A Bombshell in the Baptistery

Who should be baptized? Should a person who has not been baptized be allowed to become a member of a church? What happens when a person is baptized? There are a number of important questions about baptism that call for biblical and theological reflection on a more fundamental question--what is baptism? Perhaps no one in the twentieth century addressed that question more thoroughly than British New Testament scholar George Beasley-Murray. While touching on a range of issues related to baptism, this book explores the influence that Beasley-Murray’s work has had on the debate about the meaning of baptism, and shows why his work was referred to as ''a bombshell in the baptistery.'' ''George Beasley-Murray was a New Testament scholar who served as principal of Spurgeon’s College, London, from 1958 to 1973. His ’Baptism in the New Testament’ (1963), the ’bombshell’ of the title of this book, argued for a much higher view of baptism than had been customary among Baptists. Justin Nalls shows the central place of Beasley-Murray in debate among Baptists about the meaning of baptism during the twentieth century.''--David Bebbington, Professor of History, University of Stirling''Baptism lies at the heart of Christian faith. It also lies at the heart of some of its fiercest controversies. In his careful treatment of the baptism theology of George Beasley-Murray, Justin Nalls spans both sides of the Atlantic and takes his readers into the stormy yet exciting waters of complex debates, heated exchanges, and fruitful dialogues. He succeeds in highlighting the significant labors of one of the twentieth century’s finest exegetes.''--Andrew J. Byers, Director of the Free Church Track and Lecturer in New Testament, Cranmer Hall, St John’s College, Durham University''The Baptist World Alliance’s annual gathering in July 2017 demonstrated the global interest Baptists have in exploring and recovering a biblical baptismal sacramentalism. But this is not without opponents. Nalls’ research is a welcome contribution to this debate with his examination of the influence George Beasley-Murray has had on Southern and British Baptists, and in a way that will hopefully encourage others to explore the place of baptism in the Christian life and Baptist community.'' --Anthony R. Cross, Adjunct Supervisor at The International Baptist Theological Study Centre Amsterdam, The Netherlands.Justin Nalls is the Teaching Pastor at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia. He earned his PhD from University of Wales (Spurgeon’s College).