Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
The Baptized Body
What does baptism do to the baptized? Nothing? Something? In this study, Peter Leithart examines this single question of baptismal efficacy. He challenges several common but false assumptions about God, man, the church, salvation, and more that confuse discussions about baptism. He aims to offer a careful and simple discussion of all the central biblical texts that speak t...more
Paperback, 136 pages
Published
June 1st 2007
by Canon Press
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
209)
Argues the radical thesis that, in the New Testament, baptism means baptism, and that baptism does everything attributed to it. Why didn't someone in the Reformed tradition think of this sooner? Maybe it takes awhile to get over our knee-jerk reaction to Rome.
Leithart also argues that sacraments repair the original design of creation. Grace repairs nature, it does not lay down a "separate track" that intersects with regular life at a later conversion experience. Infant baptism restores the infan...more
Leithart also argues that sacraments repair the original design of creation. Grace repairs nature, it does not lay down a "separate track" that intersects with regular life at a later conversion experience. Infant baptism restores the infan...more
Own.
Drawing on Trinitarian theology and not shying away from hard Scripture (which almost all the passages about baptism are), Leithart expands the concept of a relationship with Christ beyond election. He posits that God initiates relationships, even through the Holy Spirit, with those He does not ultimately save; Saul and Judas are primary examples. Baptism, he demonstrates, is the effective-through-the-Holy-Spirit initiation rite into a relationship with God and into the Church, Christ's bri...more
Drawing on Trinitarian theology and not shying away from hard Scripture (which almost all the passages about baptism are), Leithart expands the concept of a relationship with Christ beyond election. He posits that God initiates relationships, even through the Holy Spirit, with those He does not ultimately save; Saul and Judas are primary examples. Baptism, he demonstrates, is the effective-through-the-Holy-Spirit initiation rite into a relationship with God and into the Church, Christ's bri...more
Overall I think the book was very good, but for all of Dr. Leithart's frustrations with the inadequacies of contemporary Reformed theology's understanding of union with Christ, I don't think his solution is any less problematic. I prefer the objective approach he offers to the "baptistic" treatment that many Presbyterian folks demonstrate over and against the earliest Reformers, but at the same time he misses the boat entirely on trying to interpret God's impassability in terms of the Biblical n...more
This is a pretty short polemical work on baptismal efficacy. His arguments are excellent, his style is easy enough to read for average church-goers, his humor is delightful, and his illustrations are most helpful. I appreciate how he is committed to working within the bounds of Reformed orthodoxy and how at the same time he works to refine that same Reformed orthodoxy. For example, instead of the designation of "invisible" and "visible" for the church, he suggests "eschatological" and "historica...more
Dr. Leithart gives a readable argument that baptism confers all the benefits of salvation on the baptized, which it is then up to the baptized individual to bear out or live up to. He argues against bifurcating between internal/individual and external/communal expressions of faith. This view contains some points that are hard to swallow for modern readers to whom knowledge and consent are the bread of life. But it does make sense of the New Testament's warnings about falling away in a way that I...more
For me, this book, like Leithart's writings generally, was both a hit and a miss. Let's take it from the top.
Chapter one, "Starting before the Beginning," was intended to clear "enough ground to move ahead" to discuss the biblical texts about baptism. This chapter seemed a bit choppy, as Leithart's hitting on different philosophical, ontological, and theological topics. It was intended to be controversial with section headings such as, "Why Sacraments Are Not Signs," "Why Sacraments Are Not Mean...more
Chapter one, "Starting before the Beginning," was intended to clear "enough ground to move ahead" to discuss the biblical texts about baptism. This chapter seemed a bit choppy, as Leithart's hitting on different philosophical, ontological, and theological topics. It was intended to be controversial with section headings such as, "Why Sacraments Are Not Signs," "Why Sacraments Are Not Mean...more
Feb 26, 2012
Jacob Aitken
added it
If I could summarize Peter Leithart’s book, he argues that “baptism” means baptism. In other words, when the New Testament speaks of baptism, it usually speaks of the water-rite. This is not too troubling except that at points the New Testament seems to attribute grace and saving action to the water-rite. Leithart takes the effort to explain what this means. He offers us a new way of thinking, challenging our assumptions, and showing how one’s thoughts about baptism determine what one believes a...more
Listened to this one. Probably go through and read it some other time. I love the Emphasis on incorporation and not so much on imputation. I don't know exactly where I stand in it theologically but I think God incorporating us into himself through our corporate marriage to His son through our baptism and His effectual working thereby is beautiful and seems like God.
I can see why people may believe that leithart or others dance with baptismal regeneration but I don't see that here. The Bible spe...more
I can see why people may believe that leithart or others dance with baptismal regeneration but I don't see that here. The Bible spe...more
I want to make it clear that I disagree quite basically with many of his base assertions. I felt like in this opening chapter where he lays down his ground rules and basic concepts he would hit on some good ideas or interesting points and then make wild leaps to conclusions. A (sure) + B(ok) = W (wait...what?). As such, the rest of the book was set up wrongly for me.
I found myself later nodding in agreement with many of his points or concepts, but because their base building blocks were fundame...more
I found myself later nodding in agreement with many of his points or concepts, but because their base building blocks were fundame...more
My second time through this excellent little book. Leithart cuts through all sorts of theologies that minimize the importance and effects of baptism. He only comes up short on apostasy where a good walk through 1 John would have made for a better formulation of assurance of salvation. Still, this book ought to help the church understand this great gift in its New Testament fullness.
Leithart admittedly only deals with one issue on baptism in this little book - what happens when you're baptized. This can be read in a weekend. He dealse with all of the controversial baptism passages in the NT. Good starting point if you're trying to work through your theology on baptism.
What a stimulating read! While I may disagree with him on (a lot of) particulars, his ability to get at the issue in a fresh, profound way is top notch. It won't hand a "pat" answer to you on a silver platter, but it is a must read.
Superb, but I got the sense that this was rushed to print. More documentation is needed, especially when arguing such controversial points :-)
Challenging, provocative, and persuasive treatment of baptism, the Church as the body of Christ, and the sad reality of apostasy.
Very interesting book for anyone that wants to seriously contemplate baptismal efficacy, even if you disagree with Leithart.
Very thoughtful book that unsettled me right when I thought I understood baptism.
Excellent book discussing what baptism does, showing the inadequacy of saying "Nothing".
Insightful pastoral insights from Leithart as usual.
Great book... best on the subject.
Pure paedopropaganda, the good kind.
Outstanding work.
Great!
Outstanding.
Leithart is the literary equivalent of a prize-fighter. He flies like a butterfly and stings like a bee. He demolishes others arguments with grace and skillfulness. All that to say, he does a great job once again in the Baptized Body. The only thing I would say about this book, is that I think it should be read after his other book, Against Christianity.
Dr Leithart tears away much of the double-minded thinking we have inherited concerning baptism. But, being a baptist, I think his attempt to fit this huge V8 engine he has discovered into the Mini Minor of paedobaptism requires a great deal of force, and a little butter. All the same, an important read for credos and paedos alike.
One of the best books I've read on the sacrament of Baptism. Leithart's section supporting infant baptism is especially worth reading.
One of the best up-to-date books out there on the importance and meaning of baptism. This is a straight-up Obsidian stout for paedobaptism. It doesn't get much thicker and chewier than this. He also does a good job of tying in the sociological issues involved in paedo/covenantal baptism. Get it and read it.
I thought this book was solid. I found the sociological aspect of this helpful. I think he is weak when dealing with Time and takes to much liberty in redefining terms. I thought the last chapter was unhelpful.
Leithart makes bold claims, backs them with scriptural and historical evidence, and brings it together masterfully with a "parable" of his own in the final chapter. He is compelling, even if you disagree with his final conclusions. A must read on the theology of baptism.
This a good discussion of Biblical language. And/or this is what we usually think, but the Bible really says this. Always useful. Plus it has a great appendix on the sociology of infant baptism.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Dr. Leithart teaches Theology and Literature at New Saint Andrews College and serves as pastor of Trinity Reformed Church. He is a contributing editor to Touchstone magazine and has published articles in a variety of mediums, from daily newspapers to theological journals.
Dr. Leithart was educated at Hillsdale College, Westminster Theological Seminary and the University of Cambridge in England. He...more
More about Peter J. Leithart...
Dr. Leithart was educated at Hillsdale College, Westminster Theological Seminary and the University of Cambridge in England. He...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Apr 03, 2013 07:52am