Continuing our series of threads about marriage....

I'm curious what y'all think about polygamy. Is it sinful according to the Bible? Was it sinful before the New Covenant and something changed? If it is not sinful, or wasn't sinful at some point, then is/was it restricted only to males having multiple wives, or could the wives have multiple husbands too?

Historically, both Augustine and Martin Luther acknowledged that there is support for polygamy in the Bible. And clearly Biblical Old Testament patriarchs engaged in the practice. Deuteronomy even gives out rules governing the practice with regard to inheritance etc. Different faiths have disagreed over whether these practices were condoned or merely tolerated by God.

Personally, polygamy really bothers me on many levels. To say that I am grateful my church no longer engages in the practice would be an understatement. Not only does it erode notions of exclusive devotion between spouses in marriage, but has the capacity to create alienation if not outright disasterous relationships. There are significant problems with polygamy on a sociological level as well. My personal belief is that while God may condone or even require the practice under special circumstances, it should definitely not be considered a normative practice.

Anyway, just my $.02

[This message has been edited by groove (edited 2/21/2009 5:11p).]

where is the support for polygamy in the Bible? just because it is there doesn't mean it's supported.

Polygamy in the Bible always had bad consequences. Solomon's wives led him astray. Abraham's relations with Hagar were disastrous. Jacob's problems with his two wives was obvious and led to enmity between his sons and Joseph's slavery. David and Bathsheba needs no comment.

Time and again, polygamy harmed the participants and their families - and sometimes even the entire country of Israel.

I would say that the Bible never endorses polygamy. In fact, many more bad things come of polygamy in the Bible than good things.

Qualifications for elder or deacon include "...husband of one wife....."