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Seller's Description:
New. In constructing this fascinating historyy of infant baptism, German theologian Joachim Jeremias brings to bear an impressive array of Biblical, patristic, and archeological sources. As Jeremias combs through the traces of a period remote in time and place, he creates a surprisingly rich and intimate picture of early Christian life. Discussion begins with well-known New Testament passages, as the author asserts that children were almost certainly included in the baptism of 'households. ' The de facto acceptance of infant baptism by Origen, Augustine, Cyprian, and other Church Fathers demonstrates the continuity of the practice in post-Apostolic times. (A helpful chronological list of patristic sources referring to infant baptism prefaces the book. ) Not content to limit his analysis to Christian texts, Jeremias documents practices surrounding the baptism of Jewish proselytes and mystery religion followers to broaden the picture. The most intriguing evidence, however, comes from early grave inscriptions: 'I, Zosimas, a believer from believers, lie here having lived 2 years, 1 month, 25 days. ' There is a touching immediacy to the real children looking out from these pages, including an Egyptian toddler whose coffin effigy depicts her clutching a cross. 112 pp.