This article is a foray into systematic theology. Who are we? Or better, where we created perfect or imperfect, complete or incomplete, graced or un-graced? As a Catholic, baptised 2 weeks after birth, I came to find out that the main reason I was baptised was so that original sin could be removed. That sounded like I was born with some congenital virus for which I had to wait for the vaccine of baptism. After many years of studying and teaching theology I came to the conclusion that I was created incomplete but capable of evolving. I was born into an incomplete world still revolving. It is through the dual lenses of what I call essenceless creation and theistic existentialism, I wade into the infant baptism versus adult baptism debate. I argue that this is a non-controversy. At whatever age you sign up or your parents sign you up in a faith community matters not as what you make of that membership. I beg to differ with prominent fellow Catholic, Mary McAleese, former president of Ireland who argued that infant baptism was equivalent to “infant conscripts who are held to lifelong obligations of obedience.” Original sin is not helpful in the infant baptism versus adult baptism debate. It gives fuel to Richard Dawkins’ god, if he had one, but instead it is more accurate to describe this as his caricature of the Jewish god, a god who is jealous, petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak, vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser, misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent, a god who would demand his pound of flesh from an innocent child for a sin committed by Adam and Eve.
Table of Contents
Introduction
A Little Lesson in History from the Bible
So, Why Baptise Children Today?
What would Richard Dawkins say about Infant Baptism?
Infant Baptism and Human Rights
Infant Baptism Versus Adult Baptism and the Newer Denominations
Why Catholics continue to baptise babies
Help from Essenceless Creation and Theistic Existentialism
Let’s keep original sin out of Baptism
Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to examine the ongoing theological controversy surrounding infant versus adult baptism, arguing that it is essentially a non-controversy when viewed through the lenses of existentialism and historical context rather than strict original sin doctrines.
- The historical development of baptismal rites and their origins in purification rituals.
- The theological critique of baptism as a mechanism for the removal of original sin.
- Perspectives on the human rights implications and the secular critique of religious indoctrination.
- The application of "essenceless creation" and "theistic existentialism" to understand the Christian path.
- The Catholic rationale for infant baptism as a foundational rite of passage.
Excerpt from the Book
Help from Essenceless Creation and Theistic Existentialism
There is something wise in the child’s Sunday School’s answer to the question, “Who made you?” She was unhappy to stop at “God me” and added “God made me little and I grew the rest myself.” There is something in all of us which tells us that we came out the complete package, materially and spiritually. All we needed was nurture. If this is the case, where do geniuses and murderers come from, often from the same womb? My point is that we were created with a non-determined essence, much like a tabula rasa, which could go either way depending on the nurture we received. Another way of saying this is that we were created incomplete. Through evolution, God and humanity would complete the rest. This is what I mean by essenceless creation. If we were born spiritually incomplete, it follows then that whatever original sin meant had nothing to do with the sin of our first parents but with the fact all creation is incomplete. If we were born spiritually pure, surely the psalmist cannot say “Surely, I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51.5 NRSV) as I noted above, unless he was using hyperbole to make the point that none of us comes into a perfect world.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: The author presents a personal reflection on the tension between Paedobaptists and Credobaptists while introducing existentialist concepts as a way to reframe the baptismal debate.
A Little Lesson in History from the Bible: This section explores the historical origins of baptism, noting the lack of specific biblical mandates for infant baptism and its roots in Jewish purification practices.
So, Why Baptise Children Today?: The author discusses the covenantal arguments for infant baptism and critiques the reliance on original sin as the primary justification for the practice.
What would Richard Dawkins say about Infant Baptism?: An exploration of how a prominent atheist might view the baptism of children as a form of indoctrination or "child abuse."
Infant Baptism and Human Rights: This chapter analyzes the intersection of religious practice and civil rights, citing concerns about imposing life-long religious obligations on infants.
Infant Baptism Versus Adult Baptism and the Newer Denominations: A look at how various Christian traditions interpret baptism, highlighting the divide between conservative, literarist approaches and more nuanced views.
Why Catholics continue to baptise babies: The author outlines the Catholic perspective on baptism as a significant rite of passage that facilitates a lifelong journey of faith.
Help from Essenceless Creation and Theistic Existentialism: An introduction to philosophical concepts of incomplete creation as an alternative framework for understanding human spiritual development.
Let’s keep original sin out of Baptism: The author argues for decoupling the concept of original sin from the practice of baptism, focusing instead on the potential for growth toward the "Omega Point."
Conclusion: A synthesis of the arguments presented, suggesting that baptism should be viewed as a celebratory expression of the human-God relationship rather than a necessary condition for salvation.
Keywords
Infant Baptism, Adult Baptism, Paedobaptism, Credobaptism, Richard Dawkins, Original Sin, Theistic Existentialism, Essenceless Creation, Catholic Theology, Human Rights, Indoctrination, Rite of Passage, Christian Faith, Sacraments, Omega Point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The work examines the debate between infant baptism (Paedobaptism) and adult baptism (Credobaptism), questioning the necessity of the practice and its theological justifications.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Central themes include the history of Christian sacraments, the influence of philosophical existentialism on theology, the critique of original sin, and the secular view of baptism as religious indoctrination.
What is the author's main research goal?
The author aims to demonstrate that the controversy between infant and adult baptism is largely unnecessary and suggests a shift in focus toward baptism as a rite of passage rather than a salvific requirement.
Which scientific or theological methods are applied?
The author employs a combination of biblical exegesis, historical analysis of Christian traditions, and the application of philosophical frameworks like theistic existentialism and Teilhard de Chardin's evolutionary theology.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body covers historical biblical origins, the intersection of baptism with human rights, the perspectives of atheist critics like Richard Dawkins, and the specific reasons why the Catholic Church maintains infant baptism.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Infant Baptism, Theistic Existentialism, Original Sin, Catholic Theology, and religious indoctrination.
How does the author interpret the concept of "essenceless creation"?
The author uses this term to argue that humans are created incomplete and evolve spiritually and materially, suggesting that original sin is not an inherited stain but a result of this inherent incompleteness.
Why does the author suggest moving away from the concept of original sin in baptism?
The author argues that linking baptism to the removal of original sin provides fuel for secular critics like Richard Dawkins and contradicts the idea of an evolving, "Imago Dei" nature.
What is the author's stance on the human rights concerns regarding infant baptism?
The author acknowledges the perspective that baptism could be seen as an unwanted obligation but suggests that this view often ignores the broader context of how parents socialize their children in many other life aspects.
- Citation du texte
- Dr. Tarcisius Mukuka (Auteur), 2020, The Infant Baptism vs. Adult Baptism Debate. The Perspective of Richard Dawkins, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/976023
