Polygamy And Catholicism: Sinful Or Acceptable?

is polygamy a sin catholic

Polygamy, the practice of having more than one wife or husband at the same time, has been a topic of debate among Christians. While the Old Testament describes examples of polygamy among devotees to God, Christian groups have historically rejected the practice and upheld monogamy as the normative form of marriage. The New Testament, particularly in the writings of Paul, reinforces this idea by stating that a man should have his own wife and a woman, her own husband. However, some Christian groups, including certain Protestant denominations, have accepted same-sex relationships and questioned the restriction of marriage to one man and one woman. This has led to discussions about whether polygamy, which was once tolerated in biblical times, is still acceptable in the modern era.

Characteristics Values
Catholic Church teaching on marriage Between one man and one woman
Catholic Church teaching on polygamy Not in accord with the moral law and is a grave offense against the dignity of marriage
Biblical references to polygamy Abraham, David, Solomon, Jacob
Catholic Church teaching on divorce Remarried divorcees cannot access the sacraments
Catholic Church teaching on same-sex relationships Not explicitly restricted in the Bible

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Polygamy is a sin in Catholicism

While the Old Testament of the Bible records several instances of polygamy among devotees to God, including prominent figures like Abraham, David, and Solomon, the New Testament provides a different perspective. Jesus, in Matthew 19:3-6, defines marriage as a union between a man and his wife, becoming one flesh. He also condemns divorce, which was previously permitted, demonstrating that God's teachings evolve over time.

The New Testament further emphasizes the importance of monogamy, with Paul commanding that "each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband" (1 Corinthians 7:2). This is reinforced by the requirements for church leaders, who are instructed to be the "husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6). These passages are interpreted as a clear prohibition against polygamy in Catholic doctrine.

Additionally, the Catechism recognizes the challenges posed by polygamy in certain societies, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is more prevalent. The Church addresses the dilemma faced by Catholics in polygamous unions, advising that they should not divorce their wives but also refrain from taking additional spouses. This approach aims to balance the sanctity of marriage with the practical considerations of cultural contexts.

While some may argue that the Bible does not explicitly condemn polygamy, the Catholic Church's interpretation of Scripture, coupled with its commitment to monogamy as God's ultimate design for marriage, firmly establishes polygamy as a sin within Catholicism.

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The Bible records polygamy without condemnation

The Bible does record polygamy without condemnation. In the Old Testament, several holy figures are polygamous, including Abraham, David, Solomon, and Jacob. God and his prophets do not speak out against their polygamy.

In fact, in Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Moses appears to command polygamy in the practice of Levirate marriage. This states that if two brothers live together and one dies without a son, the living brother should marry his brother's widow to continue his family line.

However, the Bible also shows the negative consequences of polygamy. For example, in the stories of Abraham and Hagar, David and Bathsheba, and Jacob and Leah.

The prophets also use marital imagery to describe God and Israel, with God as Israel's husband and his only chosen people. This implies monogamy.

By the time of the New Testament, the Jews outside Palestine had abandoned polygamy, and it fell out of practice in subsequent generations. Jesus and Paul also taught against polygamy. For example, in Matthew 19:3-6, Jesus says that a man should be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Therefore, while the Bible does record polygamy without explicit condemnation, it also shows the negative consequences and implies that monogamy is God's ultimate design.

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The Catechism forbids polygamy

The Catechism of the Catholic Church recognises the challenges posed in societies where polygamy is common. It states that a Christian who has lived in polygamy has a grave duty of justice to honour the obligations contracted in regard to their former wives and children. This is a complex issue, and the Church is clear in teaching that marriage is between one man and one woman.

The Bible records several polygamous marriages, including those of revered kings and patriarchs of the chosen people. Abraham, David, and Solomon are all described as polygamists. Despite this, the Bible does not endorse polygamy. In fact, it shows the negative consequences of polygamy in the stories of Abraham and Hagar, David and Bathsheba, and Jacob and Leah.

The New Testament makes clear that polygamy is not part of God's ultimate design. Jesus defines adultery as looking at another woman lustfully and states that a man should be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Paul's command that "each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband" further reinforces this.

The Catechism's prohibition of polygamy is in line with the New Testament's teachings and reflects the understanding that polygamy works only in a culture of male dominion, which contradicts the Bible's teaching of equality and the integral role of women in family and society.

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Polygamy is still practised by some Christians

While most Christian groups have historically rejected polygamy, some Christian groups in different periods have practised, or currently do practise, polygamy. Some Christians actively debate whether the New Testament or Christian ethics allows or forbids polygamy, and there are several Christian views on the Old Covenant.

The practice of polygamy primarily focuses on polygyny (one man having more than one wife) and not polyandry (one woman having more than one husband). This is because polyandry is implied to be unlawful by the Hebrew Bible's laws of adultery (e.g. Deuteronomy 22:22) and in the New Testament (e.g. Romans 7:3).

The Torah contains a few specific regulations that apply to polygyny (a male with multiple wives). For example, Exodus 21:10 states: "If he takes another wife for himself; her food, her clothing, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish".

Despite its prevalence in the Hebrew Bible, some scholars do not believe that polygyny was commonly practised in the biblical era because it required a significant amount of wealth. However, Michael Coogan and others state that "Polygyny continued to be practised well into the biblical period, and it is attested among Jews as late as the second century CE".

The New Testament portrays marriage between a husband and a wife, and between the church and Christ. John Piper wrote that "a husband and a wife represent one Lord and one church". Paul the Apostle states that a man is to have his own wife and a woman is to have her own husband.

Although the New Testament is largely silent on the issue, some point to Jesus' repetition of earlier scriptures, noting that a man and a wife "shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:3–6). Most Christian theologians argue that in Matthew 19:3–9, and referring to Genesis 2:24, Jesus explicitly states that a man should have only one wife.

In Matthew 19:8, Jesus says: "Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning, it was not so". This suggests that Jesus was setting the Pharisees straight about polygamy, too.

Three passages in the pastoral epistles (1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 3:12 and Titus 1:6) state that church leaders should be the "husband of one wife". This has been interpreted by some Christian denominations as a prohibition of polygamy. Others argue that polygamy is allowed, but not for church leaders.

In parts of Africa, such as Kenya, many Catholics (including catechists) have more than one wife, although participants are usually not vocal about the cultural practice due to its conflict with Church teaching.

In the medieval period, multiple wives were often obtained through kidnapping. In Scandinavia, the word for an official concubine was "frille". Norwegian Bishop Øystein Erlendsson (ca. 1120–1188) declared that concubines were not allowed to accept the sacraments unless they married, and men were forced to promise marriage to women they had lain with outside of wedlock.

Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant Reformation, wrote: "I confess that I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict the Scripture". In the 1970s, the Lutheran World Federation hosted a regional conference in Africa, in which the acceptance of polygamists and their wives into full membership by the Lutheran Church in Liberia was defended as being permissible.

A group identifying as Evangelical Christians claim an estimated 50,000 of their group practise Christian polygamy in the West, based on their belief that the Bible glorifies this form of marriage.

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The Bible does not explicitly prohibit polygamy

The Old Testament, which includes the Torah and the Hebrew Bible, provides a complex perspective on polygamy. While it does not explicitly prohibit multiple wives, it also does not endorse polygamy as the ideal form of marriage. The Torah, for example, includes specific regulations that apply to polygynous marriages, such as ensuring equal treatment of multiple wives (Exodus 21:10). The Hebrew Bible's laws of adultery, such as Deuteronomy 22:22, imply that polyandry (one woman having multiple husbands) is unlawful.

Several important figures in the Old Testament, including Esau, Jacob, Elkanah, David, and Solomon, had multiple wives or concubines. These examples suggest a level of acceptance or tolerance for polygamy during that period. However, it is important to note that the Old Testament also depicts the negative consequences of polygamy, such as the rivalry and strife that can arise in these relationships (for example, Abraham and Hagar, or David and Bathsheba).

The New Testament does not explicitly prohibit polygamy but provides a more nuanced perspective. Jesus, in Matthew 19:3–6, refers to marriage as a union between a man and a woman, which could be interpreted as supporting monogamy. Additionally, Jesus defines adultery broadly, including lustful thoughts towards another person (Matthew 5:27–28). Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7:2, states that "each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband," which could be interpreted as allowing polygamy or simply recognising the reality of polygamous marriages at the time.

Some Christian groups and theologians have interpreted these New Testament passages as implicitly condemning polygamy or at least indicating that monogamy is God's ultimate design for marriage. They argue that polygamy is inconsistent with the principle of equality and mutual submission taught in the Bible.

The history of Christian thought on polygamy is complex. Early Church fathers such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian spoke against polygamy, condemning it as contrary to God's ideal for marriage. However, Martin Luther, the reformer who initiated the Protestant Reformation, took a more nuanced position. While he personally opposed polygamy, he acknowledged that the Bible does not explicitly prohibit it and that it could be permissible in certain exceptional cases. Luther even approved of a polygamous marriage for Philip I of Hesse.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly prohibit polygamy, the New Testament, and later Christian thought, have moved towards upholding monogamy as the ideal form of marriage. The absence of a clear prohibition has led to ongoing debates and differing interpretations among Christians.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Catholic Church prohibits polygamy. The Catechism forbids polygamy as a grave offense against the institution of marriage, and contrary to the original plan of God and equal dignity of human beings.

The Bible does not explicitly say polygamy is a sin, but it does show polygamy leading to disastrous consequences. For example, the stories of Abraham and Hagar, David and Bathsheba, and Jacob and Leah.

Most Christian groups have historically rejected the practice of polygamy and have upheld monogamy alone as normative. However, some Christian groups in different periods have practiced, or currently do practice, polygamy.

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