We often deal with baptism in relation to death ("What happens to those who die unbaptized?"), the early church would more likely have asked, "What happens to those who live without baptism?" The point comes through over and over again in this book, that baptism is a baptism unto life. From Scripture, and from broad pastoral experience, Morris Vaagenes unfolds an appreciation of baptism both for everyday life and for eternal life.
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We often deal with baptism in relation to death ("What happens to those who die unbaptized?"), the early church would more likely have asked, "What happens to those who live without baptism?" The point comes through over and over again in this book, that baptism is a baptism unto life. From Scripture, and from broad pastoral experience, Morris Vaagenes unfolds an appreciation of baptism both for everyday life and for eternal life.
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There is something different about Dr. Morris Vaagenes' book on Baptism than readers will generally find in the majority of books written on this subject by other authors whose background is, or who are, protestant. As a Lutheran pastor steeped in the doctrines and teachings of Martin Luther, he had no reason to believe otherwise than that through water and the Word, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that children begin their Christian life with this sacrament, and that people of any age are baptized without the practice of full immersion.
Yet, if Pastor Morris has experienced as I have the vocal and written criticism of this practice, it would be enough cause to stop and think--and that is what he did. Here is where his book begins. Dr. Vaagenes, as I have had experience to know him personally, has the gift of being highly intelligent, but more importantly a person who truly listens to God. If you would have the opportunity to hear him speak, you will know that he believes in prayer first and speech second.
Pastor Morris set aside all that he had been taught and asked, "What does the Bible say?" Some of his insights may surprise you. After examining scripture, looking at every detail carefully including every form of the Greek and Hebrew words used for baptism, he found no reasonable cause to deny infant baptism or insist on full immersion.
I have two reasons for recommending this book.
First, for the cause of unity among all Christians, there is a need for understanding and respect of those who hold the same belief in salvation through Jesus Christ, God and Lord, yet practice their faith in a manner not our own. Second, in becoming mature Christians we need to do more than recite back what others have told us. We need to truly understand our faith practices along with those of others, and why each one of us believes as we do. This comes first from study of scripture, then prayer and meditation, reading and sharing what is in our hearts with fellow believers.
