Baptism as an Event of Taking Responsibility: A New Reading of Romans 5:12 to 6:23

by Pontien Ndagijimana Batibuka

Publisher:

Langham

, 2022

Overview

For those whose context is rich with cultural and communal rites of passage, how does the church ensure that baptism is not just another ritual, but is understood to be a deliberate participation of a Christian in an event that brings decisive change into the new life that Christ brings?

In this in-depth study, Dr. Pontien Ndagijimana Batibuka explores afresh Paul’s teaching on baptism demonstrating that it encompasses both divine intervention and human action, rather than simply being about an action of Christ. Readers are invited to re-examine Romans 5:12–6:23 through a socio-religious lens rather than the christological reading that has historically prevailed. Through Dr. Batibuka’s skilful exploration of the stages of initiation in antiquity he argues the importance of Christians actively taking responsibility for their baptism, while further shedding light on the interaction of both the divine and human roles. Baptism is more than a ritual done to a passive candidate, it is an event in which the believer personally decides for, and pledges allegiance to, Jesus Christ.

Key Features

• Explores afresh Paul’s teaching on baptism.
• Re-examines Romans 5:12–6:23 through a socio-religious lens.
• Argues the importance of Christians actively taking responsibility for their baptism.

Praise for Print Edition

Dr. Batibuka shows us how far we are removed today from the early church when one’s baptism was understood as the most important and maybe the most frightening experience of one’s life. This book should be carefully read, discussed and contextualized by African theologians to help the church recapture what it has lost: the true meaning of baptism.

Bungishabaku Katho, PhD. Dean, Graduate School at Shalom University of Bunia, Senior Researcher, Centre de Recherche Multidisciplinaire pour le Développement de Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo

In this fascinating study, Dr. Pontien Batibuka analyses Romans 5:12-6:23 as a multi-faceted account of Christian initiation. By comparing this with ancient Graeco-Roman and Jewish initiation processes, and with Paul’s own experience, Batibuka very effectively brings out four stages of Christian initiation: encounter with God, death to the old self, identification with Christ in baptism, and the move into the new, committed life. This study offers enlightening food for thought, both for those interpreting Romans and for those considering the pattern of initiation in churches today.

--Peter Oakes PhD. Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis, University of Manchester, UK

Product Details

• Title: Baptism as an Event of Taking Responsibility: A New Reading of Romans 5:12–6:23
• Author: Pontien Ndagijimana Batibuka
• Publisher: Langham
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 250
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Baptism; Bible. N.T. Romans; Bible. N.T. Romans, 5, 12-6, 23 Criticism, interpretation, etc; Criticism, interpretation, etc; Speech acts (Linguistics) Religious aspects Christianity
• ISBNs: 9781839737527, 9781839737534, 9781839737541, 1839737522, 1839737530, 1839737549
• Resource ID: LLS:BPTSMSRSPNSBLTY
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-10-17T10:10:44Z

About Pontien Ndagijimana Batibuka

Pontien Ndagijimana Batibuka, has a PhD in Pauline Theology from London School of Theology, UK. He is a professor of New Testament studies and the Library Director at Shalom University of Bunia, DRC. Dr. Batibuka co-founded the NGO, PROREV (The Program of Empowering People Made Vulnerable by War) in 2019 for which he also serves as coordinator. He is married to Bernadette and they are blessed with five children and five grandchildren.