Among the differences which divide Christians baptism looms very large. Unlike other doctrines and practices of the church our differences on baptism fall along a number of lines at once. We seem unable to agree on any of the following: (1) Mode of baptism. (2) Proper candidates for baptism. (3) Proper administrators for baptism. (4) Effects of baptism.

Most agree on only two things: baptism requires water, and baptism is appropriate at the outset (in some sense) of the Christian life. Apart from these marginal agreements the word "baptism" is a symbol without meaning—and this after 2000 years of use! Looked at in this way, "baptism" bears all the earmarks of a grand tragedy. No wonder a few groups have ignored it altogether.

Provocateur Extraordinaire
Jonathan Edwards (1703-58) has always provoked extreme reactions. People have found it impossible to be neutral or indifferent toward him.

Many have been provoked by his most famous sermon--arguably the most famous sermon in American history--"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." Lyman Beecher's wife, for example, upon hearing the sermon read to her, exclaimed, "Dr Beecher, I shall not listen to another word of that slander on my Heavenly Father," and stormed out of the room.

In point of fact, hellfire and damnation were not Edwards' specialty. Of 1,300 extant sermons, 655 are related to eschatology or the Kingdom of God. Only 155 of those even mention damnation and hell, and most not centrally. Edwards was obsessed by God's beauty not wrath.

Oliver Wendell Holmes was another modern reader revolted by the "Sinners" sermon. "Is it possible," he wrote, "that Edwards read the text mothers love so well, `Suffer little vipers to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God'?"