I stumbled on this terrific quote from Luther on marriage (context is Genesis 24:1-4) File this in the “some things never change” category:
Moreover, especially the dignity of matrimony should impel us to give instruction concerning matrimony in a sober and godly manner. For marriage is not a trifling matter; but it is the most serious and most important matter in the whole world, because it is the source of human society and of the human race. Life in its entirety has nothing that excels it in worth. Therefore one should discuss it with the utmost piety and on the basis of the weightiest arguments and reasons. For in other circumstances it has been dishonored enough by concupiscence of the flesh and by lust.
Accordingly, the will of God should be taken into consideration above all This is the way God wanted it, and this is the way He ordained and instituted it. We are not at liberty to seek our own glory from this source, much less to inveigh against God’s institution. Moreover, experience itself shows that marrying is no joke or laughing matter. During the first year, of course, everything is delightful and charming; that time is spent in laughter and caressing. But later—when the familiar line of the comic poet, “What misery have I not seen there?”6 follows—the comfort derived from being sure about the will of God and about being joined by Him is necessary, so that you may positively maintain: “This girl is my wife, whom I have taken in marriage with God’s own approving smile and with the assent of the angels.” Next an invocation for divine help and for protection from heaven should be added, and in this way you will overcome the most serious dangers and annoyances.
The canonists define wedlock in an exceedingly frigid manner. It is the union of male and female, they say, in accordance with the law of nature.7 This is a very poor and weak definition. Therefore they are unfit to decide this dispute, because they give no attention to the importance of the matter.
Theology has a different definition. Marriage, it says, is the inseparable union of one man and one woman, not only according to the law of nature but also according to God’s will and pleasure, if I may use this expression. For the will and approval and that favor of God cover the wretched depravity of lust and turn away God’s wrath, which is in store for such lust and sins. In this way matrimony is treated with reverence.
(Luther’s Works, American Edition, Vol. 4, 221-2.)
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Thanks for posting this. I enjoyed reading it!
You're welcome. There's so much more in that section. Brilliant stuff really. Basically, the flesh (and world) only sees lust and concupiscence in marriage. hence the difficulty in arguing for procreation, suffering in love (think: no-fault divorce), or controlling the passions of the flesh. It really ought to be outlined and used for pre-marital counseling. It covers all the bases.
Thanks God and Luther for this short passage about a marriage. I'm not yet married but I find a comfort in God's words that he keeps marriage and guards it, and also blesses husband and wife. God gives this promise that he'll give all his help and blessings on a family which he'll unit