More Than A Symbol

‘More than a Symbol’ seeks to demonstrate that the interpretation of baptism as a mere symbol bearing witness to a previously completed conversion experience is inadequate both as a summary of biblical teaching and as a summary of Baptist thought. Starting with H. Wheeler Robinson and culminating in the work of G. R. Beasley-Murray, British Baptists in the twentieth century argued effectively that baptism must be interpreted as an effective sign, a meeting place of grace and faith, a sacrament rather than a mere symbol. This book argues that the New Testament exegesis that is at the heart of this reformulation is fundamentally accurate, and that the resulting system is theologically coherent. The book also argues that this view is not a Baptist novelty, but is rather a recovery of the foundational Baptist thought of the seventeenth century. “”Like an archaeologist uncovering the remains of a lost city, Stan Fowler brings to light a long neglected trajectory of Baptist theology and practice on Christian baptism. Based on careful research, this book offers a much needed and long overdue challenge to the ‘low’ view of Baptist liturgical life. –Timothy George, Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, and Executive Editor of ‘Christianity Today’ “”In this book, Stanley Fowler breathes new life into the doctrine and practice of believer’s baptism. He argues that, if there is a form of sacramentalism which we ought to reject, there is also a form of it which we ought to embrace. –Clark H. Pinnock, McMaster Divinity College “”This is a fine study–historically judicious, theologically astute, spiritually alert, it is an exemplary piece of Christian scholarship in the service of the Church. –John Webster, Oxford University Stanley K. Fowler serves as Professor of Theology at Heritage Seminary in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. He is an ordained minister in the Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist Churches in Canada.