#55 A Father Can Support 10 Children Better Than 10 Children Can Support 1 Father

The artist and mayor Lucas said that this is a perilous time, that there is widespread disobedience and ingratitude, so that a magistrate is very much occupied with cases involving the relation of parents and children. Luther responded, “There is an old proverb, ‘A father can support ten children better than ten children can support one father.’ It is not for nothing, therefore, that God urges the Fourth Commandment upon us, ‘Honor [your father and your mother] that your days may be long in the land’ [Exod. 20:12].” (Luther’s Works, v. 54, p.267, No. 3751: Ten Children Cannot Support One Father, February 17, 1538)

#54 Become The Spiritual Father of Him Who Is Your Physical Father.

Martin Weyer, a student of noble birth from Pomerania, was called back home by his father. Since the father was an old man and was accustomed to papistic usages, the son asked Dr. Martin Luther how he should deal with his father in order to be able to benefit him. He inquired if during the time of his father’s illness he ought to attend papistic ceremonies and, in particular, private mass.

Dr. Martin Luther replied that he should in every way accommodate himself to his father, under no circumstances offend him, and adapt himself to his fasting, praying, invocation of the saints, and hearing of masses. At the same time, Luther said, through the Word of God the son should instruct his parent in the doctrine of justification and the words of the Creed. Above all, he should diligently impress upon him the preaching of Jesus Christ, and only after all this should he dwell on his upright life and his pure conversation. Then there will be hope for the father. If the father should not be changed by all this, the son must bear his infirmity, pray, and commend him to God. He should take care in every possible way not to offend his father by his liberty but should become the spiritual father of him who is his physical father. If for this purpose he adjusts himself to his father, he will not sin by attending mass and other profane rites.

(Luther’s Works, v. 54, No. 4568: A Student Goes Home to See His Sick Father, May 7, 1539)

Theology Summary Bible Study, Pt. 13: The Divine Christ

In this study, St. John (1:1-3) uses “Word” (Logos) to describe the Second Person of the Trinity. The Word describes the Christ before creation, and thus, it is a reference to His divine nature. It is not until verse 14, that we hear of Christ’s incarnation saying “the Word became flesh.”

Continually, we are forced to  hold our reason captive. The Word is described as “with God” indicating a distinction, and then with the words “was God” indicating no distinction. In Colossians 1:15-16, the Christ is “the image of the invisible God,” which is quite contradictory to human reason. Furthermore, the Christ is described as “the brightness of His glory” and  “the exact image of His person”(Hebrews 1:1-3). Those who wish to know the Father must look to the Christ.  Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

Handout: The Christ Aug 12 2018

[Note: Picture of Divine Savior Lutheran Church, Niwot, CO]

The Flood Bible Study

The world-wide flood and the saving of Noah and his family in an ark is an historical event (Gen 6-9).  The Lord was grieved at the general wickedness of man.  This widespread corruption  is seen in the actions of Cain’s descendants (Gen. 4:17-24).  In contrast, the descendants of Seth (Gen 4:25-5:32) give us a description of the church and her righteous-by-faith members.  Like Noah, those who trust in God for salvation through the promise of the Savior are declared righteous and find favor with God.

Our Lord Jesus Christ warns us that that the destruction worked by the flood is a sign to warn us of God’s judgment upon unbelievers at the return of the Son of Man (Mt 24:36-39).  Until that day comes, we see the Divine long-suffering and kindness of God in showing mercy(Isaiah 54:7-10), and inviting to salvation.  Our Triune God is continuing to send out preachers to direct us, Noah’s descendants, to the water of Holy Baptism, which saves by uniting us with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:18-22).  Thus the account of the ark also comforts believers that “the Lord knows how to deliver  the godly out of temptations” (2 Peter 2:4-10).  The ark is a sign of God’s promised means of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Handout: Noah-and-Flood-Aug-5-2018.pdf

#53 Looking for a Wife—Pay Attention to Her Mother

Therefore I think that this priest was a different man from the one mentioned above, so that Joseph did not marry the daughter of his master and seems to have taken wise precautions in his own interest, since the example of the adulterous mother was at hand. Consequently, it is my opinion that the very honorable and chaste young man carefully abstained from marriage with the daughter of a most dishonorable mother.

For that monk counseled that anyone who wanted to court a maiden should not give his attention to the father but should rather consider the mother, since daughters generally imitate her ways.53 And the Germans have a proverb which says: “Beer tastes like the keg. If the mother is a harlot, the daughter is not pious.” Nevertheless, it can happen that an infamous mother or a godless father brings forth a daughter or a son who is good and honorable, and vice versa. It is my opinion that there were two men with this name, the former being in charge of the meat supply throughout all Egypt, the latter being the bishop of the churches and divine worship. This man’s daughter Joseph married on the advice of the king. But I leave it undecided whether this is the true opinion or not, because the Christian faith and religion are not imperiled in this point. (Luther’s Works, vol. 7, p 198).

#52-Pick Your Child’s Spouse Carefully

“But why does Abraham forbid his servant to look for one of the daughters of the Canaanites? My answer is that Abraham, near death, had experienced many things in this land when he lived among the heathen people. It was necessary for him to observe their customs and way of life rather carefully, to associate with them, and to talk and confer with them about various matters, inasmuch as all his wealth and livelihood—almost as in the case of a shepherd—consisted in cattle and fields. From this source he not only fed and supported his domestics but also sold meat, butter, milk, cheese, and similar products. This could not be done without close association with the inhabitants and citizens. Consequently, as a result of that association and intimacy, some, possibly of the foremost families of Ephron or others, were perhaps induced to desire Isaac, such a respectable and handsome young man, as a son-in-law or relative by marriage. And above it has been stated that because of God’s blessing Abraham was wealthy. For this reason alone they surely wanted to be friends with him.

But Abraham had various reasons for refusing this. He was afraid of dangers either for his household or for his church. Perhaps he did not like the character and the conduct of the girls, because they were exceedingly proud if they were distinguished by wealth, beauty, or descent. For it is especially hard to be a son-in-law in the house of a powerful and rich man, and nothing is more unbearable than a rich and domineering woman; for the husband is forced to comply with his wife’s command and authority, or by their blandishments the women at least prevail over and weaken the men who are in the clutches of love” (Luther’s Works, v.4 p.245-246).

Creation/Evolution Bible Study

The Bible is not a science book, nor is it designed with the purpose of presenting to us scientific principles, nevertheless, where the Bible speaks of creation it always tells the truth. The Triune God created the world in six normal days as described by Genesis, chapter one.  Both theistic evolution and atheistic evolution deny the inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures and the truth of the doctrines it presents. Even more importantly, evolution negates the need for Christ’s atonement for sin.

Handout: Creation-Evolution-July-29-2018.pdf
Answers to the Line of the Promise Handout: Answers-Line-of-Promise-July-29-2018.pdf