Polygamy in the Bible

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge

In our society and culture polygamy would be a sin.

LOL,, in China going to church is Illegal... is it now a Sin also?

Somethings over ride culture and laws....

[LUKE2447]

Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn

So using your argument about THE BEGINNING you are now prepared to say that DIVORCE and REMARRIAGE is just as sinful as POLYGAMY?

actually I would! Only in the case of adultery is it allowed. Moses failed in this aspect and allowed it. I don't think the Law he constantly mentions(law of first mention) has any merit in the sense that is the ONLY way it can be.
Wonder if he observes the Sabbath it is eternaly hallowed day.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by TK Burk

How's this?

SKETCHES OF JEWISH SOCIAL LIFE
By Alfred Edersheim, D. D., Ph. D.
Chapter 9 - Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel

The marriage followed after a longer or shorter interval, the limits of which, however, were fixed by law. The ceremony itself consisted in leading the bride into the house of the bridegroom, with certain formalities, mostly dating from very ancient times…..

It deserves notice, that at the marriage in Cana there is no mention of "the friends of the bridegroom," or, as we would call them, the groomsmen. This was in strict accordance with Jewish custom, for groomsmen were customary in Judaea, but not in Galilee (Cheth. 25 a). This also casts light upon the locality where Joh_3:29 was spoken, in which "the friend of the bridegroom" is mentioned. But this expression is quite different from that of "children of the bridechamber," which occurs in Mat_9:15, where the scene is once more laid in Galilee. The term "children of the bridechamber" is simply a translation of the Rabbinical "bene Chuppah," and means the guests invited to the bridal. In Judaea there were at every marriage two groomsmen or "friends of the bridegroom"--one for the bridegroom, the other for his bride. Before marriage, they acted as a kind of intermediaries between the couple; at the wedding they offered gifts, waited upon the bride and bridegroom, and attended them to the bridal chamber, being also, as it were, the guarantors of the bride's virgin chastity. Hence, when St. Paul tells the Corinthians (2Co_11:2): "I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ," he speaks, as it were, in the character of groomsman or "bridegroom's friend," who had acted as such at the spiritual union of Christ with the Corinthian Church. And we know that it was specially the duty of the "friend of the bridegroom" so to present to him his bride. Similarly it was his also, after marriage, to maintain proper terms between the couple, and more particularly to defend the good fame of the bride against all imputations. It may interest some to know that his custom also was traced up to highest authority. Thus, in the spiritual union of Israel with their God, Moses is spoken of as "the friend of the bridegroom" who leads out the bride (Exo_19:17); while Jehovah, as the bridegroom, meets His Church at Sinai (Psa_68:7; Pirke di R. El. 41)....

Thank you.

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I know.

God instituted laws in the OT, and regulated the practice. In the NT, Christians were told how to behave and interact in certain circumstances. But that is not the same as an endorsement of slavery by God. The Christian thing to do, if you are held captive or owned by another person is to be obedient and godly, within the scope of your circumstances. But that doesn't mean God approves of slavery.

The scriptures in the NT seem to highlight potential conflicts that can arise, and tell Christians how to deal with them, master and slave alike. This is a great scripture:

I Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
I Timothy 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

I Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

So you are acknowleding that the NT endorsed slavery?

[LUKE2447]

cultural laws do not change the truth of what his Word says.

Originally Posted by Dora

Polyamory??? What of that? still no answer...

DORA there is no where to go with that..... it is outside the bonds and Covenants of Marriage between man and woman is not sanctioned by God.. total different subject..... In Polygamy MAN is responsible for the wives he chooses.. he comes into Covenant with each of them.. vows to them and produces children with them..... the COVENANT is there... In Polyamory you have an orgy

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn

So you are acknowledging that the NT endorsed slavery?

No. I think it continued with regulation of the practice, only this time from a Christian perspective. It's not the same as an endorsement. I am acknowledging that God never clearly condemns the practice as sinful, and the same is true of polygamy.

[LUKE2447]

hmmm you are slaves to whom you obey? Am I still a slave?

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge

Doth thou concedeth.

I will be happy to once you answer this one questions.. truthfully.. are all of those believers in China attending services underground in sin?

once you give your honest answer I will reply with my concession if the answer is right

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

No. I think it continued with regulation of the practice, only this time from a Christian perspective. It's not the same as an endorsement. I am acknowledging that God never clearly condemns the practice as sinful, and the same is true of polygamy.

Come on Ms. Bratti arn't you playing semantics now?

Slavery was allowed by God,,, and whole nations given to Israel as slaves... it was continued into the NT and never condemned......