{
  "id": 16914496,
  "title": "Biblical teaching cultural, US pastor defends taking second wife",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/biblical-teaching-cultural-us-pastor-defends-taking-second-wife",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T15:08:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/biblical-teaching-cultural-us-pastor-defends-taking-second-wife/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prophet Israel Ford, the lead pastor of LifeWorks Church in Wickliffe, Ohio, has come under fire for taking a second wife, Minister Shakayla Ford. Ford defended his decision, arguing that biblical teachings on monogamy are often misunderstood and misapplied. During an interview with The Shade Room, Ford explained that the biblical requirement for church leaders to be \"the husband of one wife\" only applied to certain leadership positions, not every Christian. He cited the biblical instruction that women should remain silent in church as another example of a cultural interpretation that Christians accepted but rejected when applied to his marriage. Ford also defended his decision by stating that husbands and wives have different responsibilities within marriage, emphasizing the husband's obligation to make the greater sacrifice. His wives, including Lydia, expressed their acceptance of the arrangement after prayer, fasting, and studying the Bible together.",
  "summary": "US pastor Israel Ford has defended his decision to take a second wife, arguing that biblical teaching on monogamy is cultural and often misunderstood. Read More: https://punchng.com/biblical-teaching-cultural-us-pastor-defends-taking-second-wife/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}