Quiverfull

"Quiverful", "Quiver full", and "Full quiver" redirect here. For the container, see Quiver. For the 1980 anthology, see A Quiver Full of Arrows. For the fictional character, see Barchester Towers. For other uses, see Quiver (disambiguation).

Quiverfull is a Christian theological position that sees large families as a blessing from God.[1][2][3] It encourages procreation, abstaining from all forms of birth control, natural family planning, and sterilization reversal.[4] The movement derives its name from Psalm 127:3–5, where many children are metaphorically referred to as the arrows in a full quiver.

Some sources have referred to the Quiverfull position as providentialism,[5] while other sources have simply referred to it as a manifestation of natalism.[6][7]

It is most widespread in the United States but it also has adherents in Canada,[8] Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere.[1] One 2006 estimate put the number of families which subscribe to this philosophy as ranging from "the thousands to the low tens of thousands".[4]

  1. ^ a b Hess, Rick and Jan (1990). A Full Quiver: Family Planning and the Lordship of Christ. Brentwood, TN: Hyatt Publishers. ISBN 0-943497-83-3.
  2. ^ Dennis Rainey (2002). "The Value of Children (11 July 2002 FamilyLife Today Radio Broadcast)". FamilyLife Today. Archived from the original (Transcript of radio broadcast) on October 1, 2005. Retrieved 2006-09-30.
  3. ^ Campbell, Nancy (2003). Be Fruitful and Multiply: What the Bible Says about Having Children. San Antonio: Vision Forum. ISBN 0-9724173-5-4.
  4. ^ a b Kathryn Joyce (9 November 2006). "Arrows for the War". The Nation. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  5. ^ Torode, Sam and Bethany; et al. (2002). Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 0-8028-3973-8.
  6. ^ Strand, Paul (2006). "Back to the Future: The Growing Movement of Natalism". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved 2006-10-07. (originally published by CBN News, archived September 24, 2008)
  7. ^ Brooks, David (2004-12-07). "The New Red-Diaper Babies". New York Times. Retrieved 2006-10-07.
  8. ^ Joe Woodward (Mar 31, 2001). "The godliness of fertility: A growing Protestant movement is rediscovering the sanctification available in large families". Calgary Herald: OS.10. ProQuest 244455568.