Sat 29 May 2010
Baptism: A Lutheran Perspective
Posted by Mathew Block under Lutheran Leanings, Main, Theological Musings
[3] Comments
Since my early school days, the majority of my Christian friends have come from anabaptist/evangelical traditions: Baptist, Mennonite, and the like. (These denominations make up the vast majority of young practising Christians in my part of Canada; apparently they’re doing something right that Lutherans and the like aren’t – namely, passing on the faith). But I digress. It’s unsurprising, therefore, that one of the most common theological topics of discussion between my friends and myself has been the question of baptism. It’s the practice most visibly different between our two traditions. After all, we baptise infants; they don’t.
That’s one of the reasons why I appreciate Chaplain Mike’s post “What I Like about Lutheran Baptism” at the Internet Monk website. Much of the audience there is from an anabaptist background, and Chaplain Mike does an admirable job explaining to them some of the reasons Lutherans believe what Lutherans do on this topic. Check it out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Great link, Mat! I love it! Thanks for sharing it. It explains this so well, in ways that I always tried to express but just couldn’t put into words.
I was raised LCMS, but since college (specifically, InterVarsity) have been a part of the larger evangelical world. Now, 25 years later, I’m drawn back to Lutheranism, and what prompted it was asking, “What is Baptism?” and realizing that my Lutheran education did more to handle the relevant scripture texts than all the years I’ve heard baptists talk or preach on it.
By the way, if you haven’t seen the 95 Theses Rap, you simply have to: http://www.95thesesrap.com.
Haha! I can’t say I had seen the 95 These Rap before, so I’m glad you shared it.
More seriously Jeff, I understand what you’re saying. Our doctrine on baptism is certainly attractive in a world where many evangelical churches focus too much on man’s decision and too little on God’s grace. But I hope that your return to Lutheranism doesn’t prevent you from engaging your friends from your IV days and following. One of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century (in my humble opinion) was how much of Lutheranism segregated itself from evangelicalism. I strongly believe we need men and women to stand up and be a voice for Lutheranism in the wider evangelical world. Ignoring that world is equivalent to shirking our responsibility to share with others the blessings God has given us; no doubt, they have some things to teach us too.