The Biblical position on Polygamy

McCulloch · Post by **McCulloch** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:19 pm

cholland wrote:Polygamy is prohibited in the Bible and the examples of it occurring prove to end in family dysfunction.

Aside from instructions specifically for elders (bishops) and deacons, is polygamy expressly prohibited in the Bible?

scottlittlefield17 · Post by **scottlittlefield17** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:30 pm

In Deuteronomy it says for kings not to multiply wives unto themselves. Other than that the polygamy arguments are based of from the plan from the beginning, that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wiFE not wiVES. God created on man and one woman for a reason. That is his perfect plan because before the fall all was perfect. God had everything exactly like he wanted it and no different.

Goat · Post by **Goat** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:33 am

scottlittlefield17 wrote:In Deuteronomy it says for kings not to multiply wives unto themselves. Other than that the polygamy arguments are based of from the plan from the beginning, that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wiFE not wiVES. God created on man and one woman for a reason. That is his perfect plan because before the fall all was perfect. God had everything exactly like he wanted it and no different.

However. ... it is not explicitly stated, and there are many examples of polygamy
in the bible. What is warned against is excessive polygamy.

scottlittlefield17 · Post by **scottlittlefield17** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:47 am

However. ... it is not explicitly stated, and there are many examples of polygamy
in the bible. What is warned against is excessive polygamy.

Correct, however there are many things that Christians do not do because of principles given in the Bible as opposed to direct commands. An example may be not going to strip clubs because of the verse (among others) that talks about not looking on a woman lustfully. Also we find no polygamy in the New Testament.

Goat · Post by **Goat** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:07 pm

scottlittlefield17 wrote:
However. ... it is not explicitly stated, and there are many examples of polygamy
in the bible. What is warned against is excessive polygamy.
Correct, however there are many things that Christians do not do because of principles given in the Bible as opposed to direct commands. An example may be not going to strip clubs because of the verse (among others) that talks about not looking on a woman lustfully. Also we find no polygamy in the New Testament.

No.. what you got in the new testament is the stated preference that people should not marry.. but better to marry than be consumed with lust.

Cathar1950 · Post by **Cathar1950** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:41 pm

goat wrote:
scottlittlefield17 wrote:In Deuteronomy it says for kings not to multiply wives unto themselves. Other than that the polygamy arguments are based of from the plan from the beginning, that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wiFE not wiVES. God created on man and one woman for a reason. That is his perfect plan because before the fall all was perfect. God had everything exactly like he wanted it and no different.
However. ... it is not explicitly stated, and there are many examples of polygamy
in the bible. What is warned against is excessive polygamy.

Our evolution as a species shows that we were not created for one man one wife.
We evolved polygamous. That our sperm has developed to fight other sperm is just one of many indicators.
Our cultures have added new complexity to our arrangements but it isn't in our biological evolution to be monogamous and the Bible is wrong about our history...
Look at the other apes or social animals and we see all kinds of variety.

McCulloch · Post by **McCulloch** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:47 pm

scottlittlefield17 wrote:
However. ... it is not explicitly stated, and there are many examples of polygamy
in the bible. What is warned against is excessive polygamy.
Correct, however there are many things that Christians do not do because of principles given in the Bible as opposed to direct commands. An example may be not going to strip clubs because of the verse (among others) that talks about not looking on a woman lustfully. Also we find no polygamy in the New Testament.

A good number of the patriarchs and kings had more than one wife. There are statements against having too many, yet no explicit statement prohibiting the taking of a second wife.

We find no examples or commands regarding the use of instrumental music for worship in the New Testament. So, if you are consistent, you would join with the church of Christs denomination which eschews musical instruments in worship.

scottlittlefield17 · Post by **scottlittlefield17** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:47 pm

A good number of the patriarchs and kings had more than one wife. There are statements against having too many, yet no explicit statement prohibiting the taking of a second wife.

This is not a subject I can debate very well at this time as you may have noticed by my weak points. I actually just finished a debate on this very issue with my pastor and I was taking your side. I am going to say that God best will for our lives is for man to have one wife based on the fact that he created one woman for Adam and that was his perfect world. Beyond that I can say little.

We find no examples or commands regarding the use of instrumental music for worship in the New Testament. So, if you are consistent, you would join with the church of Christs denomination which eschews musical instruments in worship.

Actually I do. Which could be another whole debate in itself.

McCulloch · Post by **McCulloch** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:16 pm

McCulloch wrote:A good number of the patriarchs and kings had more than one wife. There are statements against having too many, yet no explicit statement prohibiting the taking of a second wife.

scottlittlefield17 wrote:This is not a subject I can debate very well at this time as you may have noticed by my weak points.

Fair enough. It might be wise not to make assertions in debate that you are unwilling or unable to defend. Perhaps we should wait to hear from cholland who made the original claim.

scottlittlefield17 wrote:I actually just finished a debate on this very issue with my pastor and I was taking your side. I am going to say that God best will for our lives is for man to have one wife based on the fact that he created one woman for Adam and that was his perfect world. Beyond that I can say little.

So no explicit command. No condemnation or rebuke for those patriarchs who had up to four wives and concubines. Not much of a case really.

McCulloch wrote:We find no examples or commands regarding the use of instrumental music for worship in the New Testament. So, if you are consistent, you would join with the church of Christs denomination which eschews musical instruments in worship.

scottlittlefield17 wrote:Actually I do. Which could be another whole debate in itself.

McCulloch has foot in mouth.
I was trying to find a ridiculous example of applying the principle you seem to take. Anyway, my point is that a lack of a New Testament example is not sufficient grounds to prohibit a practice.

scottlittlefield17 · Post by **scottlittlefield17** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:22 pm

It might be wise not to make assertions in debate that you are unwilling or unable to defend. Perhaps we should wait to hear from cholland who made the original claim.

Point well taken. I was giving my opinion on the matter rather than being prepared to enter debate. I know that is not the way things are done on this site.