Polygamy Revival

I am sure you have noticed the recent revival of polygamy in Zambia. For a number of years at the funerals of several prominent Zambian’s we have come to know that the deceased had parallel families that knew nothing of each other. Upon inquiry it is usually found that several “key” members of the man’s extended family knew of this arrangement and facilitated these second, third and even fourth marriages. Recently however, the revival has “come out of the closest”, those who read Zambian newspapers will no doubt remember and article about a member of the Cabinet who has two wives who know of each other and live in harmony. As if that weren’t shocking enough, the article revealed that the man’s first wife served as matron at his marriage to his second wife. Then on the international scene there is of course there is Jacaob Zuma. What more needs to be said?

Recently, the media has joined in the Polygamy advocacy campaign. Bliss magazine for example recently published a pro polygamy article. In article an advocate of polygamy noted that several Biblical figures were polygamists. Though the article did not develop the point exegetically the clear implication is, since polygamy is in the Bible it is legitimate.

What is the Christian response to this? Well our first response is not to keep quite! We must speak up and refute this ungodliness from the Bible.

So where do we start? In the beginning, when in doubt we consult the blue print. In many debates about human sexuality today Christians act as is our sexuality was not designed for a particular purpose. These people then go on to say sexuality can be used for any purpose we imagine. This is however, not the case. The Bible in Genesis 1 and 2 lets us know that God deliberately created man male and female for the purpose of marriage. In addition one can note from Jesus’ elaboration on these passages in Mathew 19 that God specifically intended for marriage to be a union between one man and one woman. The Apostle Paul further develops the theology of marriage in Ephesians Chapter 5 by noting that human marriage is modeled along the lines of the relationship between Christ and his Church. As in Christ and his ONE bride. So this brief survey reveals that the Biblical norm is for a man to have ONE wife.

What about all the prominent polygamists in the Bible? One might note that prominent among them is David, a man after God’s own heart! Well, we must note that in the narratives of these Saints lives nowhere does God affirm polygamy as the norm. In short they were sinning by marring multiple wives. So why weren’t they asked to divorce? As far as I can tell God seems to recognize marriage even wrong marriages and expects the institution of marriage to be honoured even when wrongly entered into. It is for this reason that God introduces regulations to ensure that those who engage in polygamy do not abuse their spouses.

Okay that is the Biblical angle. In brief of course. Each point could be developed in greater complexity but for now that will suffice. Let have a look at the assertions that a man cannot stick to one woman. Well the Bible tells us that all people are sinful and are by nature rebels against God. The Christian must assert that it is sin and not the lack of sufficient sexual partners that causes martial unfaithfulness. I believe that the case of Jacob Zuma proves the case. The man has multiple wives and could easily have added another woman to his “krall” but not his sinful lack of self restraint lead him to cheat on his multiple wives. On this basis I believe that Biblically the Christian should oppose any suggestion that lack of self control is a warrant for polygamy.

Apart from using the Bible to refute the advocates of polygamy I believe that the Christian is to live a counter cultural life that displays God’s standards. When single the Christian is to be Chaste and not engage in sexual immorality. When married the Christian is to stick to their spouse and keep the marriage bed undefiled.

Faith of Many Colours Review

This book has been needed for a long time. The Pentecostal Charismatic circles often shy away from criticizing themselves or others, whether it is because of an unhealthy fear of ‘men of God’ or unconcern with what is happening to others, I will let others decide. Madalitso Banja takes a courageous step – he refuses to “spare the rod” and “spoil the child”. He speaks openly and frankly about strengths and weaknesses in modern, Zambian Charismatic congregations.

His first comments about Pastors are, to me, the most revolutionary. “Calling, Bible college training and ministry” form the backbone of good pastoral work, in his analysis. He points out that greed and “money career” thinking has caused much ministry suffering. His solutions are: a Pastoral code of conduct that should apply in all denominations. The Pastors need to be accountable. The second (and even more revolutionary) is the call to have church authority shared in the church. He quotes A. Chalwe; ‘Zambian churches must abandon the “one man show” or chieftain type of church leadership and pattern themselves after the Antioch church. The Antioch church which had a multiple leadership.’ For Zambia, there are indeed many one man shows. Are they ready to bow down to joint elder rule?

He takes a chapter to look at dressing, and points out three wrong motives in dressing to kill, dressing to show off and dressing to ‘define’ ones figure. On this chapter I am left unsure that his handling of the proof texts is in context, though I perceive his good intentions.

Elsewhere he points out the confusion over praise and entertainment, and that much to day passing fro worship music is no more than entertainment.

The Youth, Social responsibility and church splits are also areas he focuses on. He advocates the end of the “spiritual island” Christianity, and that churches hold people accountable, disciple them and work towards building them up. In this day and age of individualism, where “my beliefs are my personal business”, he calls people back to the church model of discipleship for spiritual growth.

I have two reservations about the book. Firstly, he claims Pentecostals and Charismatic believe in both ‘the immaculate conception’. I was honestly shocked when I read this. Either he does not know what Immaculate Conception means or this is bad news! Immaculate conception is a Roman Catholic teaching that says Mary was born without sin and never sinned; (This despite the fact that she calls God her “Saviour” in Luke 1:46,47). How has this uniquely Roman doctrine been included as one of the core Pentecostal beliefs? The virgin birth of Jesus is a different doctrine, but the Immaculate conception is ancient dogma that was first optional (take it or leave it) in the Roman Catholic Church, then made official dogma in 1854! I hope he can re-examine this and remove it from future publications.

Secondly, he has said nothing about how Pentecostal and charismatic churches should relate to non-Charismatic churches, and how to relate to interdenominational events and groups like Scripture Union and ZAFES. A word of wisdom and encouragement on handling differences would have been good.

All in all, this is a good start, as it shifts away from the ‘money and tithe’ over-emphasis to a balanced view of the landscape of challenges facing the churches, and the many ways God wants his people to glorify his name on earth. Hopefully this is the first in a chain of honest, perceptive and influential books. There is a greater need for wisdom in social life and careers, as well as accountability in brotherly love. After all, when one section of Christendom is strengthened and purified, even aside from the other doctrine and practice differences, all their neighbours will benefit as well, from a society of more principled and caring members of society! We are called to be a “light to the world” and not only to our own little corners of friends!

Availiable at major book outlets buy a copy.

Keeping Fit

The Zambian attitude to keeping fit is almost non-existent. Is it because we are too poor for our dream health diets, or because the vast majority do so much walking and public transport commuting? Or is it because some sections of society have glorified the “pot-belly” as a status symbol, and so aim for obesity and a “beer-gut”? Do we feel it is the realm of the athlete and soldier? Or maybe, with the daily struggles of life it just falls off our list of immediate priorities?
Physical fitness is a biological factor in prolonging life. It reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, helps build and maintain healthy bones, joints and muscles, and is even said to reduce the chance of getting certain types of cancer. We are “stewards” of our health, and as much as depends on us (i.e. responsibility) we should maintain it. But do we?

Life is a precious gift, and we are responsible to take care of the good gifts given us. When you buy a car, you make effort to maintain it, even when we take it for granted that “it will probably be ‘on stones’ in ten years time”. When someone drives carelessly, adding dents and damage in a carefree manner, you would say they are wasting the car! We have something more precious – our health. One dying queen is quoted as saying “A world of wealth for an inch of time”, that’s what she would give!

This is not to deny the “days ordained for us” (Psalm 139), that our lives are in God’s hands. The Bible also shows we are responsible beings, and the flipside to “do not murder” is “do everything possible to preserve life, your own and others” According to Question 68 in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. (A catechism is just a set of questions and answers about what the bible teaches. The quoted catechism was written by a group that met in Westminster London hence the name.)

The common saying goes, ‘healthy body, healthy mind’. Your body affects your mind and your mind affects your body – We know how fatigue can make someone “touchy” (short-tempered/irritable), and we know how hunger can induce sleep! The interplay of mind and body should not surprise us when we reflect on how the first man was made “a living soul”, a singular being. It is in fact our fallen state that is susceptible to death, separation of body and soul on one level. But make no mistake; we were made to be body and soul, as the redemption promise of resurrection shows. The body is not a transient vessel but rather we will be embodies forever, after we are raised and death is thrown into the lake of fire (revelation 20). We are made for bodies, and we should not treat them as a burden (in a Hindu/New Age way), but instead sin is the burden. When God promises to give rest to his people, it will include their glorified bodies. Let us not resent this existence, even if it is entangled with sin and pain. Let us not resent the body, but except the created goodness, even as we long for the final redemption, body and soul.
I must confess much guilt as I first started thinking of this article. Guilt, because a key factor in exercise is self discipline. I have to make it a priority –no one will make it a priority for me. Here is an example of a skipping rope medium-fitness program that requires discipline. A friend gave this to me, who wishes to remain unknown (but get proper personalized advice on where you can begin to exercise):
This is to be done daily or at least five days a week

WEEKS ONE & TWO
100 skips
100 marches
50 skips
50 marches
150 skips
150 marches
50 skips
50 marches

If I have the motive, the means and the chance, what should hold me back? “Bodily exercise is of some value”. Let us treat it that way!