Faith, Fiction, and Force in Medieval Baptism Debates by Marcia L. Colish
Lawrence G. Duggan
Reviewed by: Faith, Fiction, and Force in Medieval Baptism Debates by Marcia L. Colish Lawrence G. Duggan Debates. By Colish. (Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press. 2014. Pp. xiv, 370. $69.95. ISBN 978-0-813-226118.) is not only the initiatory sacrament; it for Christians all stripes indispensable sacrament salvation—and themselves, but human kind, to whom Jesus commanded his followers bring good news baptize them. There is, then, a peculiar urgency about baptism that further distinguishes from other sacraments. As argues this very rich rewarding book, modern Christian churches, including Roman Catholic, tend ignore or downplay complexity historical evolution especially intricate theological issues surrounding it. She rightly seeks correct such facile assumptions succeeds brilliantly doing so. Furthermore, although most her previous work has been traditional intellectual history, here she contextualize arguments theologians within practical administration three large distinct [End Page 904] areas, each with its own particular story. achievement generally lives up ambition. reading primary sources close accurate, coverage pertinent literature thorough up-to-date. Along way one learns great deal necessarily expected, as on differing approaches scholars medieval Judaism (pp. 233–35). Naturally, there are flaws. alluring alliterative title fact somewhat misleading confusing. “Faith” refers what ordinarily known “baptism desire” (as dustjacket states); “fiction” embraces those who pretend come font deceitful purposes, theatrical performances any sort which enacted; “force” applies persons groups, Jewish “pagan,” compelled undergo baptism. “Medieval” also trifle eccentric, period treated ranges patristic (especially post-Nicene Latin) early-fourteenth century. This terminus ad quem explained, wonders whether makes habitual assumption “high medievalists” late-medieval theology had nothing new say. Nor explanation given two omissions: blood (usually equated martyrdom), references occur some fifty pages; issue presumed indelibility mark left soul. One might infer character nonrepeatable nature rite evidently assumed beginning Christianity, then encounters curious sentence discussion Charlemagne conversion Saxons last quarter eighth century: “The Carolingians may have regarded an irreversible, once-in-a-lifetime event, ritual could be undone, unlike penance monastic profession. distinction was lost Saxons” (p. 253). words “may have” equivocal crucial (see conflicting phrases pp. 6 51) reflect more general unease Colish’s treatment understanding spread Christianity. Although turning point subsequent history forced important, he embodied next stage gradual adoption force pressure once Christianity becoming obligatory religion Empire, process bishops played central role. insufficiently appreciative polytheistic mind-set (whether Saxons, “Normans” [another term], Baltic peoples), repudiation accepted gods perfectly logical did involve duplicity. In end, however, these disagreements over emphasis interpretation aspect otherwise impressive we should thankful. Delaware Copyright © 2015 Press
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