Baptism and Change in the Early Middle Ages, c. 200-c. 1150 by Peter Cramer
O. P. Austin
BOOK reviews731 ens the explosion of new finds in years 1965-1990 to Pandora's Box, I presume without its lid. How this fits with his overall view that more is better and less leads ossification (as cited above) methological navel gazing do not know. Paul Corby Finney University ofMissouri Baptism Change Early Middle Ages, c. 200-c. 1150. By Peter Cramer. [Cambridge Studies Medieval Life Thought, Fourth Series, 20.] (NewYork: Cambridge Press. 1993. Pp. xx, 356. $59.95.) This book part a very distinguished series was written by someone who, reader quickly discovers, has an amazing depth understanding thought Ages.The axis Cramer's thesis viewpoint eleventh- twelfth-century thinkers who question their past. Indeed, entire attempt account for eventual loss sacrament, or at least confidence it.The genesis development best captured word "change" book's title.This described six chapters which comprise book. Cramer views them as essays are some extent independent one another. The first essay chapter treats Hippolytus Rome, author Apostolic Tradition, m Hippolytus, natural symbol ofwater provides ground moral approach baptism, set context certain "crisis": "I will try show from Tradition elsewhere 'crisis' ofbaptism reflects leaning abstract, partiaUy crisis about what it know divine" (p. 23). indicates how baptism comparable entry into Gnosticism. use older forms, meanings, accounts Christian baptism's constantly shifting perspective develops through centuries. second traces contribution ofTertuUian Ambrose perspective.The key themes here conversion martyrdom, myth dream. One suspects spent studying TertuUian Ambrose. third deals ofAugustine.This so rich analysis thorough unfortunate wasn't given summary end chapter. It Augustine "sacramental ethical become one" 88) sees "the need baptize early, necessity infant rather than possibUity desirabiUty , perhaps most obvious legacy ofAugustine Ages" (P- 125). fourth goes Carolingians.The change juridical.The certainty now comes forms rite themselves. 732BOOK REVIEWS fifth describes Carolingian age labeled diminishing baptism. time when momentary effulgence pushed out on periphery" 206) "sacrament turns magic" 219). sixth final starting-point, twelfth century, he caUs "falling short" concerned sense loss. His insights come frequently parallels thinking eucharist. complemented two Excursuses baptistry. They include fourteen illustrations which, unfortunately, bit dark thus hard appreciate. concludes twenty-five-page bibliography extremely helpful. beginner. interweaves history, theology, philosophy poetry, semiotics tapistry masterful, but complex dtfficult . would have been greatly aided summaries each especiaUy synthesis StiU, be read, indeed re-read. In doing, learn only great deal sacrament also Ages West. Gerard Austin, O.P...
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