American Baptismal Sacramentalism? Toward a Sacred Theology of Baptism in the Context ofTransatlantic Baptist Disagreement

The key to restoring the uniqueness of Baptism for Southern Baptists resides in using the tension between the burgeoning revival of British baptismal sacramentalism and the long-standing suspicion toward "all things sacramental" among American Baptists in order to understand and advance traditional baptismal distinctiveness. The book first develops a baptismal typology by evaluating the various differences between the 5 models of Reformation sacramentalism: Roman Catholic Efficacy, Luther's Inauguration, Calvin's Seal, Zwingli's Symbol-Only, and the Anabaptists' Faith-Baptism. It then examines the unified voice of American Baptists intent on retaining anti-sacramental language and theology. American Baptists tend to follow an Anabaptist view of Baptism-namely "a testimony of faith." In Great Britain, however, Baptists are more open to use sacramental language and many have embraced a refined version of "conversion Baptism" very similar to that proposed by the American Restorationist tradition. The book champions a "sacred theology of Baptism" and interprets it as "an ordained sign with sacred significance."