Christian Polygamy? - Page 2

Jashobeam · 04-18-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonykat

Polygamy does not really exist in Christianity. It is not accepted in either Protestantism, Catholicism, or Orthodoxy. There are some off-shoot groups (the FLDS comes to mind), but they are small and not accepted by the mainstream.

Some religions do allow it. I believe Islam (depending on who you talk to) allows up to 4 wives.

True. It did exist in Jewish homes, but we don't find evidence of that in Christian homes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hezzer

To be Christian, you must be living in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus restated his father’s words back in the garden of Eden when he said in Matthew 19: 4-6: 4 In reply he said: “Did YOU not read that he who created them from [the] beginning made them male and female 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh’? 6 So that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has yoked together let no man put apart.”

The apostle Paul reiterated that teaching in Ephesians 5:28-31: 28 In this way husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself, 29 for no man ever hated his own flesh; but he feeds and cherishes it, as the Christ also does the congregation, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave [his] father and [his] mother and he will stick to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

To even hold privileges in the congregation the requirement was that you must have only one wife as shown in 1 Timothy 3:2: 2 The overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife . . .

Those who practice polygamy often justify it by referring to what is recorded in the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament). But it was clearly not God’s original purpose when he created Adam and gave him just one wife, Eve, as said in Genesis 2 That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh.”

The practice of polygamy did not originate with God. The first mention of it was when Lamech, a descendant of Cain, took two wives. But when the flood of Noah’s day came, Noah and his three sons only had one wife each. The polygamists were all killed in the flood.

Centuries later, when God chose the Israelites as his people, the practice already existed among them – though the more common practice was only one wife. He did not break up families at that time, but instead regulated it. Clearly it was only temporary because the formation of the Christian congregation ended it. At that time, the standard of marriage returned to what he had instituted in the beginning.

Well said!

Quote:

Originally Posted by elocinintherain

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ...While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; ...And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage:" Matthew 25:1-2,5-6c,10a-c (See verses 1-13).

The virgins were the girl's handmaidens. The bride was inside asleep. The virgins were there as servants or friends, not brides.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hezzer

Though there were no formal wedding ceremonies, they were cause for a joyous celebration. There was actually a procession from the groom's parent's home to the bride's parents home. He would be escorted by friends and family and even onlookers would join in the festivities. Attendants were there to meet him and would enter into the home and celebrate the marriage.

Again, the ten virgins in this illustration are symbolic and weren't meant to be taken literally, but if one chose to ignore the context, a little insight into the wedding ceremonies of the day clarifies the understanding.

I would recommend In Echoes of His Presence for a view of Jewish marriage ceremonies. It explains from a Jewish persective what the virgins were there for.

sue_trask · 04-18-2008, 04:55 PM

i think it can work if the org. relationship is strong. it all depends on the ppl. also you cant just go by the new testment but the whole bible.

Jashobeam · 04-18-2008, 05:11 PM

True, let's look at the OT. How did two women under one roof go for Abraham? Two women fighting, his son almost dying in the desert. How did it go for Jacob? Two women fighting, even bartering for sex with him. How did it go for Solomon? Just read Proverbs for his laments on what life is like with just one nagging woman. How did it go with David? He murdered his future wife's husband; lost that child once she became pregnant; rival children at war with each other, not seeing their 1/2 siblings as actual siblings, rape, etc. How did it go for Hanah? Feeling inferior to her husband's other wife who "kept provoking her in order to irritate her."

sue_trask · 04-18-2008, 05:24 PM

yeah but i have known others who is poly and it works for them. like i said it depends on how well the relationship is in the beginning.

Anonykat · 04-18-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

yeah but i have known others who is poly and it works for them. like i said it depends on how well the relationship is in the beginning.

But the question was couched in, is it Christian, not does it work. The answer is clearly no. It is not found in Christian history and is in direct opposition to everything that Christ and His apostles taught about marriage.

If you want to talk about how it works in other religions or non-religious people, that's an entirely different matter.

sue_trask · 04-18-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anonykat

But the question was couched in, is it Christian, not does it work. The answer is clearly no. It is not found in Christian history and is in direct opposition to everything that Christ and His apostles taught about marriage.

If you want to talk about how it works in other religions or non-religious people, that's an entirely different matter.

i think it can be christian but this my own thoughts.

Jashobeam · 04-18-2008, 06:50 PM

Christian- little Christ, or follower of Christ. The term when used in today's culture generally refers to those who embrace the teachings of Christ. Chirst in no passage I have read said, "Marry often." He upheld the origins of marriage- one man, one woman an institution created by God. So, is this something commanded by God? Never. Not even once in Scripture do you see Jesus saying, "Take another wife." It is a tradition in some cultures, but it certainly is not a Christian practice, as in a command of Christ.

Carrie24TX · 04-18-2008, 08:19 PM

I just have to say, That I agree with the PP who stated that marriage is between 1 man and 1 woman, the way God intended it to be.

Hezzer · 04-19-2008, 09:08 AM

In the same vain as others have said . . .

"Christian Polygamy" is an oxymoron.

It makes no more sense than "Christian Adultery".

The two terms are in direct conflict with one another.

sarahgmac · 04-19-2008, 11:13 PM

Not that I agree with polygamy, but aren't Mormons considered Christians? And in the Book of Mormon, isn't polygamy condoned? I am not a Mormon, but since they believe in Jesus Christ, I thought they were Christians too?

sue_trask · 04-19-2008, 11:23 PM

they read the bible also but i think you cant judge anyone who does poly and are christians. what they do in private is between god and them

DiamondInTheRough · 04-20-2008, 07:34 PM

Sarah, I was thinking the same thing. I find myself defending Islam time & time again when people want to group 'off-shoot' groups with the mainstream. This is met with much opposition, of course. Yet it's ironic how quickly the same argument can be used for Christianity without any room for opposing views. Oh well, nothing new I suppose.

ryantracy05 · 04-20-2008, 10:20 PM

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents. No where in the Bible does God condone polygamy. Yes there are people in the Bible who did it but did it ever turn out good for any of them? No, there many wives always turned them away from God. Lucky for them God was forgiving! There is not way pologmy is going to turn out good for anyone, for one thing there is always going to be jelousy between wives no matter what is going on. Not sure if anyone follows the HBO series Big Love, yes it if fictional but to a point it is probably right on. Besides if God wanted man to have more that 1 wife he would have created 2 women for Adam.

lj2blessed · 04-20-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hezzer

In the same vain as others have said . . .

"Christian Polygamy" is an oxymoron.

It makes no more sense than "Christian Adultery".

The two terms are in direct conflict with one another.

elocinintherain · 04-20-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryantracy05

Besides if God wanted man to have more that 1 wife he would have created 2 women for Adam.

not to knitpick, but he kind of did... Adam + Lilith, and Adam + Eve.