The Influence Of Martin Luther's Sermon On Marriage

1. State three or four of the most important points from these readings in your own, succinct phrasing.
(a) During the 16th century, marriage was seen as a source of motherhood. (100)
(b) It was said that expecting mothers were healthier than those who were barren. (100)
(c) The 16th and 17th century witnesses high infant as well as child mortality rate. (101)

2. Discuss one or two aspects of the readings that grabbed your interest.
It was interesting to note the answers to questions like how does a woman know that she is expecting a child. Also, how does a pregnant mother know she will have a son or a daughter? (112-113) I found it amusing that a history course should include/ introduce the situations about pregnancies and miscarriages.

3.

Connect these readings with other readings in the course. What insights does it deepen or challenge? How does it influence your understanding of women in the Reformation and/or the Reformation overall?
Using Luther’s Sermon on Marriage that mentions God created Eve because God did not find a suitable match for Adam. (Luther’s Sermon on Marriage” from 1519, pg.7) This claim begs the question if God’s initial plan for Adam was marriage or something else. (Genesis 2) I find this question relative to the claim that sex was the “means by which God expected mankind to multiply.” (When Fathers Ruled, 100)

4. Did you read anything that caused you to reflect on the roles of women in the church today?
It is good to note that the women of today are not only called to serve God and the church, but also understand that marriage is a call. They recognize the call as a relationship that does not force them to have sex with their husbands, rather feel led to live a married life in which whatever the couple decides is a mutual decision and not a compulsion or a command thrust on them.

5. State three or four of the most important points from these readings in your own, succinct