Newspaper Interview, Part 6

more from the interview...

5. The Quiverfull movement is growing quickly. Do you see it as a rising political force in the US?
I’m almost not sure how to answer that question.  The Quiverfull people I know are not following the lifestyle to affect politics.  While many in the Quiverfull movement are conservatives, I also have heard of others who are not.  So Quiverfull families don’t necessarily fall under the same political umbrella.

More than political influence, the goal is to affect our culture through our daily lives.  Paul wrote in Hebrews 12:14, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord…”

Some Quiverfull supporters speak of building an army for God. Can you talk about/explain that concept? 

I’ve never really heard the phrase “army of God” in reference to the Quiverfull movement.  While there is a lot of talk about impacting our culture FOR God’s glory, there is nothing militant or freaky about it.  LoL  As Quiverfull parents who believe in Christ and follow the teachings of the Bible, it is very important for us to raise children who will do the same, and whose children will then do it, too.  And so on and so on.   The idea of the impact that we, as parents, could have on future generations, is very real. 

Think about Jonathan and Sarah Edwards.  Look at how they impacted the culture through their family:
By 1900, their family included
13 college presidents
65 professors
100 lawyers
1 dean of a law school
30 judges
60 doctors
1 dean of a medical school
80 holders of public office including 3 Senators
3 mayors of large cities
A Vice President (Aaron Burr)
A controller of the U.S. Treasury
MANY involved in the ministry
100 overseas missionaries
Many serving on missionary boards
135 books were written from members of the family
18 edited journals and periodicals

Some verses that some may quote in reference to this subject are Psalm 127:4-5:
“As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are the children of youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies at the gate.”

These verses don’t really have anything to do with an army for God, but are explaining how having many children to care for and protect their parents is a blessing.