Infant Baptism and the Silence of the New Testament

by Bryan Holstrom

"Bryan Holstrom has written an excellent book and I hope that it gets into the hands of many readers. He has served the church and the cause of biblical truth well. Those holding a Baptist view will find themselves challenged in the best sort of way by a thorough exploration of biblical teaching. Paedobaptists themselves will be pushed to think in richer and more biblically consistent ways about their practice of infant baptism. May this book serve to heal the divisions in Christ's church and to encourage Christians to embrace more meaningfully the covenant promises of God for themselves and their children."— David VanDrunen, Robert B. Strimple Professor of Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics Westminster Seminary California

Since the time of the Reformation—some Christians have argued that the historic church’s practice of infant baptism is without proper biblical warrant.
The most frequently heard refrain from those in this camp is that, because the New Testament contains no explicit command to baptize the infant children of believers, the practice is ultimately based upon an “argument from silence.”
In Infant Baptism and the Silence of the New Testament , Bryan Holstrom turns that assertion on its head, by demonstrating that, far from being an argument against infant baptism, the silence of the New Testament in this regard is actually support for the practice.
Moreover, he demonstrates that the New Testament actually has much to say in support of the baptism of infants, albeit in indirect (but important) ways.
The result is a straightforward and non-technical presentation of the biblical case for infant baptism that is designed to help Christians on both sides of the divide better understand the issues involved, and appreciate the covenantal basis upon which the Reformed church retained the historic practice.

Genres: Theology, Ecclesiology

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[Cody Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holstrom makes a compelling case from the text of the New Testament for the practice of covenant baptism. Further, he asserts and demonstrates that the silence on infant baptism in the New Testament actually serves to enhance the argument for it.
Overall, this is a compelling work that should be reckoned with.

[Jason Bray · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good read, makes excellent points about the importance of seeking sound doctrine.

I think some aspects of the case could be stronger, especially as regards the fundamental continuity between old and new testaments. This core disagreement is at the root of most arguments about this doctrine.

But generally I think he makes his point well, that the lack of an explicit rejection of children into the covenant of grace should be enough to assume that the inclusion of infants in the assembly is meant to be continued from the Old Testament.

This is not the only time that a doctrine practiced by the apostles is carried over from the Old Testament without explicit command. The practice of laying on hands is continued throughout the apostolic period and is even considered an “elementary doctrine”.(Heb 6:1-2) Yet the doctrine is only defined in the Old Testament.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aiming at the criticism that arguments for infant baptism are arguments from silence, Holstrom clearly and concisely walks through the main contours of the argument for paedobaptism from a Reformed perspective (so contra baptismal regeneration, etc., views of baptism). Along the way, he shows that in fact the Baptist (i.e., credobaptist) position is the one guilty of an argument of silence when the biblical and historical data is taken into account. As a bonus, the author offers some reasons, such as a drift toward individualism, why the evangelical church has departed from the time-attested practice. This is an excellent refresher for those who are already familiar with paedobaptist arguments and is an excellent source for those who are exploring this issue.

[Michael Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book. Helpful. Accessible. Clear. Concise. Forceful. So many good qualities about this book. I am thankful Holstrom has spoken into the whole debate. I particularly appreciated the whole thrust of the argument that the NT's silence concerning infants and baptism is one of our greatest strengths for why we baptize. Certainly some systematic arguments here that need to be dealt with, by our baptist brothers and sisters, in just as much excellency, helpfulness, accessibility, clearness, conciseness, and forcefulness. This is a valuable book to the ongoing debate.

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and thorough defense of infant baptism. As a life-long baptist, it was a helpful introduction into paedobaptistism and gave me much to think over and consider. Sometimes Holstrom acts as if his arguments come across as "solid" when in reality they occasionally seem a bit far fetched. However, it being my first book on the subject, I'll admit my skepticism was high. Really glad to have read it.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better books on infant baptism I've read. As a presbyterian I am biased as it reaffirms my presupposition that the sign of baptism should applied to the children of believers. However, he presents convincing exegesis of Colossians 2 that helped overcome the remnants of my baptist upbringing and seminary education.

[Joonas Laajanen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compact, clear, and persuasive introduction.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read on the validity and truth of infant baptism.

[Rhys Lamont · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well reasoned arguments in favour of biblical covenantal infant baptism. Enough in here to make me keep reading on the subject further...

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book. Quite short and very easy to read and understand. I thought the arguments in the book were pretty convincing. Some parts were a little snarky and harsh to those who hold a different view to the author.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read, clear, informative. The tone was an issue at times. Editing out some of the more snarky statements would have, in my opinion, made it a more effective polemic. As it stands, this is a really, really good book if you hold to a paedo position or lean that way. If you are solid in a credo position, the harsh(at times) language and hyperbole might turn you off to what otherwise could be a rather convincing argument.

Good book though and well worth the time and effort.

[J. Alfred · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holstrom comes off as inelegant and ungracious. His writing style is wordy and not overly precise, and his arguments are sometimes close to silly. On the whole, however, I wonder if he did all this on purpose, because the argument of the book as a whole is convincing (and one knows one isn't being tricked by any literary prestidigitation, either).

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I'm still not to the point where I would argue one side or the other on the baptism debate, but infant baptism definitely makes me more comfortable. This book has some really good quotes and ideas. It seems to be a very thorough book without being crazy long. Worth the read.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent discussion of a divisive issue

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!