KEARSLEY Baptism Then and Now 245
The paradox of freedom and ethic surfaces again in the setting of the
Church. Relationships of privilege and dependency dominate in the world.
But these are distortions of true relationships as seen in the Trinity. They
must come to an end in the Church, for the 'brotherly community of Christ
demonstrates the kingdom of God and the freedom of the Spirit through
one intentional alternative lifestyle of the community'.^30 This is the
Christian calling marked out by baptism. For Moltmann links spiritual re-birth to baptism and calling.^31 'Calling' answers the question: what is re-
birth for? Its goal is to live from the kingdom (rule) of God—a rule which
is still to come.^32 There is indeed a 'surplus of hope' but also a life of 'dis-
cipleship, trials and perils' even if yet accompanied by 'signs and won-
ders'.^33 There is joy and hope, true, but also 'perseverance to the end'.^34
Moreover, 'When a person is called, whatever he is and brings with himbecomes a charisma, through his calling, since it is accepted by the Spirit
and put at the service of the kingdom of God'.^35
Baptism and Freedom
The calling, then, involves charismata 'put at the service of the liberating
God'.^36 However, it implies another charism altogether. It is a calling to
share in messianic suffering:Insofar as Christians live from the self-offering of Christ for the many and
offer their own lives for this reason, they partake in the priestly sufferings
of Christ. Insofar as Christians struggle and endure the lordship of Christ,
they partake in his condition as servant.^37But now we are getting very close to Tertullian's spirit and his approach to
baptism. We are brought back to paradox. For Moltmann, we should bid
the patristic monarchia farewell, yet God rules. Being God's servants sets- Moltmann, The Open Church, p. 119.
- J. Moltmann, The Spirit of Life: A Universal Affirmation (Philadelphia: Fortress
Press, 1992), pp. 151-57. - Moltmann, The Spirit of Life, pp. 151-52.
- Moltmann, The Spirit of Life, p. 152.
- Moltmann, The Spirit of Life, p. 156.
- Moltmann, The Spirit of Life, p. 182.
- Moltmann, The Spirit of Life, p. 183.
- J. Moltmann, 'The Ecumenical Church under the Cross', Theology Digest
(1976), pp. 381-89(387).