Dimensions of Baptism Biblical and Theological Studies

INTRODUCTION:

BAPTISM—AN ONGOING DEBATE

Stanley E. Porter and Anthony R. Cross

In the two years since the publication of Baptism, the New Testament and

the Church^1 there is little sign that interest in baptism and the broader

discussion of Christian initiation is abating.^2 As well as articles in journals

and Festschriften, books and monographs continue to appear on the

subject and related themes. These take the form of biblical, historical-

theological, denominational, liturgical and ecumenical studies.^3 All these

1. S.E. Porter and A.R. Cross (eds.), Baptism, the New Testament and the Church:
   Historical and Contemporary Studies in Honour ofR.E.O. White (JSNTSup, 171;
   Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999).


2. For a list of the major major books up to 1998-99, see S.E. Porter and A.R.
   Cross, 'Introduction: Baptism in Recent Debate', in Porter and Cross (eds.), Baptism,
   p. 36 n. 18. To supplement this list the following major books should be noted: D.N.
   Power, Irenaeus of Lyons on Baptism and Eucharist: Selected Texts (Bramcote: Grove,
   1991); J.C. Thomas, Footwashing in John 13 and the Johannine Community (JSNTSup,
   61; Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1991); E.F. Ferguson (ed.), Conversion, Catechumenate,
   and Baptism in the Early Church (SEC, 11; New York: Garland, 1993); S.A. Stauffer,
   On Baptismal Fonts: Ancient and Modern (Bramcote: Grove, 1994); J.D. Trigg, Bap-
   tism in the Theology of Martin Luther (Leiden: EJ. Brill, 1994); D.M. Albertin, It's a
   Matter of Faith and Life, I. A Catechism Companion: Baptism, Confession, Absolution,
   the Office of the Keys, and Holy Communion (Lima, OH: CSS Publishing, 1997); T.M.
   Finn, From Death to Rebirth: Ritual and Conversion in Antiquity (New York: Paulist
   Press, 1997); B.D. Chilton, Jesus 'Baptism and Jesus 'Healing: His Personal Practice
   of Spirituality (Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 1998).


3. S. Agersnap, Baptism and the New Life: A Study of Romans 6.1-14 (Aarhus:
   Aarhus University Press; Oxford: Alden Press, 1999); C. Alule, Baptism and Faith:
   Their Relationship in our Salvific Encounter with God Today in the Light of the New
   Testament Baptismal Theology and Vatican II Sacramental Theology (EUS, 23/700;
   Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang, 2000); T.F. Best and D. Heller (eds.), Becoming a
   Christian: The Ecumenical Implications of Our Common Baptism (F&O Paper, p. 184;
   Geneva: WCC, 1999); G. Byer, Charlemagne and Baptism (International Scholars