Reformation and Modern Rituals and Theologies of Baptism From Luther to Contemporary Practices Liturgy, Worship and Society Series

Presenting a comprehensive survey of the historical underpinnings of baptismal liturgies and theologies, Bryan Spinks presents an ecumenically and geographically wide-ranging survey and discussion of contemporary baptismal rites, practice and reflection, and sacramental theology. Writing within a clear chronological framework, Bryan Spinks presents two simultaneous volumes on Baptismal Liturgy and Theology. Early and Medieval Rituals and Theologies of Baptism summarizes the understandings of baptism in the New Testament and the development of baptismal reflection and liturgical rites throughout Syrian, Egyptian, Roman and African regions. In this second volume, Reformation and Modern Rituals and Theologies of Baptism, Spinks traces developments through the Reformation, liturgies in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and explores important new ecumenical perspectives on developments of twentieth-century sacramental discussion. Present practices of Baptist, Amish, as well as Methodist, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed and Anglican denominations are also examined.

Contents: Introduction. Part I Divergent Rivers: Luther and the Lutheran tradition; The Reformed tradition: from Ulrich Zwingli to Eugène Bersier; The Anglican tradition: from Thomas Cranmer to F.D. Maurice; The radical Reformation tradition: Anabaptists, English Separatists, Baptists and Quakers; Some new churches of the 18th and 19th centuries. Part II Converging Streams: Cross-currents: some baptismal theologies of the 20th century; Tidal marks: some contemporary baptismal rites; Some reflections on the waters. Appendices; Bibliography; Index.

Bryan D. Spinks is Goddard Professor of Liturgical Studies and Pastoral Theology at Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale Divinity School, USA