The following translation first appeared in the January 19, 1904 issue of Der Lutheraner under the title “Was ist von Mischehen zwischen Christen und Ungläubigen zu halten?” The author is Carl Manthey Zorn (1846-1928). Zorn served as a missionary in India and a parish pastor in Sheboygan, WI and Cleveland, OH. He was a prolific writer, writing many series for Der Lutheraner as well as devotional works and popular commentaries on books of the Bible. Zorn’s message in this short article is timeless, that we ought to prepare and train our children to enter into Christian marriages, the neglect of which imperils their souls. – R.L.L.
The Holy Spirit reports in Genesis 6:2 about such mixed marriages. He says, “the children of God saw” (those who belonged to the church) “the daughters of men” (who lived without God’s Word,) “that they were beautiful, and took them for wives, whom they wanted.” This was in the first times of the world. Then the young men no more asked whether those whom they wanted to take for wives were believing and God-fearing. No, they only saw whether they were beautiful girls who pleased their eyes. They took the daughters of the unbelieving and godless children of this world as wives and did not resist their impulses. So at that time the church of God mixed itself with the unbelieving world.
What did God the Lord say about this? “The Lord spoke: ‘Men want no longer to be disciplined by My Spirit, for they are flesh’” (verse 3). The Lord recognized that men no longer wanted to allow themselves to be ruled by His Spirit through His Word, that they no longer sought after His grace and eternal salvation, that they no longer wanted to live according to God’s blessing, but that they wanted to live according to the desires of their corrupted hearts. They fell from faith.
And what was the consequence? A godless generation grew upon the earth, whose evil was great, and every thought and intention of their heart was continually evil. To be sure, there were powerful and famous people among them. But what good was it? It was only earthly power and fame (Gen. 6:4-5).
And what was the next consequence? The great flood.
Why does the Holy Spirit tell us this? In order to warn us.
Even now there are many young people who grew up in the church. They are not asking whether those they want to marry are faithful and God-fearing. No, they only seek after what pleases them, and they take unbelieving and godless children of this world in marriage following their impulses. So now also the church of God mixes with the unbelieving world.
What does God the Lord say about this now? Quite the same thing as He said before. So also now many young people no longer want to let themselves be governed by God’s Spirit through His Word. Also now they are not seeking after God’s grace and eternal salvation. Also now they do not care to live with God’s blessing, but they want to act according to the desires of their corrupted hearts. Now many also have fallen from the faith. If this were not the case, would they then enter into marriage, into this most intimate fellowship, with unbelievers and the godless? Certainly not.
And now what will be the consequence? A godless generation will grow up, whose evil is great and whose every thought and intention will be earthly, worldly, fleshly, lawless, and evil always. To be sure, there will be powerful and famous people among them who do great things on this earth. But what help will it be?
Yes, there are exceptions. It does happen that through God’s grace an unbelieving husband or an unbelieving wife in a marriage is led to the church and becomes a child of God. But as a rule it happens as here the Holy Spirit speaks.
And what will now be the next consequence? God’s judgment. Yes, yes, we should know, “that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly,” (2 Pet. 3:5-7).
Therefore we should consider this our warning.
You ask, what should Christian parents and pastors then do with these young people who want to enter into mixed marriages with unbelievers? They should warn them with the Word of God, which you have just heard.
Will that help? When the young folk have once cut themselves loose, then warning will help little. The old believing fathers and preachers surely gave their warnings before the great flood. But did it help? And to coerce—one is not able to coerce. The cause lies within, as God says: “Men want no longer to be disciplined by My Spirit, for they are flesh.” But nevertheless—we should warn them.
But I want to say something which is better than warning.
One should take every care to raise his children from infancy in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
You parents, let God’s Word dwell in your homes. Speak God’s Word to all your children, young and old. Hold regular, short, and simple home devotions. Pray with your children. Give them a good example. Send your children to true Christian schools. When they are confirmed, then watch over them in the love of Christ. Pray for them without ceasing.
You teachers, give quality religious instruction. Make this time dear and worthy to the children. Paint for them Jesus before their eyes. Teach them the heavenly doctrine in such a way that they notice well that you want them to be saved.
And you pastors, let your humble colleague say a word to you too. Give your confirmation instruction, catechesis, and sermon in a way which is clear, childlike, and simple. Do it always with fervent prayer, that through these things the Spirit of God works in their hearts.
These are the means to raise children and youth in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
These efforts will not and cannot be in vain.
In this way a generation of youth will grow up which allows itself to be governed by God’s Spirit through God’s Word. It will seek God’s grace and eternal salvation, live under God’s blessing, and it will desire to fight against corrupted desire and hold onto the faith.
This generation of youth will not want to wed itself to the unbelieving world, but will let itself be warned. – C.M.Z.
