The Advent Truth
There was a time when churches debated deep theological questions. Today, some churches are debating whether pastors should be required to be faithful to one spouse.

Let that sink in.

A proposal within the Presbyterian Church (USA) would require clergy who are in sexual relationships to be in monogamous ones. In other words, it is proposing a standard that sounds remarkably similar to what the apostle Paul wrote nearly 2,000 years ago: “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…” (1 Timothy 3:2) and “If any be blameless, the husband of one wife…” (Titus 1:6). Yet this proposal has sparked significant opposition from various committees and activist groups within the denomination. (Fox News⁠)

Think about how far the conversation has shifted.

The controversy is whether church leaders should be expected to practice monogamy.

Paul did not present the qualifications for church leaders as suggestions. He presented them as requirements. A pastor is not merely someone who can preach a sermon. A pastor is someone whose life reflects the moral standards God has established for spiritual leadership.

The gospel welcomes every sinner to come to Christ. Praise God for that. Every one of us needs grace, forgiveness, and transformation. But grace does not eliminate God’s standards. Forgiveness is not the same thing as qualification for leadership.

Isaiah warned of a day when people would call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). We should not be surprised when biblical standards become controversial in a culture that has largely abandoned biblical authority.

If you’d like to study the biblical case for male pastoral leadership and ordination in greater depth, I invite you to read my study linked at the end.

Don’t take my word for it. Open your Bible. Read 1 Timothy 3. Read Titus 1. Then ask yourself whether Scripture is still our standard—or whether we are rewriting the standard to fit the culture

“Bible Ni Scam?” — David, Solomon, and the Polygamy Question

One of the common objections people raise when discussing the Bible is this:
“If David and Solomon had many wives, why is polygamy considered wrong for Christians today? Doesn’t that make the Bible contradictory?”
Some go further and say, “Bible ni scam.”
At first glance, the question sounds compelling. After all, David was called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), and Solomon was renowned for wisdom. Yet both had multiple wives. So was God okay with polygamy then but against it now?
To answer this well, we must understand an important principle of biblical interpretation:
The Bible records many things it does not approve.
There is a difference between what Scripture describes and what it prescribes.
Not everything recorded in the Bible is an example to follow.

God’s Original Design for Marriage
To understand God’s view on marriage, we must go back to the beginning.
Genesis 2:24 (KJV) says:
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Notice the language carefully:
wife — singular.
Not wives.
From creation, God established marriage as a covenant union between one man and one woman, becoming one flesh.
Jesus later reaffirmed this same design.
Matthew 19:4–6 says:
“Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female… Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
This means God’s standard for marriage did not begin in the New Testament—it was established in Eden.
Monogamy was God’s design from the start.

Permitted Does Not Mean Approved
So why did men like David and Solomon have multiple wives?
The answer lies in understanding how God sometimes deals with human rebellion and cultural brokenness.
There are things God permits in history that do not reflect His perfect will.
For example, Israel demanded a human king in 1 Samuel 8. God allowed it, though He made it clear that their demand came from rejecting His rule.
In the same way, polygamy became culturally normalized in many ancient societies. God did not instantly erase every broken social structure, but His tolerance should never be confused with approval.
Permission is not endorsement.
Just because God allowed something to happen does not mean He called it good.

David’s Household: A Story of Chaos
David had multiple wives.
But did that produce peace, blessing, and harmony?
Not at all.
David’s family became deeply fractured.
His household experienced:
sexual sin
rivalry
jealousy
betrayal
rebellion
violence
His children turned against one another.
At one point, even his own son Absalom rebelled against him and attempted to seize the throne.
The Bible presents David honestly—not as a flawless hero, but as a man who deeply needed God’s mercy.

Solomon: Wisdom Without Obedience
Solomon’s case is even more striking.
He had:
700 wives
300 concubines
That number alone should signal excess.
But the deeper issue was spiritual compromise.
1 Kings 11:3–4 says:
“And his wives turned away his heart… and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God.”
This is exactly what God had warned against.
Long before Solomon was born, God gave kings a clear instruction.
Deuteronomy 17:17 (KJV) says:
“Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away…”
Solomon directly violated this command.
And the consequence was devastating: the wisest king in Israel allowed idolatry into the nation.
That is not biblical approval.
That is biblical warning.

The New Testament Standard
When we come to the New Testament, the creation pattern remains unchanged.
Spiritual leadership is described with clarity.
1 Timothy 3:2 says:
“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife…”
This reflects the same covenant pattern seen in Genesis.
The standard is not new—it is a reaffirmation of God’s original design.

So… Is the Bible Contradictory?
No.
The issue is not contradiction—it is interpretation.
Many people read biblical stories as if every action of a biblical character is something God approves.
That is a mistake.
The Bible records:
Noah’s drunkenness
David’s adultery
Solomon’s compromise
Peter’s denial
Yet in none of these cases does God call sin righteousness.
The Bible is remarkably honest about human failure.
In fact, that honesty strengthens its credibility.
If the Bible were merely propaganda, it would hide the flaws of its heroes.
Instead, Scripture exposes them.
Why?
Because the central message of the Bible is not:
“Look at how perfect these men were.”
The message is:
“Look at how faithful God remains despite human weakness.”

Final Thoughts
So, was polygamy okay for David and Solomon?
No—not in the sense of divine approval.
It was recorded, but never presented as God’s ideal.
And the consequences speak loudly.
Polygamy in Scripture repeatedly reveals brokenness, conflict, compromise, and pain.
God’s design has always been clear: one man, one woman, one covenant.
Therefore, when someone says “Bible ni scam” because of David and Solomon, the better response is this:
Not everything found in the Bible is something God commands. Some things are recorded as warnings, not examples.
And perhaps that is one of Scripture’s greatest strengths—it tells the truth about humanity without editing out our failures.

What do you think? Was this question ever confusing to you? Share your thoughts.

When a Bigamist Comes to Christ: A Pastoral Response in the African Context

By Pastor Robert Mahlaule

The African Reality
Bigamy and polygamy remain widespread across Africa, often defended as cultural heritage. Some even dismiss monogamy as a “Western import” into Christianity. Yet the gospel is not bound by culture—it calls all people to God’s original design for marriage while extending grace to those who come from complex family situations.

Salvation First
When a bigamist approaches the pastor after hearing the gospel, the first response must be clear: salvation is open to all.
- Jesus does not demand that a man divorce one wife before receiving Him.
- The cross welcomes sinners as they are, not as they should be.
- Repentance begins at the heart, not at the marriage register.

> “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

God’s Design for Marriage
- Genesis 2:24 sets the foundation: one man, one woman, one flesh.
- Jesus reaffirmed monogamy in Matthew 19:4–6, pointing back to creation.
- Church leadership requires monogamy: “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2).

Thus, while salvation is immediate, discipleship must gently guide the new believer toward God’s ideal.

What About Divorce?
- Divorce is not God’s desire (Malachi 2:16).
- Jesus permitted it only in cases of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9).
- Paul added desertion by an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15).

Commanding divorce in polygamous families often leaves wives and children destitute. Pastors must avoid creating new wounds while healing old ones.

Pastoral Pathway
1. Welcome him into Christ without conditions.
2. Teach biblical monogamy as God’s standard.
3. Disciple patiently—help him honour his responsibilities to both wives and children.
4. Clarify leadership boundaries—he may not qualify for eldership or deaconship while in polygamy.
5. Model compassion and truth—never compromise doctrine, but never crush families either.

A Word to African Preachers
Monogamy is not a “white man’s custom.” It is God’s creation order, affirmed by Christ Himself. Our task is to contextualise biblical truth without diluting it. We must show that the gospel honors African families while calling them to God’s higher design.

Conclusion
When a bigamist comes to Christ, the pastor’s role is not to demand instant divorce but to shepherd him into salvation, discipleship, and responsibility. The gospel is both gracious and transformative—welcoming sinners while reshaping lives according to God’s Word.

ONLY FOR PROCREATION?
The “#UnaCaro” note has just been released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. While it focuses on #monogamy, the document also highlights the unitive purpose of #sexuality within #marriage. A clarification that counters a very common misunderstanding.

READ MORE
https://www.uccronline.it/eng/2025/11/25/the-vatican-note-breaks-the-myth-marital-sex-is-not-only-for-procreation/

The primary misunderstanding in Exodus 21:10
Polygamy was not uncommon in the ancient world and was sometimes practiced within the context of slavery or other forms of servitude, as suggested by some interpretations of Exodus 21:10. The verse's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights of the first wife, not to legitimize polygamy
POINTS
1. Buying and selling humans as property, even if only for 7 years (Exod 21:1,7)
2. Intentionally separating a man from his wife and children when he gains his freedom (Exod 21:4)
3. Selling your daughter as a concubine (Exod 21:7-8)
4. Taking an "additional" wife (Exod 21:10)
The primary misunderstanding in Exodus 21:10 stems from its interpretation in modern contexts, particularly regarding polygamy and the rights of wives. The verse, which states that if a man takes another wife, meaning ! ( CHOICE NOT THE WILL OF GOD ) he should not diminish the first wife's food, clothing, or marital rights, has been mistakenly seen by some as permitting or even encouraging polygamy. However, the verse's purpose is to establish a principle of FAIRNESS and protect the rights of the first wife, not to legitimize or PROMOTE multiple marriages.
The notion of a man having multiple wives, the implications IS the first wife's well-being ! may be seen as problematic
NOTE : Not a Divine Command: God never commanded or condoned polygamy in the Bible.
- Some Old Testament figures like David and Solomon had multiple wives, but this was often within a cultural and political context, not necessarily God's ideal for marriage.
- The New Testament doesn't explicitly mention a prohibition against polygamy, but it emphasizes monogamous marriage.
While polygamy existed in the Old Testament context, it is not presented as God's ideal for marriage. The Bible generally promotes monogamy, with the New Testament emphasizing it as the standard for Christian life. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR THOUGHT AND DECISION WHEN IT COMES TO MARRIAGE . GOD BLESS YOU

GOOOOD DEAL ♥️ https://www.nbc4i.com/news/politics/abstinence-patriotism-and-monogamy-all-required-curriculum-under-new-ohio-bill/