Is polygamy a sin?

You are right, it probably did not bother some of them.
Some of them made a tradeoff for the worse life they might have had in some other way.
But, yes, sad and tragic, in the spiritual, emotional, and relational aspects of marriage.

I am sure they did have relatively abundant food and clothing. They were "wives" of David, the king, and I am sure he physically provided for them.

 

I'm using some deductive reasoning here:

-Ministers are held to a high standard of morality and conduct.

-"Husband of one wife" with reference to a pastor definitely rules out polygamy for them; thus,

-Monogamous marriage would be God's highest ideal for those that marry. We should not strive for less than His ideal. It seems to me that polygamy was a "concession" to earlier peoples.

 

Okay, Webdog, here is what I posted for the 2 men, and maybe 3, on this thread who do not think polygamy is a sin:

I am asking them to apply biblical principles of marriage to polygamy. That seems reasonable.

 

In the same way we apply NT wine making, dress and customs.

 

"I am asking them to apply biblical principles of marriage to polygamy. That seems reasonable"

I agree, and by the way, I also agree that it would be sinful in the U.S. or any other country where it is illegal.

Here's a question for the board: suppose a missionary converts a man with four wives in a country where polygamy is legal and normal. Should he demand that the man divorce all but his original wife? I say not.

Les

 

I disagree. I think that she is not overreacting. You can post anything strongly on the internet and get some kind of following. That seems to be happening with polygamy.
It is getting a wider, more respectful hearing than I ever would have believed. Many people are advocating polygamy and doing it in the name of properly interpreting Scripture. Just as wrong as only two people "shacking up".

 

Les,
As far as I can tell, the usual (and I think proper) response has been that you have to deal with the real situation you are in.
There would quite often be no point in a man divorcing such wives. They often would be doomed to a life of misery because they would have a hard time providing for themselves and any children in that kind of society.
In any case, the man could not be a leader in the church.

 

Oct. 12th make me and my wife 45 years.

 

Often people excuse polygamy quoting how that David & Solomon had so many wives. But this was NOT God's intention for marriage.

On a lighter note, it has been said that Solomon wished often, in his older life, that he would NOT have married so many woman and have so many concubines. The proof, he subconsciously wrote the Song of Solomon (S.O.S.). :smilewinkgrin:

 

I don't think I'm overreacting at all when men on this thread are taking it so lightly and actually joking about it.

As Karen pointed out, and as I said earlier, there are dozens of Christian sites advocating polygamy. In fact, I exchanged emails a few years ago with one guy who had such a site, debating him on the issue.

 

Romans, chapter 7



"1": Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

"2": For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

"3": So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

I think this Scripture alone is all you need to judge that polygamy is a sin period. You take this one and use Matt: also and polygamy is certainly a sin and adultery.

 

Please pass my condolences along to your wife. What an example of strength she must be raying: :laugh: :wavey:

 

Don't forget the example of Christ and the church = a husband and his wife

One Christ to One church.... This is one reason I believe in the collective church as opposed to local church only theology.

Christ is not a polygamist, married to many brides.... He has only 1 bride, the universal church.

 

Brother Bob,
You are right. However, it is amazing how many will argue that passage only applies to women.

 

...composed of many believers.

 

That passage doesn't apply just to women, but it applies to a husband and his bride. I fail to see where this condemns polygamy, however.