The Lambeth Conference 1930: if you know very little or nothing about it, you ought to learn more. To overstate how detrimental it was in Christian history would be tough to do.
The Lambeth Conferences are decennial assemblies of Anglican bishops, brought together by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The first such conference was held in 1867. The most recent one held was in 2008. The next one scheduled is in 2018.
The Lambeth Conference 1930, however, is a historic event, but for the wrong reason.
At this gathering of bishops of the Anglican Communion, they ruled folks in their denomination could use birth control so as to avoid having children.
This decision broke from the 1900-year tradition of Christianity! Up to that point, every Christian denomination taught that using contraception was immoral.
WHAT THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE 1930 DECREED
Here is what the Lambeth Conference 1930 declared that caused an earthquake in Christianity worldwide:
“Where there is a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, the method must be decided on Christian principles. The primary and obvious method is complete abstinence from intercourse (as far as may be necessary) in a life of discipleship and self-control lived in the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Nevertheless, in those cases where there is such a clearly felt moral obligation to limit or avoid parenthood, and where there is a morally sound reason for avoiding complete abstinence, the Conference agrees that other methods may be used, provided that this is done in the light of the same Christian principles.
“The Conference records its strong condemnation of the use of any methods of conception-control for motives of selfishness, luxury, or mere convenience” (Resolution 15, emphasis added).
Just to be clear, “other methods may be used” opened the door for Christians of this denomination to begin to use contraception.
CONTRAST THAT TO THE PRIOR LAMBETH CONFERENCE 1920
Now, contrast that 1930 declaration to the statement on birth control use from the same Conference some 10 years prior. In 1920 the Lambeth Conference of bishops of the Anglican Communion stated the following:
“We utter an emphatic warning against the use of unnatural means for the avoidance of conception, together with the grave dangers—physical, moral, and religious—thereby incurred, and against the evils with which the extension of such use threatens the race.
“In opposition to the teaching which in the name of science and religion encourages married people in the deliberate cultivation of sexual union as an end in itself, we steadfastly uphold what must always be regarded as the governing consideration of Christian marriage.
“One is the primary purpose for which marriage exists—namely, the continuation of the race through the gift and heritage of children; the other is the paramount importance in married life of deliberate and thoughtful self-control” (Resolution 68, emphasis added).
Catch that? The bishops got it right in 1920 to identify the primary purpose of Holy Matrimony as being procreation. Thus, its finding “unnatural means for the avoidance of children… threatens the race” makes sense.
Furthermore, they stated in 1920 to need to “always” uphold the dignity of marriage. How soon things changed.
Here we are 85 years later, and you would be hard pressed to find a Christian denomination condemning contraception use.
Does this make 19 centuries of Christians wrong? If so, did the Natural Law change in the 20th century? Did the inspired, inerrant Word of God lose its relevance completely?
The Catholic Church remains the only Christian body to have maintained a consistent teaching for the entire history of Christianity in condemning contraception use. In fact, in recognition of the disastrous effect the Lambeth Conference 1930’s decree was, Pope Pius XI issued a papal encyclical later that year in response.
To be fair, I ought to add that many Orthodox traditions have also always condemned its use, and they have been around a lot longer than 85 years.
Were you just made aware of the Lambeth Conference 1930 for the first time by reading this?
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