20 Days with Reformation Theology: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, by Aaron Clay Denlinger and Keith A. Mathison
It’s October and the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation is underway! For the next 20 days Credo Magazine will be highlighting chapters (one a day) from the new Crossway book Reformation Theology: A Systematic Summary, edited by Matthew Barrett.
Today we highlight two chapters:
Baptism, by Aaron Clay Denlinger
Aaron Denlinger is Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Fla. Aaron earned his MAT from Westminster Seminary California (‘04) and his PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen (‘09), where he served as Teaching Fellow in Church History. He is the editor of Reformed Orthodoxy in Scotland: Essays on Scottish Theology c1570-c1750 and Omnes in Adam ex pacto Dei, a study in early modern Reformed thought on the covenant of works and original sin.
What is Aaron Denlinger’s chapter about?
This chapter explores differences over baptism—its nature, its efficacy, and its proper recipients—which came to define Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Anabaptist identities over against one another in the Reformation period. Attention is given first of all to Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli, first-generation Reformers who jointly criticized Rome’s particular understanding of baptismal efficacy, but expressed very different understandings of the sacrament. While Luther maintained that baptism is principally a divine word of promise which, when coupled with faith, communicates the spiritual realities it signifies, Zwingli recognized baptism as principally a human word of commitment which solely signifies the saving benefits of Christ’s work. The Anabaptist insistence that baptism be administered only to mature individuals upon profession of their intention to follow Christ, as well as Luther and Zwingli’s respective responses to such teaching, is then explored. The efforts of second-generation Reformers such as John Calvin and Heinrich Bullinger to achieve a Protestant consensus on baptism and to stem the tide of Anabaptism are subsequently noted. Despite similarities in these Reformed thinkers’ arguments in favor of paedobaptism, fundamental disagreement persisted between Calvin, who—like Luther—recognized baptism as an instrument under certain terms of the realities it signifies, and Bullinger, who maintained that baptism signifies and seals God’s saving promises to believers without communicating saving realities to them. A final section of this chapter explores early modern confessional statements which both clarified various baptismal perspectives and solidified disagreement between Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed, and Baptistic identities on the sacrament.
The Lord’s Supper, by Keith A. Mathison
Dr. Keith A. Mathison is Professor of systematic theology at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Fla. He is author of many books, including The Shape of Sola Scriptura, Given for You: Reclaiming Calvin’s Doctrine of the Lord’s Supper, and From Age to Age: The Unfolding of Biblical Eschatology.
What is Keith Mathison’s chapter about?
The sixteenth century debates over the nature of the Lord’s Supper resulted in divisions that exist to this day. The Reformers agreed that the Roman Catholic doctrine, which understood the Supper as a representation or repetition of Christ’s sacrifice was unbiblical. They also agreed in their rejection of the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. When pressed to provide their own explanation of the presence of Christ in the Supper, however, they were unable to come to agreement.
Martin Luther insisted that Christ’s words, “This is my body” mean that the bread is his body. Andreas Karlstadt, Huldrych Zwingli, Johannes Oecolampadius, and others disagreed, arguing that Christ’s words must be understood symbolically. The disagreement resulted in a lengthy and bitter controversy. Through the efforts of Martin Bucer, who eventually took a somewhat mediating position, a modicum of peace was achieved with the Wittenberg Concord of 1536.
When Bucer’s protégé John Calvin, and Zwingli’s younger colleague, Heinrich Bullinger hammered out the Zurich Consensus in 1549 a second controversy began when some Lutherans saw it as a capitulation to a wholly symbolic doctrine of the Supper. The written debates between the Reformed and the Lutherans, particularly John Calvin and Joachim Westphal, further cemented the divisions between these branches of the church. By the end of the sixteenth century, the Reformed and Lutheran Confessions, as well as the Council of Trent, had drawn the doctrinal lines that exist to this day.
Who else has contributed to Reformation Theology?
Prologue: What Are We Celebrating? Taking Stock after Five Centuries
Michael Horton
Introduction
The Crux of Genuine Reform
Matthew Barrett
Part 1: Historical Background to the Reformation
Late-Medieval Theology
Gerald Bray
The Reformers and Their Reformations
Carl R. Trueman and Eunjin Kim
Part 2: Reformation Theology
Sola Scriptura
Mark D. Thompson
The Holy Trinity
Michael Reeves
The Being and Attributes of God
Scott R. Swain
Predestination and Election
Cornelis P. Venema
Creation, Mankind, and the Image of God
Douglas F. Kelly
The Person of Christ
Robert Letham
The Work of Christ
Donald Macleod
The Holy Spirit
Graham A. Cole
Union with Christ
J. V. Fesko
The Bondage and Liberation of the Will
Matthew Barrett
Justification by Faith Alone
Korey D. Maas
Sanctification, Perseverance, and Assurance
Michael Allen
The Church
Robert Kolb
Baptism
Aaron Clay Denlinger
The Lord’s Supper
Keith A. Mathison
The Relationship of Church and State
Peter A. Lillback
Eschatology
Kim Riddlebarger
Praise for Reformation Theology?
“Dr. Barrett has gathered a full stable of blue-ribbon theologians for this winning volume. All the essays are carefully contextualized, the Reformers judiciously selected, and the bibliographies thoughtfully assembled. Some chapters are especially notable for the breadth and depth of the author’s research, others for their adroit summaries of complex themes. There is little doubt that Reformation Theology will ably serve the church and academy as a textbook for students and a reference work for scholars. It is already reshaping my own teaching on late-medieval and early-modern theology, and I commend it heartily.”
Chad Van Dixhoorn, Chancellor’s Professor of Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary–Washington, DC
“This delightful volume is a breath of fresh air in Reformation studies, putting theology back at the center. It shows with crystal clarity how the Reformers expounded the heart of the Christian faith, and why these evangelical doctrines still matter so much.”
Andrew Atherstone, Latimer Research Fellow, Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford
“This rich book takes up the challenge to think beyond 2017 and does so in a very stimulating manner. Each of the contributors is an expert in his field and knows that the Reformation is a highly relevant treasure for both the church and theology. They convincingly encourage the readers to think through this treasure and adopt it. Everyone eager not just to look back at five hundred years of reformation but also to look forward finds here the perfect material.”
Herman Selderhuis, Director, Refo500; Professor and Director of the Institute for Reformation Research, Theological University Apeldoorn, the Netherlands; author, Calvin’s Theology of the Psalms
“Dr. Matthew Barrett has assembled a first-rate team of pastors and scholars to write an anniversary volume of the Reformation that promises to receive a welcoming readership across a wide spectrum of the evangelical community. At a time when some are suggesting that for all practical purposes the Reformation is ‘over,’ Barrett’s Reformation Theology offers a needed corrective by showing the relevance of the Reformation for healthy church ministry and the Christian life today.”
Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College; author, Loving the Way Jesus Loves
“This collection of essays is both necessary and appropriate. It’s necessary because the issues addressed mattered then and matter now. It’s appropriate because this is how we best remember our past and honor the Reformers. The Reformation is our pivot point in the past, and the issues it addressed remain the pivot point for church life and discipleship.”
Stephen J. Nichols, President, Reformation Bible College; Chief Academic Officer, Ligonier Ministries; author, Martin Luther: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought and The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World
“A superb collection of first-rate essays on Reformation theology—one of the best I have seen. A welcome addition to the swell of literature in this year of Reformation remembrance.”
Timothy George, founding dean, Beeson Divinity School; general editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture
“An anniversary is a great moment to do a book like Reformation Theology. And with the passing of time, Reformation truths and the importance of the Reformation as a milestone in church history get forgotten—incredible as that sounds. But it is true. Perhaps we should not be surprised. How many times in the Old Testament do we read that the Israelites ‘forgot’? So I am enthusiastic about Reformation Theology.”
David F. Wells, distinguished senior research professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; author, The Courage to Be Protestant: Truth-Lovers, Marketers and Emergents in the Postmodern World
“Matthew Barrett is certainly to be congratulated on bringing together this outstanding group of top-tier theologians and Reformation scholars to produce this wonderful resource. Not only are readers given a masterful survey of historical theology illuminating the key reformational themes of the sixteenth century, but also we are provided thoughtful and insightful guidance to wrestle with the important theological issues facing the church in the twenty-first century. I am delighted to recommend this comprehensive work.”
David S. Dockery, president, Trinity International University
“Reformation Theology promises to be an influential book indeed. Written by recognized historians and theologians, this volume aims to clearly articulate the teaching of the Reformers according to traditional theological categories. It is a genuine contribution and a great read besides.”
Fred G. Zaspel, Pastor, Reformed Baptist Church, Franconia, Pennsylvania; author, The Theology of B. B. Warfield: A Systematic Summary and Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in Light of the Gospel
“Nothing would benefit American evangelicals more than a real rediscovery of the Reformation—not a superficial regurgitation of the familiar talking points but a powerful, experiential encounter with the learned depth, wisdom, humility, piety, and practical know-how of our Reformation forefathers. A volume like the one Dr. Matthew Barrett has put together is a big step in the right direction.”
Greg Forster, Director, Oikonomia Network at the Center for Transformational Churches, Trinity International University; author, The Joy of Calvinism
“The lineup of authors in Reformation Theology and their respective topics reflect the very best in Reformed evangelical scholarship. The book should be of widespread interest. Not only would seminary and college students find the volume profitable in their studies, but all informed Christians would benefit from the essays.”
W. Andrew Hoffecker, Professor of Church History Emeritus, Reformed Theological Seminary–Jackson; author, Charles Hodge: The Pride of Princeton
“A clear articulation of one’s Reformed faith requires familiarity with the ideas and events in which that faith is rooted. Unfortunately, there are few books on the subject currently in print that are both learned and accessible. Thankfully, this volume offers an outstanding solution to this problem.”
Chris Castaldo, Pastor, New Covenant Church, Naperville, Illinois; author, Talking with Catholics about the Gospel; coauthor, The Unfinished Reformation: What Unites and Divides Catholics and Protestants after 500 Years
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