polygamy

Murphy (gmurphy@imperium.net)
Wed, 14 Aug 1996 17:05:36 -0400

Joel Cannon notes Luther's approval in one case. This was one
of Luther's less-bright ideas (I note as a Lutheran!), as he himself
later admitted. Philip of Hesse was a strong supporter of the
Reformation but his sexual ethics weren't so hot. He had contracted
syphillis & though that he could be cured if he married a virgin.
Luther finally gave his approval if the matter could be kept quiet. Of
course it wasn't and was a great embarassment to Luther. Roman
polemicists had great sport with it.
It isn't an edifying story, but there it is.
George Murphy
St. Mark Lutheran Church
Tallmadge OH