By John R. Tyler

The post-denominational age that is characterized by a lack of denominational loyalty has presented a new challenge to Baptist churches.  Many individuals now seeking membership in Baptist Churches were raised in other theological traditions that practice infant baptism.  John Tyler, a lay-member of Kirkwood Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri, and a former moderator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, has written a useful tool to help introduce Baptists to this complicated conversation.  Tyler recognizes the vast literature that exists on the subject of baptism and membership but does not believe the academic literature is accessible for laypeople.  The author’s expressed hope is that his work will serve as “a resource primarily to Baptist laypeople” (p. ix).

The book begins with the author’s justification for the work as he contends the post-denominational and Postmodern age have effectively interrupted Baptist life so that “Things Aren’t What They Used to Be” (p. 3).  Before addressing the issue of whether Baptists should rebaptize Christians from other denominations, Tyler first looks to the Bible and then church history in order to provide an introduction to the development of baptismal theology and practice.  Recognizing the significance of the baptismal event, Tyler then asks the stimulating question, “How Can We Bring Renewed Vitality to Baptism?”  The section includes personal reflections from Tyler regarding preparing candidates for baptism and for the baptism service itself.

In the final section of the work, “Should We Rebaptize Christians from Other Denominations?,” Tyler present four statements from Baptist churches in North Carolina justifying their decisions to admit members who have not experienced believer’s baptism.  The statements were made as a result of a resolution affirming believer’s baptism by immersion as a requirement for membership that was adopted at the 1972 annual meeting of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.  Eleven churches responded to the resolution and defended their practice of admitting members who did not experience believer’s baptism.  Tyler provides selections of statements from four of the eleven congregations.  The inclusion of the statements initially seemed inappropriate considering they were adopted thirty years ago; however, the situation in which they were written provides helpful context for the modern reader.

Tyler rightly points out that Baptist polity prevents the conversation regarding baptism and membership from being held at the denominational level and must occur within each local congregation.  The forma of the book works well for individual, small group, or congregational reflection as each chapter concludes with discussion questions, and the appendix includes a group covenant that can be used by a congregational study group.  The appendix also includes a liturgy for baptism and a useful collection of statements on the church and baptism from a variety of Baptist confessions and organizations including the Council of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland and the Baptist World Alliance.

Recognizing that the rules and regulations governing membership are controlled by each Baptist congregation, Tyler provides a useful tool that can assist individuals and congregations alike as they address this ever-growing challenge prompted by the post=denominational reality in which Baptist churches now exist.

—Scott E. Bryant
Baylor University
Waco, TX