Ah, "sola scriptura" is it? You're quoting Luther ... a fellow who felt himself equal to editing the Word?
Look ... no offense, but I don't have time to waste with bibliolators who claim a literal obedience to Scripture save for the part where Christ himself said: This IS my body, this IS my blood. DO THIS in memory of me.
If you wish to talk about what constitutes a Christian marriage ... all well and good. I'm sure we're in agreement ... save for the part where we keep it to a reasonable number of children, each perfectly Planned with an assist from CONTRA-ceptives.
But where we're speaking of Civil Marriage ... I refuse to pretend that sanction by the same State which sanctions abortion, birth control, for-profit childsex porn as "Free Speech" and a host of other atrocities somehow confers legitimacy on a union.
At this point, Christians would be better off to abandon civil unions entirely and found their authority STRICTLY and solely in a Christian construct ... not some egalitarian horror show which indeed has deconstructed heterosexual marriage such that homosexuals could claim "equality".
>>save for the part where Christ himself said: This IS my body, this IS my blood. DO THIS in memory of me.
Those are the words used in the Lutheran (LCMS) Communion sacrament - as per scripture:
Matt 26:26-29
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
(from New International Version)
Next?