Wrestling with Theology

Further, we also confess that God the Father has not only given us all that we have and see before our eyes, but He daily preserves and defends us against all evil and misfortune [Psalm 5:11]. He directs all sorts of danger and disaster away from us. We confess that He does all this out of pure love and goodness, without our merit, as a kind Father. He cares for us so that no evil falls upon us. But to speak more about this belongs in the other two parts of this article, where we say, “Father Almighty.” (17-18)https://open.spotify.com/show/27tIOK9gdKZ0HrEgIJ4DiJ

Psalm 1041 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty,2 covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind;4 he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.5 He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.7 At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.9 You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills;11 they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man's heart.16 The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.17 In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees.18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.19 He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.20 You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about.21 The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.22 When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens.23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.25 Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.26 There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.27 These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke!33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!https://open.spotify.com/show/27tIOK9gdKZ0HrEgIJ4DiJ

So far we have heard the first part of Christian doctrine. We have seen all that God wants us to do or not to do. Now there properly follows the Creed, which sets forth to us everything that we must expect and receive from God. To state it quite briefly, the Creed teaches us to know Him fully [Ephesians 3:19]. (1)https://open.spotify.com/show/27tIOK9gdKZ0HrEgIJ4DiJ

So the First Commandment is to shine and give its splendor to all the others. Therefore, you must let this declaration run through all the commandments. It is like a hoop in a wreath, joining the end to the beginning and holding them all together. Let it be continually repeated and not forgotten, as the Second Commandment says, so that we fear God and do not take His name in vain for cursing, lying, deceiving, and other ways of leading men astray, or trickery. But we make proper and good use of His name by calling upon Him in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, derived from love and trust according to the First Commandment. In the same way such fear, love, and trust is to drive and force us not to despise His Word, but gladly to learn it, hear it, value it holy, and honor it. (326)

I am of the opinion, indeed, that here one will find his hands full ‹and will have enough› to do to keep these commandments: meekness, patience, love towards enemies, chastity, kindness, and other such virtues and their implications [Galatians 5:22–23]. But such works are not of value and make no display in the world’s eyes. For these are not peculiar and proud works. They are not restricted to particular times, places, rites, and customs. They are common, everyday, household works that one neighbor can do for another. Therefore, they are not highly regarded. (313)

In common trade, one carefully slips something out of another’s hand, so that the latter must watch out. Or one person surprises and cheats another in a matter where he sees advantage and benefit for himself. Then the person who was cheated, perhaps on account of distress or debt, cannot regain or redeem the property without damage. The other person gains the half or even more. Yet this property must not be considered as taken by fraud or stolen, but honestly bought. Here they say, “First come, first served,” and “Everyone must look to his own interest, let another get what he can.” Who can be so smart to come up with all these ways in which one can get many things into his possession by such believable arguments? The world does not consider this wrong and will not notice that the neighbor is placed at a disadvantage by this, by sacrificing what he cannot spare without harm. Yet no one wishes for someone to do this to himself. From this we can easily see that such devices and arguments are false.

This last commandment, therefore, is given not for cheaters in the eyes of the world. It is for the most pious, who want to be praised and to be called honest and upright people. For they have not offended against the former commandments, as especially the Jewish people claimed to live, and are even now many great noblemen, gentlemen, and princes. For the other common masses belong yet further down, under the Seventh Commandment, as people who are hardly concerned about whether they gain their possessions with honor and right. (300)

All this has been said about secret sins. But where the sin is quite public, so that the judge and everybody know about it, you can without any sin shun the offender and let him go his own way, because he has brought himself into disgrace. You may also publicly testify about him. For when a matter is public in the daylight, there can be no slandering or false judging or testifying. It is like when we now rebuke the pope with his doctrine, which is publicly set forth in books and proclaimed in all the world. Where the sin is public, the rebuke also must be public, that everyone may learn to guard against it. (284)

But you say, “Shall I not say something if it is the truth?”Answer: “Why do you not make your accusation to regular judges?”“Ah, I cannot prove it publicly, and so I might be silenced and turned away in a harsh manner.”“Ah, indeed, do you smell the roast?”If you do not trust yourself to stand before the proper authorities and to answer well, then hold your tongue. But if you know about it, know it for yourself and not for another. For if you tell the matter to others—although it is true—you will look like a liar, because you cannot prove it. Besides, you are acting like a rascal. We should never deprive anyone of his honor or good name unless it is first taken away from him publicly. (270)

Over and above our own body, spouse, and temporal possessions, we still have another treasure—honor and good reputation [Proverbs 22:1]. We cannot do without these. For it is intolerable to live among people in open shame and general contempt. Therefore, God does not want the reputation, good name, and upright character of our neighbor to be taken away or diminished, just as with his money and possessions. He wants everyone to stand in his integrity before wife, children, servants, and neighbors. In the first place, we must consider the plainest meaning of this commandment, according to the words “You shall not bear false witness.” This applies to the public courts of justice, where a poor, innocent man is accused and oppressed by false witnesses in order to be punished in his body, property, or honor. (255-257)

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his deed (Proverbs 19:17).

In short, if you steal much, you can expect that much will be stolen from you. He who robs and gets by violence and wrong will submit to one who shall act the same way toward him. For God is master of this art. Since everyone robs and steals from one another, God punishes one thief by means of another. Or else where would we find enough gallows and ropes? (245)

This is, in short, the way of the world: whoever can steal and rob openly goes free and secure, unmolested by anyone, and even demands that he be honored. Meanwhile, the little burglars, who have once trespassed, must bear the shame and punishment to make the former thieves appear godly and honorable. But let such open thieves know that in God’s sight they are the greatest thieves. He will punish them as they are worthy and deserve. (231)

In the second place, you must know also that marriage is not only an honorable but also a necessary state. In general and in all conditions it is solemnly commanded by God that men and women, who were created for marriage, shall be found in this estate. Yet there are some exceptions (although few) whom God has especially set apart. They are not fit for the married estate. Or there are individuals whom He has released by a high, supernatural gift so that they can maintain chastity without this estate. For where nature has its course—since it is given by God—it is not possible to remain chaste without marriage. For flesh and blood remain flesh and blood. The natural desire and excitement have their course without delay or hindrance, as everybody sees and feels. In order, therefore, that it may be easier in some degree to avoid inchastity, God has commanded the estate of marriage. In this way everyone may have his proper portion and be satisfied with it. Yet God’s grace is also required in order that the heart may be pure. (211-212)

But this commandment is aimed directly at the state of marriage and gives us an opportunity to speak about it. First, understand and mark well how gloriously God honors and praises this estate. For by His commandment He both approves and guards it. He has approved it above in the Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” But here He has (as we said) hedged it about and protected it. Therefore, He also wishes us to honor it and to maintain and govern it as a divine and blessed estate because, in the first place, He has instituted it before all others. He created man and woman separately, as is clear. This was not for lewdness, but so that they might live together in marriage, be fruitful, bear children, and nourish and train them to honor God. (206-207)

United CenterStrap Match: 'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs 'Gentleman' Chris AdamsIAW International Tag Team Titles Match: Pretty Wonderful (c) vs AcolytesAmerican Heavyweight Title Mississippi Mud Match

Second, a person who does evil to his neighbor is not the only one guilty under this commandment. It also applies to anyone who can do his neighbor good, prevent or resist evil, defend, and save his neighbor so that no bodily harm or hurt happen to him—yet does not do this. If, therefore, you send away someone who is naked when you could clothe him, you have caused him to freeze to death. If you see someone suffer hunger and do not give him food, you have caused him to starve. So also, if you see anyone innocently sentenced to death or in similar distress, and do not save him, although you know ways and means to do so, you have killed him. It will not work for you to make the excuse that you did not provide any help, counsel, or aid to harm him. For you have withheld your love from him and deprived him of the benefit by which his life would have been saved. (189-190)

Renaissance ColiseumJames Storm vs Marc Mero'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol vs Beefstew Lou MarconiNightmares vs Too CoolRick 'The Model' Martel vs Ultimo DragonNon-Title Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion vs AcolytesIllinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Iron Mike SharpeIAW United States Heavyweight Title Match: Magnum T.A. vs Greg 'The Hammer' ValentineIAW International Heavyweight Title Match: Stone Cold Steve Austin (c) vs 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert

State Farm CenterDark Horse Title Match: Barry Horowitz (c) vs 'Dangerous' Doug GilbertAmerican Tag Team Titles Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (c) vs Too CoolCage Match: 'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs 'Gorgeous' Jimmy GarvinIAW United States Heavyweight Tournament SemifinalsMagnum T.A. (PWA) vs Kerry von Erich (MCW)Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs 'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW)

The cause and need of this commandment is that God well knows that the world is evil, and that this life has much unhappiness. Therefore, He has set up this and the other commandments between the good people and the evil. Now, just as there are many attacks on all commandments, so the same happens also with this commandment. We must live among many people who do us harm, and we have a reason to be hostile to them. (183)

Victorious DeliveranceReading: Daniel 3Hymn: All Glory, Laud, and HonorPsalm: All You Works of the Lord (LSB #931)

Victorious FearlessnessReading: Zephaniah 3Hymn: Be Still My SoulPsalm: 85

Victorious RepentanceReading: Jonah 3Hymn: O Love, How DeepPsalm: Jonah 2:2-9

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus ChristDrawn from the Four GospelsV. Calvary

Victorious RedeemerReading: Job 19Hymn: I Know That My Redeemer LivesPsalm: 16

Victorious ResurrectionReading: Ezekiel 37Hymn: Stricken, Smitten, and AfflictedPsalm: 51:8-15

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus ChristDrawn from the Four GospelsIV. The Praetorium

Victorious SongReading: Deuteronomy 31Hymn: We Sing the Praise of Him Who DiesPsalm: Song from Deuteronomy (LSB #926)

Victorious HeartReading: Ezekiel 36Hymn: Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious BattlePsalm: 96

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus ChristDrawn from the Four GospelsIII. The Palace of the High Priest

Victorious WordReading: Isaiah 55Hymn: Thy WordPsalm: 42

Illinois State Fairgrounds'Gentleman' Chris Adams & Brooklyn Brawler vs 'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin & Davey Boy SmithGilbert Brothers vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko & Rick 'The Model' Martel$10,000 Battle RoyalIAW United States Heavyweight Tournament QuarterfinalsKerry von Erich (MCW) vs 'Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit (Stampede)Magnum T.A. (PWA) vs Curt Hennig (BTW)Sting (BTW) vs 'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW)Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs 'Macho Man' Randy Savage (BTW)

Victorious PassageReading: Exodus 14Hymn: Jesus, Refuge of the WearyPsalm: Song of Moses and Israel (LSB #925)

The Pasion of Our Lord Jesus ChristDrawn from the Four GospelsII. Gethsemane

Victorious SacrificeReading: Genesis 22Hymn: The LambPsalm: 10:1-10

Victorious FloodReading: Genesis 6-9Hymn: My Song Is Love UnknownPsalm: 29

The Passion of Our Lord Jesus ChristDrawn from the Four GospelsI. The Lord's Supper

Victorious CreationReading: Genesis 1-3Hymn: All Mankind Fell in Adam's FallPsalm: 33:1-11

"Here again the sad plight arises that no one sees or hears this truth. All live on as though God gave us children for our pleasure or amusement and servants so that we could use them like a cow or an ass, only for work. Or they live as though we were only to gratify our lewd behavior with our subjects, ignoring them, as though we have no concern for what they learn or how they live" (170).

United CenterUltimo Dragon vs Italian Stallion'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs Faarooq'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs BradshawIllinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Iron Mike SharpeIAW United States Heavyweight TournamentChris Candido (PNW) vs 'Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit (Stampede)Magnum T.A. (PWA) vs 'Heart Break Kid' Shawn Michaels (MCW)Cactus Jack (MLW) vs Curt Hennig (BTW)Sting (BTW) vs 'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW)

"Yet there is need that this truth about spiritual fatherhood also be taught to the people. For those who want to be Christians are obliged in God’s sight to think them worthy of double honor who minister to their souls. They are obligated to deal well with them and provide for them. For that reason, God is willing to bless you enough and will not let you run out" (161).

Renaissance ColiseumJohnny B. Badd vs Brooklyn Brawler'Dangerous' Doug Gilbert vs Rick 'The Model' MartelAmerican Tag Team Titles Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (c) vs Too Cool'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs 'Living Legend' Larry ZbyszkoIllinois Heavyweight Title vs PWA Contract: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Tracey SmothersIAW United States Heavyweight Tournament'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW) vs Raven (MCW)Kerry von Erich (MCW) vs Terry Funk (IWGP)Jerry 'The King' Lawler (PWA) vs 'Macho Man' Randy Savage (BTW)Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff (IWGP)

"The same should also be said about obedience to civil government. This (as we have said) is all included in the place of fatherhood and extends farthest of all relations. Here “father” is not one person from a single family, but it means the many people the father has as tenants, citizens, or subjects. Through them, as through our parents, God gives to us food, house and home, protection, and security. They bear such name and title with all honor as their highest dignity that it is our duty to honor them and to value them greatly as the dearest treasure and the most precious jewel upon earth" (150).

State Farm CenterDark Horse Title Match: Barry Horowitz (c) vs Beefstew Lou MarconiDynamite's Gauntlet: Scott Taylor'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs Danny Davis'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs Marc MeroGilbert Brothers vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko & Mystery PartnerAmerican Heavyweight Title Match: Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (c) vs KendallWindhamIAW United States Heavyweight Tournament'Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit (Stampede) vs Triple H (BTW)D. Lo Brown (Stampede) vs Magnum T.A. (PWA)Curt Hennig (BTW) vs Jeff Jarrett (HCW)'Wildfire' Tommy Rich (MCW) vs A.J. Styles (MLW)

"Where do so many rogues come from that must daily be hanged, beheaded, and broken upon the wheel? Don’t they come from disobedience to parents, because they will not submit to discipline in kindness? By God’s punishment, they cause us to behold their misfortune and grief. For it seldom happens that such perverse people die a natural or timely death.But the godly and obedient have this blessing: they live long in pleasant quietness and see their children’s children (as said above) to the third and fourth generation" (137).

Tacoma DomePro Wrestling America vs Pacific Northwest WrestlingJames Storm (PWA) vs Ultimo Dragon (PNW)'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs 'Gentleman' Chris AdamsGrappler (PNW) vs Tracey Smothers (PWA)Gino Hernandez (PNW) vs Kendall Windham (PWA)Sawyer Brothers (PNW) vs Too Cool (PWA)Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Iron Mike SharpeIAW United States Heavyweight TournamentBrad Armstrong (MLW) vs Raven (MCW)Kerry von Erich (MCW) vs Lance Storm (Stampede)'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff (IWGP) vs 'Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase (HCW)Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs Jax Dane

"I would be very glad—I say it again—if people would open their eyes and ears and take this to heart, lest someday we should again be led astray from God’s pure Word to the devil’s lying vanities. If people would take this to heart, all would be well. For parents would have more joy, love, friendship, and unity in their houses. The children could captivate their parents’ hearts" (121).

United CenterJames Storm vs 'Gorgeous' Jimmy GarvinBradshaw vs Davey Boy SmithBrian Christopher vs 'Dirty' Dick SlaterDynamite's Gauntlet: Beefstew Lou MarconiGoldust vs Magnum T.A.'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs 'Living Legend' Larry ZbyszkoIAW United States Heavyweight TournamentSting (BTW) vs Ivan Koloff (IWGP)Cactus Jack (MLW) vs Bubba Ray Dudley (MCW)Chris Candido (PNW) vs 'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol (PWA)Jerry 'The King' Lawler (PWA) vs Jax Dane (PNW)

"Behold, in this way we would have had a godly child properly taught, reared in true blessedness, and kept at home in obedience to his parents and in their service. People would have had blessing and joy by seeing this. However, God’s commandment was not permitted to be commended with such care and diligence. It had to be neglected and trampled under foot, so that a child could not take it to heart. Meanwhile, the child would gape like a panting wolf at the things we set up, without once ‹consulting or› giving reverence to God" (114).

Renaissance ColiseumBattle Royal for the Dark Horse TitleIllinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Iron Mike SharpeAmerican Tag Team Titles Unification Match: Gorgeous Gentlemen (American) vs 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (Illinois)IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament'Heart Break Kid' Shawn Michaels (MCW) vs Christian (MLW)'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW) vs Dustin Rhodes (IWGP)'Macho Man' Randy Savage (BTW) vs Rocky Maivia (Stampede)'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko (PWA) vs 'Maniac' Matt Borne (PNW)