I have neither the desire nor the clout to "cancel" Kevin DeYoung (or anyone else). I appreciate him and his ministry. But this article bothers me, and maybe it's because I am freshly childless (read the whole article, not just my pull-quotes): https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/its-time-for-a-new-culture-war-strategy/

DeYoung says:

"Strongly consider having more children than you think you can handle."

"Do you want people to ask you for a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15)? Tote your brood of children through Target."

"The future belongs to the fecund."

@EvanWelcher just read me the definition of "fecund": adj. "producing or capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertile."

Having children and raising them to understand the gospel and God's Word is an incredible calling. I admire parents so much. And I hope to be one some day. When culture downplays the value of family, or makes fun of those who have multiple children, we need to push back.

But we need to STOP putting marriage and fertility on a spiritual pedestal. Beloved, you are not less valuable to kingdom work if you are single or childless. You are in good company, with Jesus, and so many heroes of the faith. Family is a God created good but it is not

the only way, or even the superior way, to be a light in the darkness.

The rhetoric that emphasizes having lots of babies *tends* to under-emphasize missions and evangelizing your local community. The idea seems to be that we will create Christians by giving birth to them rather than evangelizing the lost.

And while DeYoung notes that having children doesn't guarantee their salvation, we need to talk about this more. Parents can be faithful in every way and some children will still walk away from the gospel. I can only imagine how heart-breaking this is. We need to talk about it.

My husband heard the gospel because someone invited him to church. Let's not forget that reaching children (and adults) from unbelieving families is essential gospel work. Let's not forget them, just because they weren't born into the Church.