Soil from Stone

There’s something here for just about everyone to dislike.

Yesterday I received an email from a leader in the Messianic Jewish community declining my request to discuss A Commentary on Marriage in the Bible with his group because he feels that it “could be pro-polygamy.” A pro-poly Mormon group let me talk about it, however. The first response?

Well, a lot of what you wrote I do agree with, and you are certainly right about one more thing *__*, I do disagree with at least some of what you said:

“My own feeling had always been that God disapproves, but tolerates (tolerated?) it among those converted from a polygamous culture.”

‘Tolerate’ is not correct – the Gods encourage it (dare I say require it) in a Godly marriage.

Although this study has moved me from “tolerates” to “approves,” I stop well short of “encourages.” Here is my reply to the Messianic leader:

Thank you for your response, __________. My book is certainly pro-polygamy by most modern western standards. Generally speaking, I take the position that polygamy (polygyny, to be precise) is acceptable and sometimes necessary, but that it is not something that most people should pursue. Due to the exponentially more complex relationships within a polygamous household, very few men are capable of governing it successfully. ["Especially in a dogmatically monogamous society," I should have added.]

I believe that this is an idea that will be overtaking us whether we like it or not. God portrays himself as a polygamist when discussing his relationships with Israel and Judah, and prophecy seems to indicate that multiple wives will again be the norm among God’s people at some time in the future just as it was during the exodus from Egypt.

I understand your reluctance to promote the book among your group. It is an awkward and difficult subject that frequently catalyzes division. Unfortunately, I cannot let the negative reactions of men and women interfere with a task I believe God has appointed to me. Thank you for your time and may God bless you.

Sincerely,

Jay Carper

Not strong enough…too strong…too much of this…not enough of that…What can I say? It’s a subject that almost all believers feel strongly about in one direction or another. Maybe that means it’s a timely subject for a book.