The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The divide between the credo and paedo Reformed

John,

It is true the basis for the difference(s) between the paedo and credo camps is a hermeneutical one; how one interprets Scripture. In my studies and readings I have found that there are paedobaptists who make far too much of the covenant and "see things" in Scripture through the lens of covenant that simply are not there. On the other hand, most credobaptists have less appreciation and understanding of the aspect of covenant and thus fail to appreciate the continuity of it in the New Covenant/Testament.

The bottom line is this... personally I see no possibility of reconcilation between the two groups, especially on the credobaptist side. The main reason for this is that baptism, as their use of the name surely shows, is far too important to them. In some cases even the "mode" of adult baptism means the difference between salvation and damnation. So while I don't mind sharing my views on baptism with a credobaptist, I rarely have any interest in debating the subject. Over the years I have found it is nothing more than an exercise in futility and most often results in alienation. This isn't to say that I concede to credobaptist's suppositions nor their conclusions. It's just not worth wasting time trying to convince a credobaptist of their hermeneutical error.

For a very informative and irenic debate between two excellent opponents on this subject, I highly recommend you listen to the following:

"Debate on ‘Infant Baptism’" - Dr. Robert B. Strimple vs. Dr. Fred Malone - WSC March 10, 1999
- "Infant Baptism - Part I"
- "Infant Baptism - Part II"
- "Infant Baptism - Part III"
- Download all three parts (MP3) in a .zip file HERE