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Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not the best book on the subject
Review: I found this book to have a good argument in many places - some of which are very original and often overlooked. For instance, Wilson does a good job showing how infants were included in the New Covenant Jewish community by their circumcision. The Old Covenant included believers and their children within it, and we find no indication that such family solidarity is annulled by the institution of the New. If the children of Jews were included in the believing community in NT times, why then not the Gentile children? Such a discrimination against the Gentile children would erect again the Jewish/Gentile barrier which Christ abolished through his death (Eph. 2).
While this book is a very good introduction to the issues at hand, I found his opinion that immersion is a viable option for baptism to be unconvincing. Simply because 'baptism' is found in Rom. 6 connected with Christ's burial and resurrection does not mean that immersion is a faithful mode. Christ's crucifixion is also mentioned. How then does immersion represent that? I must say, though, that I believe with Wilson that we should respect the baptistic traditions of other evangelical churches and accept those who not baptized according to our denomination as truly baptized.
One thing I wish Wilson did more was to cover the Old Testament ceremonial washings and Johannnic baptism. It seems to me that these are essential components to any study on baptism.
Don't get me wrong. I agree for the most part with Wilson's conclusions. I think it's a fine book. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the paedobaptist argument. But I wouldn't recommend just reading this book, either. And I don't think Wilson would disagree. It certainly wasn't intended to be an "Everything You Can Possibly Know About the Infant Baptism Debate" book.
My suggestion: read it. But also read Randy Booth's "Children of the Promise," Murray's "Christian Baptism," Jay Adams' "The Meaning and Mode of Baptism" as well. These are all good, short arguments that will fill in the gaps that Wilson didn't cover.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not the best book on the subject
Review: I found this book to have a good argument in many places - some of which are very original and often overlooked. For instance, Wilson does a good job showing how infants were included in the New Covenant Jewish community by their circumcision. The Old Covenant included believers and their children within it, and we find no indication that such family solidarity is annulled by the institution of the New. If the children of Jews were included in the believing community in NT times, why then not the Gentile children? Such a discrimination against the Gentile children would erect again the Jewish/Gentile barrier which Christ abolished through his death (Eph. 2).
While this book is a very good introduction to the issues at hand, I found his opinion that immersion is a viable option for baptism to be unconvincing. Simply because 'baptism' is found in Rom. 6 connected with Christ's burial and resurrection does not mean that immersion is a faithful mode. Christ's crucifixion is also mentioned. How then does immersion represent that? I must say, though, that I believe with Wilson that we should respect the baptistic traditions of other evangelical churches and accept those who not baptized according to our denomination as truly baptized.
One thing I wish Wilson did more was to cover the Old Testament ceremonial washings and Johannnic baptism. It seems to me that these are essential components to any study on baptism.
Don't get me wrong. I agree for the most part with Wilson's conclusions. I think it's a fine book. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the paedobaptist argument. But I wouldn't recommend just reading this book, either. And I don't think Wilson would disagree. It certainly wasn't intended to be an "Everything You Can Possibly Know About the Infant Baptism Debate" book.
My suggestion: read it. But also read Randy Booth's "Children of the Promise," Murray's "Christian Baptism," Jay Adams' "The Meaning and Mode of Baptism" as well. These are all good, short arguments that will fill in the gaps that Wilson didn't cover.
Rating: 
Summary: Much light, little heat, and a sprinkling of water...
Review: The debate over infant baptism has raged across the centuries, often causing rifts and wounds that won't heal. The tragic thing about these debates is that they often rest on misinformation and confusion. How many advocates of infant baptism attempt to appeal to the phantom children of the Philippian jailer? How many opponents of infant baptism equate it with baptismal regeneration? In both cases, too many! Wilson, ever the careful exegete and consummate logician, presents a clear case for infant baptism by starting where any discussion on this subject should: in the OLD TESTAMENT! Very few if any proponents of believer's baptism begin their argument in the Old Testament (and if you start with the New, you will inevitably argue against infant baptism!) Wilson's discussion of God's covenants with His people is worth the price of the book, but it is only the appetizer. The main course is his studied presentation of the validity of infant baptism. Every objection raised by the adherents of believer's baptism is dealt with thoroughly and fairly. Even if you are dead set against the idea of infant baptism, you can learn much from this book that is beyond dispute: the nature of God's covenant relationship with all Christians. Every pastor and Bible teacher should have this volume in their library. Every Christian wanting to have a balanced view of baptism should as well.
Rating:
Summary: Baptists Beware
Review: This book was one of two that finally convinced me that infant baptism is not only acceptable Biblically, but is, in fact, the proper approach.Wilson's writing style is easy to read. The book is short, but powerful. If you have been wrestling with this issue (as I had for several years), you owe it to yourself to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Baptists Beware
Review: This book was one of two that finally convinced me that infant baptism is not only acceptable Biblically, but is, in fact, the proper approach. Wilson's writing style is easy to read. The book is short, but powerful. If you have been wrestling with this issue (as I had for several years), you owe it to yourself to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for all parents who love their children!
Review: What a wonderful book on the subject of children of Christians! Are they members of the church, or are they "short heathen"? With no silly or superficial arguments (how can you immerse in the middle of the night?), D Wilson takes you slowly throught the covenant of God, to show that our children really do belong! Read with an open heart!
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