Friday, April 22, 2022

Curtis Braun (Former Lutheran): Baptismal Regeneration being a Heresy and a False Gospel

Protestants will often tell us that the doctrines they disagree about are not central/primary doctrines. However, one I always point out to them is that of baptismal regeneration. Some will skirt this issue, but one former Lutheran “bit the bullet” and stated explicitly stated that those who affirm it, such as the Missouri Synod (the Lutheran synod to which he used to belong) is a damnable heresy:

 

John 3:5—Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

 

Jesus is about to make another statement that is of critical importance. As we learned earlier, it’s time to pay attention because what he is about to say is an essential truth as triggered by the double amen. Jesus says, “Unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Since we have taken time to understand what the kingdom of God is, we need to understand what it means to be born of water and the Spirit. Commentaries from different theologians and denominations look to this passage as clear evidence that this is a reference to Christian baptism. They see water and they see Spirit and conclude that the Holy Spirit and the Word is in the water which yields the net effect of the word being connected to the water which, thus, creates saving faith.

 

Not only is this a wrong interpretation of Scripture, but this is also a false gospel . . . (Curtis Braun, The False Gospel of Baptismal Regeneration in the Lutheran Church and Christ’s Call to Saving Faith [Rapid City, S.Dak.: New Harbor Press, 2021], 14)

 

From a chapter entitled, “Baptismal Regeneration: A Different Gospel”:

 

. . . if any man should preach another gospel, let that man be damned. (Ibid., 211)

 

This book has nothing to do with smudging the importance of Luther or even declaring anathema on Luther for his doctrine of baptismal regeneration. However, this doctrine of baptismal regeneration is a false teaching and baptismal regeneration is a false gospel. (Ibid., 213; do also note how the author speaks out of both sides of his mouth: those who preach the doctrine are damned, but he refuses to condemn Luther, notwithstanding Luther teaching this doctrine!)

 

In the conclusion of this book, the apologist writes that his

 

prayer is that this book is not used to destroy The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or any other church that holds to this teaching. However, this book should be used as exhortation, rebuke, and encouragement to reform this doctrine of baptismal regeneration as there are eternal dangers to one who clings to the hope of their baptism rather than on Christ alone. Additionally, there is a strong warning that comes from God that if any man should preach another gospel, let God damn that man. Paul argues vehemently against clinging to anything else than Christ through faith in Galatians. (Ibid., 217)

 

Granted, the author is dead-wrong in rejecting baptismal regeneration, but at least he is correct in recognising it is a salvation issue, not a minor issue like exclusive psalmody.

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