What Has Infant Baptism Done to Baptism?: An Enquiry at the End of Christendom

by David F. Wright

Infant baptism has been the dominant form of baptism in the Christian West for well over a millennium and a half. How has this affected the understanding and practice of baptism?David Wright conducts a searching critique of traditions of earlier centuries down to the present. This story is variously surprising, disturbing, and sobering, not least against the backcloth of the New Testament. Today, in the twentyfirst century, reform promises a fresh consensus on baptism.Written for all with a serious interest in baptism, including church leaders, historians, students of liturgy and Christians on both sides of the baptismal divide, this enquiry at the end of Christendom is thoughtprovoking, necessary and historically illuminating.

117 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

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David F. Wright (1937-2008) was professor of patristic and Reformation Christianity at New College, University of Edinburgh. He wrote a number of books on both historical and theological topics.

Reviews

[Jeremiah von Kühn · Rating 4 out of 5]

thought provoking. i think i agree with his thesis -- believer's baptism should drive theology of baptism, not infant baptism (which is what's happened). even if you are OK with household baptism / infant baptism, this is a helpful corrective on what we should emphasize...