Polygamaniacs

[Paul not the apostle]

In another thread, Q said,

"Polygamy advocacy is not helped by those afflicted with polygamania (sp. ?), that is, imputing polygamy to biblical characters with no supporting facts in order to make the practice more commonplace. There is more than enough real evidence to make a biblical case supporting polygamy."

I have been feeling the same way lately. We know how frustrated we become when we hear the Word slaughtered by someone with monogamania. I know that when they blantantly replace a scripture verse with an alternate meaning from their concordance I feel a level of frustration that makes it hard for me to listen to anything else that they want to say. I think that the polygyny camp should, as the differing minority, hold ourselves to a higher standard of strict interpretation so that we do not offend or exasperate the other parts of the body. I do find that most Christians know what they believe, they just don't know why or how to open their Bibles and show you why they hold to that particular belief. I have found that instead of trying to convince them that I am right, it is better for me to ask them to tell show me how they know that they are right. I have found this much easier. And it does not require me to explain the difference between "own" and "own", or necessitate a broad "we don't know because it does not specifically say so it could be that he did" type of argument that makes them shake their head and not want to listen to anything else that I want to say.

I am proud to be a part of this forum and part of the Biblical Families Forum. Thank you for all of the input and wisdom.

Paul E. Ghammi

 

[CecilW]

I DO love your new Kenyan name, Paul.

I agree in substance. We best not impute where the authors remained silent. However, I feel that it does no harm to point out that the authors DID remain silent, and that their imputation of our opposite is no more valid.

To a thought provoking but argument free environment,
Hon-ki bin Thinkin'

 

[Tlaloc]

Feinting really does work nicely, especially with an earnest 'oh, the bible bans polygamy? Where?' So long as you have a powerful followup to whatever they try to do it makes for a wonderful discussion turner, especially with an audience present.

The whole point of not adding polygamists where they are not stated is a good one, though I think it is fair in our own discussion to accept such possibilities.

 

[nathan]

Boy, I couldn't agree more Paul E. - strong enough to bring me out of post-hibernation (is it Summer yet?). Not only is this a better way to make the argument firsthand for those who you might actually make (grudgingly) rethink their position, BUT, making sound doctrine arguments, and not resorting to anything that might give the appearance of "strange" (OK, stranger than need-be, at least), will greatly increase our ability to be taken seriously by the larger Church - at least with those willing to think for themselves.

Have you ever talked a pastor (or his wife) into reading Tom Shipley? I have - they don't usually come back with bad things to say, because Tom covers the Word (and only the Word) seriously, and doesn't add extra-Biblical unnecessary arguments. They may come back with a disagreement or two, but they take the book very seriously. The same can be said for Q's much shorter article that's linked to on our site. But the same cannot be said about some other polygamy-friendly works available on these here Internets (I'll refrain from mentioning any).

All of us have extra-Biblical opinions, and that's OK, but I think we do ourselves and perhaps 'the movement' a disservice when we push those to the forefront in making the case for polygamy. (Of course, making the "social argument" for plural marriage is a different beast, and very useful in my opinion.)

Sola Scriptura. - Nuthan Wong Witdat

 

[DrRay777]

I have found in my limited experience in this area that there is no real support for the argument against Biblical polygyny. Scripture is in favor of it. History, past and present is as well. What I have found is that those who truly want to believe what God is busy doing with us will accept it and go with it. The majority of people, (even if they call themselves Christian) will oppose it, but for selfish, fearful reasons. It is only the selfless person; confident of whom they are in Christ that will embrace Christian polygyny. These are a rare find indeed. As I have said elsewhere, those who embrace Christian polygyny will be blessed and those who oppose it will have it forced upon them. People do not believe Jesus when He said either break yourself on the stone or it will fall on you and grind you into powder. Either way, God is going to have His way with us. Keep fighting the good fight of faith. We will win in the end.

Be blessed,

Dr. Ray