Commandments regarding monogamy vs. polygamy

[Olympiada]

Dear Friends,

It is my understanding that as Christians we are forbidden to practice polygamy. Is this in fact the truth? It is my understanding that polygamy was practiced in the Old Testament. But these are New Testaments times so it is no longer legal, correct?

In Christ
Olympiada

[Herman Blaydoe]

Polygamy may have been "practiced" in the Old Testament, but so were a lot of other things, like murder, incest, adultery, and such. That does not mean they were "legal" and certainly not encouraged.

I think a serious study of the OT will show that polygamy may have been allowed, perhaps even permitted, at one time or another, but I don't believe there is anything to document that it was God-inspired. I don't think it was EVER part of Christian teachings and was not a Jewish practice in Christ's time.

[katya the nurse-aid]

please please please...do not forget Abraham! good example....right? right? right?

[Herman Blaydoe]

Abraham only had ONE wife. His relationship with her servant was due to weakness and doubt in God's promise, and the effects of that sin are with us today an hundredfold. Polygamy was/is/will be a bad idea, something that leads away from, rather than towards, God.

Right?