Had an interesting conversation with friends today about baptism.
My personal view (right now, maybe not tomorrow) is that baptism is about becoming part of the body of believers. Kind of an initiation rite. Baptism is primarily for people (adults or children) who come to faith and join the church. I think that infant baptism (when the parents are believers) is fine, but a little pointless. The kids of believers are already in the church. They are born into it.
What do you think? Am I an heretic?
Is this post going to go the way of the last baptism post? Will it sit here for a few hours only to be replaced with a limerick?
ReplyDeleteWill that comment still be here in a few hours, or will it go the way of some others?!?
ReplyDeleteHey Nathan. I tried twice to comment on your blog tonight and it wouldn't let me sign in so I gave up in disgust. I'm interested in your fonting.
You shouldn't have to sign in. Were you trying to use OpenID?
ReplyDeleteMy default font is Helvetica, the kerning is pretty tight - I've only just started playing with this design today. Thoughts?
I like it. Headings look interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt tries to sign me in automatically then said there was an error with my details or something. I'll try again tomorrow.
[people should feel free to bring this comment thread back to baptism...]
Hey Simone, can you please explain 'body of believers' and 'church' and what (if any) relationship they have to each other?
ReplyDeleteThis is something that with the few free moments of brain cycles I reflect on, but I'm far from reaching any sort of firm position.
I think they are the same - body and church, that is.
ReplyDeleteMy recommendation is that if you're thinking of going pressy you just do it now to save fuss later.
i think i know who you have been talking to you...
ReplyDeletei'm with you on the infant baptism, this a point much debated in our house lately.
Did you solve any of the worlds problems today??
always trying. Except today. Dwelling on my own issues. The class from hell at the school from hell.
ReplyDelete"My recommendation is that if you're thinking of going pressy you just do it now to save fuss later."
ReplyDeleteDo you mean become a Pressy now before his thoughts on baptism are crystalised?
Or is this just more general advice...
Or, are you suggesting Dan be baptised now before he becomes a Presbyterian...
Nah, not a heretic, just impoverished ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe had a baptism yesterday - a 2 yr old and her 2 month old brother. I preached on the Good Samaritan about how we're all like the half-dead man, incapable of doing anything to save ourselves from sliding into death. It was great to be able to point out how baptism is a mark of our inability, a recognition that the promise of God is independent of our worthiness, or lack thereof. Plus, the baby slept through the entire sermon, so I got a laugh out of pointing out his inherent sinfulness!
Pointless?! Ah, no, it has a great point, reminding us of how we have no initiation rite. It's the Clayton's qualification for entry, the ritual that says there is no ritual!
(Plus, on your argument, it's pointless for all - anyone who gets baptised will do so after coming to faith, so they're already in the church too...)
Gotta stick up for us Anglicans now and then ;-)
"It was great to be able to point out how baptism is a mark of our inability"
ReplyDeleteI'm good with our inability, but why is baptism a mark of that? Baptism seems a mark of so many things - which is it? Or all of them? Chapter and verse?
I admit that I'm struggling to get it. I need to read more.
Nathan - I recommend that Dan just baptise his baby now. And become a pressy. All the cool people are pressies.
I thought about commenting seriously - but won't, on the grounds that I may somehow disqualify myself from a career further down the track...
ReplyDeleteYou would be in good company.
ReplyDeleteI'm having similar conversations all over the place at the moment.