In a new book recently published about the benefits of infant baptism, the author commenced with an interesting perspective.
He didn't start with proving infant baptism by biblical evidence, but rather he commenced by refuting the arguments commonly used against infant baptism. It is too bad that Melcharaz is not here to discuss this. But I am sure there are some other resident Christians who might be able to extend his arguments.
The author raised the common arguments against and then refuted each one.
1. The silence of infant baptism in the NT. He argued argument from silence is weak since silence also suggests that females should not have communion.
2. The argument that baptism requires faith which equates to capacity which infants can't have. He argued this argument proved too much making it invalid as it also suggested that anyone without capacity is unable to be baptised including adults with extreme autism.
3. The argument of order in the NT. faith always proceeds Baptism. He argued this is actually not true with the authority for baptism derived from Matthew 28 which orders baptism first followed by teaching and discipling.
4. The argument that since infants can't be Christians, baptising pollutes the church. He argued that often adults also leave the faith so therefore they too are polluting the church.
5. The argument that it is a popish hangover. He argues that not everything about the Catholic Church was wrong.
Are there other arguments that are not mentioned? Do any of the Christians here have any comments about these arguments against infant baptism
I note that this is an intriguing method of promoting infant baptism. So far in his argument he has not once argued for infant baptism. Only that the arguments against it don't hold as much water as has been argued. In a sense he is destroying strongholds - and once they are destroyed, he will be in a place to rebuild and make his case.
Obviously for non-christians - this discussion is almost irrelevant and yet within some Christian circles - it clearly is a huge issue.