Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ by Thomas Schreiner and Shawn Wright Essay (Book Review)

The book Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ, written by Thomas Schreiner and Shawn Wright, argues that modern Baptist tradition needs reformation. In particular, the authors, through the study of church history and numerous biblical texts, show that credobaptism is a real ritual of introducing a person to the Christian faith. Within the framework of this controversy, paedobaptism, widely accepted by the Reformed Church, is viewed as non-compassionate since the infant cannot consciously practice the faith. Thus, the book, on the basis of numerous biblical justifications, proves that credobaptism is a rite of voluntary initiation of a person into the faith.

Brief Summary

The book is a study of both church history and Scripture to support the claim that baptism is meant for believers. The authors argue that “Baptism is important precisely because it is tied to the gospel, to the saving work that Christ accomplished in his death and resurrection.”¹ From the point of view of Schreiner and Wright, baptism is a rite of initiation into the Christian faith, which is prescribed by Scripture. In particular, the authors consider credobaptism (believer’s baptism) as a true Christian form. In contrast, paedobaptism (infant baptism) is perceived as the desire of evangelicals to introduce unbelieving babies into the covenant community. Authors emphasize that it is “primarily in the Reformed tradition, who baptize infants not because they believe that baptism regenerates … but because they believe that baptism brings the child into the covenant community.”² Thus, the authors consider credobaptism as the only form of baptism which is consistent with Scripture.

The content of the book provides an argument for defense through the study of sacred texts, as well as criticism of paedobaptism, mainly in the Reformed Church. For example, in the first part of the book, Andreas J. Köstenberger examines gospel baptism and the key verses associated with it. He concludes that baptism assumes that the recipients have sufficient maturity and age to consciously choose to be guided in the crucial parts of the Christian faith and, therefore, baptized.³ Further exploration of baptism from the perspective of the writings of Luke in the Gospels of Luke and Acts, as well as in the writings of Paul and Peter, serve to support this main premise. The book also uses a theological survey to consider credobaptism as a ritual of conscious initiation into the Christian faith.

Critical Interaction

Schreiner and Wright address the issue of baptism in the modern Christian tradition and argue that it needs reformation. The authors support their main argument by evangelicals and their interpretations of the biblical texts. In particular, the authors explore the historical and biblical foundations of baptism as a rite. While most of the book explores an important theological question of the purpose of baptism, the final chapter provides a useful discussion about the challenges modern pastors face with regard to baptism. Thus, the authors consider the problem from an evangelical perspective, according to which baptism is perceived “as in relationship with God via commission of faith by the rational adult mind.”⁴ This point of view assumes that the baptismal ceremony should be available exclusively to adults since they are able to enter the Christian faith consciously. Thus, the goal of the authors is to “correct a certain form of infant baptism.”⁵ This form is the evangelical paedobaptism adopted by the Reformed tradition. According to the authors, the Reformed Church perceives baptism with a number of inconsistencies, including the imparting of signs of faith to those who have not exercised it.

The authors also pursue another secondary purpose, which is to consider when and how baptism should be performed. This task is critical because “baptism is important precisely because it is tied to the gospel, and to the saving work that Christ accomplished in His death and resurrection.”⁶ Baptism without faith, in this case, is seen as a threat to the foundations of evangelism and the entire Christian tradition.⁷ Thus, a compelling argument for baptism involves not only an analysis of biblical texts and church history but also practical application.ly an analysis of biblical texts and church history, but also practical application.

The authors prove their point of view through the analysis of sacred texts, in which there are not so many passages about baptism. In their opinion, the rite of baptism is intended for those who have repented of their sins and involves immersion in water as a rite of purification and rebirth.⁸ The book also emphasizes that the act of baptism can only be performed by those who have heard the gospel preached and themselves proceeded to the place of their baptism.⁹ This statement is based on the analysis of Luke and Acts and provides the basis for the discussion.

Through the analysis of Paul’s letters, the authors emphasize that baptism is an act for those who trust in Christ for salvation and confess their sins. Ronald Fung notes that “Baptism is here regarded as the rite of initiation into Christ, that is, into union with Christ, or… of incorporation into Christ as the Head of the new humanity.”¹⁰ This analysis emphasizes that God’s grace must be combined with human response, which is contrary to the Baptist concept of it. Wellum further concludes that baptism is a symbol of a union between believer and Christ, which leads through right to grace and presupposes all the benefits of such a union.¹¹ Thus, the authors argue that biblical covenants require the consent of the believer to ensure a correct approach to Scripture. This assumption completely refutes the views on paedobaptism as a form of communion with the Christian faith.

The main advantage and strength of this book is the thoroughness with which the authors approach the study of the issue. The commitment to biblical foundations makes the argumentation more persuasive and capable of showing the logical inconsistencies of paedobaptism. For example, the authors managed to illustrate the logical errors in the theology of paedobaptism, which were made by such people as Calvin. However, the book also contains several flaws, including supporting chapters that do not add value to the overall argument.¹² Another weakness of the book may be the fact that the authors do not provide perspectives for other baptist points of view.¹³ Thus, arguments rest solely on the assumptions and views of one group of baptist theologists.

The authors investigate the problems of baptism, which are extensively discussed in the theological literature, so there are few analyzes of this book. The most relevant and argumentation-adding reviews have been written by Cornelis P. Bennema¹⁴ and Lindsey Kennedy.¹⁵ These works offer a criticism of the book from the point of view of a rather one-sided consideration of baptism within the framework of an exclusively evangelical doctrine. At the same time, both reviews acknowledge the fundamental nature of the work and the credibility of the arguments presented in it. Bennema raises the question of the correctness of the angle of consideration and criticism of paedobaptism.¹⁶. Kennedy also raises the relevant issue of the need to view the practice of baptism in terms of a different theological paradigm.¹⁷ Thus, both reviews highlight both positive and negative aspects of the book and offer valuable comments.

Credobaptism is a common topic for theological research and therefore offers several important works. Among them are Infant baptism and the Covenant of Grace by Paul K. Jewett and The baptism of disciples alone by Fred Malone. Jewett’s arguments are consistent with those of the authors, as he also confirms that the study of Covenant Theology leads to support for credobaptism rather than paedobaptism.¹⁸ Malone also provides similar arguments, but from the perspective of a formerly Reformed baptist¹⁹. Thus, both books take the same approach as Schreiner and Wright in considering Baptist theology. Additionally, David F. Wright in “Christian Baptism: Where do We Go from Here?” offers a consideration of the study of baptism from different perspectives²⁰. This work is consistent with the book in its approach to the study of baptism through biblical texts.

From a personal perspective, the ideas presented in this book can be interpreted as practical advice on baptismal rituals. The arguments presented in the book advocate the need for the conscious act of baptism and also provide extensive biblical rationale. This approach can be used to form the Christian tradition of credobaptism and rejection of paedobaptism. From the point of view of pastors, these arguments can be a practical guide to shaping their activities.

Conclusion

The book’s authors and editors provide a compelling argumentation for believer’s baptism. A detailed analysis of church history and biblical texts provides a compelling contrast to the paedobaptist perspective. The book does not conflict with my preconceptions since I share the authors’ view of the nature of baptism and its purpose. However, the book made me look differently at various Baptist traditions that exist in Christian practice. The authors’ discussion leaves no questions; they explain their point of view in detail, which makes this valuable work material for the study of credobaptism.

References

Bennema, Cornelis P. 2009. “Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 52, no. 3: 655-661.

Fung, Ronald. 1988. The New International Commentary on the New Testament – The Epistle to the Galatians. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.

George, Timothy. 1993. “The Reformed Doctrine of Believers’ Baptism.” Interpretation 47, no. 3: 242-254. Web.

Jewett, Paul K. 1978. Infant Baptism and the Covenant of Grace. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing.

Kennedy, Lindsey. “Believer’s Baptism.” 2013. Web.

Ragsdale, Mark. “A Book Critique of “Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ,” Thomas R. Schreiner and Shawn D. Wright, Editors.” Thesis for MDIV, Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity, 2016. Web.

Schreiner, Thomas R., and Shawn D. Wright, eds. 2006. Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ. Nashville: B & H Academic.

Wright, David F. 2006. “Christian Baptism: Where do We Go from Here?” Evangelical Quarterly 78, no. 2 (April-June): 163-169. Web.

Footnotes

1. Thomas Schreiner and Shawn Wright, eds., Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ (Nashville: B & H Academic, 2006), p. 1
2. Ibid., p. 7
3. Schreiner and Wright, Believer’s Baptism, p. 24
4. Mark Ragsdale, “A Book Critique of “Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ,” Thomas R. Schreiner and Shawn D. Wright, Editors,” (Thesis for MDIV, Liberty University Rawlings School of Divinity, 2016), p. 6
5. Schreiner and Wright, Believer’s Baptism, p. 6
6. Timothy George, “The Reformed Doctrine of Believers’ Baptism,” Interpretation 47, no. 3, 1993, p. 1
7. Paul Jewett, Infant Baptism and the Covenant of Grace (Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing, 1978), p. 5
8. Schreiner and Wright, Believer’s Baptism, p. 32-33
9. Ibid., p. 65
10. Ronald Fung, The New International Commentary on the New Testament – The Epistle to the Galatians (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1988), p. 172
11. Schreiner and Wright, Believer’s Baptism, p. 159
12. Cornelis Bennema, “Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 52, no. 3, 2009, p. 657
13. Lindsey Kennedy, “Believer’s Baptism,” 2013. Web.
14. Bennema, p. 658
15. Kennedy
16. Bennema, p. 658
17. Kennedy
18. Jewett, Infant Baptism
19. Fred Malone, The Baptism of Disciples Alone: A Covenantal Argument for Credobaptism Versus Paedobaptism (Founders Press, 2003)
20. David Wright, “Christian Baptism: Where do We Go from Here?” Evangelical Quarterly 78, no. 2, 2006, pp. 163-169