'Polygamy a Pre-Requisite for Church Membership?' - Biblical Misunderstandings in Africa
Polygamy as a pre-requisite for church membership? This is exactly what one African pastor taught his church when he felt they needed to follow the examples found in Scripture without regard to culture or setting, the Langham Partnership has reported.
by Jennifer Gold
Posted: Tuesday, April 3, 2007, 9:58 (BST)
Polygamy as a pre-requisite for church membership? This is exactly what one African pastor taught his church when he felt they needed to follow the examples found in Scripture without regard to culture or setting, the Langham Partnership reports.
This misunderstanding led to the African pastor making polygamy a requirement for all church members because "there were so many examples of it in the Old Testament!"
The Langham Partnership said that "in a country where people do not need to go to Bible College before becoming pastors, misguided and dangerous theology can arise."
A recent event at All Souls Church in central London was held to celebrate and promote faithful Bible teaching in African churches. The evening centred largely around the Philip Project.
Wanyeki Mahiaini, coordinator of the Philip Project said it exists to contribute towards the training of Bible teachers among professionals from Africa studying in UK universities.
"These people will return to Africa as engineers, doctors, lecturers, nurses...but also as people who are equipped to handle the Word of God," the Langham Partnership said.
The project also includes representatives of other organisations who are working with the Philip Project and also with pastors and church leaders in Africa, helping them to develop their skills in Biblical preaching.
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Added: Tuesday, April 3, 2007, 20:48 (BST)
Yes, an understandable mistake, but if the brother had read the New Testament requirements for church leaders (1Tim 3) he would have seen that a leader (bishop) is to be the husband of only one wife, likewise deacons.
Contrary to some opinions, there is no real need for long and expensive seminary training if the whole Bible is read, and Jesus and the Apostles' teaching taken as normative for Christians. If this had been the case, the brother's error would not have arisen.
All that is needed is for a sound biblical foundation to be laid in the local churches. This is something all Christians need, whether or not they are progressing to ordination, and is something that can be done by Spirit-filled layfolk. After all, were not the Apostles themselves criticised by the religious professionals for being "uninstructed laymen"?
Michael Kemp, Swindon, England
