Grafted in to Israel

A deeply divisive topic of discussion has arisen over the last few months, and sprung up on several different Messianic networks: Polygamy.

I had assumed up until recently that although polygamy (specifically polygyny) was scriptural, it was rather allowed as a concession and that as New Covenant believers, we should not ‘give occasion to the flesh’ in this way.  However, since the topic has caused so much confusion, damage and division, I have started to study the matter more deeply.  I am still in the process of studying, but my intermediate conclusion is that firstly, polygyny is permitted (even to leaders, despite the apparent words of Paul), and in some situations actually commanded.  We need to be very careful about calling the kadosh Torah commands anything but kadosh.  But for now I will set this matter aside (and hope to address it properly at a later date), and move on to the subject of division, discipline and cutting off fellowship.

I visited the Shekinah Life Network (a pseudo-messianic internet network which promotes the Noahide Laws rather than Torah) this evening to resign my membership, to find that I had been banned, and my letter expressing concern over their attitude and actions against those they disagree with forwarded to the entire network, along with their commentary, with the express intention of ‘exposing’ me as a person who supports polygamy.

I am cut to the heart that fellow believers would respond in such a manner. If I, by my beliefs, am in sin, do you believe it is right to cut me off from fellowship without any discussion or persuasion? Do you think a wrong belief (as opposed to action) on this matter is to be equated with the matter in I Corinthians 5?

Polygamy is not really the issue here. If I have misapprehended Torah on this matter, I am willing to be corrected. (I continue to study the topic, and in the meantime, I am happy to agree to disagree on the matter.)

What really concerns me is certain people’s (not just Shekinah Life, but several others’) manner of dealing with people they oppose. There has been an awful lot of public name-calling and mud-slinging. This is not the scriptural way. Firstly a matter of disagreement where one party believes the other to be in sin should be brought directly back to the offending party. If the offender did not repent, then the matter is to be brought before an elder, and if the offender still did not repent, then and then only should the matter be presented  before the congregation, but always with a view to restoration, the removal of fellowship being the very last resort. This feels much less like discipline and much more like fleshly anger.

I regret very deeply the division this matter has caused within the Messianic movement.

Let me leave you with this thought. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”.

If those who promote and support polygamy are wrong, those who oppose it should be praying for restoration. (And likewise those who believe it is scriptural and justified and commanded in Torah should be praying for the restoration of those who fail to see that).

Let’s be very careful about judging each others’ hearts, condemning each other and prounouncing each other corrupt. The evil one is having a field day here. Let’s not play into his hands.

Shalom,

Shoshana