Christian Marriage — Peace Lutheran will be having our Vocation of Marriage Sunday on August 3. Be sure to come. Remember the good gift that God has given us.
Marriage. Since my children have grown, they mention what a weird house they were raised in. Halfway through seminary, I took a class on “Christian Sexual Ethics” with Dr. Benne. On the coffee table sat the latest textbooks, such as Real Sex, Sex and Virtue, Cheap Sex, Love Taking Shape, and Theology of the Body. While the titles seem provocative and embarrassing, the content proved more boring to young readers—social and theological commentary on sex and marriage in America. I feel for our kids. The world is a mess around us with all types of variants to Christian marriage being advocated.
Marriage is a mess these days. It is one of God’s good creations. In the Small Catechism, when Luther teaches the Sixth Commandment—“You shall not commit adultery”—he writes: “We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.” Christian marriage begins with God and is lived under His Word.
At the heart of Christian marriage is not romance, but promise. At a wedding, the couple stands before God and humanity to make a vow. That vow is not an expression of current feelings, but a public and binding word, made in the presence of God. Some versions of the rite include:
“Because marriage is a holy estate, ordained by God and blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, it is not to be entered into lightly or thoughtlessly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”
So what are those purposes? The rite lists them clearly: delight in one another, avoid sexual immorality, the gift of children, and the mutual help and support of husband and wife. But above all, marriage is a reflection of Christ and His Church. In Ephesians 5, Paul says this is a mystery—a reality revealed in Christ. Just as Christ gave Himself for His bride, the Church, so also husbands are called to love their wives. Wives are called to trust their husbands, not because he is always strong or right, but because the marriage rests not on his strength, but on Christ’s promise.
Benne reminds us that marriage is not just a private matter. It is part of what he calls the “orders of creation”—real structures built into the world by God to preserve life and serve the neighbor. That means marriage is not a human invention or merely a Christian custom. It is a good gift of God for all people. But for Christians, this gift is lived under the cross. It becomes a vocation—a calling to serve another in faith. Marriage is not always easy or glorious, but it is holy because it is a place where the sinner learns to give and receive mercy. In marriage, we are called to be Christ to our spouse. We are not Christ by our strength, but by Christ who keeps His promises and works through weak and forgiven people.
Marriage is also the school of daily repentance. Think of it, marriage is between two sinners. We do not stop being sinners when we say our vows. In fact, sin often becomes more visible as husband and wife walk closely together. But the answer is not despair or retreat. It is confession and forgiveness. A husband can say to his wife, “I was wrong, please forgive me.” A wife can say, “I forgive you, in the name of Jesus.” Christ is present in those words.
In a world that treats marriage as temporary or self-centered, the Church bears witness to something better: a marriage grounded in God’s Word, shaped by the cross, and upheld by Christ’s own promise.
Come join us on August 3 to hear more about marriage and Luther’s amazing marriage to Katharina von Bora. Further, come watch the Martin Luther movie with us on July 30 to see it dramatized.
Blessings, Pastor.
© Patrick K Welton