Word, Water, and Spirit

by John V. Fesko

Overview

"This book represents a substantial accomplishment, one that provides a useful resource for those wanting to deepen their understanding of the sacraments, particularly baptism. Reflecting a massive amount of research, against the background of an in-depth survey of various views of baptism in church history, Fesko provides an extensive exegetical and biblical-theological study of the covenantal and eschatological significance of baptism followed by systematic theological reflections on key issues like baptism as a means of grace, the efficacy of baptism, the biblical warrant for infant baptism (and against paedocommunion) and the importance of baptism for the church. One need not agree with his reflections at every point to benefit from his considerable labors." - Richard B. Gaffin, Jr., Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary

Table of Contents:

Part I: The History of the Doctrine

Chapter 1: Baptism in the Patristic Age, Middle Ages, and Counter Reformation

Chapter 2: Baptism in Luther and Lutheranism

Chapter 3: Baptism in Zwingli and the Anabaptists

Chapter 4: Baptism in the Reformed Tradition

Chapter 5: Baptism in Early Orthodox Reformed Theology

Chapter 6: Baptism in High Orthodox Reformed Theology

Chapter 7: Baptism in Modern Theology

Part II: Biblical-Theological Survey of the Doctrine

Chapter 8: Baptism as New Creation

Chapter 9: Baptism as Covenant Judgment

Chapter 10: Baptism as Eschatological Judgment

Part III: Systematic-Theological Construction of the Doctrine

Chapter 11: Baptism as a Means of Grace

Chapter 12: Baptism as a Sacrament

Chapter 13: Baptism Proper

Chapter 14: Baptism and Its Recipients

Chapter 15: Baptism and Ecclesiology

Product Details

BN ID:	2940016396279
Publisher:	Reformation Heritage Books
Publication date:	02/11/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	455
File size:	756 KB

About the Author

John V. Fesko is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and is also academic dean and associate professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary California.

Editorial Reviews

Wonderfully Reformed . . . John Fesko shows the fruitfulness of reflecting on baptism as a marvelously robust doctrinal statement. He is to be commended for his first rate, deep theological thought on the core sacrament of our faith.

Presiding Bishop The United Methodist Church, Birmingham Area North Alabama Conference - William H. Willimon

John V. Fesko's Word, Water, and Spirit is a major work that both models how to do theology by moving from historical theology to biblical and systematic theology and, most importantly, presents fresh insights for a Reformed understanding of baptism. Fesko's fair-minded, page-turning history of the doctrine of baptism is itself worth the price of the book.

Endorsement - Joel Beeke

On a wide-ranging canvas and with bold strokes, J. V. Fesko gives us a study of baptism which joins a treasury of theological citations with strong theological insights. This is a valuable work for its mastery of primary sources as well as its clear articulation of the covenantal dimensions which give a Reformed theology of baptism such power and purpose for Christian believers.

Endorsement - Donald McKim