Polygamy in the Bible

MissBrattified · #1 08-06-2008, 09:50 PM

Okay, Dora may shoot me for this one, BUT:

Scripture does not clearly condemn polygamy. However, I don't agree scripture supports it or, worse, recommends it. I simply think that it was allowed, in the same manner slavery was allowed, and laws were put into place to regulate the practice and keep it humane.

Polygamy is out of line with scriptural ideals in the same way that slavery is out of line with scriptural ideals. In fact, I would go so far as to say that if a slave-owner from another country and culture were converted to Christianity, even if he were a kind and fair owner, he should be encouraged to set his slaves free, in order to be in line with Christian principles.

Polygamy is confusing, it is chaos, it is not in the best interest of the children in the household, and God is not the author of confusion.

By the way, the ten virgins are not support for polygamy. They were bridesmaids who were supposed to light the way with their lamps for the groom and his groomsmen as he made his way to his bride's house. The virgins were not brides. They were unmarried women, and as such, they were virgins. I know. Novel idea.

#2 08-06-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Okay, Dora may shoot me for this one, BUT:

Scripture does not clearly condemn polygamy. However, I don't agree scripture supports it or, worse, recommends it. I simply think that it was allowed, in the same manner slavery was allowed, and laws were put into place to regulate the practice and keep it humane.

Polygamy is out of line with scriptural ideals in the same way that slavery is out of line with scriptural ideals. In fact, I would go so far as to say that if a slave-owner from another country and culture were converted to Christianity, even if he were a kind and fair owner, he should be encouraged to set his slaves free, in order to be in line with Christian principles.

Polygamy is confusing, it is chaos, it is not in the best interest of the children in the household, and God is not the author of confusion.

By the way, the ten virgins are not support for polygamy. They were bridesmaids who were supposed to light the way with their lamps for the groom and his groomsmen as he made his way to his bride's house. The virgins were not brides. They were unmarried women, and as such, they were virgins. I know. Novel idea.

So you believe he took 5 of them and left 5 right? Which one was the Bride?

MissBrattified · #3 08-06-2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Vaughn

So you believe he took 5 of them and left 5 right? Which one was the Bride?

None of them.

It wasn't the bride's house.

I've read historical accounts of this before, maybe T Burk can help me out here. The bridesmaids would light the way to the bride's house for the groom and groomsmen.

So the 5 without lit lamps were not able to participate in the procession to the bride's home, and had to go out and purchase oil for their lamps. By the time they caught up, the wedding was in progress, and the bridesmaids weren't allowed in.

#4 08-06-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

None of them.

It wasn't the bride's house.

I've read historical accounts of this before, maybe T Burk can help me out here. The bridesmaids would light the way to the bride's house for the groom and groomsmen.

So the 5 without lit lamps were not able to participate in the procession to the bride's home, and had to go out and purchase oil for their lamps. By the time they caught up, the wedding was in progress, and the bridesmaids weren't allowed in.

The Groom came for his Bride.... he took 5 of them into the type of the rapture for the marriage.... why bother taking the five if they were not Bride?

Aquila · #5 08-06-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Okay, Dora may shoot me for this one, BUT:

Scripture does not clearly condemn polygamy. However, I don't agree scripture supports it or, worse, recommends it. I simply think that it was allowed, in the same manner slavery was allowed, and laws were put into place to regulate the practice and keep it humane.

Polygamy is out of line with scriptural ideals in the same way that slavery is out of line with scriptural ideals. In fact, I would go so far as to say that if a slave-owner from another country and culture were converted to Christianity, even if he were a kind and fair owner, he should be encouraged to set his slaves free, in order to be in line with Christian principles.

Polygamy is confusing, it is chaos, it is not in the best interest of the children in the household, and God is not the author of confusion.

Sister...God commanded polygamy to fulfill Liverite marriage. God also blessed David with wives. I honestly believe polygamy can't be judged outside of it's cultural context. In their cultural setting polygamy was a very moral institution compared to the alternatives for women.

Quote:

By the way, the ten virgins are not support for polygamy. They were bridesmaids who were supposed to light the way with their lamps for the groom and his groomsmen as he made his way to his bride's house. The virgins were not brides. They were unmarried women, and as such, they were virgins. I know. Novel idea.

I was taught that too. But I'm curious as to the historical validity of this idea, I read somewhere that there wasn't a shred of evidence that this was actually the custom in ancient Israel.