An Ohio-based cleric, Pastor Israel Ford, has sparked intense public debate after announcing his marriage to a second wife and publicly declaring the doctrine of strict monogamy as “unbiblical”.
Ford, who leads LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe, Ohio, shared the news via his official Facebook page alongside video footage recorded inside the church auditorium.
In the post, he officially introduced his new bride, Shakayla Ford, standing beside her and his first wife, Lydia Ford, during a Sunday service.
Addressing the pushback surrounding the US pastor Israel Ford second wife announcement, the cleric argued that traditional societal norms enforcing one-wife marriages are cultural rather than scriptural.
“As a nation we have been taught that a man should have one wife only. This is unbiblical,” Ford wrote. “I encourage you to watch today’s sermon in its entirety. I understand that this is an unpopular truth that we have gotten away from and many Pastors will not preach.”
Acknowledging that his stance on polygyny will draw sharp criticism from mainstream Christian circles, Ford affirmed that he would not compromise his theological convictions to satisfy critics or preserve popularity.
“I have no plans to choose pleasing man over what God has revealed,” he stated,adding that he remains at peace with anyone who chooses to sever ties over the decision.
The full sermon expounding his doctrinal position on plural marriage is scheduled to be published online later this week.
Source: strenuousblogs.com
