Why did Martin Luther say : Polygamy Does not contradict the New Testament ?

Question

"I confess that I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict the Scripture. If a man wishes to marry more than one wife he should be asked whether he is satisfied in his conscience that he may do so in accordance with the word of God. In such a case the civil authority has nothing to do in the matter." (De Wette II, 459, ibid., pp. 329-330.)

Answer 1

Technically he's right about what the Bible has to say about the matter: The Biblical prohibition against polygamy only applies to clergy.

Whether Luther would have personally been willing to perform a wedding ceremony under such circumstances is not clear from this quote. As I understand of it, most of what's quoted in De Wette are letters and personal writings never meant to be published. Luther, for much of his life, put a lot of energy into questioning Church tradition and determining whether it really stood the test of scripture; so this quote doesn't mean he supported polygamy--only that he asked the question.

Answer 2

He never distinguished between the old and new testament. He said "scripture", which means the whole bible, and any other words from God. God is ok with polygamy, if done in the way He has set it up. The problem has been that people have taken God's word to mean they can marry anyone without consulting God.

Take David for instance. He was given multiple wives by the Lord. That should have been good, but he lusted after someone ELSE'S wife. He had the husband killed in battle so he could marry his wife. That is where God got mad. That was against the law that God had set up. It wasn't the multiple wives that were wrong, but the way he went about it.

Although, I don't agree with him saying that civil law doesn't matter. It does. We should strive to live the law of the land. If that means not practicing polygamy, then that's what God wants.

Answer 3

Because he was correct. The Torah allows a MAN to marry multiple WIVES, but not to DIVORCE THEM. There are plenty of examples of this in the OT. That said, however, there is the command that if someone is to be a KING, or placed in a higher leadership, he should not 'multiply his wives, lest his heart be turned from God'.(Deut. 17:17)This is why Paul taught that BISHOPS(those in authority over the body of believers)should have only ONE WIFE. It has been twisted by 'religion' now, and the result is what Yahshua calls ADULTERY....divorcing a wife to marry another wife. That is what was going on in the days of Noah.

Answer 4

Martin Luther was a very confused man. He wanted to be the Pope and ultimately made himself one...much like Henry the VIII did in England. If the Church doesn't do it the way you want, then hey...start your own church. That has been the Protestant slogan ever since.

And please, all Catholics, say a Hail Mary for CJ...he really needs it.

Answer 5

Hey CJ. Who said anything about Catholics?

In any case, it doesn't say in the New Testament you can't have more than one wife, or for that matter, that a woman can't have more than one husband.

Answer 6

Interesting. There are no verses in the Bible which condemn the Biblical practice of polygamy? Very interesting. I wonder why mainstream "christians" condemn it so vociferously?

Answer 7

Martin Luther was a sick, twisted spiteful little man who hated everyone.

Answer 8

It doesn't. Lots of people in the bible have more than one wife. Lots of them married very young girls, too.

Answer 9

Seems as though this was his belief.

Answer 10

Where does he say this is part of the New Testament? He says "Scripture".