Matt Waymeyer has constructed a tour de
force in the debate between paedobaptists (those who hold to infant
baptism) and credobaptists (those who hold to believer baptism).
Careful argumentation, careful exegesis, and excellent documentation
define his contribution to the debate. If it were possible to
characterize the sum of his arguments in a single sentence, it might
be this one, which appears in the book’s final paragraph: “In the
end, it appears that the paedobaptist interpretation of these various
passages assumes the view that it must first demonstrate.”
[130-131]
Waymeyer is irenic in his polemic,
which is refreshing. He considers his debate opponents to be valued
members of God’s family and treats them that way. This is in sharp
contrast to how some others have carried on the debate. I love
Calvin’s Institutes, but Calvin’s treatment of this issue
is far more heavily weighted with invective and insult than any
genuine attempt at exegesis. Waymeyer does not fall into that trap.
The first chapter explores the absence
in the New Testament of any command to baptize infants, a remarkable
observation when you consider the importance paedobaptists attach to
the rite. The second chapter details the fact that, contrary to
claim, there simply is no clear example in the NT of infants being
baptized.
Waymeyer marches through Acts 2:39, 1
Corinthians 7:14, Mark 10:13-16, and Ephesians 6:1 in chapter 3,
demonstrating that these texts do not support the paedobaptist
position. Heavily footnoted, the chapter interacts with the writings
and interpretations of both sides.
Paedobaptists claim that baptism is the
new circumcision and demonstrates the continuity between the old and
new covenants. This replacement is the keystone of the paedobaptist
argument. Waymeyer deals with this in chapter 4. His careful
consideration of Genesis 17:10-14, Romans 4:11-12, Colossians
2:11-12, and Acts 15:1-29 yields solid exegetical reasons as to why
the paedobaptist position is extremely unlikely if not impossible to
maintain. He concludes, “Not only does no single passage of
Scripture teach this kind of replacement, but an overall comparison
of the two rites yields a degree of discontinuity that completely
undermines the case for infant baptism.” [71-72]
Chapter 5 (“The Discontinuity of
Redemptive History”) explores the divide between the two positions
in theological terms, the paedobaptists seeing significant continuity
and their opponents seeing a significant discontinuity between the
New and Old Testaments. Waymeyer examines the newness of the New
Covenant and the nature of the New Testament Church, as contrasted
with OT Israel.
Finally, the author wraps up his
argument by taking a close look at the rite of baptism itself. In
particular, Waymeyer investigates Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:38, 1
Corinthians 1:13-15, and 1 Peter 3:21. He concludes, “The notions
associated with the ordinance of baptism—such as repentance, faith,
discipleship, and calling on the Lord for salvation—are of such a
nature that they involve conscious intelligent understanding, and for
this reason, infants should not be baptized.” [109]
Waymeyer offers an appendix (“The
Newness of the New Covenant Revisited”) which deals with
substantial points, such as the meaning of the “knowledge of God”
in Jeremiah 31:34, “covenant breakers” in the church, Hebrews
10:26-31, etc. This appendix is, like the rest of the book, well
worth the time.
A short read (131 pages), Biblical
Critique nonetheless contains a comprehensive look at the debate
between the two opposing sides. Waymeyer has compiled the best
arguments of each respective position and dealt with them in an
exegetically detailed and theologically responsible way. No matter
which side of the debate the reader finds himself on, Biblical
Critique is an important contribution to the ongoing discussion.
Five stars, highly recommended.
