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Polygamy is a marriage custom that has been around for centuries. No one really knows
how or why it first came about but it is speculated it was needed for where manpower was
needed, where infant mortality rates were high, and in times of war. In the Bible there were a few
men who were polygamist. These men included Abraham, Israel, Judah, Gideon, Samson, David,
and Solomon.
The main issues that are presented within the case study is that there is a culture who
practices polygamy but wants to practice Christianity. Christians are against polygamy and
believe in only having one wife. Proverbs 18:22 states, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the LORD.”1 The singular use in the word wife suggests that God
encouraged monogamy. Another issue is trying to accept this culture’s beliefs of believing in
polygamy but also trying to teach them about Christianity which is not promoted within it. In
Duane Elmer’s book, Cross Cultural Servanthood, one of the lessons he teaches is about
acceptance.2 This causes an issue within this situation because the question arises of how you can
teach them about the principles of Christianity but also accept their polygamous relationships
that are against that very religion.
The elders from the neighboring village believe that their polygamous relationships are
beneficial for everyone in their family. If they were to end their polygamous relationships due to
this “new” religion, they would be abandoning the sole thing that they value the most, their
family. If they were to abandon their multiple wives it would cause confusion to their children,
embarrassment and shame to their wives, and disorder in their lives. According to the text, the
men in this village take pride in providing for their kids and wives, so abandoning them would
1 Proverbs 18:22
2 Elmer, Duane. 2009. Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility. Westmont, IL: IVP
Books.
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not be an option. The rationale to support baptizing new believers who are already in
polygamous relationships would be for them to have an open ear to learning the basic values of
Christianity. On the other spectrum there is Mark and Jim who value their beliefs as well, which
is the teachings of the bible. As stated, earlier Proverbs 18:22 is a prime example of a what
Christians believe when it comes to marriage. A wife is synonymous to one wife not multiple.
God tells us to not commit adultery and having multiple women is adultery so for this reason,
this rationale could be used to not allow the baptizing of new believers.
I believe two solutions that could be used for this baptism dilemma is to follow the steps
that Duane Elmer states in Cross Cultural Servanthood and by participant observation. Elmer
says, we should be open, accepting, trusting, willing to learn, and understanding to see what the
best way is to proceed. 3I believe that by understanding the culture a solution can be found.
Participant observation is defined as the combined participation and observation to optimize
understanding of the culture.4 This would allow Mark and Jim to be a part of their culture,
directly observing it. I think this would give them the opportunity to understand just how much
polygamy and family means this culture. I also believe that we shouldn’t cast anyone away just
because they do not believe in the same marriage customs as us Christians do. God
fellowshipped with the sinners so we can do the same by having fellowship with those who
beliefs don’t align fully with ours. My solution is to teach them and build a rapport with them.
Teaching them about the lesson of the Bible and the values of Christianity will lead them to their
own path, whether that is fully accepting the religion or not isn’t up to us. God is the only judge,
and we can only help guide lost souls.
3 Ibid.
4 Howell, Brian M., and Jenell Paris. 2019.BBBIntroducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective. Second
Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group.
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Bibliography
Elmer, Duane. 2009. Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility.
Westmont,
IL: IVP Books.
Proverbs 18:22
Howell, Brian M., and Jenell Paris. 2019.BBBIntroducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian
Perspective. Second Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker
Publishing Group.
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