The conflict of Polygamy and Monogamy in the Church of Tanzania -A Biblical and Reformed Approach- = The conflict of Polygamy and Monogamy in the Church of Tanzania -A Biblical and Reformed Approach-

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Polygamy is one of the most controversial issues in the church in Tanzania. It is a burning issue due to the fact that there are many polygamous families in the church who refuses to agree with the doctrine that polygamy is sin, and it is equivalent to adultery or fornication. There is a tension in the church between those who affirm practically and those who decline and oppose it. The church teaches that polygamy is biblically wrong; at the same time some Christians argue that polygamy is biblically right. Hence there is conflict and contradiction. Is it true that polygamy is sin? What is the biblical justification of either monogamy or polygamy? The Scriptures from the Holy Bible informs us on the first marital relationship between Adam and Eve Gen. 2:21-24: In verse 24, it is indicated that a man will leave his family and be united with his wife. From this background we can trace the will of God as far as marital relationship is concerned. First it is a male and female relationship, second it is one by one relationship and hence monogamous marital relationship. This serves as a biblical justification of monogamous marital relationship in the church in Tanzania. In the Scriptures we find that, neither Jesus Christ nor his disciples who authored the Gospels and the Epistles ever critiqued polygamy. On the contrary, it was widely practiced by most of the revered patriarchs in the Old Testament; for instance Abraham, Jacob, David and his son Solomon, etc. This stands as a strong argument for proponents of polygamous marriage in the church in Tanzania. Some says that the Lord God instituted a monogamous marital relationship between male and female. But in the Old Testament we cannot indicate that polygamy is sin. God did not condemn it. This suggests that He permitted it although it was no His will and plan. Therefore, the Church is Tanzania and Africa at large is in dilemma on what to do with Christians who are married to more than one woman. In this study I propose that a man, who was married to several wives before his conversion into Christianity should not be forced to divorce them, neither is he to be forced to choose one out of his multiple wives. The church should focus in alleviating or eradicating polygamy with generation change. In Christian education program, the church should formulate teachings on monogamous marital relationship based on the relationship of one man and one woman i.e., Adam and Eve. The emphasis should be on the fact that the original plan of God cannot be overthrown by the desire of man say Abraham, Jacob, David and his son Solomon, etc. Yahweh was right and remains right in His plan for monogamous marital relationship and hence the model for family relationship and marital affairs.