Is Polygamy Permissible?

Over at Protestia, we see a story of a pastor who said he had two wives and claims polygamy is biblical. If you are the Old Testament, you see many men had multiple wives. So, the question is this, is polygamy permissible? To answer that question, here is Robby Lashua addressing this issue in his article, Polygamy in the Bible Is Not Prescriptive:

The ugly truth is that many of the heroes in the Old Testament were polygamists. Jacob had two wives and Esau had three. King David, the man after God’s own heart, had at least eight wives. Solomon, not to be outdone, had a staggering seven hundred wives (1 Kings 11:3).

These examples from Scripture are perplexing because God used these men to do great things for his name and his people. Would God use men who were living in sexually sinful lifestyles to fulfill his purposes? Was polygamy permissible for these patriarchs, and if it was, is it permissible for us?

To answer these questions, we need to determine one thing. Are these passages about polygamy prescriptive or descriptive? Are they prescribing how we are supposed to live, or are they describing events from the past?

Many passages in Scripture describe events God doesn’t condone. Lot’s daughters getting him drunk and having sex with him comes to mind (Gen. 19:32–36). But many passages of Scripture prescribe how we are to live as followers of God, such as when Jesus prescribes loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matt. 22:37).

Is polygamy prescriptive? The short answer is no. Here’s why. God never commands or condones polygamy in Scripture. The opposite is true.

The first mention of polygamy in Scripture says, “Lamech took to himself two wives” (Gen. 4:19). We are then told that Lamech, a descendant of Cain, boasted to his wives about murdering a boy (Gen. 4:23). Lamech was a bad man, and polygamy is something he practiced.

Not only does God never command or condone polygamy, but he also condemns it. In Deuteronomy 17, God gives instructions for the future kings of Israel, and he specifically condemns taking on many wives. “He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away” (Deut. 17:17). In other words, God wasn’t okay with David and Solomon having multiple wives, and they disobeyed his commands.

What does God prescribe for marriage? Monogamy. From the very beginning, God said marriage was one man and one woman becoming one flesh for one lifetime (Gen. 2:24). We can deduce this from the fact that God only gave Adam one wife, not multiple. We can also see that marriage comes with the command to be fruitful and multiply, something that only requires one male and one female.

Monogamy was also Jesus’ view. When asked a question about divorce being permissible, Jesus argued that God intended marriage to be lifelong and monogamous (Matt. 19:8). He didn’t base his understanding of marriage on what the Law of Moses said about divorce; he went back to God’s original intention for marriage: “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matt. 19:4-6). Two become one flesh. Polygamy is not prescriptive; monogamy is.

Since polygamy is not prescriptive, then it must be descriptive. But what exactly does Scripture describe about polygamy and its results?

In short, polygamy is described as having devastating consequences for those who practice it and for those born as a result of it.

Jacob’s firstborn son, Reuben, by his first wife Leah, had sex with Bilhah, Jacob’s concubine (Gen. 35:22). David’s son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar and was then killed by Tamar’s full brother Absalom (2 Sam. 13). Absalom then tried to usurp the throne from his father David and had sex with David’s concubines (2 Sam. 16:22). Solomon “had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away” (1 Kings 11:3). These descriptions are sad reminders that polygamy is sin and has destructive consequences.

So, how should we view the patriarchs of the Old Testament who practiced polygamy? First, we must recognize that polygamy is described as something they practiced but never as something God prescribed. We should view these men as they are described, flawed human beings, who sinned immensely, that God still loved and worked through. This should encourage us because we all are sinners. I’m glad God works with flawed people like you and me, but make no mistake, polygamy is not and has never been intended by God.

Costi Hinn on the Misconceptions of Christmas

The Christmas season is upon us and like many holidays there are misconceptions about Christmas. In this video, Costi Hinn addresses four misconceptions about Christmas on his For The Gospel podcast.

Justin Peters and Fred Butler Address Michael Heiser's Controversial Beliefs

Book Review: The Completed Works of John Owen: Volume 9, The Death of Christ

In Volume 9 of "The Completed Works of John Owen", we take a look at his collection on The Death of Christ, which are taken from two of Owen's most notable works, "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ" and "Of the Death of Christ, the Price He Paid, and the Purchase His Made."

I will have to admit this was a tough read because Owen because these works seem to be pretty academic. Even I read "The Death of Death" as a separate book, it was a challenge. 

In this volume, Owen shows why the death of Christ is important and on which Christianity must know Biblically. Christ's death is why we were given eternal life. Christ became our mediator and destroyed death. Yes, we will all die one day, but death lost its sting when Christ died on the cross. 

Universalism is nothing new. It has been around for centuries. Owen does make his case as to why universalism is unacceptable and only the elect will have the benefit for inheriting salvation who have received Christ as Lord. 

Once again, another good volume in "The Completed Works of John Owen." I would advise anyone studying this volume to take your time because Owen unpacks a lot. 

I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Introducing the Apostolic Father by William Varner

Church history is an important subject to study for any serious student of the Bible. It helps us learn what people in history thought about God's Word, God Himself, and how the church should operate. Is church history the authority for all believers? Of course not, church history does not trump the Bible in its authority.

One area of church history that does not seem to be discussed a lot is on those who followed the Apostles. Who were the men that followed those Jesus commissioned to carry out His task to lead the church after He ascended? 

William Varner, a well-known Biblical scholar, address who these men were and their theology in his lates book, Introducing the Apostolic Fathers. In this book, Varner looks at various texts and letters into these men who knew the Apostle personally. These men were not just ones who did their research and followed their example. These Apostolic Fathers were men who worked side-by-side with the Apostles Christ commissioned.

One thing to note, nowhere were these men considered Apostles. They believed that the gift and calling of an Apostle had ceased. I am sure there are some continuationists out there that are right now going to disagree with this one since they believe the calling of the Apostle still happens today.

In the book, Varner does write about the testimonies of these early church fathers so that 21st Century Christians can learn from them. He writes about Clement, Polycarp, and Ignatius. He addresses the writings of these men such as Clement's letter to the Corinthians along with his second letter, the Epistle of Barnabas, and the letter to Diognetus.

Varner addresses their eschatology which all of them were premillennial. He also addresses what each early church father believed about baptism which was by immersion. I am sure many of you are scratching your heads at this moment, but it is insight as to what these men believed to be the right doctrine and methods in the early church.

This is very well written book on the subject of church history. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to look into the history of the church. I am also delighted to suggest this book as one of the first books to read on your study of church history. 

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review. 

A Controversial Version to a Christmas Hymn

It is the day after Thanksgiving and for some it is the official start to having Christmas music played in your house, office, car or wherever you enjoy listening to music. So, I thought I would share a music video to a classic Christmas hymn performed by Skillet....

Wait a minute...

Do you mean the one that has some many people upset? O Come O Come Emmanuel? That's the one. I am sure some of you are wondering why I am playing this video. Well, I am glad you asked although you did not.

First, I am a Skillet fan, Second, I like rock music. Third, I actually do like this version. Do I want it played in a church worship service? No. Skillet is a rock band that made a rock version of a Christmas song. If you do not like that song, that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Skillet has been around for 30 years next year, and they have not gone far left field like other Christian artists. 

So, sit back and enjoy the start of the Christmas season with this classic hymn made in a genre that not many people enjoy. 

A Thanksgiving Recipe from Phil Johnson

Owen Strachan: Jesus is Not Your Accuser

As We Wait for His Return

Here are six points of advice while you live awaiting the return of the Lord Jesus Christ:

Our first duty is to make sure work of the salvation of our own souls. Let us never rest until we know and feel that we ourselves have got hold of thoroughgoing, solid Bible religion and that we are justified, converted, and saved. 

Our second duty is to pray night and day that God may intervene and drive back the flood of evil which seems bursting on our country. 

Our third duty is to work hard to maintain true religion and to oppose error. With the Bible in our hands and Bible arguments on our lips, let us proclaim fearlessly, both in public and in private, our entire belief in the divine authority of God's Word. No man on earth has such a right to be bold as the believer in the Bible.

Our fourth duty is to impress on all around us the immense importance of the fifth and seventh commandments. It is clear as daylight to my mind, that myriads of my fellow countrymen are forgetting these two mighty laws of God. Ignorance of the spirit of the fifth commandment is the true secret of the abounding social disorder that we see around us. Ignorance of the spirit of the seventh commandment accounts for much of that fearful immorality which is creeping into all classes of society. One remedy for perilous times is more full preaching of God's law. 

Our fifth duty is to cultivate and press on all around us a spirit of cheerfulness and contentment.

Our last but not our least important duty is to be continually looking for the coming and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the great event which will wind up the affairs of all nations. Then, and then only, will sin, disorder, and superstition be put down completely and come to an end. When shall that event take place?

I cannot tell. "Of that day and hour, no man knows!"

Adapted from Our Great Redeemer: 365 Days with J. C. Ryle

God's Love and Justice Meet

God hates sin because of His righteous nature. God loves us because of His loving nature. These two attributes collided most powerfully in one location: the Cross. 

How much does God hate sin? He crushed His own Son. The sinless Son of God was credited with your sin and God poured out His fury on His beloved Son because Jesus had been credited with your sin. How much does God love you? He crushed His own Son on your behalf that you might be forgiven. 

God’s wrath and love are most vividly on display at the Cross. If you ever doubt God’s settled anger at sin, look at the Cross. If you ever doubt how kind, good, and loving God is, look at the Cross. Jesus’ brutal death on the Cross is God’s greatest and clearest demonstration of His wrath and love. 

Adapted from Jesus Unmasked: The Truth Will Shock You by Todd Friel

Sin is Really, Really Sinful

Sin is not simply a violation of His rules, sin is contrary to who He is. God is not merely a judge who sits on a courtroom bench and hands down sentences in compliance to standards written by others. 

God is the standard. He did not write the laws as a moral code that He Himself must keep. The laws of God are a perfect representation of His character and nature (Rom. 2:20). God is the law. 

When we break a law (lie, steal, murder, fornicate, blaspheme, lust, hate, covet, gossip, dishonor authority) we are striking out at God’s character and in essence saying, “I hate who you are.” That is why sin is exceedingly sinful (Rom. 7:13).

Adapted from Jesus Unmasked: The Truth Will Shock You by Todd Friel

Tom Pennington: Taking Control of Every Thought

Brad Klassen on the Goodness of God

Bill Roach on Acts 22:16

In this video, Bill Roach addresses whether or not Acts 22:16 teaches baptismal regeneration.

Jesse Randolf on Why Share the Gospel if God is Sovereign

As a pastor who has spent several years leading, mobilizing, and equipping church members to share the gospel with lost people in our community, one of the more common sources of foot-dragging (if not outright objection) I have heard in response to the call of all Christians to evangelize is a statement which sounds something like this: “Why do I need to share the gospel? God is sovereign, and He is going to save who He’s going to save.”

Indeed, God is sovereign! He is sovereign over the wind and the waves. He is sovereign over Tokyo and Topeka. He is sovereign over the twenty-first century just as much as He was sovereign over the eighth century. He is the sovereign Ruler of everyone, at every place, at every time. And yes, in His perfect and infinite wisdom, God is sovereign over the hearts of men (Prov 21:1)—meaning, He knows (because He has foreordained) who will respond to the message of the gospel with repentance and faith, and those who will reject that same message (Acts 13:48; Rom 9:15-16).

So, acknowledging that God is sovereign, why should we, as followers of Jesus Christ, share the gospel? If the deck is already stacked (so to speak), why share?

Read the entire post here.

Dr. Mark Ward: How We Got Our New Testament

Dr. Mark Ward: How We Got Our Old Testament

Spiritual Disciplines Does Not Violate Grace

Practicing spiritual disciplines for personal growth does not violate grace. When we cling to the practical disciplines given in Scripture, we are growing "in the grace" of Christ (2 Pet 3:18). God promised to strengthen us "in the grace that is in Christ Jesus Tim 2:1), and the tools given to us for growth are a vital fulfillment of that promise. When we strive in the disciplines of His grace, it is an act of faith and humble obedience. Remember, the same God who despises legalism also commands diligent effort to experience growth (2 Pet 1:5). If we seek to grow apart from the means God has given, we will be striving in our own efforts, despite labeling it grace. You can't claim to revel in the glorious grace of God and reject the means by which He bestows that grace. When we detach ourselves from the disciplines God commanded and promised to bless, we are seeking sanctification on our terms. This, of course, will never work. Growth in grace happens only on God's terms.

Adapted from Free To Be Holy - The Liberating Grace of Walking by Faith by Jerry Wragg & Paul Shirley

Jeffrey Johnson: Is God Angry With Me?

Jonny Ardavanis Preaching on John 14:1-6