[RobbyS]

This is really not one of those things that is open to much interpretation! Paul clearly says in several places that clergy may marry. He further says that it is a heresy to forbid marriage. Luther thought it was wrong to hold monks to vows that, in his opinion, did not contribute to their salvation. Only if one accepts his doctrine of grace do they not. Your reading of Paul's comments on celibacy et al, depends on your agreement with Luther on this matter.

[DallasMike]

Your reading of Paul's comments on celibacy et al, depends on your agreement with Luther on this matter.

I'm sorry but I've completely lost you on this one. It has nothing to do with "my reading" of Paul or Luther's reading of Paul. The words of Paul could not be any plainer -- clergy are allowed to marry if they wish and forbidding people to marry is the teaching of demons and deceiving spirits. It's clear also that Peter and a number of other apostles were married and that they brought their wives with them on their mission journeys.

When I'm driving along and see a stop sign, I don't ask others in the car what their "reading" of it is or research what Henry Ford thought on the subject. The meaning of the stop sign is plain on its face so I stop the car. Similarly, Paul's teachings, which were given by God, are clear and don't depend upon anyone's interpretation whether they be Catholic, Baptist, or Lutheran.