Infant Baptism in Reformation Geneva: The Shaping of a Community, 1536–1564

St. Andrews Studies in Reformation History

by Karen E. Spierling

This book examines the beliefs, practices and arguments surrounding the ritual of infant baptism and the raising of children in Geneva during the period of John Calvin's tenure as leader of the Reformed Church, 1536-1564. It focuses particularly on the years from 1541 onward, after Calvin's return to Geneva and the formation of the Consistory. The work is based on sources housed primarily in the Genevan State Archives, including the registers of the Consistory and the City Council. While the time period of the study may be limited, the approach is broad, encompassing issues of theology, church ritual and practices, the histories of family and children, and the power struggles involved in transforming not simply a church institution but the entire community surrounding it. The overarching argument presented is that the ordinances and practices surrounding baptism present a framework for relations among child, parents, godparents, church and city. The design of the baptismal ceremony, including liturgy, participants and location, provided a blueprint of the reformers' vision of a well ordered community. To comprehend fully the development and spread of Calvinism, it is necessary to understand the context of its origins and how the ideas of Calvin and his Reformed colleagues were received in Geneva before they were disseminated throughout Europe and the world. In a broad sense this project explores the tensions among church leaders, city authorities, parents, relatives and neighbours regarding the upbringing of children in Reformed Geneva. More specifically, it studies the practice of infant baptism as manifested in the baptism ceremony in Geneva, the ongoing practices of Catholic baptism in neighbouring areas, and the similarities and tensions between these two rituals.

Genres: History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2005

Reviews

[Caleb Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why, but I was expecting this book to feel a little more accessible and a little less niche. Spierling pursues some interesting questions relating to the practice of infant baptism in Reformation Geneva, but her writing style, coupled with her habit of amassing evidence from Consistory and Council records, makes for a pretty dry, overly-academic read. I feel like I learned just as much and more about early modern baptismal practice from Karin Maag's (much more succinct and enjoyable) new release, Worshiping with the Reformers--which, incidentally, costs less than this book on Amazon.

[Ryan Jankowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, probably worth reading, but its weakness is the author’s primarily sociological/anthropological lens, which often treats theological convictions as secondary to social dynamics. As a result, the book sometimes misses the internal logic of Reformed covenant theology, interpreting Calvinist discipline more as a system of power than as a pastoral expression of spiritual responsibility. I would recommend Hughes Oliphant Old's book on the same subject as an alternative.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Christian social historian's look at Infant Baptism in Reformation Geneva. So the style is in that vein and the focus of the book is the building of a reformed community. Spierling covers briefly the liturgy of the ordinance and more fully Roman oppositions, Godparents, discipline, naming in baptism and the baptising of illegitimate children. There are many highly interesting points which arise from such a study--if one is looking for them--but it is not everyone's cup of tea.

The writing is a little basic and repetitive. And she seems to want to find in Calvin the idea that infant baptism is not being retained for solidly Biblical reasons.

But I got a lot out of this. It is books of this sort which help us to see what Reformation Europe was really like.

Liked it.