Friday, August 31, 2007
Style Over Substance
During his vacation, Justin Taylor had several guest bloggers. One of them, Colin Hansen, points to some videos instructing people on baptism. Chuck contrasts the styles, and he has a point, but I am really worried about the use of video in baptismal instruction - period.
I cannot help but think that a video reduces baptism to the purely ceremonial, devoid of actual life-changing content. Baptism is indeed symbolic, but it should be symbolic more of the change in the person being baptized than anything else.
I am sure some of you are sniggering because as a Presbyterian, I accept infant baptism and how could an infant be so tested? Well, you are right, an infant can't be, but the video is about adult baptism and even we Presbyterians have some pretty strict standards for adult baptism, when they are enforced.
Think about going to a movie. How many times have you found yourself in a movie, deeply moved by what was on the screen, only to be out at the restaurant an hour later, laughing and carrying on, the emotional impact of the movie lost. Is that really what we want for our sacramental activities? Are they supposed to be put on and taken off like an overcoat?
Life change that is permanent and deep happens in relationship, not in by viewing video. Style notwithstanding, the very use of video trivalizes a decidedly non-trivial activity. People, in relationship, make impact that presentation simply cannot.
I cannot help but think that a video reduces baptism to the purely ceremonial, devoid of actual life-changing content. Baptism is indeed symbolic, but it should be symbolic more of the change in the person being baptized than anything else.
Col 2:9-12 - For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. [emphasis added]Baptism symbolizes our own spritual death and resurrection - should we not be somehow tested to see if we are indeed willing to lay ourselves down with Christ.
I am sure some of you are sniggering because as a Presbyterian, I accept infant baptism and how could an infant be so tested? Well, you are right, an infant can't be, but the video is about adult baptism and even we Presbyterians have some pretty strict standards for adult baptism, when they are enforced.
Think about going to a movie. How many times have you found yourself in a movie, deeply moved by what was on the screen, only to be out at the restaurant an hour later, laughing and carrying on, the emotional impact of the movie lost. Is that really what we want for our sacramental activities? Are they supposed to be put on and taken off like an overcoat?
Life change that is permanent and deep happens in relationship, not in by viewing video. Style notwithstanding, the very use of video trivalizes a decidedly non-trivial activity. People, in relationship, make impact that presentation simply cannot.
