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NASB | 1 Kings 11:3 He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Kings 11:3 He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away [from God]. |
Subject: Does God endorse polygamy? |
Bible Note: You wrote: 'Although the churches in this country do not today find this to be acceptable..." Nor does the state, to whom we are to submit as well... '...I openly challenge the idea that man-made institutions we call "churches" have a God-given authority to add to God's definition of marriage by saying that a "license" is now a part of how we define marriage.' It isn't the "licenses" that define a marriage. I haven't seen anyone else but you even bring up the license. However, multiple marriages are against the law in the United States, and unless that is a commandment which would cause you to disobey God (and you yourself have acknowledged that polygamy is not a COMMAND), we are to glorify God by submission to the authority He has established. And speaking of established authority, the Church was established by Jesus Christ and is not a "man-made institution." We are also called to submit to the church's authority in the Lord. You added: "Organized religion (churches) in this country tend to "tow the party line" (democratically defined system of morality and theology)." Please point out ANY concrete examples of a tradition of polygamous churches since Pentecost. The United States has not exerted any influence over the monogamous marriage structure of the church. It has been that way for 2000 years. "This comes as no surprise to those of us who have taken several steps back from the mind control religion tends to exert upon its followers, and have instead allow scripture to speak for itself." That's funny; the Jehovah's Witnesses have told me the same thing. Ever think that you acting as an individual may have gotten Scripture wrong here? That is why Christianity is a corporate entity, not a democratic free-for-all where your "interpretation" of Scripture is correct because you say it is. The Lord established the CHURCH for a reason, and you are doing nothing but pointing out how you despise its authority and its historical position regarding what Scripture teaches. --Joe! |