Concerning the Marriage of Priests – part 49
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 7:2
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
In enumerating our arguments, we have incidentally shown our opponents’ quibbling, while at the same time, refuting their arguments. Now we shall briefly relate the earthshaking reasons they defend their law. First, they claim that it has been revealed by God. See the utter impudence of these sorry fellows! They dare to assert that the law of perpetual celibacy has been divinely revealed, even though it is contrary to obvious testimonies of Scripture, which command that each one should have his own wife in order to avoid fornication (1 Corinthians 7:2). Likewise, it forbids dissolution of marriages (Matthew 5:32; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 7:27).
Paul uncovers the real author of such laws when he calls them the doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). The results — namely, the magnitude of monstrous lusts and murders which are now committed under the pretext of that law — reveal the author.
Pulling It Together: This long argument against the demonic dogma of enforced and perpetual celibacy may seem to some as being overdone. Yet these very same problems persist 500 years later. Let us learn well from this lengthy denunciation how to boldly speak the plain, scriptural truth in our own time.
Prayer: Speak, Lord — even through me. Amen
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Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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