Is polygyny actually permitted by Scripture—or is it a misreading of the Bible shaped by culture, confirmation bias and flawed theology?

In this episode of Uncommon Sense in Current Times, I walk listeners through both sides of one of the most controversial theological debates in the modern church: the biblical case for and against polygyny.

On one side, Pastor Rich Tidwell argues that plural marriage is biblically lawful—and in some cases even prescribed—based on Old Testament precedent and the claim that "sex is marriage." On the other, I work through dismantling his framework, showing why descriptive biblical narratives are not prescriptive commands, why the "sex = marriage" premise collapses logically and morally, and why both Jewish history and the New Testament consistently point to monogamy as God's design.

This episode isn't about shock value—it's about discernment. If Christians can call anything "biblical" by isolating verses, what guardrails remain?

💭 A different way to reflect this week:

• When Scripture describes something, how do we know whether God is revealing truth—or warning us through human failure?
  
  
  
• What happens when we confuse what God allows with what God desires?
  
  
  

📌 In this episode, we explore:

✅ Rich's strongest biblical arguments for polygyny

✅ RIch's claim that "sex creates marriage" and why it fails both biblically and logically

✅ Why Old Testament plural marriages were descriptive, not prescriptive

✅ Evidence that monogamy was the Jewish norm before Roman influence

✅ Why "cleaving" in Scripture implies exclusivity—not multiplication

✅ How symbolic passages (Israel/Judah, Christ and the churches) are misused

✅ Why the New Testament sets a higher standard for marriage and leadership

✅ The demographic, economic and moral flaws in "polygyny solves birth rates"

✅ Why this debate matters far beyond marriage—it affects how we read the Bible itself

📢 TAKE ACTION:

📖 Read Scripture in context—especially when claims sound "new but ancient."

🧭 Test every argument, no matter how many verses are quoted.

🗣️ And don't confuse cultural frustration with biblical permission.

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Is polygamy actually "biblical"… or is that a dangerous distortion of God's design for marriage?

In this solo episode of Uncommon Sense in Current Times, I respond directly to claims made by Pastor Rich Tidwell and explain why Tidwell's pro-polygamy case collapses under careful biblical, historical and logical scrutiny.

This isn't a personality fight—it's a truth issue. And if the church has learned anything over the last decade, it's that silence in the face of deception doesn't protect anyone… it normalizes the lie.

Instead of cherry-picked proof texts and arguments from silence, we go back to first principles: covenant, cleaving, sexual immorality and the consistent biblical picture of marriage.

💭 Consider this:

• What happens when "biblical" becomes a label we slap on whatever we want?
  
  
  
• How do you spot confirmation bias when it hides behind chapter-and-verse?
  
  
  
• And what's at stake if the church gets marriage wrong?
  
  
  

📌 In this episode, we cover:

✅ Why the "King David" argument (2 Samuel 12) is a rebuke—not a blanket endorsement

✅ The fatal flaw in the "sex equals marriage" theory (and why it collapses logically)

✅ Why "cleaving" is exclusive—just like cleaving to God excludes idolatry

✅ Why arguments from Jesus' silence don't prove anything

✅ Evidence that monogamy was the Jewish norm long before Roman influence

✅ Why symbolic claims (Israel/Judah, the seven churches) are being misread

✅ The demographic & economic fallacies behind "polygamy solves birth rates"

✅ Why polygamy tends to cheapen women and destabilize societies—not protect them

📢 TAKE ACTION:

🧭 Don't outsource your theology to clips, headlines or internet debates.

📖 Open the Bible. Read in context. Compare scripture with scripture.

🗣️ And if you're a leader—teach clearly before confusion spreads.

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What does the Bible actually say about polygyny—and what doesn't it say?

In this episode of Uncommon Sense in Current Times, I speak with Pastor Rich Tidwell to examine his views on polygyny (plural marriage). This is a sensitive, controversial topic—and this conversation doesn't rely on soundbites. It walks through the key scriptures Tidwell cites, the theological definitions he argues from and the objections he believes don't hold up under close reading.

This episode is the first in a series of three where this topic is presented as an exploration of the arguments and the questions they raise—so listeners can think carefully, check the text and discern wisely.

A question worth wrestling with:

If someone claims "the Bible permits it," what standard should we use to evaluate that claim—prooftexts, patterns, commands, or the full counsel of Scripture?

📌 In this episode, we cover:

✅ Tidwell's core claim: "no explicit prohibition" — and how he builds his case from that

✅ Key Old Testament passages he argues show precedent and permission

✅ The major text he cites about David's wives (and why it's central to his argument)

✅ His definition of marriage and how he connects it to "one flesh" language

✅ How he responds to common objections (conflict in plural marriages, legality and more)

✅ The difference between "descriptive" vs. "prescriptive" passages

📢 TAKE ACTION:

🧭 Don't take anyone's word for it—open the Bible and read the passages discussed in context

📝 Write down your questions and bring them to trusted, biblically grounded counsel

🙏 Pray for wisdom, clarity, and courage to follow truth wherever it leads

🔗 Follow Peter Demos:

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