Polygamy and Divorce Dilemma among African Christians: The Implications of Genesis 2: 18 - 25 for Socio-Economic Stability

Abstract

Polygamy is a widespread African marriage system practiced for various reasons. Yet some churches anathemize polygamy as a sinful practice and therefore recommend divorce for polygamous African Christian converts, undermining the socio-economic implications of divorce on the affected persons and the society at large; whereas there is debate among biblical interpreters and theologians as to whether the Bible absolutely prohibits polygamy or not. This paper, therefore, interpretatively engages Genesis 2: 18- 25 which is generally referenced as the foundation text for the monogamy doctrines of the Church. The aim is to determine whether this text in question categorically implies a rejection of polygamy or not and to examine the socio-economic implications of divorce on the society. The paper employs the exegetical and hermeneutical methods to interpret the text. The historical and analytical approaches are also used to explore polygamous practices in the Old Testament and examine the socio-economic implications of divorce respectively. The study finds that there is no obvious and categorical rejection of polygamy in the Bible and that the absolute monogamy taught by the Church is an idea that was theologically projected into the text. More so, divorce plunges families and the society into various forms of crises that impair stability and development. Thus, the paper concludes that although polygamy may not be encouraged or recommended for Christians; polygamous Christian converts must not be forced into divorce because it is not only counterproductive socio-economically but also unbiblical.