Controversial Claims of Polygamy by Missouri Pastor

A heated debate has emerged online regarding whether polygamy can be acceptable in Christianity, and it’s been stirred up by Rich Tidwell, a pastor located in Canton, Missouri. He has asserted that it’s biblically justified for Protestant pastors to have multiple wives.

“I have two beautiful wives,” Tidwell declared on his Instagram, despite anticipating criticism. Interestingly, he also shared that his second wife is expecting their eighth child. He expressed his excitement about their growing family, referencing a Bible verse in Luke 18:29.

In an article he penned, Tidwell classified his relationships as part of a practice he referred to as polygamy, where one man is married to several women. He argued that he discovered in 2019 that God never explicitly forbade polygamy in the Scripture and, in certain instances, even sanctioned it.

He cited several biblical passages, like Exodus 21:10, to support his stance, noting that while the practice was regulated, it was not outright prohibited. He interpreted this as indicating that if a man were to take another wife, it shouldn’t interfere with the rights of the first.

He also referenced 2 Chronicles 24:2-3, which points out that Jehoiada had two wives, and another passage from 2 Samuel 12:7-8, where God grants multiple wives to a king. Citing these examples, Tidwell concluded that if God allowed for multiple marriages historically, then it wouldn’t be considered a sin.

As for critics who argue that polygamy isn’t the original design for humanity, Tidwell deftly retorted, “Neither is death, nor is clothing, nor is meat-eating.” This shows he’s not backing down from his stance.

In an article titled “Should polygamous families be welcomed in the church?” Tidwell reached out to an Episcopal church in Missouri for permission to attend a service with his family. His request was flatly denied, as the clergy stated that participating in such a family is against their beliefs, interpretation of the Bible, and church canon.

The response emphasized, “these convictions are non-negotiable,” reinforcing the church’s definition of marriage as a one-man-to-one-woman union. They invited him to reconsider and become “functionally and theologically monogamous” if he wished to join.

Currently, Tidwell holds the position of pastor at the nondenominational Ormond Church in Canton, Missouri. This contentious issue seems far from resolved, revealing complex layers within religious interpretations and societal acceptance.