Apology Part 27-30: Commentary

Melanchthon addresses the Catholic tradition of only giving the bread (body) to the laity, reserving the wine (blood) for the priest. Melanchthon goes back to 1 Corinthians 11 and shows that Paul addresses the people in their "eating and drinking." In other words, Scripture commands all people partake of both sacraments.

This is also an historic teaching of the early church. Melanchthon quotes Church fathers who ascertain that the laity should receive both the body and the blood.

Luther believed that the laity should receives both elements of the sacrament. However, he refrained from giving the laity the wine until he instructed them in the proper teachings and prepared them for such a drastic change in their traditions. However, Carlstadt took the opportunity of Luther's exile at the Wartburg to enact drastic changes, one of them being giving the wine to the laity.

Apology (Part 28): Article XXIII (XI), Of the Marriage of Priests

"Despite the great infamy of their defiled celibacy..., ...the great, unheard-of lewdness, fornication, and adultery among priests, monks, etc., at the great abbeys, in other churches and cloisters, has become so notorious throughout the world that people sing and talk about it..., Si non caste, tamen caue (If not chastely, at least cautiously)...

One would almost think this article was written in 2002, given the recent scandals in the Roman church. But this was written in the 1500's. Times really do not change.

Melanchthon cites Scripture to show that imposed celibacy is not God-pleasing. At creation, God said it was not good for the man to be alone. Paul writes: "If anyone burns, they should marry." The Levitical priests also were not bound by involuntary celibacy.

Melanchthon also points out that, in the words of Christ, a marriage is a sacred union made by God. Why shouldn't the servants of God be allowed to enjoy this blessing?

Peter, considered the first pope, was married. Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law. In fact, it wasn't until the 800'sAD that priests were forbidden to marry. There was a practical reason why this prohibition was put into place. In an age where parents could only pass on land to their children, and limited career opportunities, many of the younger offspring were sent to convents and monasteries. Obviously, if all these people married, and had children, the Church would be hard-pressed to support them. A weak argument for celibacy, but the reason for its institution.

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