I believe that when I publish this post, it will mean the end of many people reading our blog, supporting our ministry, and having Christian fellowship with us. Such response is not Biblical, necessary, or even logical, but it has happened with many already and so we accept that standing on God's Word often receives such a response.
Those who know us personally and have labored in the Gospel with us, ministered to families alongside us, and have heard me teach and preach God's Word know that I not only speak truth, but live it out daily by God's grace. I fail often, but my heart's desire is to please the Lord in all things. Our desire is not to offend, but to stand up for those Christians who have been persecuted for their beliefs or practices.
For those who have the standard questions on the topic, you may do well to read through this document http://biblicalfamilies.org/common_misconceptions
Clear in conscience before the Lord my Judge and my Savior, Jesus Christ the Righteous,
~Mark Cowperthwaite
Review of "Man and Woman in Biblical Law" by Tom Shipley
I was given a copy of this book by the author, Tom Shipley, whom I met in the home of a friend. Mr. Shipley's work in this book is well researched, documented with large doses of Scripture, and I believe fairly deals with a difficult and divisive issue that need not be divisive in my opinion. This is not an issue of means of salvation, but of practical obedience and family life and therefore I believe it should be discussed calmly and rationally by Christians who come upon the subject. I do not necessarily agree with the assertion that there must be a return to complete obedience to Biblical (OT) Law in order for plural marriage to be instituted, though I see great value in doing so.
My wife and I have read and discussed this book and the Biblical passages it presents at length, and we see many possible blessings possible from such an arrangement, but we think it best to practice Biblical plural marriage only if one feels specifically compelled by God to do so as there are also many complications and challenges to life in a plural marriage. Men should not marry one woman for the purpose of proving a point, nor should we take that approach to polygyny. We ought to be led by the Holy Spirit, in agreement with the Scriptures, for the glory of God rather than practice something for the sake of sensationalism or any motive other than love and responsibility to care for those we love and have been given charge over.
I have been harshly rebuked for even suggesting the acceptance or practice of polygyny in the United States or the Christian church anywhere in the world. Indeed it is not my desire to suggest people practice plural marriage at all, especially if one is not already fulfilling the roles and responsibilities given to men as husbands and fathers. My primary desire in this issue is that we not unfairly judge those who feel led by God, in accordance with Scripture, to take more than one wife. Many who practice this Biblical practice have been excommunicated, dispatched from profitable ministry, and been rejected from Christian fellowship. This is not about cults, Mormonism, Islam, but about men stepping up to whatever God's call is on their life and family, to fulfill the role of Biblical patriarchy.
I suggest that if one is merely intellectually interested in the topic of polygamy due to recent popular TV shows, you may do well to spend your time reading something else. For those seeking to find God's plan for the family, or Biblical patriarchy so-called, (with one wife or multiple wives) this book may open your eyes to much of the background of the Old Testament.
If you are open to finding what God says rather than what people think about it, then you might just find that the Bible actually says nothing derogatory about polygamy, but rather even blesses it in the historical record at times. There is a renewed interest in polygamy in our culture for many reasons, not the least of which is the failure of many American men to stand by their wives, provide for their children, and lead their families as men are commanded in God's Word.
I believe the American church at large has left much of the Biblical pattern for life and the function of the church behind, and I feel this is just one of those issues that most folks are unwilling to assess solely from God's Word. Rather we have been met with accusations, name calling, and character assault which are unbecoming to Christians. This book and its contents seem to bring out those very things in the fleshly nature of man, though most Christians may agree with the author's views on feminism and men's roles in the family.
It is always through careful study of God's Word and prayer that the Holy Spirit leads us, but often Christians rely instead on the culture and traditions (whether or not they are based in Scripture) rather than being truly Berean in our approach to things.
I enjoyed the book and found it very informative. I do not agree with ALL of the assertions, but overall do agree with Mr. Shipley's assessment of patriarchy along with men's and women's roles in Biblical Law. The follow-up to this book "They shall be one flesh" is not available on Amazon, but is an excellent book also. It addresses many questions raised by the first book and delves a bit deeper into marriage traditions in the Bible. I have yet to study that book thoroughly and so will not share yet my opinions on that work.
