Many people have expressed their concern about the alarming growth of our population. About 5,800 babies are born daily. They’re equal to three villages, that is, an additional 1,098 villages every year. One doesn’t have to be an economist to tally how much more food, water, shelter, medicine, and other resources will be needed for their support. At this growth rate there will be 100 million Filipinos by 2013.

In the light of the current fuel and food crises, it is totally irresponsible, and certainly not sane, to ignore this problem. The present uncontrolled population growth over these many years have undeniably contributed to, and accelerated the poor getting poorer, and have led to thousands of abortions, unnecessary maternal deaths, thousands of abandoned children, increase of street dwellers, among other ills of society.

Different people are responding in different ways. Some congressmen have begun renewing a move that will aggressively push various means of birth control. Likewise, some local officials have started launching the same programs in their municipalities. The Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church will be holding a rally to fight such moves and to commemorate the 40th year of the issuance of ‘Humanae Vitae’, Pope Paul VI encyclical that promotes life and prohibits artificial means of birth control. Another bishop threatened to deny communion to politicians who will promote an agenda contrary to the view of the church.

As Evangelical Christians how do we respond? We are calling our people reflect on these guidelines:

We believe the Bible as the final authority in all matters of faith and practice (Mark 13:31). While we respect the opinions of leaders and people from the different sectors of our society including the leaders of churches, we judge their statements by the standard of the Word of God. Leaders and teachers err but “the word of the Lord shall stand forever” (Isa. 40:8).

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

We affirm the sanctity of marriage. It is the union between a man and a woman who bind themselves in a covenant before God and man to love each other as long as they live. . The higher purposes of marriage are for mutually completing one another, mirroring God’s image of tri-unity to the world, and multiplying a godly legacy. (Gen. 1:26; Gen. 2:18-24; Mal. 2:15)

We affirm the sanctity of the human life. We believe that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Job 10:8-12, 31:15; Jer. 1:5). Unborn babies, at whatever stage of pregnancy should be preserved and protected. Termination of this life is sinful and offensive to God. But preventing pregnancy or conception is not abortion for no life has yet been conceived and there is nothing to be terminated.

We believe in management of creation. That part of God’s command to man is not only about multiplication but stewardship. The purpose is to control or subdue the earth so that the quality of life can be preserved. We also take note that that command was given to a world population of two. While our first parents were commanded to multiply and cultivate, the mandate was coupled with instruction to care or protect. Nowadays, the global community is starting to experience and realize the potential disaster mankind will suffer, if we do not become responsible guardians of our environment. So it is with families. Pursuing responsible parenthood is integral part of wise stewardship of creation.

“ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Gen. 1:27-28). “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen.2:15).

Therefore,

We support government programs and policies that will improve the quality of life of our people. These should include good governance and faithful stewardship of our resources.

We also support programs that will help control the population growth. We are encouraging our government officials to offer married couples various birth control methods that are non-abortive in nature so that they can decide more wisely what is best for themselves.

We ask our churches:

To offer actively and urgently married couples counseling services that will include responsible parenthood, family planning, and various means of birth control.

To sponsor programs that will promote godly and wise stewardship of their families. Providing for the material needs of ones family is not only an urgent economic issue, it is also a serious spiritual concern:

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim. 5:8).

We are aware of the growing tension and sporadic skirmishes between government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas in Central Mindanao. Along with the peace groups in Mindanao, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) is concerned that what appears now as mere sporadic skirmishes could escalate into a full-blown war.

Tension first erupted on June 25 when suspected Moro rebels launched simultaneous attacks in several villages in Maitum, Saranggani forcing residents to flee to the town center. More than 10 armed encounters happened that left two soldiers and a dozen MILF guerrillas killed. The latest was last June 30 when some 30 suspected Moro rebels attacked Matalam, North Cotabato. Reasons that were often cited were the apparent frustration of MILF troops and exasperation over the slow pace of the peace talks.

Reports from the field indicate that there will be more hostility as the month of August is coming. Some MILF ground troops will likely to step up its offensives as the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) draw near. The International Monitoring Team (IMT), the foreign troops overseeing the ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the government, will end its tour of duty next month which will coincide with the ARMM elections. The IMT is already downsizing their personnel monitoring the ceasefire.

Consistent with our previous statements, the PCEC—a national organization of evangelical Christian denominations, local churches, and organizations—calls on the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to seek all means possible to break their current impasse, go back to the negotiating table, and sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Ancestral Domain.

Along with the Peacebuilders Community, a Christian advocacy group practicing biblical peacemaking in Mindanao's conflict areas, we call on the restive forces on the ground to hold their fires, go back to their respective camps, and give the peacebuilding network in Mindanao a chance to bring back the panels together in a negotiating table.

As followers of Jesus Christ—the Prince of Peace, we at PCEC join hands with our fellow Filipinos in our pursuit to have genuine and lasting peace in our land. We deeply value what have been attained by both the Government Peace Negotiating Panel and the MILF Peace Negotiating Panel during the talks. It is our desire to preserve those gains.

May God bring peace and reconciliation in our land!