Wrestling with Theology

"Yet there is need that this truth about spiritual fatherhood also be taught to the people. For those who want to be Christians are obliged in God's sight to think them worthy of double honor who minister to their souls. They are obligated to deal well with them and provide for them. For that reason, God is willing to bless you enough and will not let you run out" (161).

Renaissance ColiseumJohnny B. Badd vs Brooklyn Brawler'Dangerous' Doug Gilbert vs Rick 'The Model' MartelAmerican Tag Team Titles Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (c) vs Too Cool'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs 'Living Legend' Larry ZbyszkoIllinois Heavyweight Title vs PWA Contract: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Tracey SmothersIAW United States Heavyweight Tournament'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW) vs Raven (MCW)Kerry von Erich (MCW) vs Terry Funk (IWGP)Jerry 'The King' Lawler (PWA) vs 'Macho Man' Randy Savage (BTW)Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs 'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff (IWGP)

"The same should also be said about obedience to civil government. This (as we have said) is all included in the place of fatherhood and extends farthest of all relations. Here “father” is not one person from a single family, but it means the many people the father has as tenants, citizens, or subjects. Through them, as through our parents, God gives to us food, house and home, protection, and security. They bear such name and title with all honor as their highest dignity that it is our duty to honor them and to value them greatly as the dearest treasure and the most precious jewel upon earth" (150).

State Farm CenterDark Horse Title Match: Barry Horowitz (c) vs Beefstew Lou MarconiDynamite's Gauntlet: Scott Taylor'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs Danny Davis'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs Marc MeroGilbert Brothers vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko & Mystery PartnerAmerican Heavyweight Title Match: Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (c) vs KendallWindhamIAW United States Heavyweight Tournament'Canadian Crippler' Chris Benoit (Stampede) vs Triple H (BTW)D. Lo Brown (Stampede) vs Magnum T.A. (PWA)Curt Hennig (BTW) vs Jeff Jarrett (HCW)'Wildfire' Tommy Rich (MCW) vs A.J. Styles (MLW)

"Where do so many rogues come from that must daily be hanged, beheaded, and broken upon the wheel? Don't they come from disobedience to parents, because they will not submit to discipline in kindness? By God's punishment, they cause us to behold their misfortune and grief. For it seldom happens that such perverse people die a natural or timely death.But the godly and obedient have this blessing: they live long in pleasant quietness and see their children's children (as said above) to the third and fourth generation" (137).

Tacoma DomePro Wrestling America vs Pacific Northwest WrestlingJames Storm (PWA) vs Ultimo Dragon (PNW)'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs 'Gentleman' Chris AdamsGrappler (PNW) vs Tracey Smothers (PWA)Gino Hernandez (PNW) vs Kendall Windham (PWA)Sawyer Brothers (PNW) vs Too Cool (PWA)Illinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Iron Mike SharpeIAW United States Heavyweight TournamentBrad Armstrong (MLW) vs Raven (MCW)Kerry von Erich (MCW) vs Lance Storm (Stampede)'Mr. Wonderful' Paul Orndorff (IWGP) vs 'Million Dollar Man' Ted DiBiase (HCW)Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine (PWA) vs Jax Dane

"I would be very glad—I say it again—if people would open their eyes and ears and take this to heart, lest someday we should again be led astray from God's pure Word to the devil's lying vanities. If people would take this to heart, all would be well. For parents would have more joy, love, friendship, and unity in their houses. The children could captivate their parents' hearts" (121).

United CenterJames Storm vs 'Gorgeous' Jimmy GarvinBradshaw vs Davey Boy SmithBrian Christopher vs 'Dirty' Dick SlaterDynamite's Gauntlet: Beefstew Lou MarconiGoldust vs Magnum T.A.'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs 'Living Legend' Larry ZbyszkoIAW United States Heavyweight TournamentSting (BTW) vs Ivan Koloff (IWGP)Cactus Jack (MLW) vs Bubba Ray Dudley (MCW)Chris Candido (PNW) vs 'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol (PWA)Jerry 'The King' Lawler (PWA) vs Jax Dane (PNW)

"Behold, in this way we would have had a godly child properly taught, reared in true blessedness, and kept at home in obedience to his parents and in their service. People would have had blessing and joy by seeing this. However, God's commandment was not permitted to be commended with such care and diligence. It had to be neglected and trampled under foot, so that a child could not take it to heart. Meanwhile, the child would gape like a panting wolf at the things we set up, without once ‹consulting or› giving reverence to God" (114).

Renaissance ColiseumBattle Royal for the Dark Horse TitleIllinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Iron Mike SharpeAmerican Tag Team Titles Unification Match: Gorgeous Gentlemen (American) vs 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (Illinois)IAW United States Heavyweight Tournament'Heart Break Kid' Shawn Michaels (MCW) vs Christian (MLW)'Dr. Death' Steve Williams (HCW) vs Dustin Rhodes (IWGP)'Macho Man' Randy Savage (BTW) vs Rocky Maivia (Stampede)'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko (PWA) vs 'Maniac' Matt Borne (PNW)

"To the position of fatherhood and motherhood God has given special distinction above all positions that are beneath it: He does not simply command us to love our parents, but to honor them. Regarding our brothers, sisters, and neighbors in general, He commands nothing more than that we love them. In this way He separates and distinguishes father and mother from all other persons upon earth and places them at His side" (105).

State Farm CenterSt. Valentine's Day MassacreIllinois Tag Team Titles Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion (c) vs Black Bart & Brooklyn BrawlerIllinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Rick 'The Model' MartelHeartbreakers RumbleAmerican Tag Team Titles Match: Gorgeous Gentlemen (c) vs AcolytesAmerican Heavyweight Title Match: 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert (c) vs Kendall Windham

"Let me tell you this, even though you know God's Word perfectly and are already a master in all things: you are daily in the devil's kingdom. He ceases neither day nor night to sneak up on you and to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against these three commandments and all the commandments. Therefore, you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle and the Word does not make a sound, the devil breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware" (100).

Illinois State FairgroundsJohnny B. Badd vs Brooklyn BrawlerMarc Mero vs Beefstew Lou MarconiTracey Smothers vs 'Dangerous' Doug GilbertRick 'The Model' Martel vs Barry Horowitz'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs Brian ChristopherNon-Title Match: Iceman King Parsons vs Iron Mike SharpeNon-Title Match: 'Dirty' Dick Slater & Italian Stallion vs NightmaresUnited States Qualifying Match: Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine vs James StormUnited States Qualifying Match: Jerry 'The King' Lawler vs BradshawUnited States Qualifying Match: 'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol vs Davey Boy SmithGoldust vs 'Gentleman' Chris AdamsUnited States Qualifying Match: 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko vs Magnum T.A.$10,000 Battle Royal

"God's Word is the true 'holy thing' above all holy things. Yes, it is the only one we Christians know and have" (91).

United CenterDark Horse Title Four Corners Elimination Match: Marc Mero (c) vs Johnny B. Badd vs Brooklyn Brawler vs Beefstew Lou MarconiBradshaw vs Black BartJames Storm vs Barry HorowitzFaarooq vs Davey Boy SmithNightmares vs Too CoolMagnum T.A. vs Greg 'The Hammer' ValentineJerry 'The King' Lawler vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko

"This is the simple meaning of the commandment: People must have holidays. Therefore, such observances should be devoted to hearing God's Word so that the special function of this day of rest should be the ministry of the Word for the young and the mass of poor people. Yet the resting should not be strictly understood to forbid any work that comes up, which cannot be avoided" (86).

Renaissance ColiseumLethal Lottery Tournament$20,000 Battle Royal of the match winners

"It is also useful that we form the habit of daily commending ourselves to God, with soul and body, wife, children, servants, and all that we have, against every need that may arise" (73).https://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/cc_260119.mp3

State Farm CenterBeefstew Lou Marconi vs Brooklyn BrawlerDark Horse Title Match: Marc Mero (c) vs Johnny B. BaddJimmy Golden vs Iron Mike SharpeIllinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Kendall WindhamDynamite Gauntlet - 'Dirty' Dick SlaterJerry 'The King' Lawler vs Black BartGreg 'The Hammer' Valentine vs Davey Boy SmithTracey Smothers vs 'Living Legend' Larry ZbyszkoTerry Funk vs Rick 'The Model' MartelToo Cool vs Gilbert BrothersAmerican Tag Team Titles Match: Gorgeous Gentlemen (c) vs Acolytes

"We are not to swear in support of evil, that is, to support falsehood, or to swear when there is no need or use. But we should swear for the support of good and the advantage of our neighbor. For such swearing is truly a good work, by which God is praised, truth and right are established, falsehood is refuted, peace is made among men, obedience is rendered, and quarrels are settled. For in this way God Himself intervenes and separates right and wrong, good and evil" (66).https://wrestlingwiththeoogy.org/media/podcast/cc_260112.mp3

Little Caesars ArenaDetroit, MIPro Wrestling America vs Motor City WrestlingThrillbilly Silas Mason (MCW) vs Davey Boy Smith (PWA)Don Muraco (MCW) vs Bradshaw (PWA)Raven & Sabu (MCW) vs Nightmares (PWA)Kendall Windham & Tracey Smothers vs Gilbert Brothers'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol vs Greg 'The Hammer' ValentineBarry Windham (MCW) vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko'Dirty' Dutch Mantell & 'Wildfire' Tommy Rich (MCW) vs Gorgeous Gentlemen (PWA)MCW Heavyweight Title Match: Scott Steiner (c) vs Buff Bagwellhttps://wrestlingwiththeology.org/media/podcast/pwa_260107.mp3

How do we misuse God's holy name? Unfortunately, it is far too often and frequent. Luther looks at misuse both in the secular realm and the spiritual realm. "All misuse of the divine name happens first in worldly business and in matters that concern money, possession, and honor" (53). "But the greatest abuse occurs in spiritual matters. These have to do with the conscience, when false preachers rise up and offer their lying vanities as God's Word" (54).

"On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Twelve drummers drumming Eleven pipers piping Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eleven pipers piping Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Ten lords a-leaping Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Nine ladies dancing Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

Shirk CenterDark Horse Title Match: Marc Mero (c) vs Barry HorowitzDynamite's GauntletIllinois Tag Team Titles Match: Italian Stallion & 'Superstar' Billy Graham (c) vs Stud Stable'Gorgeous' Jimmy Garvin vs Terry FunkToo Cool vs Nightmares'Gentleman' Chris Adams vs GoldustJerry 'The King' Lawler vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko

"On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Seven swans a-swimming Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Six geese a-laying Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

Television preachers in the Word-Faith Movement seek to proclaim a prosperity gospel. A gospel where the faithful receive everything they desire because they have claimed it for themselves by faith in Christ.However, the Gospel has never worked that way. The Gospel isn't a "name it and claim it" doctrine. The Gospel is about Jesus: His suffering, death, and resurrection. This is not about getting everything we want. It's about being faithful to His Word.Luther contrasts the faith of Saul and David in 1 Samuel to show that having it all and being blessed by God are not necessarily synonymous.

"On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Five golden rings Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Four calling birds Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Three french hens Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me Two turtle doves, and A partridge in a pear tree."

"On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ... a partridge in a pear tree."

United CenterChristmas Chaos VTower of DoomInterstate 74 Title Match: Johnny B. Badd (c) vs Marc MeroIllinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Davey Boy SmithIllinois Tag Team Titles Match: Stud Stable (c) vs 'Superstar' Billy Graham & Italian StallionAmerican Tag Team Titles Match: Acolytes (c) vs Gorgeous GentlemenAmerican Heavyweight Title Match: 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert (c) vs Terry Funk

O Emmanuel,our king and our Lord,the anointed for the nations and their Savior:Come and save us,O Lord our God.

O King of the nations,the ruler they long for,the cornerstone uniting all people:Come and save us all,whom You formed out of clay.

O Dayspring,splendor of light everlasting:Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel,You open and no one can close,You close and no one can open:Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Root of Jesse,standing as an ensign before the peoples,before whom all kings are mute,to whom the nations will do homage:Come quickly to deliver us.

O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel,who appeared to Moses in the burning bushand gave him the Law on Sinai:Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.

Renaissance ColiseumKendall Windham vs Black BartBarry Horowitz vs Beefstew Lou MarconiNightmares vs 'Superstar' Billy Graham & Italian StallionSix-Man Tag Team Match: Gorgeous Gentlemen & Johnny B. Badd vs Acolytes & Marc Mero'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko vs Jerry 'The King' LawlerTerry Funk & 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert vs Davey Boy Smith & Iceman King Parsons

O Wisdom,proceeding from the mouth of the Most High,pervading and permeating all creation,mightily ordering all things:Come and teach us the way of prudence.

State Farm CenterTracey Smothers vs Kendall WindhamDanny Davis vs Jimmy GoldenKen Wayne vs Brooklyn BrawlerInterstate 74 Title Match: Johnny B. Badd (c) vs Marc MeroItalian Stallion vs 'Tennessee Stud' Robert FullerNo DQ Match: Too Cool vs Gilbert BrothersBradshaw vs 'Gentleman' Chris AdamsRick 'The Model' Martel vs Iron Mike Sharpe'Superstar' Billy Graham vs Jerry 'The King' Lawler'Universal Heartthrob' Austin Idol vs 'Living Legend' Larry Zbyszko

These words relate to all the commandments (as we shall learn later). But they are joined to this chief commandment because it is most important that people get their thinking straight first. (LC I 31)

Illinois State FairgroundsMarc Mero vs Lt. James Earl WrightNon-Title Match: Johnny B. Badd vs Sgt. Buddy Lee ParkerNightmares vs 'Superstar' Billy Graham & Italian Stallion'Dangerous' Doug Gilbert vs Scott TaylorIllinois Heavyweight Title Match: Iceman King Parsons (c) vs Davey Boy SmithFaarooq vs 'Gorgeous' Jimmy GarvinAmerican Heavyweight Title Match: 'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert (c) vs Terry Funk$10,000 Battle Royal

We are to trust in God alone and look to Him and expect from Him nothing but good, as from one who gives us body, life, food, drink, nourishment, faith, protection, peace, and all necessaries of both temporal and eternal things. (LC I 24)

United CenterReggie B. Fine vs Scott TaylorBeefstew Lou Marconi vs Barry HorowitzBrian Christopher vs Terry TaylorJerry 'The King' Lawler vs Iron Mike SharpeAmerican Tag Team Titles Match: Acolytes (c) vs Gilbert Brothers