In the years before Luther the family had been devalued by Church and society. Luther's teaching put a great value on marriage and family. It is within the context of a family that we start to understand sin, forgiveness, and God's forbearance.
In medieval thought the celibate life was considered to earn merit for salvation. It was not uncommon to consider all sexual activity to be unclean, though priests routinely violated their vows of celibacy, had children and concubines. At the same time, priests did suffer from the guilt of their sinful behavior.
Luther brought liberation by observing that marriage is a biblically good thing. Yet he emphasized that marriage involved caring for the household, bringing up children, and living in joy and respect together in community.
Lindberg details many of Luther's reflections on the blessedness of marriage and the care which God has given family members for one another. A recurring theme is the way marriage and family reflect God's care for us, which is undeserved on our part.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com
Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com
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