Re-Discovering Our Baptism

Abstract

This paper reassesses approaches to baptism in a secular Scotland where despite a major change in attitudes towards organised religion, there remains a residual clinging to the baptismal rite. It takes in reflection on baptism in Reformed heritage and qualitative research based on interviews and a survey. The results of this pointed to a major shift from the vision for the Church of Scotland set out by the Reformers in, e.g., different views of the church, separation of the church from the community, and emphasis on joining the church rather than on showing evidence of faith. In this, the paper concludes, baptism has become something no longer central to church members’ experience and is in need of rediscovery, e.g. through liturgy and teaching.