There is simply not any bible verse in the old or new testaments that forbids polygamy. Introduction no book is more maligned in todays relativistic, antireligion culture than the bible. Since the bible doesnt directly say that polygamy is prohibited, many presume that it is not forbidden in scripture. Though practiced in the old testament, polygamy was never gods perfect plan. For example, king david and or abraham taking his servant girl to have a child, while sarah agrees with it. Polygamy has been practiced by many cultures throughout history 3 there are numerous examples of polygamy among close followers, devotees, and the faithful to god in the old testament, but it is generally not accepted by most contemporary christians, though other christian groups permit the. The teaching of the bible on divorce is a higher, stricter, nobler standard than the one advocated by the quran. In fact, even the old testament affirmed that god hates divorce malachi 2. One does not find the bible stating explicitly that polygamy is gods will.
There are many skeptics who doubt the existence of god andor attack belief in the god of the bible. The first instance of polygamy bigamy in the bible was that of lamech in genesis 4. First, marriage in the bible is always marriage, no matter how many wives are involved, since the bible doesnt provide a special definition of polygamy. When we understand and embrace gods word, we will know the difference between the truth and the lies, and we wont be deceived.
The question of polygamy is an interesting one in that most people today view polygamy as immoral while the bible nowhere explicitly condemns it. First, the ideal pattern of monogamous marriage of one woman and one man was established early in genesis. Ehrman is an engaging writer and does an excellent job of making skeptical scholarly claims understandable for the average person even if you dont agree with their. The first recorded polygamist was the murderer lamech gen. Sproul shows that the first thing to do is to establish the existence of god. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Over the course of a month or so, i asked a number of christian philosophers what 3 books they recommend christians with an interest in apologetics read. The baker encyclopedia of christian apologetics says of polygamy that, the scriptures repeatedly warn against having multiple wives deut. Part i is comprised of three chapters chronicling his experience growing up in the house of his father, a thoughtful methodist minister and biblical scholar. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to.
Apologetics has become dominated by philosophy and appeals to mans rational faculties, theistic arguments and and attempts to persuade people of the plausibility rather than certainty of god. The top 3 apologetics books christian philosophers say you. Why did so many men in the bible have multiple wives. But i couldnt find anything that was designed to be handson, memorable and fun. Of course, real apologetics properly recognizes the authority of scripture, as christ did compare john 14. Peter gentry answers in honest answers episode 84 to find out the answer to next episodes question, dont forget to subscribe. Furthermore, we read in the old testament of people who were greatly used by god who had multiple wives.
Wouldnt it be right to say that the proper starting point in apologetics is the defense of sacred scripture. Jesus gave one, and only one, reason for divorce in gods sight. Unlike the bible, the book of mormon has no corroboration from other books written by other authors to its supposed history, and no eyewitnesses to the events recorded therein. Csb apologetics study bible, hardcover, thumbindexed. The bible does not say we should live in monogamous only with one other person marriages. This list is an attempt to provide a quick and helpful reference for apologetics reading. Simply because the bible records solomons sin of polygamy does not mean that god approved of it. Lamech, first man with two wives in the bible when people try to argue from a biblical perspective that polygamy is sin, they run into problems. If marriage is explicitly defined in scripture, and if that definition limits it to one man and one woman joined together to become one in the sense mentioned in. Polygamy and the bible the liberated christians group has made the following claims.
In the old testament we read of the practice of having many wives. Shop koorongs wide range of books and christian products now for online specials. Csb apologetics study bible, mahogany leathertouch. In fact, he specifically said not to have more than one wife because, in part, they can turn a persons heart away from god. The protestants problem with polyamory catholic answers. What are the best apologetics resources for students. In 1 kings 11, verse 3, we read that solomon, the king who ruled at the pinnacle of israelite power, had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Many have asked for a list of recommended apologetics books. In biblical times it was common to find the custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time.
If muhammads polygamy is justifiable on the grounds that he was simply. The two books, in fact, contradict each other on this point. Polygamy is the practice or custom of having more than one wife or husband at the same time. Here the study moves on to the subject of how we defend the churchs confidence and belief in the authority and inspiration of the bible. Bart ehrman is an exchristian bible scholar and professor who writes popularlevel books teaching why many scholars believe the bible isnt a reliable source for faith. Then esau, who despised his birthright, also caused much grief to his parents by marrying two pagan wives gen. A rational defense of the christian faith and a critique of presuppositional apologetics.
Each category is listed in the order in which the books are recommended. The apologetics study bible helps todays christians better understand, defend, and proclaim their beliefs in an age of increased moral and spiritual relativism. This book is a refreshing call to return to biblical moorings withing the discipline of apologetics, upholding the sufficiency and authority of scripture. Indeed it was common to the cultures of the ancient near east to have more than one wife. Christian apologists defend and comment on various books of the bible. Consider where polygamy originated first in the line of the murderer cain, not the godly line of seth. At the end of the post, ive listed the top 3 books recommended by all respondents. Polygamy, the practice of one man having multiple wives, was common in antiquity. Shop for apologetics books at and support the ongoing mission of mother angelica. Are you looking for material to help you teach your young children about christian apologetics.
The bible is an incredibly candid book when compared to the religious writings of other traditions. Apologetics books associates for biblical research. While the old testament never expressly condemns polygamy, god does make his defining standard for marriage known from the very beginning of the bible. Recommended apologetics books on the reliability of the bible. Therefore, apologetics is primarily a labor of love and loyalty to god, the creator, and secondarily a labor of love and learning on behalf of humans, the creatures. God allowed polygamy as well as diviorce in the old testament because of the hardness of peoples hearts matt. In norman geislers baker encyclopedia of christian apologetics, he argues against polygamy by saying that although men god highly praised in the bible had multiple wives andor concubines.
From constant public attacks of the new atheists to the revelation of mythical and thus false elements discovered within its pages heralded by liberal scholars, the bible has lost its place of prominence and influence in the mind of the american psyche. Browse our selection of christian apologetic sets online today. Christian apologetics, then, is the science of giving a defense of the christian faith. Apologetics is the branch of theology which deals with giving a defense of the christian faith. Your toughest questions answered the mcdowell apologetics. Although monogamy was clearly gods intent genesis 2. The bible is not the word of god it was just written by some men. Discover the best apologetics christian theology in best sellers.
Now available in two new simulated leather editions. There are serious problems with drawing that conclusion. David is first and foremost a passionate follower of yeshua the messiah. Homoousios, and also the terms vetus testamentum old testament and. The truth is that the story of polygamy in the old testament is, well, a problem. In fact, he specifically said not to have more than one wife because, in. All bible quotations are from the new king james version unless otherwise noted. Recommended apologetics book directory apologetics315. The apologetics bible is an essential study guide for anyone looking to improve their relationship with god. God never approved of polygamy nor did he intend it to be the norm. Many apologetic books have been written in defence of the history or. Apologetics is the religious discipline of defending religious doctrines through systematic.
The english word apology comes from a greek word which basically means to give a defense. Paul practiced apologetics as he regularly went first to a towns synagogue and reasoned with them from the scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the christ had to suffer and rise. Davids heart is to minister to gods people by helping them rediscover the validity and blessing of gods torah and help prepare them to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope within them 1 peter 3. A closer look at the verses marshaled against polygamy will show that the bible really does not endorse the anti polygamy position. As parr says, if we look at the original institution of marriage, it is crystal clear that it is the joining together of a man and woman genesis 2. God authorized jesus christ to reinstitute his original standard of monogamy. In the old testament, the term for concubine pilegesh most frequently refers to a secondary or inferior wife, taken without a legal ceremony or any formalization by means of the dowry, who did not have the same legal status as the primary wife or wives, although the term occasionally denotes a. This book has none of the characteristics of gods word, and instead has. This book provides a clear and powerful response to the new atheists whose attacks on christianity, scripture, and the historicity of jesus have become. For a time, god did permit a man to have more than one wife. More than onehundred key questions and articles placed throughout the volume about faith and science prompt a rewarding study.
472 1401 741 1410 648 1110 1017 917 1314 1285 1459 1303 1124 469 1469 473 765 859 687 330 1051 805 566 254 1578 93 1077 1069 517 704 480 815 1039 1141 1461 854 832 192 380 569 1265