Product Description

Baptism in the Early Church: History, Theology, and Liturgy in the First Five Centuries

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28719 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 912 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780802827487
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Customer Reviews

A Magisterial Study
From the jacket:

"This magisterial study is a comprehensive survey of the doctrine and practice of baptism in the first five centuries of Christian history, arranged geographically within chronological periods. ... The book deals primarily with with the literary sources, though it also gives attention to depictions of baptism, (primarily of Jesus)in various art forms and to the surviving baptismal fonts.

Ferguson's thorough study points to the central importance of baptism in the early church. Many blessings were attributed to baptism, but the two earliest and most consistently mentioned are forgiveness of sins and the reception of the Holy Spirit; faith and repentance were necessary in order to receive these benefits. ... full immersion was the normal practice, and the evidence from art is consistent with this interpretation."

This work is massive and detailed. A discussion of Gregory of Nazianzus's famous Orations on baptism circa 380 support the conclusions of the jacket cover, that baptism was often delayed until adolescence or adulthood or later. Gregory urges congregants not to put off baptism and most typically refers to it as 'regeneration.' Thus with Gregory in the East and Augustine in the West during the Pelagian controvery infant baptism became normative for the early church of the fifth century.

Great Book at a Terrific Price! What a Value!!
Book was sent promptly, packaged well, in perfect condition and all done well before the promised date! Awesome Job!