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Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism Hardcover – May 30, 2007

by Ben Witherington III (Author)
3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 6 ratings
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Baptism has been a contested practice from the very beginning of the church. In this volume, Ben Witherington rethinks the theology of baptism and does so in constant conversation with the classic theological positions and central New Testament texts. By placing baptism in the context of the covenant, Witherington shows how advocates of both believer's baptism and infant baptism have added some water to both their theology and practice of baptism.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    135 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Baylor University Press
  4. Publication date
    May 30, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1602580049
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1602580046
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Baptism debates flooded churches and seminaries a generation back and, without settling issues once and for all, the flood subsided. Standing now alone, with a peaceful olive branch in his hand, is Ben Witherington, asking Christians once again to go back both to those debates and to the Bible. Let's join him. --Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies, North Park University

Churches practicing infant baptism and churches practicing believer's baptism both take their stand on an argument from Scripture. Witherington deals expertly and honestly with the often incomplete and ambiguous evidence of Scripture on this question. Instead of an "answer," which would only repeat the problem of choosing one part of the Christian witness over another, Witherington offers pastoral guidance and correctives for both baptismal practices so that the fuller goals for Christian baptism will be achieved in the lives of all disciples. His focus on "spirit baptism" and on the internal work of God that truly affects salvation provides an important lever by means of which to put "water baptism" back into proper perspective. --David A. deSilva, Trustees' Professor of New Testament and Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary

About the Author

Ben Witherington, III (Ph.D. University of Durham) is Professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary and the author of more than 20 books, including The Problem of Evangelical Theology (Baylor University Press 2005).

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Baylor University Press (May 30, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 135 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1602580049
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1602580046
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 3.9 out of 5 stars 6 ratings

Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 out of 5
6 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Stacy S. Long
5.0 out of 5 stars fair debate
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2013
Verified Purchase
I bought this to settle a dispute with my fiancee since we were raised in churches that disagreed on when children should be baptized. Witherington does not settle the question. Instead he takes a topic and points out how scholars on both sides view it. While we haven't settled our dispute, we have both gained knowledge of the precedents for each other's views.
2 people found this helpful
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denny
3.0 out of 5 stars It sure took a while to get there.
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2013
Verified Purchase
I have been doing a lot of research on baptism. My path has lead me to all sorts of writers. This writer was of great interest because he is a professor at Asbury Seminary. Methodists seem to run from baptism. While there might be some worth while material in it, you will work to find it. It seems like he can not make up his mind on infant baptism and a few other points. In the end he finally gets it right, but you have to root deep other wise. Because of his approach, and that he was frustrating at times to follow, I take two stars. Other then that, his conclusion, when he gets there, seems right.
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Paul Manata
4.0 out of 5 stars Small Package Packs Punch
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2007
Verified Purchase
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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R. Gore
2.0 out of 5 stars Could be much better
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2008
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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jdb
4.0 out of 5 stars Turbulant Waters, but Clear in the End...
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2014
Ben Witherington chose a great title for his book, Troubled Waters. I do not know if it was intended, but the book was not the easiest read for me. I am very familiar with Ben’s other works and I’m a great fan of his writing and his brilliance. I believe he is considered one of the preeminent Bible scholars of our age, but sometimes his efforts can be somewhat confusing for me. This was one of those times. I will admit that the conclusion of the book, chapter eight, was extremely helpful in bringing resolution to questions and confusion. In the end, I am very glad that I worked my way through some of the difficult reading for the treat that is the postscript of the book.

Troubled Waters is about Christian baptism; specifically, Witherington addresses paedo-baptism (infant baptism), credo-baptism (believer’s baptism), and spirit-baptism. Echoing my earlier words, Witherington is a brilliant scholar and despite the short length of this book, his work is careful, meticulous, and very well reasoned (albeit somewhat confusing from a positional perspective) in presenting baptismal practices represented and debated in the Christian church.

The book opens with a presentation of details of baptism outside of the New Testament Scriptures. Illustrations and references to baptism are explored from the Old Testament Scriptures as well as the Qumran Community. It is here that Witherington shares pre-Christian church definitions and practices of Baptism, drawing connections, parallels, and distinctions. This is very helpful foundations work for this discussion.

Primary source material for Witherington’s work follows: (1)The Barth-Cullmann Debate; The Teaching of the Church Regarding Baptism, Karl Barth and Baptism in the New Testament, O. Cullmann (2) The Jeremias-Aland Debate; Infant Baptism in the First four Centuries, J. Jeremias and Did the Early Church Baptize Infants?, K. Aland. Included in this debate is also J. Jeremias’ The Origins of Infant Baptism (3) The Biblical Doctrine of Infant Baptism, P. Marcel (4) Baptism in the New Testament, G. R. Beasley-Murray (5) Infant Baptism and the Covenant of Grace, P. K. Jewett (6) Children of the Promise—The Case for Baptizing Infants, G. W. Bromiley (7) Baptism in the Holy Spirit, James Dunn. The book is well annotated with references and a Scripture index included in the final pages.

As I pointed out in my opening comments, I found the book quite confusing at times with “seesawing” commentary that, on occasion, seemed as if one paragraph would contradict another. This, I attribute to Witherington’s strict objectivity and (assumed) desire to present material in the purest form possible. This might be good or it might not be so good. It did prompt me to read very carefully and I appreciate the background information that I learned that I was previously unaware. I should also mention the context of the book was not what I expected when I originally purchased it. My perseverance paid off as I found the final chapter the mortar that cemented all of the previous building block chapters together.

I would not say this is the definitive book on the Baptism debates, but it is an excellent beginning to the conversation and the material can be trusted for being presented without bias. Troubled Waters: Rethinking the Theology of Baptism is one of three books by Ben Witherington III in a series on the primary sacraments of the church. Other titles include Making a Meal of It and The Living Word of God: Rethinking the Theology of the Bible. Bible scholar Ben Witherington is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. He is now considered one of the top evangelical scholars in the world, and is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies.
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