I love baptisms. They are so moving and powerful. And, as you know, from a historic/ancient perspective baptism has always been very intergral to the pointing of a life toward Christ and away from sin.
Though I continue to be convinced that faith and conversion is a day by process…baptism is an undenible moment of decision. Cool.
An after thought as I hit the submit button…there are other pivotal moments in life that are significant such as birth, marriage, death etc. I think of baptism thusly. They all puntuate our lives and give them meaning. It is all significant in the dream of God.
Btw, thanks for sharing. Positively gorgeous. Wish I had been there.
Was reading and “reflecting” (I’m thinking of your txt message while I was in Gisbourne at this point)on “boundaries” – we often talk of church as being about nurturing and honoring an individual’s journey toward Jesus – the “centre” of an “unbounded set” i.e. an inclusive set with no boundaries – all are “in” because we honor the often unseen work of the Spirit, inviting and beckoning all on a journey toward Jesus as “gospel.” We don’t want to pass judgement on who’s “in” and whose “out”. We acknowledge that there are those who are “in” who may in fact be going through the motions while in fact journeying away from Jesus; and then there are those who are not “going through the Christian motions” (i.e. doing what we expect of people who “go” to church)…we suspect that they are “out” by virtue of their not saying and doing the “right” things that would indicate a journey toward Jesus. There is wisdom and truth in the model of church as an “unbounded set” – all are invited to avail themselves of God’s hospitality. BUT there is also the sense that there is a boundary – not ascent to statement of beliefs or “right” doctinal belieft and understanding, BUT rather a sacramental boundary – the sacrament of baptism – through which one who was “dead” becomes alive in Christ – alive to a new way of living in relation to God and neigbour, in relation to this world – the sleeper awakes. It really struck me, there IS a boundary, and their needs to be a boundary…a way of marking new beginnings, possibilities, and new ways of belonging in communion with diverse others. Baptism needs to be honored as a “border crossing” – once we were not “a people” now through baptism we are “the people of God” with all that that entails…the benefits and the responsibilities…
hmmm paul, i have always framed baptism in terms of journey within a “centred set” – I don’t see it as a boundary. I often use the image of asking my wife to marry me and so the wedding is a public celebration, in community, of a growing love. And so baptism is a communal noting of Gods’ growing love.
Now I guess that the wedding is a boundary item, yet for me it remains a step on a life-long journey. The point of getting married is to grow old with my wife.
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I love baptisms. They are so moving and powerful. And, as you know, from a historic/ancient perspective baptism has always been very intergral to the pointing of a life toward Christ and away from sin.
Though I continue to be convinced that faith and conversion is a day by process…baptism is an undenible moment of decision. Cool.
Comment by Rich — November 20, 2004 @ 12:13 pm
An after thought as I hit the submit button…there are other pivotal moments in life that are significant such as birth, marriage, death etc. I think of baptism thusly. They all puntuate our lives and give them meaning. It is all significant in the dream of God.
Btw, thanks for sharing. Positively gorgeous. Wish I had been there.
Comment by Rich — November 20, 2004 @ 12:15 pm
Was reading and “reflecting” (I’m thinking of your txt message while I was in Gisbourne at this point)on “boundaries” – we often talk of church as being about nurturing and honoring an individual’s journey toward Jesus – the “centre” of an “unbounded set” i.e. an inclusive set with no boundaries – all are “in” because we honor the often unseen work of the Spirit, inviting and beckoning all on a journey toward Jesus as “gospel.” We don’t want to pass judgement on who’s “in” and whose “out”. We acknowledge that there are those who are “in” who may in fact be going through the motions while in fact journeying away from Jesus; and then there are those who are not “going through the Christian motions” (i.e. doing what we expect of people who “go” to church)…we suspect that they are “out” by virtue of their not saying and doing the “right” things that would indicate a journey toward Jesus. There is wisdom and truth in the model of church as an “unbounded set” – all are invited to avail themselves of God’s hospitality. BUT there is also the sense that there is a boundary – not ascent to statement of beliefs or “right” doctinal belieft and understanding, BUT rather a sacramental boundary – the sacrament of baptism – through which one who was “dead” becomes alive in Christ – alive to a new way of living in relation to God and neigbour, in relation to this world – the sleeper awakes. It really struck me, there IS a boundary, and their needs to be a boundary…a way of marking new beginnings, possibilities, and new ways of belonging in communion with diverse others. Baptism needs to be honored as a “border crossing” – once we were not “a people” now through baptism we are “the people of God” with all that that entails…the benefits and the responsibilities…
Comment by Paul Fromont — November 21, 2004 @ 9:10 am
hmmm paul, i have always framed baptism in terms of journey within a “centred set” – I don’t see it as a boundary. I often use the image of asking my wife to marry me and so the wedding is a public celebration, in community, of a growing love. And so baptism is a communal noting of Gods’ growing love.
Now I guess that the wedding is a boundary item, yet for me it remains a step on a life-long journey. The point of getting married is to grow old with my wife.
Comment by steve — November 21, 2004 @ 9:05 pm