Discuss the issues/dilemmas in the case study.
Discuss the rationale (values and practices) that informs the actions of each party involved in
the conflict.
Discuss possible solutions to the dilemma presented in the case study.
Use Scripture and the course material to support your thoughts.
GLST 290
Page 1 of 2
CASE STUDY 2
Baptizing a Polygamist? Are You Kidding?
“Imagine! The mission is permitting the baptism of men with several wives! Never facing such a
challenge, led us to wonder what we should do. Our agency must be getting broadminded. Now
what are we going to do?”
It was our first term of ministry as missionaries. Joanne and I had been appointed to serve with
an evangelical mission agency that emphasized the evangelization of Indians. Pre-field
preparation completed, we left our home land to begin language studies. Midway through the
studies, our Field Director suggested that we take a break from our studies. The occasion would
allow us to travel to an Indian village, our first encounter to those we sensed God had called us.
Naturally we were filled with excitement. We couldn’t possibly turn down the opportunity.
During the long rough journey, we were told that several missionaries would hold a business
meeting to address a serious issue. The issue was not disclosed at that time. Upon our arrival to
the village, greetings were exchanged with missionaries and the curious Indians alike. The field
committee would begin its sessions the following day. As a new missionary, I was not included
in their meetings. Tension was obvious when the missionaries returned. However, the subject at
hand would not be discussed until the forthcoming annual field conference.
Missionaries from all parts of field gathered for spiritual encouragement and fellowship at the
annual conference. The business sessions soon exposed the serious matter under discussion. The
board of directors of the mission had issued a policy stating that converted polygamists could be
baptized. It was acceptable that their numerous wives could remain with them. Several
missionaries strongly disagreed, charging the leadership for approving adultery. Based on
Romans 7:2-3, it states that if a man marries another woman while his wife lives, he has
committed adultery. They therefore insisted that all but the first wife should be put away and
afterwards as a professing Christian, he should be baptized. Other field personnel heartily
disagreed. We cannot undo what has already been done. To quote an old proverb, “You can’t
unscramble eggs.” You can’t dissolve the previous marriages. As believers, the polygamist
Indians were forgiven and therefore were allowed to enter baptismal waters. It would not be fair
to put away their multiple wives. What would happen to them? Would they become prostitutes?
It was understood that these new converts could never serve as church leaders but baptism? That
was another subject.
By the end of conference, bitter feelings were being expressed by all parties. We, as new
missionaries were caught in the middle of the battle. In the following weeks, before the older
missionaries returned to their village of ministry, they would visit in our home. Whereas some
encouraged us to leave the mission. others assured us that the mission had solid biblical support
and that we should remain. I began to reflect back over my studies on Cultural Anthropology in
Bible College. Though the problem was referenced there, no solution was given. Correspondence
was sent to former Theology professors asking their counsel. The responses indicated they were
GLST 290
Page 2 of 2
not well versed on this debatable issue enough to come to a biblically based conclusion. I went
one step further by contacting our supporting churches. Bias opinions were expressed among
them, again because they were so out of touch with polygamist situations.
Since Joanne and I were to begin a ministry among such indigenous peoples after language
study, the mission’s decision would eventually affect us. So I felt it necessary to begin a research
project, seeking for answers. After a year of study, the time arrived to present the results. Would
I accept the position that the mission took and carry on or should I resign and seek another
ministry. Among the missionaries that remained on the field, I began to share saying . . . .
CASE STUDY PAPER GRADING RUBRIC
Criteria
Levels of Achievement
Content 70%
Advanced 90-100%
Proficient 70-89%
Developing 1-69%
Not Present
Analysis
32 to 35 points
The main issues in the case
study and the rationale of
each party involved in the
case are presented clearly.
25 to 31 points
The main issues in the case
study and the rationale of each
party involved in the case are
briefly summarized.
1 to 24 points
The main issues in the case study
and the rationale of each party
involved are not communicated
clearly.
0 points
Not present
Evaluation Using
Course Material
32 to 35 points
Possible solutions to the
dilemma(s) in the case study
are presented using Scripture
and the Reading & Study
materials.
25 to 31 points
Possible solutions to the
dilemma(s) in the case study are
presented using Scripture or the
Reading & Study materials.
1 to 24 points
The paper lacks possible
solutions to the dilemma(s) in
the case study that are logical
and supported by Scripture and
the reading material.
0 points
Not present
Structure 30%
Advanced 90-100%
Proficient 70-89%
Developing 1-69%
Not Present
Grammar, Spelling,
and Page Count
14 to 15 points
Spelling and grammar are
correct. Sentences are
complete, clear, and concise.
Paragraphs contain
appropriately varied sentence
structures. The paper is two
full pages in length.
11 to 13 points
Minimal errors in grammar,
spelling, and structure of
sentences and paragraphs. The
paper is less than two full pages
in length.
1 to 10 points
Spelling and grammar errors
distract. Sentences are
incomplete or unclear.
Paragraphs are poorly formed.
The paper is less than one full
page in length.
0 points
Not present
Turabian
Formatting
14 to 15 points
Citations and format are in
current Turabian formatting.
Cover page and Bibliography
are correctly formatted. Paper
is double-spaced with 1-inch
margins and written using 12-
point Times New Roman font.
11 - 13 Points
Citations and format are in
current Turabian formatting
with few errors. Cover page and
Bibliography are present with
few errors. Paper is double-
spaced with 1-inch margins and
written using 12-point Times
New Roman font.
1 - 10 Points
Citations and format are in
current Turabian style with many
errors. Cover page and
Bibliography are not formatted
correctly and some elements are
missing. Paper is double-spaced,
but margins or fonts are
incorrect.
0 Points
Not present
1
BAPTIZING A POLYGAMIST
Student’s Name
Course
Professor’s Name
Date
2
Case issue
The case issue pertains missionaries from diverse field who came together at an annual
conference with the aim of following, encouraging one another, and discussing some pertinent
issues. The pertinent issue entailed a debate whether polygamist converts should be baptized and
be able to keep their wives as before. This topic sparked extreme controversy within the
missionaries present at the meeting. Many of the missionaries were of the opinion that the Bible
strictly allows monogamy, and therefore the polygamists should not be baptized. The other issue
is that the missionaries were to undertake evangelic missions in the Indian community which
generally allows for polygamy. While it is essential that the converts becomes baptized, the main
issue of concern is how the polygamist converts will react, let alone conduct the process of
relinquishing the other wives. The boards remained stagnant in this decision and for those that
will disagree, they will not continue with the mission.
Rationale
The heavy debate was meant to decipher the controversial issues of whether or not to
baptize a man who lived in a polygamist lifestyle and whether he should retain the wives or not.
With different opinions from the missionaries, the conference was divided into two. On the
opposing side, the missionaries quoted the verse from Roman
1
, which states that in the event a
man marries another wife, while his wife is still alive, then he has committed the sin of adultery.
Due to this reason, they believed that for the polygamist convert to be baptized, he will have to
leave his other wives and remain with the first wife only. These missionaries believed that
baptizing a polygamist covert would be an encouragement to others commit adultery.
1
Romans 7:2-3
3
The other group of missionaries supports their view by arguing with an old proverb that
states one cannot unscramble eggs, to mean that one cannot be able to undo that which has
already been done. The missions are of the opinion that breaking the other marriages will only
cause further damage and conflict between the man and the other wives. They are therefore
suggesting that the only solution is baptizing the man and moving forward with what has already
been done. Their main argument is based on the book of Acts
2
, which states any sinner who
repents should be baptized. Therefore, by baptizing the man, he will be forgiven for his past
actions and moving forward with wives would be the best option.
I stand with the opinion that polygamy in Christianity should not be entertained. In fact,
the polygamist should not be baptized without putting away his sinful wives. Before baptism the
polygamist should be comprehensively taught what repentance really entails. Also, he should
understand that true repentance comes before true baptism, for sins to be fully washed away. He
must learn that for his repentance to be true, he must abandon his past deeds, which in this case
is his other wives in an honorable manner
3
. According to the book of Roman
4
S Romans 6:1-18,
baptism is defined as the burial of the old man with sinful deeds and the rebirth of a man in the
newness of life. If a polygamist is baptized without having truly repented, then the baptism will
be vain and not biblical. Therefore, if having many wives is part of his sins, he must leave them
behind and start a new life with his first wife.
2
Acts 2:38
3
Gitari (1984)
4
Romans 6:1-18
4
References
Gitari, D. (1984). The Church and Polygamy. Transformation, 1(1), 3-10.
