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Related papers
ECO Theology Resources: Baptism, 2020
Short paper exploring how baptism fits within an ecclesiology of the church as gospel along with the plausibility factors that have given rise to celebrations of individual life-transformation choices (i.e. "Believer's Baptism").
Baptism as a Potential Sacrament: A Middle Way Between Three Views of Baptism
The doctrine and practice of baptism is one of the cornerstones of Christian ecclesiology. In the famous Great Commission passage of Matthew, Jesus tells his church to make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Triune God (Mt. 28:19). Jesus could have prescribed any number of things in his final charge to his disciples, but he thought baptism was important to enough to include. This places baptism high in the priority list of Christian praxis. Despite the significance, the church at large has not come to an agreement on what baptism is precisely. There are large branches of the church that do not agree with each other on this most crucial doctrine. What is baptism? What are the key differences between major denominations in their views of baptism? And is there a possibility of denominations coming together in agreement on this doctrine? Such questions are at the heart of this study. The thrust of this paper is to navigate between three different positions on baptism and demonstrate that baptism is in fact a potential sacrament, bearing characteristics of all three positions, yet distinguishing the sacramental aspect as potential, dependent upon faith. In order to demonstrate this, attention will be given to three major views of baptism: Memorial Sign, Regenerative Sacrament, and Covenantal Sacrament. The core tenets of each position will be considered, listing notable traditions and theologians who favor each position. Finally, the Potential Sacrament position will be defended not so much by rehashing century-old exegesis, but by reframing the discussion by showing how baptism as both a sign and sacrament makes better sense of how the evidence has been understood historically.
In an effort to rediscover the sacramental sphere in Reformed context the authors attempt to take first steps in describing anew the element of efficacy (pertaining identity-forming and transformative power) as it is envisaged in the Reformed tradition’s view on the sacraments. The sense in which receiving the sacrament of Holy Baptism culminates in a baptismal life -defining the Christian identity and connecting Christians in new, transformative ways to the world they inhabit- should be considered in this quest for rediscovery of the sacramental sphere. An initial theological thesis on entering covenantal space as possible point of departure for the liturgical act of living the baptismal life in this world on daily basis is proposed. As key moment in this thesis, the integral role of a spirituality of anticipation is proposed- a spirituality that expresses itself in the sursum corda- act of entering the transcendental reality of the covenantal space where God is present, visualising and partaking (through faith) in God’s vision for the newness of our lives and returning to this imminent reality bearing witness to the ultimate renewal of the whole creation. In the latter part of the paper the authors employ their theological thesis on entering the covenantal space in formulating praxis theoretical indicators for educating baptised members of the body of Christ in sacramental literacy regarding the enduring identity-forming and transformative power of their baptismal life.
Abstract: The God of the Bible is an incarnate God: A God who speaks in and through the embodied human experience. Thus, for all of the theological significance of baptism, it is also incumbent for Christians to recognize the vital sociological role baptism plays as a rite of passage, as well as the ways in which baptism serves as an embodied pedagogy, that is, as a learning experience that has lasting effects in the life of the believer. This has implications for baptismal practice, specifically having to do with the timing in which baptism is undertaken. I argue in this essay for a recognition that baptism serves both sociological and pedagogical functions in the life of Christians and the church, and that perhaps a third category—a “liminal” category—should be envisioned for those on their way toward baptism.
The Rediscovery of the Meaning of Baptism—Its Contribution to a Public Theology
Journal of Reformed Theology, 2008
In this contribution, I emphasize the potential public—and here that means 'societal'—impact of one of the main sacraments of the church; namely, the sacrament of baptism. I shall focus especially on the ethical implications of the sacrament of baptism as a sacrament that marks the transition to a new way of life. The thesis to be elaborated is that the sacrament of baptism, including its doctrine of original sin and its expectation of the kingdom of God, comprises the indispensable framework of a sound public theology understood as a theology of societal renewal.
Gregorianum, 2019
Questo studio dimostra che la teologia del battesimo di Ratzinger è nel quadro di una prospettiva storica e cosmologica sulla liturgia. Storicamente, il battesimo non può essere compreso se non riusciamo a vedere e comprendere la sua ombra nell’An- tico Testamento dove ha la sua «origine». Allo stesso tempo, il battesimo contempo- raneo indica il presente di Cristo nella liturgia della Chiesa. Il battesimo è più di un semplice rituale cristiano che avvia uno nella religione del cristianesimo; ha luogo nella creazione e usa contemporanei creati della morte e della risurrezione storica di Cristo. Infine, l’indicazione della partecipazione del credente all’opera di Cristo me- diante il Battesimo prescrive l’imperativo della nuova vita. This study demonstrates that Ratzinger’s theology of Baptism is situated in the framework of a historical and cosmological perspective on the Liturgy. Historically, Baptism cannot be truly understood if we fail to see and comprehend its shadow in the Old Testament where it has its «origin». At the same time, contemporary Baptism points as image to the reality of the crucified and resurrected Christ present in the Liturgy of the Church. Baptism is more than just a Christian ritual that initiates one into the religion of Christianity; it takes place in creation and uses created matter so as to make us contemporaries of Christ’s historical death and resurrection. Finally, the in- dicative of the believer’s participation in Christ’s work by way of Baptism prescribes the imperative of the new life.
Baptismal Practices and the Eucharist
2019
This paper will analyze, evaluate, and explicate the historical and theological developments of baptism and the Eucharist from the viewpoints of Protestants and Catholics to make an effective argument in affirmation of the Protestant views.