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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, 152 pages
Published
June 12th 2007
by Canon Press
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Jacob Aitken
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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 believ...more
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 bapt...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 bapt...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, ...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, ...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 ...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 "escha...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.
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.
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 :-)
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Very interesting book for anyone that wants to seriously contemplate baptismal efficacy, even if you disagree with Leithart.
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.
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.
Excellent overview of the issue of baptism looking at what the Scriptures say about baptism, the body of Christ and apostasy. The appendix is also very good on why a paedobaptist view is more consistent with how God made the world than a believer baptism view.
Peter does an excellent job in this book of laying bare many of the assumptions that underlie discussions about baptism. The book is a slow read, especially if you try to follow all the cross-references. But rewarding nonetheless.
Excellent
When we started reading Finally Alive by John Piper it brought up some baptism questions. I hope this very short work by Dr. Leithart will help to clarify some of those questions.
An excellent book on baptism. The chapter apostasy happens was especially helpful in putting this all together.
Devastating.
Michael Wilson
marked it as to-read
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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...more
More about Peter J. Leithart...
Dr. Leithart was educated at Hillsdale College, Westminster Theological Seminary and the University of Cambridge in...more
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