Is polygamy a sin?

I think it's a sin if the law that governs you says it is. As far as biblical reference condemning polygamy, I've studied that, and could find none. The many instances of polygamy that are mentioned in the Bible, you would think if it were a sinful practice, it would have been condemned at least once somewhere. I believe it's more of a cultural issue.

I'm not a polygamy advocate, but I believe where Scripture is silent, we should be. It can be argued that God is for polygamy in that Christ is the bridegroom, and the church (composed of many believers) is the bride.

 

I think this board is really "caving in", to borrow the words of one poster in another thread who had somebody agreeing with him who don't usually agree with him, because now I am agreeing with you. :smilewinkgrin:
Oh, my. Oh, well.
But, tomorrow's the 22nd of August, and somebody says the world might end then. So, who knows, eh ?
:wavey:

 

From Genesis, I think God ordained one man, one woman, for life. Is polygamy a sin? Yes, not just because the law says so, but more important, the Bible says so, in Genesis, and in Paul's letters, I never recall a second wife being talked about in the New Testement.

 

The Bible is not silent on polygamy. You don't have to find a specific verse that says, "You shall not commit polygamy" for polygamy to be a sin, or at least undesireable.

Every man who committed polygamy suffers for it in the OT; it only brings trouble to the husband and/or the wives.

The NT clearly does not present polygamy as an option. I think the verses posted on the thread about "husband of one wife" show that God's desire is for a one man with one woman marriage.

I'm always amazed at the lenient attitude towards polygamy that I find among Christian men.

 

Um, that's silence.

That's your take on it, and that's fine. I don't think the texts state that though.

Like the ones who penned the Bible

 

I agree with you. It's sad to see how Christians don't think biblically in this matter. I sometimes think I'm in Mormon forums instead of Christian forums. God didn't say Pastors and Deacons are to be the husband of one wife for no good reason. From the start marriage was for one wife and one husband.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Notice, wife is singular.

 

That should be obvious.. one wife is enough for any man to handle!!:laugh:

Why, even with some wives, ONE is too many!

There is no verse that says it is wrong, but the concept is there.
Too me it is justifying adultery. Besides it is against the law, so therefore it is a sin.

 

All I know is David was doing fine with all his wives until he had to have a woman that was already married. Solomon who was wise, well, you know the story...

 

Your just asking for trouble from the women on the board arn't ya.

 

For being so wise, Solomon was so stupid!
And selfish.

 

I think they would agree with me... more than one man would be the definition of insanity!

 

So how many one fleshes did that make? David even ended up paying the price for thinking with his pants instead of with scripture. I don't believe it matters that the time he really got burned is when it was with a married woman. 1+1=1 flesh not 1+25=1 flesh.

 

Webdog, not having a specific verse condemning something is not silence. Silence means the Bible does not address the issue. Haven't you ever heard of using biblical principles and concepts?

The verses in the NT on marriage always speak of "wife" and never "wives."

As far as polygamy in the OT: Maybe God just gave men over to it so they could suffer the consequences and as far as I'm concerned, I have zero sympathy for them. They got what they deserved.

 

Marcia, are you one who is against instrumental music in churches, and a time of invitation at service end? and Sunday School? and associations and conventions?

 

What are you talking about? I consider that question an insult.Asking that way implies that I have those positions when I have never indicated any support for them at all. In fact, I hardly think about these topics. I don't think I've even made statements about them.

 

You said "Silence means the Bible does not address the issue." And since by this you are opposed to polygymy, then to be consistent you should be opposed to the other topics mentioned.

 

I do not support polygamy in any way. But webdog is right about what the bible says about polygamy. Here is a nice list of polygamists in the bible for reference.

 

Could you please post one in the NT. We all know they had cocumbines and wives and a little bit of everything back then, but this is the new and living way.

My wife says its a NO NO, I ask her and after a few moments of staring at me, she then began to answer in a calm and real loud voice, and has followed me through the house the rest of the day looking rather strange at me. I fear for my life for you know we have to sleep sometimes!! You shouldn't ask such questions that will get us all killed.

 

Brother Bob, I'm coming up on 11 years of marriage in September and I know better than to ask a question like that. How long have you been married? :smilewinkgrin: