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The Future of Biblical Families . .

Doc

Doc

Member
Real Person
. . I would like to get some feedback from the readers of our forum.

What do you see for the future of Biblical Families? What would you LIKE to see? What would you NOT like to see?

There is no right or wrong answer to these questions. I just want to get some ideas and sense of the heart of people directly impacted by the ministry of Biblical Families.

Blessings,
 
Hmmm, now that's an interesting question. I believe the movement is in the formative stage. The apologetics are being formed, the arguments hashed out and the reasoning solidified. This community is superb at that. But I don't know that polygyny is ready for the primetime. I personally feel that we're building for some future development, however close that is to being realized. It would be nice though to feel like we were a growing community. It seems like a lot of people introduce themselves to the site and then disappear.

I know when I started researching polygyny, I was very interested in the experiences of those actually practicing it. That of course is very hard to come by, especially a man's perspective and even more so a Christian man's perspective. I guess it would be interesting to see BF blogs, even if they were anonymous, from those actually living it and especially from the men. This might be moving the site from its strength, complex theology, into a more practical side but I think it would encourage more involvement and drive people to that theology.

Also, I think a kind of code of ethics should be formed. Maybe a checklist of sorts. Something like the Love Not Force thing but maybe a little more detailed. Guidelines that say things a Godly husband would or would not do. So a guy could take his situation and see if it had the red flags of a flesh driven lust or if he was acting in a Godly manner.

This is going to sound weird but, is it possible to have a counter that shows how many members we have and how many plural families are associated with the group? I really think that the best way to promote the idea, and encourage the initiates is to let them know that it is being lived and how frequently. It makes this interesting Old Testament idea more accessible and may make many of the women who are being exposed to it less resistant when they can see that there is a culture supporting it.

By the way, I thought the Facebook move was excellent and gutsy.
 
If you could glean from the many informative posts on the board and place them in an easy-to-read format (Q and A) on the home page, I think that might be a good place to send people who are looking for answers without having to search the board archives for info.
 
duelingbanjos said:
. . I would like to get some feedback from the readers of our forum.

What do you see for the future of Biblical Families? What would you LIKE to see? What would you NOT like to see?

There is no right or wrong answer to these questions. I just want to get some ideas and sense of the heart of people directly impacted by the ministry of Biblical Families.

Blessings,
Click to expand...
I used to belong to a cult, Meher Baba, that has, for sixty years or so, kept a retreat center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where people interested in the cult could come and meet and share experiences with others of similar inclination. There was a constant problem of weeding out people who just wanted a cheap place to stay at the beach. I would like see the polygamy movement have a permanent place like this, a piece of real estate that is all ours, but maybe in some place like the panhandle of Texas: There would be no question of anyone coming for the beauty of the ocean or the beauty of the mountains. There would only be beauty of the godly love of individuals brave enough to pull their heads out of the sand and take a stand.
 
'wacko', that's a great idea - we'd love to have a location where people could move if interested (not a commune, just an area with a bunch of us), and having a place for them to come fellowship at any time with us would be great - it'll take some money, and some planning, and a few years, but we are quite serious about it. First we have to agree on a location, and we are talking about that (there's a thread somewhere on that) - the topic will definitely be discussed at the July 4th retreat also.

'duet30' - your plan is also in the works, and hopefully will be ready in just a few more months.
 
Both great ideas that already have some legs. Any other ideas, suggestions, dreams or visions?
 
Guidelines that say things a Godly husband would or would not do.
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The same for the women would be appreciated. I think making some of the biblical laws more understandable would be appreciated as well, not only for people who are new to this, but for those who are looking for a deeper understanding. If something is specifically right, wrong, or not really covered, it would be nice to weed out specific issues.

Beyond that, I've no idea :)
 
I and, I suspect, many like me come to this site after a long struggle with "religious elite" types who tell us what to believe. We have had the confidence to search the scripture to come to a personal conviction about certain doctrinal issues (not only PM) independent and often in conflict with those who have been placed before us as spiritual leaders. We come hear looking for people we can share our thoughts, convictions, and mabey even our lives with. We hope to receive, in return, an honest interactive relationship, a friend, many friends. If a few arrogant elite individuals begin to dominate this fellowship with their systematic theology and academic superiority it will drift into and promote doctrinal error in the same way that all man made religious systems do, and be no different than the institutionalized "church" most of us struggle with. Some would continue in the fellowship for the approval of like minded men, but those of us who desire an "iron sharpens iron" fellowship in the spirit of truth will cut loose and look some where else.

I would be careful about trying to organize and structure and set standards. That is the pride of man at work to glorify himself rather than trust the leading of the spirit of holiness and truth in the individual believer. The temple curtain was torn to show that God has come out and, through Christ, dwells in individuals and we no longer look to an anointed priest to represent us before Him. Encourage individuals and local groups that spring up to be true to the word and fellowship in that truth, but don't set yourselves up or encourage anyone to promote themselves as the experts who can set the standards for a community of believers.
 
What about an IM system integrated into the website? PMs take time, and full-blown chat pages don't tend to attract too much use. They also tend to be relatively confusing in conversation. A chat system would:
  • encourage interaction
  • encourage signing up
  • be on every page
  • allow you to turn it on and off
  • be more up-to-date as to who is online at any given time
  • help people have private conversations

Just an idea. :geek:
 
sadanyagci said:
What about an IM system integrated into the website? PMs take time, and full-blown chat pages don't tend to attract too much use. They also tend to be relatively confusing in conversation. A chat system would:
  • encourage interaction
  • encourage signing up
  • be on every page
  • allow you to turn it on and off
  • be more up-to-date as to who is online at any given time
  • help people have private conversations

Just an idea. :geek:
Click to expand...
+1
 
There seem to be numerous different groups forming on the Internet.

What we truly need is to find a way to band together. Even though our theologies may differ, it is important to band together to support biblical marriage. I think a lot of people would be surprised at how many people there are that have discovered the biblical truths regarding marriage.

Maybe we could eventually have a primary page and a "sub-group" for every state. If somehow the web sites could all be linked, or have one primary location so that when someone ventures out and discovers one of them, the others are readily available as well. It has taken me a lot of searching to find most of the information I have found, and fortunately others post links that lead me to things that I didn't even know existed. Consolidating the majority of this information would make it much easier for individuals exploring the topic to find what they are looking for.

With the advent of the Internet we now have communication abilities that not long ago were only science fiction. Let us use technology, information, communication, organization, and representation to become a political presence and challenge the unconstitutional bigamy and anti-polygamy laws. With recent changes in the legal and political environment I believe we have an opportunity like never before to challenge the status quo.
 
Doc, I would like to see Biblical Families become un-necessary because it has done a completely marvelous job of educating Christians and the world of the validity of biblical marriage. Nothing like working yourself out of a job. 8-) But in the meantime I would like to see us have a growing forum where we focus more clearly on marriage and less on marginal (not relative to marriage) doctrinal issues. I see failure to do this as divisive and destructive to the mission of BF. Regardless of the efforts that often go on here, I doubt that any of the strongminded and usually well grounded people that post here have had their doctrinal position altered, beyond spelling and punctuation. I believe we can accomplish much more if we concentrate our focus (think magnifying glass and ants) on our common interests and goals. Much is yet to be done in the area of discovery, education and implementation regarding biblical marriage. Just my thoughts, since you asked. :)
 
I agree with your point very strongly, John, but I will say that hearing differing viewpoints on non PM subjects has helped me to be a bit more open to seeing others' points of view. I know that my doctrine is easily and unintentionally imputed into my posts because it is a part of my beliefs. However, when I see a thread delving into the minutae of a doctrine, a word interpretation, etc. I usually just stop reading!

I can't say I've changed my doctrinal stance from reading other posts, but perhaps I'm a bit less judgmental after hearing someone's heartfelt beliefs and the reasons behind them. A healthy balance and respect of others' beliefs is always beneficial, as I'm sure you would agree.

John Whitten said:
I doubt that any of the strongminded and usually well grounded people that post here have had their doctrinal position altered, beyond spelling and punctuation.
Click to expand...

I thought this was hilarious!

Katie
 
Many have their favorite doctrine that has become how they identify themselves as a Christian. We should identify first in Christ. That is why even though this site has a focus on plural ideas, it insists on a Christ-like attitude. When the proper attitude and love gives way to theo-football then it is a problem.
We should write and then read our posts several times before posting and remember that there are non-Christians observing that need Christ. You may not view yourself as a babe in Christ, but they visit this forum to decide if your ideas on marriage are not just Scriptural but also fit with Christ's love.
 
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