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What is the Bible and Quran saying about polygamy?
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Recently there has been discussions about marriage specifically regarding the issue of polygamy and whether the Bible endorses it or not.
A WhatsApp video I watched showed an ‘Osofo’ justifying why he has more than one wife with quotes from the scriptures supporting his actions. Other pastors also have preached against polygamy also with quotes from the Bible and so which is the correct stand of the Bible?
Our traditional setting allows for polygamy and it is part of our culture but because it is part of our culture, does not mean the Bible endorses it?
When we go to the Muslim religion and therefore to the Quran, we see that the Quran does not forbid polygamy but wait a minute, there is a condition that when obeyed allows a Muslim to engage in polygamy but it is impossible to obey, hence Muslims who know their Quran well, abhor polygamy.
There is a historical background as to why our forefathers engaged in polygamy. In the olden days farming was the order of the day and because agriculture was not mechanised, it was labour intensive so it made a lot of sense to marry more to produce more children and therefore readily available labour to engage in various farming activities.
Now let us go into the Bible and examine whether the Bible endorses polygamy or not because a lot of people make the argument that the Patriarchs were all polygamous.
The first patriach was Adam and he had only one wife called Eve. The next patriach was Noah and he had one wife. The striking thing is that God did not instruct him to marry more than one woman even though he was going to destroy the entire human race except Noah and those in the ark, which should have been the logical thing to do so he can quickly replenish the population after the flood.
The next patriach was Abraham and he had one wife. Some will argue that he slept with Hagar and got Ishmael but the fact is that he did not marry her. Next was Isaac and he had one wife followed by Jacob who had more than one wife but his case is the exception and not the norm. He was tricked by his uncle into marrying a woman she did not love and so had to marry the one he really loved later on in addition.
David married more than one but check the problems that came his way and his son Solomon whose lust was way beyond normal. He too, just look at the problems he encountered.
In the New Testament the Bible is clear on marriage. It is one man one wife. It should be noted that the New Testament dispensation is where the whole world falls under in terms of how God wants everybody to live to please him.
The Old Testament was mostly specifically designed for the Israelites, the chosen people of God but the New Testament is for the whole of mankind.
In Timothy the Bible states categorically the qualifications of some desiring the office of a leader of a Bishop which among others include “…the husband of one wife…” according to 1 Timothy 3:2. Jesus, the Saviour himself, who according to John 1:1 was there at the very beginning of creation, in response to a question about divorce has explained that marriage was instituted by God and that it is one man one wife issue according to Mathew 19:4-5.
It is therefore quite disheartening to hear people who claim to be men of God declaring that the Bible does not speak against polygamy. What they ought to realise is that the word of God does not adapt to any culture rather it is the culture that must adapt to the word of God.
Therefore if your culture permits polygamy, you need to align it to what the Bible says and not the other way round. Out of ignorance, others out of desire for sinful pleasures want God to endorse what God’s word does not permit and go about deceiving people.
It is one man one wife, finito.
Laud Kissi Mensah
On Sunday, August 13, 2026, the Church of Pentecost (COP) International, Finland, held an impressive church service in Helsinki in honour of and to welcome Prophet Benjamin Arthur as the new National Head.
The well-attended service formally ushered in Prophet Arthur who takes over from Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah, who has been the National Head since November 2020 and whose tenure as the National Head ended last month.
Prophet Arthur arrived in Finland from the UK where he has held many positions in the church to replace Apostle Owusu Kwaah who moves back to the UK.
A touching welcome and powerful ministration
The church service was officiated by Apostle Seth Samuel Asante, the National Head of the Church of Pentecost, USA.
It was a touching welcome church service and ministration at a well-attended event. In attendance were many religious leaders from other churches or missions, as well as dignitaries.
Apostle Asante had the honour to introduce Prophet Arthur to the whole congregation as the new National Head in Finland. He was joined by other church leaders and officers from UK, USA, and Finland to pray for Prophet Arthur and handed him over to COP Finland as their new National Head to a huge applause.
Earlier, Apostle Asante delivered a powerful and touching sermon that highlighted a message of salvation and the importance of knowing, loving and serving God with one’s whole heart. He entreated the audience to love God and do His work to glorify his name.
Stirring up understandings from the hymns: “My faith has found a resting place…” and “Guide me O Thou great Jehovah…,” as well as a number of quotations from the Bible, the Apostle gave a powerful preaching on the need to build one’s faith in God.
Response from the new National Head
In response, Prophet Benjamin Arthur preached the power of prophecies and God’s plan for redemption. He entreated all to believe in God’s power especially through prophecies to save mankind. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, he noted and add: “The blood of Jesus is not shed in vain”.
Surrounded by his beloved wife, Mrs Eugenia Arthur, and their three children, Prophet Arthur expressed gratitude to the members of the church for the resounding welcome they have accorded him as he starts to embark on his role and duty as the National Head.
He recognised the exploits and excellent leadership roles of his predecessors, Apostle Edmund Appiah (who was the first National Head) and Apostle Francis Owusu Kwaah.
COP’s future and growth in Finland
The Church of Pentecost in Finland was established over 25 years ago. It started in September 2000 as a prayer group with a small number of devoted persons in Helsinki (see www.copfinland.fi).
The group grew fast and there was the need to secure a new place of worship in the Helsinki area. The Church has grown and spread to other towns and cities in Finland.
Today, in Helsinki alone there are two branches of the Church. There is the Akan Assembly where worship is done mostly in the Twi language. The other branch is the English Assembly (or the PIWC) which is attended by other nationalities and African immigrants aside Ghanaian immigrants.
The COP Finland has become very formidable in the religious space in the Ghanaian community in Finland.
It has thus played a prominent role in the religious or spiritual existence of its members, as well as in people’s social lives as a key aspect of integration into the Finnish society.
The church continues to grow and, for example, it has been one of the major channels through which the Ghana Union Finland (GUF), an association for Ghanaian immigrants in Finland, has made more contacts with members of the Ghanaian immigrant community.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
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Features
Responding to religious insults with faith, wisdom and restraint …The Prophetic Model for Muslim–Christian Peace and Coexistence(Part 1)
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and seek refuge in Him from the evil within ourselves and from our evil deeds.
May His Peace and Blessings be Upon the Noble Prophet Mohammed, his household, companions and all righteous people till the Last Day. Ameen
GHANA, WE MUST NOT ALLOW A MOMENT OF ANGER TO DESTROY DECADES OF PEACE
My dear brothers and sisters in Ghana.
Today I speak about something that should concern every Muslim, every Christian and every responsible Ghanaian.
Recent events involving controversial statements about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the arrest of an Islamic cleric accused of making statements advocating violence, and the arrest of a Christian preacher over alleged derogatory comments concerning the Prophet (pbuh) have generated considerable national concern. The Ghana Police Service has said the matters are under investigation and that due process will apply.
And now, reports of an alleged assault on a detained pastor have added another troubling dimension to the matter.
Let us be very clear:
Ghana is not at war.
Muslims are not at war with Christians.
2 | P a g e
Christians are not at war with Muslims.
For generations, we have lived together, traded together, worked together, attended the same schools, built communities together and, in many Ghanaian families, even married across religious lines.
Therefore, we must not allow the reckless words or actions of a few individuals to destroy the peace built by generations.
WHEN SOMEONE INSULTS THE PROPHET (PBUH), WHAT DOES ISLAM EXPECT
FROM ME?
This is the question we must answer.
Not: “How angry am I?”
But: “What does Allah require from me?”
Not: “What can I do to my enemy?”
But: “What did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) do when his enemies hurt him?”
This distinction is crucial.
Islam does not teach us to abandon our faith when we are provoked.
Islam teaches us how to behave because we have faith.
Allah says:
“Do not let the hatred of a people cause you to depart from justice. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Qur’an 5:8).
Notice the greatness of Islam.
Allah does not say, “Be just when people respect you.”
He says, be just even when you hate what they have done.
Therefore: An insult does not give me permission to become unjust.
The author is the Chief Imam of Katamanso Municipal and Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
