The Baptized Body [Paperback]

Peter J. Leithart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2007

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 to us about baptism, the nature of signs and rites, the character of the church as the body of Christ, and the possibility of apostasy. In the end, the author urges us to face up to the wonderful conclusion that Scripture attributes an astonishing power to the initiation rite of baptism.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Throughout the book Leithart clearly affirms what careless or ill-willed readers would otherwise claim he denies—whether about God as unchanging, the hypostatic union as unique, the perseverance of the saints, the possibility of assurance. But at all points, his concern is faithfully to expound Scripture rather than to force it to fit pre-set dogmatic conclusions. It's a marvellous, readable, persuasive, insightful, mind-and-heart-expanding experience to read this book. --David Field (Oak Hill Theological College)

About the Author

Peter Leithart holds degrees in English, history, religion, and theology, including a doctorate in theology from Cambridge University. He is a Senior Fellow at New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho. He is the author of numerous books on theology and literature, including A House for My Name, Against Christianity, Blessed are the Hungry, and more. He has also authored articles in journals such as Pro Ecclesia, Journal of Biblical Literature, and Westminster Theological Journal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Canon Press (June 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591280486
• ISBN-13: 978-1591280484
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #726,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Century of Ecclesiology, July 27, 2007

By 

Kimberly Rapp - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Baptized Body (Paperback)

From the preface:

"The whole [Federal Vision] project is an effort to drag conservative Reformed churches, all kicking and screaming, into the twenty-first century, the century of ecclesiology. With this little book, unpolished and polemical, narrow and hurried, I hope to drag us all a few more inches."

It's like Douglas Wilson says. "Reading Dr. Leithart... is like reading cheesecake." Every page is rich and insightful; you can only read a few at a time before you get stuffed. That being said, Peter Leithart starts where this discussion needs to start: before the beginning. In the first chapter, he challenges the many false assumptions we bring to table when talking about the Sacraments. Many of us are Zwinglian at heart. Thus: Baptism can't change the real, lock-box, "spiritual" me. Baptism just gives us a legal relationship with Christ. Baptism is just a sign, it holds no power. Baptism is just a "means of grace," where grace is an incredibly fine substance that gets funneled through water.

No, no, no. Baptism is a ritual. Buy the book, and find out what that means.

Buy the book, and see that when Scripture uses the word "Baptism" it nearly always means water baptism. This water baptism sticks us in the visible, historical Church. Furthermore, Leithart shows that the visible, historical Church (i.e. the "Body of Christ") in Scripture is the Corpum Verum, the actual body of Christ. Hence a syllogism:
1) Baptism brings us into to the Church
2) The Church is the body of Christ
3) Therefore, Baptism unites us to Christ

What? So unbelievers can be united to Christ? Yes. The book fleshes this out. No matter who you are, "The Baptized Body" is a must read.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars David H., June 25, 2007

By 

D. Hoos (Moscow, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Baptized Body (Paperback)

My Two Cents:

First, the appendix alone on paedeo-baptism is worth the price of the book. It it, Peter Leithart deals a solid blow the the credo-baptist argument insisting that consent is a vital part of baptism. Don't believe me, buy the book.

Second, 'The Baptized Body' begins to pick up where 'Against Christianity' left off and begins to explore the ramifications of a consistent Christian sociology. Those of you who have read 'Against Christianity' know how amazing and important that book is and 'The Baptized Body' is no less so. With this book, Peter Leithart provides a very detailed look at the scriptures dealing with baptism and how we must understand such rites.

If you already own and/or have read 'Against Christianity', you need to buy 'The Baptized Body'. If you haven't, then you need to buy it AND his equally important other book, 'Against Christianity'.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars grace you can see, July 31, 2009

By 

B. S. Copeland - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Baptized Body (Paperback)

This is Peter Leithart's contribution to the many, many books on baptism. Lots of books on baptism have been written but there is still as much disagreement on the subject today as there ever has been. How does Leithart's book differ from the myriads of other books on Baptism? Well, this is the only one that has ever brought tears to my eyes. From reading his treatise on Baptism, I was made very aware of the grace that God has given us in Baptism and the Lord's Supper. I was reminded of what a privilege it is to be invited to the Lord's table with the rest of the Christ's body. The tale of three servants at the end of the book is truly touching as it makes you reflect on the kindness of God in giving us the sacraments. Your average book on baptism does not have this much heart, and the fact that it will make you marvel at God's grace is an indicator that the doctrine of Baptism that Leithart presents is on the right track.