Infant Baptism - This is just so not good. Baptism is a sign and seal and the Christian response to circumcision. All of what the reformed faiths say about it is true until they get to infants. How could this not be an "essential" (worth fighting for)? This has been a question for years and many have struggled becoming members of churches that do this. Most of us are not greatest Christians. Many of us can be legalistic and self-righteous, but are we setting up lesser doctrines to feel more righteous about ourselves? Today's church urges us to feel more and to do more, but brushes one of the ten commandments aside (keeping Sunday's holy for example) for expediency and says that God's Holy Seal of his covenantial promise is nothing more than a membership card. Should we feel more love for God? Yes. But what is love if not following His commandments. He even says as much when Jesus summarizes them in Luke 10:27. So we follow nine and leave the one we don't like relegated to the old testament. Are we being petty? Should we feel bad for not participating in infant baptism ceremonies? Maybe. But don't most conservative Christians take seriously the ordination of women and even contemplate leaving a denomination in response of this and other deviant teachings? Those same Christians labor over what topics to teach in Sunday School and what our small groups are going to do for their next lesson plan, but why do we not labor over the big issues? Why are those of us who hold to these essentials thought to be overly emotional or too dogmatic when we tell our children that they must not do on Sunday what they do every other day of the week? We are alone even among the brethren and our Christian household. We are a minority in the Christian community. Can we bone-spit scripture when it is clear? Can we rationalize and side-step the big stuff and focus on the small?
- Big stuff: Sacraments. There are two. Why do we allow just anyone to partake of communion?
- Big stuff: Doctrine. The Gospel. Why do we not teach apologetics. Most do not know why they believe what they believe, but they have a good understanding on tips for a good marriage.
- Big stuff: Church discipline. What is that? Church members and kids are sleeping around and drinking. Divorce is rampant. Where is the discipline?
- Big stuff: Preaching. Look hard. This is still alive in many places.
- Small stuff: Everything else.
Let's get our priorities right. Let's not neglect the fight just to save the peace when we are talking about our very salvation and its sign and seal. This is too important. Perhaps we can let the color of the carpet fight go and focus on the big stuff.
