The question of why God allows birth defects is a difficult one, and Scripture does not give a direct answer. However, the Bible does provide some perspectives that can help us think about this issue.
First, we live in a fallen world corrupted by sin (Genesis 3). When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world and brought destruction, disease, and death. All creation was affected, including the processes of human conception and birth. Birth defects are one result of the brokenness of our world.
Second, God is sovereign over all things, including birth defects (Psalm 139:13-16). He could prevent all birth defects if He chose, but in His wisdom He allows them. We do not understand all His purposes, but we can trust His heart is good.
Third, God works through suffering to accomplish His redemptive plan (Romans 8:28). While birth defects cause pain, God can use them to draw people to Himself and conform them to Christ’s image. Families caring for disabled children often grow in patience, compassion, and dependence on God.
Fourth, God will one day heal all suffering and brokenness (Revelation 21:4). The new heaven and new earth will be free from sickness, tears, pain and death. As believers, we can look forward to the day when Christ will make all things new.
In summary, while the Bible does not give a complete explanation for birth defects, it provides theological perspectives to help us process this difficult issue. We live in a fallen world, but can trust God’s wisdom and sovereignty. Birth defects cause suffering, but God can redeem them for good purposes as part of His redemptive plan. And one day Christ will restore all things and erase the effects of sin forever.
Though we may not fully understand why God allows birth defects, we can rely on His love and care for families impacted by disabilities. Churches should surround them with compassion, support, and the hope of the gospel.
The fallen nature of the world
The existence of birth defects goes back to Genesis 3 and the entrance of sin into the world. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, the creation was put under a curse (Genesis 3:14-19). Things were no longer perfect as God originally designed them to be. Physical death, sickness, pain in childbirth, and hard labor became realities of the human experience.
We see examples throughout Scripture of the outworking of the curse through illness, disability, and early death. The author of Ecclesiastes observes that time and chance happen to all people, not necessarily according to what is fair or deserved (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Because we live in a fallen world corrupted by sin, difficult things like birth defects are simply part of the human condition.
Of course, not all disability is directly tied to personal sin. Jesus’ disciples once questioned Him about a man born blind: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). Jesus responded that it was neither for the purpose of displaying God’s work in him (John 9:3). So we cannot make direct connections between birth defects and particular sins.
Rather, the Garden of Eden set humanity on a trajectory of brokenness that touches every individual. We lament such brokenness while looking ahead to the promise of future redemption. As Paul wrote, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” as it longs for restoration (Romans 8:22).
The sovereignty of God
If the world’s brokenness contributes to birth defects, God’s sovereignty rules over them. Several verses affirm that God is at work in the formation and birth of every child:
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14).
“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:16).
“Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” (Job 31:15).
God oversees and allows the conception and development of every child, whether that process unfolds normally or involves defects. He could certainly prevent any anomaly if He chose to do so. Since He does not, we can assume birth defects happen according to His purposes and within His sovereignty.
Of course, we cannot fully understand the mind of God (Isaiah 55:8-9). His thoughts and plans for human disability extend far above ours. But because He is good, righteous, loving, and merciful, we can trust that His purposes are good as well. As Charles Spurgeon said, “What He does must be right. It did not seem so once; but when we see the end, we understand that the Lord has done all things well.”
Redemption through suffering
God often works through human suffering to accomplish His redemptive plan. The apostle Paul wrote, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even negative circumstances can be used ultimately for God’s glory and our growth in grace.
Disability advocate Joni Eareckson Tada, who herself has lived with quadriplegia since a diving accident as a teenager, writes this:
“God allows what he hates to accomplish what he loves. He allows evil and suffering so that he can display his sovereign goodness in overcoming evil with good, and replacing suffering with glory and joy.”
Caring for children with special needs can help shape families and churches to reflect more of Jesus’ image. Parents often grow in patience as they sacrifice time and comfort for the sake of their disabled child. Siblings develop empathy and learn how to demonstrate love in practical actions. Church communities have opportunities to serve and include individuals they might otherwise have neglected.
God also uses suffering to draw people to himself. Hardships prompt questions about purpose and meaning in life. Blessings of healing, community support, and perseverance amid disability give evidence of God’s grace. Families caring for children with special needs testify to finding strength, peace, and joy through dependence on the Lord.
Again, this does not erase the tragedy of birth defects in themselves. But it does mean God can redeem suffering for good ends. Paul understood this when he wrote that our present temporary afflictions are producing in us an eternal glory beyond comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Future hope
The Bible’s final chapters in Revelation offer hope of a coming day when God will erase all suffering, sickness, tears, and death from human existence. The apostle John heard a voice proclaim, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
For believers, the resurrection life to come with Jesus makes up for all earthly hardships. Paul viewed the sufferings of this age as not worth comparing to the glory to be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). God’s redemption of creation includes our very bodies (Romans 8:23).
This does not minimize the challenges of raising a disabled child now. But it offers the hope and perspective that present struggles are temporary. Lasting wholeness, joy, and restoration await all believers through Christ’s redemption. This hope sustains families today as they look ahead to brighter tomorrows.
The Bible does not necessarily offer a complete explanation for why God allows birth defects. But it provides a framework for understanding them amid a fallen world, God’s sovereignty, His redemptive plan, and the hope of future wholeness in Christ. We can rely on God’s wisdom and compassion, even when we do not understand all His purposes.
Practical help for families
What is the biblical response to children born with disabilities? While we process the difficult theological questions, here are some tangible ways churches can come alongside families navigating these realities:
- Show compassion. Do not assume you understand everything a family is going through. Listen well and let them share their unique story.
- Offer practical help. Meals, financial assistance, respite care, referral to community resources. Identify their biggest needs and burdens to lift.
- Build community. Facilitate friendship and support between special needs families. No one relates better than those walking a similar road.
- Accommodate their involvement. Make church visitor-friendly for medical equipment and sensory issues. Provide adaptations so families can worship together.
- Treat the child as normal. Smile, talk, play, engage with them as you would any other child. Build their sense of belonging.
- Affirm the parents. Acknowledge the extra grace, strength, courage required in their parenting journey. They need encouragement.
- Point to hope. Share promises of God’s comfort, mercy, and redemption. Remind families their pain is temporary.
While the Bible does not answer every question, God does equip churches to demonstrate His love in practical ways to families impacted by disability. Our humble service and compassion can be part of His work of redemption in their lives.
Conclusion
Birth defects prompt difficult questions about suffering and God’s goodness. While the Bible does not give complete explanations, it provides perspective through several theological lenses. We live in a fallen world corrupted by sin. God reigns sovereign over disability, even as we cannot comprehend all His purposes. He is able to redeem suffering for good ends according to His redemptive plan. And one day Christ will return to make all things new.
In the meantime, Christians mourn with families impacted by disability even as we point them to our compassionate Savior. We surround them with practical support and the hope of the gospel. Though challenges remain, we rely on God’s wisdom and sustaining grace each step of the way.