A
Anonymous
Guest
It is written,
“I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Matthew 22:32
On the face of it, this scripture merely attests to the fact that God is the deity of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Pretty straight forward. Thought this is the way this verse was commonly understood Jesus saw deeper and more profound meaning in it. Our Savior offerd this scripture as a "proof text" that there was, indeed, a resurrection.
Likewise, though many people now days understand this scripture attests to the resurrection it also speaks very plainly as to God's acceptance of polygamy. Jesus demonstrated to those who said there was no resurrection that, due to the fact that Abraham, Issac, and Jacob were presently with God, there had to be a resurrection. This text also proves that God accepted these men of faith to be in heaven with Him currently. Historically, we know that Abraham had 2 wives, Issac had one wife, and Jacob had 4. These facts lead us to the inescapable conclusion that God accepts both monogamists and polygamists because men who practiced both types of marriage are currently with Him in heaven. Regardless of your cultural viewpoint on plural marriage, if you are honest with the scriptures, you must admit that God accepts polygamists in heaven.
This is an important point to consider because there are millions of such families throughout the world and they represent an undeserved peoples group. Unfortunately, due to cultural biases many otherwise will intentioned missionaries have discriminated against or excluded these types of men and their families from christian fellowship. This has been and continues to be a grave error that is hindering the spread of the gospel in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere. Many polygamist families are headed by men who are looked upon as leaders in their communities. If these opinion makers and their families would accept Christ many people, who look up to them, would consider the gospel too.
In conclusion, God accepts monogamist as well as polygamists and we should not let our ethnocentric values blind us to this fact. We must preach and teach the pure gospel, free of traditions of men that God never mandated and that are, in fact, extra biblical. This is easier said than done for if you dare to confront long standing error you risk much. However, if we are serious about becoming Christ-like, we must also pick up our cross, even in this area, and follow after him.
Sincerely,
Justin Mangonel
"Listen, Hear, and Obey On Time."
“I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Matthew 22:32
On the face of it, this scripture merely attests to the fact that God is the deity of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Pretty straight forward. Thought this is the way this verse was commonly understood Jesus saw deeper and more profound meaning in it. Our Savior offerd this scripture as a "proof text" that there was, indeed, a resurrection.
Likewise, though many people now days understand this scripture attests to the resurrection it also speaks very plainly as to God's acceptance of polygamy. Jesus demonstrated to those who said there was no resurrection that, due to the fact that Abraham, Issac, and Jacob were presently with God, there had to be a resurrection. This text also proves that God accepted these men of faith to be in heaven with Him currently. Historically, we know that Abraham had 2 wives, Issac had one wife, and Jacob had 4. These facts lead us to the inescapable conclusion that God accepts both monogamists and polygamists because men who practiced both types of marriage are currently with Him in heaven. Regardless of your cultural viewpoint on plural marriage, if you are honest with the scriptures, you must admit that God accepts polygamists in heaven.
This is an important point to consider because there are millions of such families throughout the world and they represent an undeserved peoples group. Unfortunately, due to cultural biases many otherwise will intentioned missionaries have discriminated against or excluded these types of men and their families from christian fellowship. This has been and continues to be a grave error that is hindering the spread of the gospel in Sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere. Many polygamist families are headed by men who are looked upon as leaders in their communities. If these opinion makers and their families would accept Christ many people, who look up to them, would consider the gospel too.
In conclusion, God accepts monogamist as well as polygamists and we should not let our ethnocentric values blind us to this fact. We must preach and teach the pure gospel, free of traditions of men that God never mandated and that are, in fact, extra biblical. This is easier said than done for if you dare to confront long standing error you risk much. However, if we are serious about becoming Christ-like, we must also pick up our cross, even in this area, and follow after him.
Sincerely,
Justin Mangonel
"Listen, Hear, and Obey On Time."