An assessment of members' perception and attitude towards polygamous converts in Seventh-day Adventist Church Oyo Conference, Nigeria

Abstract

Polygamy has been a significant issue in the Western part of Nigeria since the missionaries introduced the Gospel to this region. Polygamous marriage has been a contentious subject, with early missionaries sharing similar approaches to polygamy. This thesis sought to examine the perception and attitude towards polygamous converts among members of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church Oyo Conference, Nigeria. The thesis focuses on the Biblical understanding of polygamy as it affects the church today, investigating whether polygamous converts should be baptized, accepted into the church, and allowed to partake in the ordinance of Holy Communion. Additionally, this thesis seeks to uncover the factors encouraging polygamy, the impacts of polygamous practices on an individual’s sensibilities, and their relation to SDA Church policy and practices. The research adopted the religio-cultural principle and the general Biblical interpretation technique to examine polygamy in Africa, as well as the teachings and principles of the SDA Church. The study used members’ responses on polygamy to gather the necessary information for the thesis. In the first chapter, the thesis considers various backgrounds, objectives, purposes, problem statements, significance, limitations, and methods related to polygamy. The second chapter reviews the literature and the Biblical perspective on polygamy, discussing the factors that lead to polygamy, church attitudes and principles concerning polygamy, and Ellen G. White's comments on the topic. The third chapter addresses various Biblical canons related to marital togetherness and polygamous marriage principles. It examines the Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT) principles on polygamy, considering whether they align with Biblical teachings. It also considers the Biblical standards, theological beliefs, and church positions on polygamous marriage, both in the present and the past. The chapter traces and analyzes polygamous practices in the Bible, focusing on characters such as Lamech, Abraham, Esau, Jacob, Elkanah, Gideon, Rehoboam, Jehoram, Joash, David, and Solomon. The background of the SDA Church in Oyo Conference and polygamous marriage in Yoruba land is also considered. The fourth chapter analyzes the questionnaires and interviews from the respondents. This research also examines the attitudes of members in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Oyo Conference towards polygamy and the erroneous beliefs held by some members that polygamous marriage is unbiblical, sinful, immoral, erroneous, and devilish. The research further explores the Biblical principles regarding whether polygamous individuals should be baptized and allowed to partake in the ordinance of foot washing and Holy Communion. The study investigates the consequences of polygamous marriage as related to people’s perceptions and attitudes according to SDA Church policy and practice. Overall, the research utilizes a descriptive analysis research design, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods. The target population is three thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight (3,928) church members, ten (10) polygamous converts, ten (10) pastors, and five (5) Executive Directors. A sample size of three hundred and seventy (370) respondents was used, consisting of three hundred and forty (340) church members, five (5) polygamous converts, fifteen (15) elders, five (5) pastors, and five (5) Executive Directors. Data were collected from the field using interviews and researcher-administered surveys or questionnaires. A simple random sampling method was used to select the respondents, including the five (5) pastors, fifteen (15) elders, and five (5) Executive Directors of the conference. Furthermore, the research concludes that polygamous converts deserve better treatment. They should be baptized and allowed to partake in the ordinance of foot washing and Holy Communion. As indicated in the findings, the research observes that the Bible is silent on polygamous marriage, and negative attitudes towards polygamous converts should be eliminated among the members. The study recommends that members of the SDA Church Oyo Conference should comply with the principle that polygamous converts should not be denied baptism and Holy Communion. The research advocates that the SDA Church Oyo Conference in Nigeria should accept polygamous converts and not deny them membership through baptism.