth than to protect the traditional "one man one woman" family. The paradigm discrediting the joy of child bearing also encouraged delayed marriages for the achievement-oriented, abortions so couples could have a life...and lately, same-sex orientation. Since the early 2000s the growth of children has slowly declined - Paul Ehrlich’s myth served a wicked purpose. The blessing of child bearing was disdainfully exchanged for pottage of lies or “a few dollars” as people are paid to be sterilised supported by heavily funded indoctrination to convince us that smaller families are happier. The Bible also teaches that children are a defence for the traditional family structure – “arrows” that bring joy to the home to fight issues that threaten the family peace and stability.

Genesis 38[9] And Onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother's wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. [10] And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.

Selfishness, pride and godlessness are at the heart of most deceptions – especially this one. The children (that we claim are not affordable) were not ours to spoil in the first place with “expensive games/lifestyles” but belong to God who commanded us to have them. The Christian couple contented to have only one or two children so they can afford more vacations and the best that social elitism has to offer (most of which has unproven if not dubious value) is a spiritual saboteur ... like Onan.

The world view also eroded faith in the future and this further discouraged procreation even as social care/governments promise to defend society. Children were meant to provide assurance and stability for the future and support cohesion in the family...guaranteeing care for parents in old age. Declining population, however did not deliver the joys it promised instead it heralded not just economic /cultural decline but more worrisomely inevitable power and influence shifts.

The Solution :  Repent. Share the gospel of Christ Jesus with a double vigour. Be sure to pass a strong Biblical world view to your children that a strong population is a blessing – they will be living in a very different world. Enjoy the blessings of the Lord in child bearing. God looks after His seed. As spiritual descendants of Abraham we have a superior covenant of flourishing in Christ. This does not mean to have more children than can be taken care of .... I Timothy 5[8] But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Psalm 37[22] For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. [23] The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. [24] Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. [25] I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. [26] He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

If the West has bought into the harbingers of social confusion like Ehrlich...who is to blame? If birth control, legalised abortions, same-sex marriage and small families are becoming trendier – what can one expect? Civilisations that persist to disobey God’s command - by not having healthy normal families blessed with children who in future will defend against internal and external threats - risk being “cut off”... and only have themselves to blame. 

Enforcing stricter immigration controls to police borders will only have limited success as unmet demand for affordable skills eventually cripple societies and bureaucracies or create labour "black" markets. Leaders need to go to God for divine insights as Nehemiah did when faced with a similar dearth.

Nehemiah 7 [4] Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. [5] And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein ...

Nehemiah received wisdom to rebuild a strong central citadel built on a renewed faith in God’s word and strict adherence to His commands. We can learn from what God put in his heart or perhaps like many statistics and similar research projections - the conclusions in this blog will in future be proven to be alarmist. Perhaps not.

God bless you.

Also read The Problem is not Islam, Obama, Muslim rights and Carnal Wisdom and The Complexity of Islamic Persecution. Maza, Jos Nigeria Attack on 17th July 2010 and Politics

(Author's blog)