Rethinking the Reformation
Why?
I was watching some videos on the "Lutheran Satire" Youtube channel the other day, and besides being completely irritated with their guilt by association regarding Westboro Baptist and Calvinism, the whole sarcasm thing just turns me off. Doesn't seem really fitting for believers and in some sense is not much better than just fratricide. But they do raise some interesting points.Baptismal Regeneration
The continual rubbing-in-my-face of Baptismal Regeneration got me to thinking about Luther and Baptismal Regeneration. As I am one who is basically an Anabaptist Calvinist, I find Baptismal Regeneration to be just another Salvation-by-Works issue and as such, anti-Gospel.But that leads to a problem. The guy chiefly in charge of getting the Reformation going, Martin Luther, clearly believed in Baptismal Regeneration. But that is at odds with the Reformation heralds of the 5 Solas and Salvation by Grace Alone Through Faith Alone in Christ Alone.
Which leads to another Reformation question. We are usually taught that John Calvin split with Luther over Communion -- whether or not it is the Lord's Body and Blood or whether (in Calvin's view) it was simply a symbol of the Body and Blood. They both agreed it was one of the three Sacraments (Baptism, Communion and Marriage) but were bitterly divided over the Communion.
But if Calvin believed the way we do, that Baptism is merely an outward sign of inward truths and a commitment to the local church and did not convey regeneration, then why wasn't Baptismal Regeneration the issue they split on since it is a much more significant issue than Communion?
I have to know and invite you to follow along in my journey.
