I wish to thank Eric Anderson for his patience in trying to teach this old dog a few new tricks when it comes to using my computer and this blog program. Eric is Pastor Mark Anderson’s (my Pastor) son and if this works his hours of torment at my request will not have been in vain.
I just found this video clip on you-tube and thought it would be a good test case, and maybe get somebody’s blood moving faster than normal in the process. Anyway, I hope you’ll enjoy Pastor Lassman’s class on Infant Baptism (one piece of it anyway).
Pastor Lassman is Pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church, Seattle, WA.
PS – It didn’t take me hours to learn how to post the you-tube to the blog…I’m not that dumb. Most of the time and effort went into teaching me how to turn on the computer.
– Steve Martin
Filed under: Baptism |
The Old Adam Lives! 
No wonder I enjoy your blog! I, too, recently came across Pastor Lassman’s complete adult information class at the church’s site (apparently the clip you posted is part of that). It is very edifying. I wish some of these “post-evangelicals” who seem bent on running to the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches would realize the LCMS is the place to go! Although I was reared by birth on the “Michael Horton” side of the White Horse Inn, I always had a great appreciation for the LCMS (the really angry Calvinists seem to be found most often in the Presbyterian churches!). Pastor Lassman’s classes are a great introduction to a confessional church that really has Jesus at the center. Thanks for the post, Steve, and keep up the good work.
Dennis,
Pastor Lassman is a pretty good teacher. I’m glad you have found him as well.
I’d love to get more of my pastor’s teaching and preaching up on my blog, but that may come as we gain some more technological know-how.
You can hear some of his preaching at lightofthemaster.com
While I share your enthusiasm for Lutheran doctrine, I will say that we have to be careful about being too much a cheerleader for particular denominations. While they certainly are a part of our Lord’s Church here on earth, they are still run by sinnners and are subject to all that goes along with that.
So, I would say that “the only place to go” is to Jesus Christ and His Word alone. No add ons. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
Wherever one might find a church like that, is the place to go. And we pray that the Lord will create and sustain places like that with faithful believers and clergy, wherever His Word and sacraments are offered freely.
Dennis, you are a real joy to talk with.
Thanks!
– Steve M.
Yow! Thank you. When I saw what I wrote about “the place to go” I realized that it could be read in a way I didn’t intend. Suffice it to say that I appreciate your gentle admonition. “Look before you leap” might have been a better way of saying what I was getting at without attaching any labels to it. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and that could apply to any “denomination.” The “cheerleading” that goes on, and the various “litmus tests,” can quickly lead us away from Jesus Christ and His Word alone. And by “us” I mean me! Thanks again. Can’t say I know much more about Pastor Lassman but I see an upside to having information classes and teaching “stored” electronically (but never, never, never as a substitute for the real deal person-to-person).
Will check lightofthemaster, too, when time permits. Well, I don’t comment much anywhere but have appreciated a couple of your recent posts; just gonna be careful about writing off the top of my head!
Dennis,
I’ll tell ya, you really have got a level head on your shoulders.
Do you have a blog? If not, you ought!
The world could benefit from your wisdom and knowledge of the Church and Christian faith.
Thanks Dennis. I’m looking foward to checking out your blog!
– Steve M.
Steve:
No blog, and that’s a great way to leave you with the illusion that there’d be “wisdom and knowledge!” But I appreciate your charitable assessment.
If I ever get around to a blog, all I’d initially say is read some of these commentators who say what I’d like to say, but do it even better already. You’d be on that list because you’ve raised one message I need to hear over and over: Stay off the “performance-based” treadmill of sanctification because I can never run long enough or fast enough. (At least I hope that’s a fair paraphrase!) Hearing the Gospel over and over and over is a great aid to staying on track. Okay, my burst of commentary is over. Back to being a silent observer.
Dennis,
I wouldn’t say that you are a silent observer, In fact your comments certainly give me a boost. The consolation of the brethren is also where the lord shows up.
I appreciate your insight into the Christian faith and I know that others do as well.
You are so right that because that stinkin’ old Adam lives within us all, we need to hear the gospel with no punches pulled, over and over, and over… never giving the religionists an inch.
God bless you Dennis!
– Steve
Steve, this Pastor’s class on YouTube is great! I subscribed to the user, and will watch this weekend with my husband.
And no, you’re not stupid.
Dear L.L.,
Enjoy the baptism class with your husband.
Good stuff. Pastor Lassman does a nice job of explaing the great gift that is baptism.
I maybe am not stupid, but I’m certainly not the brightest bulb in the string!
Ciao Lucciola!
– Steve
You are correct on sooo many levels Steve! Hey, Nice job on the site!
Keep ’em coming..
Whoever this is maskerading as B. Gordon,
I don’t know what you have done with Brent, but your little game will never work. Please untie him and return him to his computer desk immediately!
Thanks.
– Steve
Dennis W.,
Agree about your above “performance based” comments. I don’t believe any of us can run far or fast enough. There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. It is a gift. Also, “hearing the gospel (over and over again) is an excellent way to stay on track.” Amen.
Loving others by showing encouragement, support, sharing God’s Word and caring for God’s people should come naturally for a believer—with no desire to keep track of our deeds or successes. When those who are “doing” seek attention for themselves (and their greatness/success) and (their) deeds, glory is taken away from God. John said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” Imagine if John would have become jealous and said, ‘come and see my ministry’ and come and see ‘what I have done’. John died to self, lifting Christ—giving all glory to God.
As you stated, Dennis, when we hear the gospel over and over again, we begin to realize it has nothing to do with us, or our performance—everything to do with our Lord and the cross.
Your comments are appreciated.