Deconstructionism is a modern movement to attack historical Christianity. They attack biblical marriage, women’s role in Christianity, race theory, and the atonement. A favorite first target is biblical marriage. We have seen the progressive movement to support homosexual marriages within the church. The Pope, in October 2020, even changed the Roman Catholic’s 2000 year stance on the subject. The Word of God, however, has never changed. The newest attack I am seeing coming from deconstructionists is polygamy. They put forth two major claims: One, that polygamy is present throughout the old testament even with men of God. And two, that polygamy is never expressly condemned by God as sin.
Let’s see what the Bible ACTUALLY says on the subject of marriage.
God ordained marriage as one man and one woman:
“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
And Adam said:
‘This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.’
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Ge 2:21–24).
Jesus confirms marriage as one man and one woman:
“The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason? And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’” (Mt 19:3–6).
The first instance of polygamy is in very negaive context:
“Then Lamech said to his wives:
“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!
For I have killed a man for wounding me,
Even a young man for hurting me.
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.” (Genesis 4:19–25)
The Bible consistently condemns sex outside of marriage:
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Co 6:9–11).
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Heb13:4)
Passages specifically against polygamy:
Lev 18:18, Due 21:15-17, 1 Tim 3:2, 1 Tim 3:12, Titus 1:6
Passages that are clearly pro monogamy:
1 Cor 7:1-16, Ephesians 5:25–33, Mark 10:6, Eph 5:3
Now there are many passages in the bible that describe and tell of men having multiple wives. But nowhere does God approve of this act. The passage often quoted is 2 Sam 12:8 where God tells David he gave him wives.
“I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more!”
Notice first of all the ambiguous nature “into your keeping”. When Saul died it was God’s judgment that Saul’s wives would not be turned out or killed instead God made provision for them. But the sin was Saul’s he should not have taken more than one wife as were his instructions as King. Lev 18:18 clearly states a king should not take multiple wives. Second note that this passage is a rebuke of David for sexual immorality. So this can in no way be construed as God’s approval of polygamy unless God is being contrary to his own decree.
Conclusion
When the bible clearly teaches that a biblical marriage is between one woman and one man then we must make the decision to submit to God’s word or to our own way of thinking, desire, lusts, and covetousness. Deconstruction always fails when held to the standard of the Holy Word. They must then deny the bible and raise their own understanding to be superior. Deconstruction is a worship of self, not God.
“That which is not of Faith is sin.” (Rm 14:23)
PS.
It is also clearly taught in Romans 13 that we should obey our local laws. And polygamy is a felony in most states including Texas where I am writing. Texas Penal Code § 25.01 And polygamy is a misdemeanor in those states where it is not a felony. So, the bottom line is that it is against the law in the United States. While man’s law can change this is still reason enough to know it is wrong.
Historically it has been pagans and false religions that have promoted polygamy as a culture. Not Christianity. The church fathers consistently wrote against the practice as they grew the church into foreign regions.
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