Diary of a Theologian

 In the present state of the church, every Episcopalian should hold the Prayer Book close, and a good place to start is with Holy Baptism. The 1979 Book puts Baptism as the first of the sacraments. It begins on page 299, prior to Communion. This teaches us that Baptism is the beginning of Christian life. Throughout the Prayer Book, Baptism is emphasized as fundamental to being a Christian. But what is Baptism?
    On page 298 we get the definition: it is “full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church.” Baptism is an “initiation,” a beginning (initial) moment whereby we join the Church which is the Body of Christ.
    Why does the Book say it is “full” initiation? Because there is no other sacramental rite needed to become a member of the Body of Christ. That means that all the baptized are fundamentally equal in the Body. We have no junior members. Those who are confirmed are not more fully a part of the Body. Neither are the clergy more fully Christian than any other baptized people. Baptism is the biggest thing that ever happens to you, sacramentally speaking.
    Some decades ago, a priest told me of an encounter he happened to witness. It was at the reception following the ordination of a bishop. When a bishop is ordained, it is a huge ceremony. Lots of other bishops are there, lots of clergy, a crowd that overflows. The music will be grand, and the service itself might take two or even three hours. What this priest saw at the reception was this new bishop’s wife come up to him and give him a hug. “Well, dear,” she said, “that was big. [pause] But baptism is bigger.”
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    The Prayer Book sets out Communion as part of Baptism. I have heard it said that Holy Communion is the repeatable part of the baptismal service. Baptism itself, however, is once for all. We see that also on page 298: “The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble.”
    This does not mean that a baptized person is unable to renounce her faith or turn away from God. It means, rather, that God will stick with her nonetheless. And if she returns to faith later in life, she will not be baptized again.
    In the Episcopal Church, we recognize Baptism done by any Christian (not necessarily ordained), in any situation, as being Baptism. If you have been baptized with water and in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, you will not be baptized again should you come to join the Episcopal Church.
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    Although a large majority of baptisms are of infants or young children, the normative case is Baptism of an adult. This is made clear in subtle ways. For instance, at the presentation of the candidates (page 301), adults and children who are able to speak for themselves go first. They are asked if they desire to be baptized. All baptism candidates have sponsors, but for younger children they are called godparents and have particular promises they make.
    Adult Baptism is normative because it makes clear that in the fullest sense, Baptism is God’s binding himself to us in faith, and adults are able to speak affirmations of faith (pages 302–305). But of course, none of us ever has fullness of faith. And we do not want children in Christian homes to grow up on the outside of the faith. Most of all, Baptism is God’s work, not ours; it is (to quote page 298 again) a bond “which God establishes.” Hence we have never excluded children from this sacrament.
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    Dear reader, if you would be guided by me, take out your Book of Common Prayer (a physical book!) and read pages 298–314. If you don’t have a copy, there are many online. I like the “personal” size, in that it is easier to carry around. You might also look at leather-bound copies that often use thinner paper and have flexible bindings. I notice that www.christianbook.com has copies (as they also have my Friendship and Losing Susan, the latter for 49 cents).
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    Out & About. This Sunday, February 6, I am to preach at Incarnation in Dallas at the traditional services, which are at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 a.m.
    Also on Sunday, February 6—at 5 p.m.—the Good Books & Good Talk seminar will turn to “Philoctetes,” Sophocles’s next-to-last play, first performed about 2,431 years ago. It is surprisingly modern. Can deception play a role in friendship? Everyone is welcome—if you haven’t read the play we ask that you just listen and don’t talk, but you have time to read it (less than 1500 lines). You can find some complete translations online (as well as plot summaries, etc.); try searching “philoctetes sophocles pdf.”
    Sunday, February 13, at 4 p.m., I am looking forward to returning to St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Dallas to talk about my book, Friendship: The Heart of Being Human.
    On the Web. I was asked to write a web article on the feast of the Presentation (Feb. 2) that was to be posted on that day at www.firstthings.com .