18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Small Package Packs Punch, October 11, 2007
This review is from: Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism (Hardcover)
Witherington's small book on baptism debates is a welcome edition to the discussion. I do agree with G.E. Davis (below) that Witherington's position is hard to figure out; but in one sense I say, "who cares?" That is because the chapters, and exegetical and theological insights therein, do a fine job at conveying helpful information regarding certain issues surrounding "the baptism debate."
Witherington discusses such topics as: paedo/credo baptism (and a lot of what is involved in that debate, viz., household passages, I Cor. 7, Acts 2, etc); water baptism's relation with spirit baptism, John's baptism; the Great Commission; the missionary setting of baptism, etc.
Witherington disagrees (and agrees!) with *both* paedo scholars and credo scholars on varying issues. For example, he disagrees with a popular credobaptist approach to 1 Cor. 7 - P.K. Jewett's take on that verse. He argues that the Great Commission is not a decisive verse on the proper subjects of baptism. He disagrees with many paedobaptists who might separate Spirit baptism and water baptism; but(!), he leaves room for this view in some instances (hence the confounded reviewer below), showing somewhat decisively that there is no necessary connection, i.e., the two could and were distinguished (contrary to some credo scholars, e.g., Tom Schreiner).
Overall the book was a good read. It is a short read so you could finish it in a sitting or two. There are also some helpful insights, for both paedo and credo baptist. The book could have delved further into some areas, handling some tougher responses (from both sides), and so that's why I gave it 4 stars. I would recommend this as a helpful addition to your "sacramental" section of your library.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Careful Study, Thought Provoking Conclusions, September 20, 2008
This review is from: Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism (Hardcover)
From email conversations, I know that Dr. Witherington endorses the practice of infant baptism, but his most compelling arguments rested more heavily on his consideration of second and third century materials than it did from an exegesis of first century materials, namely the NT data. I was prepared for more of the same with this book.
But alas, I was pleasantly surprised! I thought Ben did a great job of examining the biblical evidence related to the subject of baptism, and he was extra careful not to allow his theological commitments to color his conclusions.
But he may have been a little too careful, because in these pages, he doesn't give a ringing endorsement for either infant baptism or believer baptism. He simply says that that infant baptism cannot be ruled out as a legitimate theological development based on the NT assumption that we all need Christ and that we should not hinder kids from coming to Christ or from being brought to Christ.
In his survey of the biblical data, I did wonder about two points. A. He says that there is no clear connection in Acts between faith and baptism. If Dr. Witherington is right, this opens the door for infant baptism.
But what about Acts 2:41? Luke clearly states that "all who accepted the message were baptized." The strong implication is that baptism is for those who have put their faith in the gospel message.
And what shall we say about Acts 16, where the baptism of the Philippian jailer's family followed a hearing of God's word? The family rejoiced afterward that they had come to believe in God. That shows that there IS a connection between baptism and faith (though it is admittedly unclear as to which came first, the faith or the baptism).
B. Ben's exegesis of the difficult 1 Peter 3:18-22 involves a questionable (and hard to follow) interpretation of verse 21. How can we interpret "not the removal of dirt from the body" as a reference to circumcision (I'll ask Ben about this)?
On the other hand, I agree with Ben that John 3:5 is not a reference to baptism and that baptism signifies initiation into the covenant community as well as our death and burial into Christ (I would also add "resurrection"). I also agree that it signifies our Spirit baptism into Christ (Gal 3:27).
I applaud Dr. Witherington's call for churches to perform missionary baptisms of new believers in Christ.
I also agree with Ben that neither Paul nor anyone else in the NT saw baptism as essential or foundational for salvation.
Ben's call for churches to study further these issues is a challenge we need to undertake.
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4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Could be much better, May 6, 2008
This review is from: Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism (Hardcover)
After reading this book, and after hearing Witherington speak on other issues in person and being impressed, I have to say that I find "Troubled Waters" to be quite disappointing. The author really adds nothing helpful to this nearly 2,000 year old discussion but basically merely critiques the works of others on the subject. Rather than giving an unbiased review of the related scriptures, he ends up just defending his Protestant views of baptism. The real biblical issue on the subject, submission (obedience) to God's commands in order to receive the blessings of God, are not dealt with in any type of legitimate or satisfactory way, although there are a few hints of worthwhile insight scattered throughout the book.
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