Attitudes towards marriage and sexuality have undergone significant evolution in the West in the last few generations, due to cultural, economic and technological changes. What does the Bible really have to say about the subject of marriage, and is it still relevant in today's world? Does the Bible endorse polygamy? This presentation uses the lenses of biology and social science to examine the practice of polygamy in ancient Israel, and to assess what we can learn from the historical contexts and reception history of the Hebrew Bible.


About the speaker:
Dr. Benjamin Giffone has served as the director of the Center for Faith and Human Flourishing since its inception in 2017.

A native of New Jersey, Dr. Giffone received his undergraduate and seminary degrees from Cairn University, and his MTh and PhD in Old Testament from Stellenbosch University. Dr. Giffone has served in the Theology Department at LCC since 2014, and continues to teach courses in Old Testament.

Dr. Giffone brings to the directorship of the CFHF over ten years of experience in the business world (pharmaceutical research). In addition to his academic research on the books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles in the Hebrew Bible, his interests include the contributions of private industry and philanthropy to human well-being and flourishing. He particularly enjoys reading history and economics, and applying the tools of social science to the study of the Bible. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister (ECO).