Every now and then, but not very often, someone writes a book that is a once-in-a-lifetime publication. Wow! Everett Ferguson has just given us an exhaustive study of baptism in the first five centuries: Baptism in the Early Church: History, Theology, and Liturgy in the First Five Centuries
.What are the most decisive arguments in the baptism debates -- infant or adult? Submersion, immersion, sprinkling? What most convinced you of your view? Or, do you think the parents or person choose and that the church makes a few options available?
This master historian, well-known for his works on backgrounds to the New Testament, sketches the whole picture: from the Jewish and/or Greco-Roman backgrounds to the New Testament to infant baptism (late 2d century) to baptismal liturgies to baptismal theologies and baptistries themselves -- it's all here.
This book is not innovative; it is not an attempt to argue a brand-new theory; it's an examination of what can be known from the ancient evidence about baptism. For years I have always gone to G.R. Beasley-Murray'sjustifiably well-known book on baptism (Baptism in the New Testament
). I will now go first to Ferguson's magnum opus.Every pastor, theologian, ecclesial thinker, and theologian needs this book.
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As a graduate student I had this premier scholar and Christian gentleman for two classes. ("Backgrounds to the New Testament" and "The History of the Early Church.")
I came away from both of these classes with such a deep respect for Dr. Ferguson and for anyone who would be engaged in the rigors of this kind of study. Part of my respect was also because I heard of his involvement in a local congregation very near the campus where he taught for so many years. He seemed to be at home in both worlds and I appreciate him for that.
Hello Scot,
I am part of the Church of Christ tradition and just want to say it's been pleasantly surprising that recently you've given shouts out to several leaders within our movement. Don't get me wrong... I'm not keeping points. It's just great to see that our history of sectarianism is melting away a bit.
Thanks for noticing.
Put me down for dunking, but I don't think it matters much.
I just wonder if God cares about the exact method - if he deducts points for sprinkling or whatever. Sacrament or symbol.
You would think if the method were so critical He would've laid it out so specifically that we wouldn't need eminent scholars to illuminate us.
No one gets too wrapped up in all the ways communion is served and to whom.
"No one gets too wrapped up in all the ways communion is served and to whom."
Sure they do. And it's just as silly.
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