Polygamy in the Bible

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I have only heard of one reference to it. Jesus gave a parable about 10 virgins who were awaiting their groom. These are regarded by some to be a party of 10 women awaiting their marriage as was customary among women given as brides between nations. A king or ruler would often make an arrangement for a certain number of wives. Well...five were wise and five were foolish.

Some have said that if Christ found polygamy detestable he wouldn't have used it to illustrate a righteous spiritual teaching.

That's quite a stretch there. The New Testament never sanctions polygamy, in fact, quite the opposite.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

That's quite a stretch there. The New Testament never sanctions polygamy, in fact, quite the opposite.

Well bro...you asked and I offered what I had read. Now...these were virgins prepared for their wedding to their groom...obviously polygamous. Christ is represented as a polygamous groom. If it were condemned in the NT would Jesus use an illustration characterizing himself as a polygamous groom? Oh well....that's in the NT.

Can you give a specific Scripture where polygamy is condemned? Yes, the virtues of monogamy are assailed...but polygamy isn't strictly condemned from what I can find.

I believe there is a purpose for this. I believe that the early church found monogamy to be proper and best. So Paul set the standard at the top knowing it would trickle down. Why didn't Paul outright condemn polygamy? It would require men already married to more than one woman in the church to have to divorce...divorce is never God's desire. It would force these divorced women into having to be prostitutes or slaves because divorced women were regarded like dogs. Paul's standard is like righteous leaven that spread through the Church making Christian marriage monogamous without bringing social upheaval or condemning those who weren't monogamous.

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Can you give me instances of sanctioned polygamy in the New Testament?

Whenever you can give me instances of sanctioned Divorce and REMARRIAGE in the NT... and yes i can show you sanctioned Polygamy in the NT... Christ and his many membered Bride

[Hoovie]

The ten virgins awaiting the Bridegroom may represent the wedding party rather than the bride...

[Michael Phelps]

Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn

Whenever you can give me instances of sanctioned Divorce and REMARRIAGE in the NT... and yes i can show you sanctioned Polygamy in the NT... Christ and his many membered Bride

Well, I'm just using your own logic, DV, such as when I asked about Hosea and Gomer's story being in the OT, and you responded that certain instances in the OT must be supported by corresponding NT passages.

Otherwise, we have isogesis instead of exegesis.

So, divorce and remarriage aside, and your flimsy example of Christ and HIs many membered bride, do you have any scripture where Jesus or any of the Apostles taught anything other than polygamy?

I mean, there is that small verse about the bishop being the husband of one wife, but I"m sure you can explain that one away!

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Well, I'm just using your own logic, DV, such as when I asked about Hosea and Gomer's story being in the OT, and you responded that certain instances in the OT must be supported by corresponding NT passages.

Otherwise, we have isogesis instead of exegesis.

So, divorce and remarriage aside, and your flimsy example of Christ and HIs many membered bride, do you have any scripture where Jesus or any of the Apostles taught anything other than polygamy?

I mean, there is that small verse about the bishop being the husband of one wife, but I"m sure you can explain that one away!

Phelps... I lost you on the 2nd paragraph.. are you asking me to give scripture where Jesus taught anything OTHER than Polygamy? I'm not sure what your asking for bro.. please clarify and I will respond

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael Phelps

Well, I'm just using your own logic, DV, such as when I asked about Hosea and Gomer's story being in the OT, and you responded that certain instances in the OT must be supported by corresponding NT passages.

Otherwise, we have isogesis instead of exegesis.

So, divorce and remarriage aside, and your flimsy example of Christ and HIs many membered bride, do you have any scripture where Jesus or any of the Apostles taught anything other than polygamy?

I mean, there is that small verse about the bishop being the husband of one wife, but I"m sure you can explain that one away!

I think the fact that Jesus characterizes himself as a groom of multiple virgins is significant. If it was unholy certainly he wouldn't characterize himself doing something unholy.

In regards to Paul's admonishion about only having one wife...it's only commanded of Bishops and deacons. I think we should ask a fair question....would there be a need for Paul to admonish any bishop or deacons to be the husband of only one wife if polygamy wasn't present in the early church?

Originally Posted by aquila

i think the fact that jesus characterizes himself as a groom of multiple virgins is significant. If it was unholy certainly he wouldn't characterize himself doing something unholy.

In regards to paul's admonishion about only having one wife...it's only commanded of bishops and deacons. I think we should ask a fair question....would there be a need for paul to admonish any bishop or deacons to be the husband of only one wife if polygamy wasn't present in the early church?

b i n g o

[Dora]

Originally Posted by ILG

You explain away your own lusts and the disrepect towards women using the Bible to do it. I find that shameful and sad. Remember how the Pharisees interpreted scripture to their own benefit and Jesus rebuked them and interpreted it in such a way that was righteous? The Pharisees hated Jesus, called him all manner of things and crucified him because he exposed their lusts cloaked behind religion. I find the same thing here. I find men using scripture to degrade women instead of lift them up, using it to excuse their own lusts, using it to give themselves privelege and deny the same privelege to the women.

Here is an example of a woman who escaped polygamy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJAvqc5u9KM

I know the men here for it will say it doesn't have to be that way....but the end result of polygamy, although it may not be abuse, will always leave women second class citizens with fewer rights than men and unfulfilled in their relationships. Why a God-fearing man would want that and/or promote it in any fashion is beyond me.

This is my last post on the subject because I simply find it too disturning to think that men in the Apostolic church would fight for this supposedly based on the "Bible" to back it up. You can back up anything you want if you twist your views hard enough. Like I said, I don't find polygamy a sin as in making someone hellbound, I simply find it ignorant to promote as a good thing to do and ignorant to believe that polygamy can be an ideal.

Thank you, ILG. Well-stated! I'm in shock!

[Aquila]

Who is fighting "for" polygamy Sis. Dora?