In recent weeks a useful conversation has taken place in various quarters of the Interweb on the matter of baptism (see here, here, here, here, here, and here). The ecumenical bent of evangelicalism in the mid-late 1900s meant an increasing “essentialism” that relegated baptism to the category of adiaphora. But a simple read of Scripture will show that baptism is far from being a thing indifferent. It is the new covenant seal and sign of initiation into the new covenant community—the church.
So ordinary pastors should think long and hard about their theology and practice of baptism.
Two Resources to Help
To help you do just that I want to point your attention to a couple podcast episodes from individuals and organizations swimming in each side of the baptismal pool. First, come the credo boys, those who swim in the deep end (think immersion).
A few months ago Jonathan Leeman sat down with Bobby Jamieson to discuss his book Going Public: Why Baptism is Required for Church Membership. 9Marks writes:
What is baptism? What does baptism mean? Is it simply an individual’s declaration that they now belong to Jesus? Is it a sign and seal of the new covenant, just as God intended circumcision to be a sign and seal of the old? And what does all of this have to do with church membership? Is church membership for everyone? Only baptized believers? Baptized believers and their children?
These questions often resist clear and easy answers, yet they take up their fair share of pastoral time and consideration. In an effort to help with these questions and others like them, Jonathan Leeman interviewed Bobby Jamieson about his new book Going Public. We pray you’ll find the time useful as the conversation perhaps even sharpens some of your own thoughts.
Listen or download the episode here.
Then comes the paedo boys, those who swim in the shallow end of the pool (think sprinkling of infants). Way back in 2010 the men of Christ the Center interviewed J.V. Fesko about his book Word, Water, and Spirit: A Reformed Perspective on Baptism. The publisher describes the book in this way:
Word, Water and Spirit is a comprehensive introduction to the Reformed doctrine of baptism. Part one looks at the history of the doctrine in seven chapters, ranging from the Patristic age to modern times. Part two is a biblical–theological survey, looking at the eschatological and covenantal aspects of the sacrament, with a special emphasis on baptism as judgment. Part three is a systematic–theological construction, with a view towards establishing and defending the means, mode, recipients and efficacy of baptism.
Readers looking for a defense of infant baptism will find that and much more. Using the concepts of covenant and canon, Fesko sets out a firm defense of the practice, but he also provides a constructive proposal for thinking about baptism in general and its implications for ecclesiology. This work is sure to add much needed light to an old debate, but it will also enable many paedobaptists to better articulate a practice they already firmly believe in.
Listen or download the episode here.
Learning from Each Side
You probably side, as I do, with one camp more than the other. Yet, I’m sure each episode will stir fresh thoughts about the initiatory rite of the Christian life and at least help you understand where the other side is coming from. Tolle audite!