Biblical Polygamy?

Polygamy, polygyny, polyandry, polyamory, I often use polygamy meaning polygyny, but it is an umbrella term that could mean all of them so I will try to say polygyny to be precise.

I think we can agree that only polygyny was practiced in biblical times among God's people.
The common belief is that God tolerated this but did not endorse or recommend it.
I know of one biblical example where God sanctioned Polygyny, but I would not like to reveal that yet.

In the case for Adam, God referred to his singleness as "not good" and made a helper "suitable for him."
Paul says that it is best to be single, that all men should be as he is. which makes tension between the two examples.
But I personally believe that some are called to be married, and some are called to be single.

The common belief, which I disagree with, is that Paul requires church officers (bishops/elders/deacons) to have only "one wife"

So, the question is what do we do with converts who are polygynists?
If you God into the third world or direct a ministry to a cult like the FLDS,
And a man who has three wives comes to christ, what is he to do with his three wives?
Common arguments I hear are:
1. Stay married, but cannot pursue officership.
2. must divorce all but one.
a. divorce we obligation to provide
b. divorce with obligation not to provide
3. Something else entirely that I have not though of?

???

No thanks. I got one wife and she is MORE than enough.

Don't wanna be hen-pecked.

I enjoy my quiet and peaceful life and lifestyle. More than one wife plus kids?
I'm outa there. Becoming a workaholic becomes really appealing.

how many you got?

((curiosity))

Honestly, we mostly see one wife and the wife's maids. These normally are not for the man but to help the wife because most groups of people were workers and helpers and the women kept em fed and such.

Jacob only had 2 wives because he was tricked. He only wanted Rachel but got Leah and had to work again for Rachel. In Jacob's heart he only had one wife. And the wives also had concubines or slaves. God only allowed Jacob's situation for the purpose of the 12 sons.

But in the genealogy and lineage we see one wife.

It was custom for kings to have multiple wives but God never intended Israel to have kings. Once you read Samuel and Saul you see God never wanted kings for Israel.

So basically Polygamy was more common among the ENEMIES OF GOD.

And, interestingly, it was the hated wife.

Amen!

I am assuming you are asking me how many wives I have.
Currently none, I am at the beginning stages of courting a woman.

So, the question is what do we do with converts who are polygynists?
If you God into the third world or direct a ministry to a cult like the FLDS,
And a man who has three wives comes to christ, what is he to do with his three wives?
Common arguments I hear are:
1. Stay married, but cannot pursue officership.
2. must divorce all but one.
a. divorce we obligation to provide
b. divorce with obligation not to provide
3. Something else entirely that I have not though of?

Again I would like to make it clear, that I am arguing that a man can have more than one wife, not that he should have more than one wife. This conversation thread I created because you all wanted to talk about polygamy in the thread where I wanted to talk about the mandate for an officer in the church to be married. So this is the Pandora’s box that you have opened. I am hesitant to present my arguments on this topic because I feel that they can be used to assure men who are not called in that direction that they that they have an avenue to pursue polygyny. I have been clear most men should not.

So, the question is what do we do with converts who are polygynists?
If you go into the third world or direct a ministry to a cult like the FLDS,
And a man who has three wives comes to Christ, what is he to do with his three wives?