Is Polygamy Christian Based?
Dear Friends,
I have been thinking about Christian polygamy and have personally come to believe that polygamy is not inherently Christian. What I mean is that plural marriage is a configuration of marriage that occurs in all cultures whether or not they believe in Christ. In my view plural marriage is just another situation that we, as believers, apply Gods principles to and is not mandated from heaven as a higher lifestyle.
When I search the scriptures what I find is that God does not address this type of marriage overly much because it is not a spiritual mandate that must be followed but rather just a situation the occurs in the human experience. Where necessary He gives guidance for marriage but as to the number of wives a person has He leaves that pretty much up the individual families.
The reason that I feel this understanding is important is that there is a tendency to spend a lot of time trying to justify plural marriage from the scriptures so as to feel that what we do is "Christian." The truth of the matter is that plural marriage is neither Christian nor non-Christian but just a valid and natural form of marriage. It is true that we all fight against societies that are against this godly lifestyle and perhaps we feel that we need to give an answer for that but before God there is no need to justify our actions for whether we have one or many it does not matter to Him.
As a Christian believer what I see the main pluses of plural marriage is:
1. You can marry whom you love and whom God leads you to marry
2. You can have more children that will grow to love Jesus
3. You can minister to other plural families that have perhaps
been marginalized by the Christian church.
4. You can learn to be more loving and understanding because
of the added responsibility you shoulder in these types of
situations.
God bless,
Erasmus
Polygamy Bible Based
In all things, choose wisely.
Erasmus,
Polygamy is biblical based, that is enough for me. If Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, etc though it was important; I figure it must be a principle of which God approves.
Gabby
Its Tlaloc
Hi Erasmus, are you doing a survey? If you do more than the two sites I know about tell me what people have to say.
Blessed Families
I think to forget our ancient father Abraham, had indeed, the most blessed family, and he was a polygamist, is not conducive to furthering our spiritual path. Not to mention Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, is the father of the 12 tribes and that if one wishes to enter into the city of heaven (ie Revelation 21) one must pass through one of 12 gates. On top of each of the 12 gates is the name of one of the 12 sons of the polygamist Jacob (Israel). To forget in the New Testament Christ identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob over and over would be detrimental to understand Christ Himself. He most certainly could have identified himself as the God of Bob, Jack and Steve, but He did not do that. He clearly identifies himself with Abraham's family.
So, yes, while it may be a natural configuration of marriage, Polygamy starts in the first book of the Old Testament and winds up in the last book of the New Testament. To put aside the fact it was written by polygamists for the families of polygamists (the House of Israel)(Israel's House = 4 wives, 12 sons, and a pretty awesome daughter Dinah) is doing a large disservice to everyone.
I do agree, it is not inherently Christian - but inherently it is biblical. The descendants of Hagar are still practicing it for I think they have not forgot the covenant that was given to Ishmael. While they are not Christian, they certainly honor our father Abraham in a way that most Christians abhor.
It appears God addresses the issue of polygamy every time he uses the word Abraham, Jacob (Israel), Tribes, Moses, David, Solomon, etc.. and also clearly when showing the city of heaven everyone wants to get in to, cracking jokes about St. Peter standing at the gates thereof - gotta walk under the name of a polygamist child to enter in. Stuff to think about....
Emphasis Or Not?
Dear Friends,
Yes, polygamy is part and parcel with the Old Testament patriarchs and indeed is mentioned here and there in the Bible. I suppose the point I am endovring to make is that sometimes when a people hold a controversial doctrine there is a tendency to over compensate and make that a center piece of their faith. In my perspective I am a Christian believer first who happens to be a polygamist and not a polygamist first who happens to be a Christian.
Agreed..I was a Christian
Agreed..I was a Christian long before Yahweh called my wife and I to polygyny.. and here is a site that utterly refutes the original poster's false concepts that polygyny is not Christian
http://www.biblicalpolygamy.com/
why?
Why is there a need to Emphasis any religion at all? We all have Polygyny in common. Why isnt that enough. Christianity has no foundation in bible at all and is very devisive so why not just let it alone?
I like your Christ
I do not like your Christians
They are so unlike your Christ
Ghandi
faith and polygyny...
Well, I agree with Apostle here.
There are many faiths that have polygyny. There are secular polygynists as well.
My choice to be a polygynist is RE-ENFORCED by my faith, but if I were an atheist, I would still be a polygynist.