Polygamy And The African Church: A Survey

Abstract

This article provides a survey of the historical, biblical, and practical challenges posed by polygamy to the African Christian Church. Sociologically, polygamy traditionally served vital functions in Sub-Saharan Africa, including economic security, social alliance, ensuring male heirship, and supporting large families. Scripturally, the author observes that while the Old Testament tolerates and regulates polygamy without explicit condemnation, it documents severe domestic consequences and reveals a gradual shift toward monogamy. The New Testament presents monogamy as the ideal creation ordinance; however, it lacks an explicit, direct prohibition against pre-existing polygamous unions. Historically, Western mission bodies predominantly enforced excommunication or required polygamists to divorce all but one wife prior to baptism—a rigid policy that contributed directly to the rise of African Independent Churches. Examining the current spectrum of denominational responses, the author concludes that polygamy remains a unresolved pastoral dilemma rather than a purely academic issue, urging African church leadership to seek more biblical, practical, and compassionate ways to minister to polygamous families without compromising Christian standards.