Tag Archives: baptism

Baptism in the Didache

Baptism is one of the earliest and most important rituals within Christianity. Have you ever been curious as to how early Christians practiced baptism? The Didache is one of the earliest Christian documents not found in the New Testament. “Didache” means teaching, and is short for “The Lord’s Teaching of the Twelve Apostles”. It describesContinue reading “Baptism in the Didache”

The efficacy of ritual

Interacting with Pagans prompts me on occasion to consider the function and efficacy of ritual. I am not entirely comfortable with Catholics sacramentalism but I’m also seeing limitations with the way Protestants speak of “ordinances” and wonder if we’ve sometimes tossed the baby out with the bathwater. If we see mental assent as sufficient forContinue reading “The efficacy of ritual”

Do westerners interpret baptism too individualistically?

“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:3) If we recall that the exile and ongoing oppression of Israel was understood by the prophets to be a consequence of the collective sin of Israel, then is it possible that John was callingContinue reading “Do westerners interpret baptism too individualistically?”

Are kids making religious decisions younger?

“Some recent studies have suggested that children are making decisions about attending or not attending church much earlier than previously. While many children used to cease attending in their middle teenage years,some are now making such decisions at the end of primary school.” – Dropping Out of Church, Christian Research Association

Watering down baptism?

Have you heard that the Church of England has voted to wash some Bible imagery from its baptism rite? What’s your view? Here’s mine. On the one hand, I’m all for cultural sensitivity. On the other hand, I’m also for scriptural authenticity. Critical contextualization involves striving for both. So when it comes to contextualizing Christian rites – whetherContinue reading “Watering down baptism?”