Is Polygamy Sin?

[Timothy]

Is polygamy a sin?

In a country where it is legal, should a newly saved man separate from his wives?

 

[The Rogue Tomato]

I've never had more than one wife at a time.  I don't know if that would be stupid, or if the competition would make them better wives. 

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Timothy]Is polygamy a sin?[/quote]

Depends.

[quote author=Timothy]In a country where it is legal, should a newly saved man separate from his wives?
[/quote]

No. (At the same time, neither should a Christian seek a second spouse while the first is still living.)

 

[Timothy]

I've never had more than one wife at a time.  I don't know if that would be stupid, or if the competition would make them better wives. 

I don't think it would be stupid.

Why is polygamy against the law? What is this based on?

 

[Timothy]

[quote author=Timothy]Is polygamy a sin?

Depends.

[quote author=Timothy]In a country where it is legal, should a newly saved man separate from his wives?
[/quote]

No. (At the same time, neither should a Christian seek a second spouse while the first is still living.)
[/quote]

Okay. So you say "depends" .... could you explain further?

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Timothy]Is polygamy a sin?

Depends.

Okay. So you say "depends" .... could you explain further?[/quote]

Jesus is pretty clear that the intention of marriage was one man/one woman. There are cases where God explicitly tells a man to take a second wife. Therefore, "depends".

 

[Izdaari]

Yep. Depends.

 

[Holy Mole]

Is polygamy a sin?

Can you afford the one you got?

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Can anyone justify the multiple wives in the OT?  This is a question I have never been able to reconcile: If multiple wives is against the teachings of Jesus, why did Israel have multiple wives?

 

[Timothy]

Is polygamy a sin?

Can you afford the one you got?

If I had one or two more I might be able ...  8)

I'm thinking two or three that would go out and work ... one or two more to teach the children ... another to cook and clean .... my wife and I would sit on the front porch sipping iced tea and living the life ....

 

[The Rogue Tomato]

Is polygamy a sin?

Can you afford the one you got?

If I had one or two more I might be able ...  8)

I'm thinking two or three that would go out and work ... one or two more to teach the children ... another to cook and clean .... my wife and I would sit on the front porch sipping iced tea and living the life ....

Okay, now you've crossed the line.  Having multiple wives is one thing.  Allowing one or more of them to work is quite another, you blasphemer.  Next thing you'll say is you'll let them wear pants. 

 

[JrChurch]

I'm thinking two or three that would go out and work ... one or two more to teach the children ... another to cook and clean .... my wife and I would sit on the front porch sipping iced tea and living the life ....

Domestic help. 

 

[rsc2a]

Can anyone justify the multiple wives in the OT?

Which case? Some were justifiable. Some were not.

[quote author=Binaca Chugger]This is a question I have never been able to reconcile: If multiple wives is against the teachings of Jesus, why did Israel have multiple wives?[/quote]

Israel the person or Israel the nation? One was clearly a repudiation of the practice in that case and the other was openly called a harlot for it.

 

[Timothy]

Is polygamy a sin?

Can you afford the one you got?

If I had one or two more I might be able ...  8)

I'm thinking two or three that would go out and work ... one or two more to teach the children ... another to cook and clean .... my wife and I would sit on the front porch sipping iced tea and living the life ....

Okay, now you've crossed the line.  Having multiple wives is one thing.  Allowing one or more of them to work is quite another, you blasphemer.  Next thing you'll say is you'll let them wear pants.

I am also banking on Obamacare to take care of them all ...

 

[Holy Mole]

Can anyone justify the multiple wives in the OT?  This is a question I have never been able to reconcile: If multiple wives is against the teachings of Jesus, why did Israel have multiple wives?

Not that this thought "justifies" it but it served a purpose other than than having multiple partners. More wives meant more sons which eventually meant more wealth and security for the patriarch and the family name. When God promised Abraham(Abram) to make a great nation out of him, that was a very important thing to that culture and important in a less populated and structured society. 

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Can anyone justify the multiple wives in the OT?

Which case? Some were justifiable. Some were not.

[quote author=Binaca Chugger]This is a question I have never been able to reconcile: If multiple wives is against the teachings of Jesus, why did Israel have multiple wives?

Israel the person or Israel the nation? One was clearly a repudiation of the practice in that case and the other was openly called a harlot for it.
[/quote]

Jacob - Israel.  Most others, you can see where trouble was the result.  Jacob married wrong first because he was deceived as he deceived others.  But, from him and his concubines, comes the 12 tribes of Israel - which I cannot rectify with the rest of Scripture.

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Can anyone justify the multiple wives in the OT?  This is a question I have never been able to reconcile: If multiple wives is against the teachings of Jesus, why did Israel have multiple wives?

Not that this thought "justifies" it but it served a purpose other than than having multiple partners. More wives meant more sons which eventually meant more wealth and security for the patriarch and the family name. When God promised Abraham(Abram) to make a great nation out of him, that was a very important thing to that culture and important in a less populated and structured society.

Yet, Abraham had only one wife.  Part of the miracle is that the nation came from his wife in their old age.  When Abraham committed adultery, a warring nation was born who would perpetually fight against Israel.

 

[christundivided]

Can anyone justify the multiple wives in the OT?  This is a question I have never been able to reconcile: If multiple wives is against the teachings of Jesus, why did Israel have multiple wives?

Not that this thought "justifies" it but it served a purpose other than than having multiple partners. More wives meant more sons which eventually meant more wealth and security for the patriarch and the family name. When God promised Abraham(Abram) to make a great nation out of him, that was a very important thing to that culture and important in a less populated and structured society.

Yet, Abraham had only one wife.  Part of the miracle is that the nation came from his wife in their old age.  When Abraham committed adultery, a warring nation was born who would perpetually fight against Israel.

I wouldn't say Abraham committed adultery. The bible certainly doesn't say such. The facts are.... He took a "bondwomen" to his wife Sarah. Now, I am glad we don't have "bondwomen" anymore.......yet, she was considered to be part of Sarah.

 

[rsc2a]

Can anyone justify the multiple wives in the OT?

Which case? Some were justifiable. Some were not.

[quote author=Binaca Chugger]This is a question I have never been able to reconcile: If multiple wives is against the teachings of Jesus, why did Israel have multiple wives?

Israel the person or Israel the nation? One was clearly a repudiation of the practice in that case and the other was openly called a harlot for it.

Jacob - Israel.  Most others, you can see where trouble was the result.  Jacob married wrong first because he was deceived as he deceived others.  But, from him and his concubines, comes the 12 tribes of Israel - which I cannot rectify with the rest of Scripture.[/quote]

The scribes and Pharisees murdered Jesus. I don't think the outcome should be used to judge the actions.

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Can anyone justify the multiple wives in the OT?

Which case? Some were justifiable. Some were not.

[quote author=Binaca Chugger]This is a question I have never been able to reconcile: If multiple wives is against the teachings of Jesus, why did Israel have multiple wives?

Israel the person or Israel the nation? One was clearly a repudiation of the practice in that case and the other was openly called a harlot for it.

Jacob - Israel.  Most others, you can see where trouble was the result.  Jacob married wrong first because he was deceived as he deceived others.  But, from him and his concubines, comes the 12 tribes of Israel - which I cannot rectify with the rest of Scripture.

The scribes and Pharisees murdered Jesus. I don't think the outcome should be used to judge the actions.
[/quote]

Hmm?  The 12 tribes are the result of adultery.  Why would God not use a pure vessel to carry out His plan for a chosen nation?

Solomon succeeded David.  Here is another one.  David committed adultery, stole a man's wife and then killed the man.  Her son would become the next king.  Why not a pure line?

It seems as though God is honoring adulterous relationships which Christ so obviously speaks against.

This has always been a question for which I have no answer.  I simply state that God made Adam and Eve, one man, one wife for life.  Christ taught during his earthly ministry one man, one wife for life.  Next, I teach that I have no clue why it seems God permitted adultery and polygamy in the OT, but if I were to consider such teaching, my wife has already ensured me that I would not live long enough to try it.