perryl@yclept.chi.il.us (Lynellen Perry) (03/25/91)
Hello everyone, This is a case study project that I have to do for my Christian Thought class: Two married couples have been best of friends for a long time. One couple is staunchly Baptist, and has always been reared in churches that practices nothing but believer's baptism. They have also been suspicious of churches that practices infant baptism. But now their best friends have asked this Baptist couple to be the godparents to their recently born son. This would mean so much to the couple, but the Baptist couple--though not wanting to hurt the feelings of their friends--feels very troubled about doing this, especially since this means that they will have to stand up with the couple in the Lutheran Church as the baby is baptized and tacitly approve of the infant's baptism. To make matters more complicated the mother of the new son is Lutheran, but the father is Jewish, and they have agreed, in a pre-nuptial arrangement, to rear the child in both traditions. The four decide it would be wise to talk to the Lutheran pastor who would administer baptism to the child. All feel free to express their views during the conversation. They also talk about the meaning of the church as a covenant community of people who raise a child in the knowledge and love of the Lord, and whether or not this is being jeopardized by the couple's mixed religious affiliation. I know that baptism has been discussed recently here, but I would appreciate it if you would be willing to reply to me via email about this case study. In particular, if you would tell me what denomination you belong to, what baptism means to you and what advice you would give each of the couples in this situation. Please tell me what sources you base these statements on, too. Thank you for your time! Lyn Perry wheaton!perryl