Christian Initiation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit: Evidence from the First Eight Centuries

by George T. Montague, Kilian McDonnell, George Montague SM, et al.

Book Overview

Up to now the teaching on baptism in the Holy Spirit has been based on a few scriptural texts, whose interpretation was disputed. This doubt cast its shadow on those who promote baptism in the Holy Spirit. Now new evidence has been found in early post-biblical authors (Tertullian, Hilary of Poitiers, Cyril of Jerusalem, John Chrysostom, Philoxenus, and the Syrians) which demonstrates that what is called baptism in the Holy Spirit was integral to Christian...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814650090
• ISBN13: 9780814650097
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Very Excited to get this Book!

This book contains a wealth of knowledge and I am only beginning it. It was hard to come by but i got the revised edition and am so glad. Contains lots of footnotes and references and i plan to take my time absorbing all its information.

Excellent Contribution to Charisma and Christian Initiation

McDonnell, an historical and constructive theologian, and Montague, a scripture scholar, collaborate in this investigation of Christian initiation and the question of spirit baptism in the first eight centuries. Originally published in 1991 (make sure you get the 1994 revision if you buy from a Marketplace Seller), this expanded edition supplements Montague's analysis of biblical texts in Q, Mark, Matthew, Luke-Acts, the Pauline Tradition and Hebrews, and John with First Peter (interestingly treated as "The Witness of Rome"). McDonnell's treatment of early post-biblical witnesses in Tertullian, Hilary of Poiters, Cyril of Jerusalem, the Apostolic Constitutions, John Chrysostom, and Philoxenus is similarly expanded to include material from Origen. The conclusion of both writers is that the contemporary conception of the "baptism in the Holy Spirit," accompanied with dramatic manifestations such as glossolalia and prophesy, was integral to the earliest Christian conception of conversion and initiation. Despite variations in local practice (divergence with regard to the "laying on of hands" and "anointing(s)," for example) a common experience of experiential-affective reception of the spirit with accompanying charismatic phenomena was the common and universal expectation of the apostolic and early Christian churches. Beginning with John Chrysostom, however, the authors detect a decline in expectation of these manifestations. This declension is speculatively attributed to anti-Montanist ideology on one hand and increased centralization of ecclesiastical power following the Council of Nicea. Originating in the 1900s and developed during the 1960s and 1970s, Pentecostal and Charismatic movements have had a profound impact on the spiritual and liturgical life of contemporary Christian churches worldwide. Both authors write from a Roman Catholic charismatic perspective and aim to contribute from that viewpoint to the discussion already underway among Protestants. McDonnell's treatment of the catechetical and liturgical appropriation of the New Testament in the post-apostolic period (significantly, gospel witnesses to Jesus' baptism in the Jordan) makes this a significant contribution to the topic at hand. If catechumens really did "approach the font speaking in tongues and prophesying" the institutional experience would be exceedingly different than would otherwise be the case. One should note, however, the mixed reception of the book scholarly circles. (Cf. Paul Turner, "Forum: Christian Initiation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit" Worship 70[5] (1996): 446-52.) Turner argues that for all the impressive citation and cataloguing of sources, three major problems afflict the work: 1) the sources often do not describe the charismatic manifestations that Montague and McDonnell claim for them; 2) ritual/ liturgical texts from the same period (on which the text is basically silent) do not detail the bestowal of charismata; and 3) the theology of in

Invaluable for Protestants and Catholics Alike

In this excellent book, Kilian McDonnell and George Montague, both Roman Catholic priests and well-respected scholars, have addressed critical questions regarding the role of Baptism in the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts in the life of the Church, particularly with respect to the celebration of baptism and confirmation. In doing so, the authors have provided an important contribution to the question of when spiritual gifts -- or at least the more notable gifts such as glossolalia (tongues) and prophecy -- passed out of the common experience of the local church. I was fascinated by the role played by those preparing catechumens for reception into the church in this story. Upon reading this text, one wonders which is the chicken and which is the egg: did the charismatic gifts die out because new christians were taught not to expect them, or did those preparing catechumens simply state the obvious truth that charismatic gifts were no longer being experienced in the church? Given the 20th experience of Pentecost in the Pentecostal/charismatic churches and in the mainline denominations, the answer to this questions is probably "yes" and "yes" -- that the charismatic gifts were less evident, but that the expectations resulting from formative teaching contributed to the demise of such phenomena in the church. At the very least, this book provides contributes to the body of historical evidence that the experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by such gifts as tongues and prophecy, did not die out with the close of the New Testament canon, as is taught by some protestant churches. This book would be a welcome addition to the bookshelf of those interested in the history of the church, liturgy, or the role of spiritual gifts in the life of the church.

The Best Theology Book on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit!

As a Catholic charismatic who has taken a graduate degree in Theology,I can't help but wonder how we could explain the popular but most misunderstood charismatic phrase "baptism in the Holy Spirit" in terms of biblical exegesis and relating it to Catholic liturgy. This theology book has given me a deeper understanding of the biblical evidence of the "baptism in the Holy Spirit" and its widespread integration to the sacraments of initiation in the Early Church. This book is for every Catholic Charismatic who hungers for a deeper understanding of charisms or gifts of the Spirit in the life of the Church. I would like to personally thank the author-scholars for answering my deepest searching for meaning in my renewed life as a Catholic Charismatic!The book is theological in scope, scholar-based research but readable format for Catholics who have a deeper appreciation and knowledge of the Faith. This book gave profound meaning to my faith and deepened my convictions on the movement of the Spirit in the Church! This book is a class of its own!