A critical appraisal of the position of Africa Inland Church on polygamous converts among the Tugen of Barlngo District, KenyaA critical appraisal of the position of Africa Inland Church on polygamous converts among the Tugen of Barlngo District, Kenya

Abstract

Polygamy is a controversial issue in the scholarly world. The study attempted to find out the position of Africa Inland Church (AIC) on polygamous converts among the Tugen of Baringo District, Kenya. This researcher was concerned with the biblical understanding of polygamy and its impact on the AIC converts. The study had the following concerns; to find out how the teachings of the AIC affect the polygamous converts in the light of biblical teachings; and the position of the polygamous converts towards the AIC teachings. It was hypothesized that practice of polygamy is not contrary to biblical teachings. Although the practice seems to have both positive and negative However, the effects of polygamy is related to the individual's perception and practice. The bearing of the practice of polygamy on Christianity was then traced in the New Testament in our contemporary situation and in selected AIC polygamous converts among the Tugen. The researcher adopted both historical and descriptive survey methods so as to explore the issue at hand in a biblical context. Data from the field was collected through interviews and self-administered questionnaires. However, random sampling was put into use when selecting the sample respondents. This was necessary so as to minimize bias and to give each sample respondent in the strata an equal chance. Data from the field therefore, were presented in percentages and put in tables and figures. The researcher's main finding was that; the motive behind polygamy among the Tugen was the desire to have more sons than daughters and the possibility of increasing the labour force in the family. The polygamous who had embraced Christianity were denied full membership, and since then they have left the AIC. because they could not be baptized or participate in the partaking of the holy communion. In the AIC teaching a person embraces Christianity once he/she confesses the sin and accepts Jesus Christ as a personal saviour, and right there he/she earns salvation. While baptism, is only a symbolic of the death and the rise of Jesus Christ and as well as a testimony. In conclusion, the researcher suggests that the response from the field seems to push forward one major suggestion that; the AIC should revise its constitution and approach in dealing with Christian teachings to accommodate accept the gospel as full members of the church.