One Baptism

Most Christians would say that baptism is the one sacrament Christians of all denominations share, that it is the source of ecumenical unity among all Christian churches. But how true is that? To address this central question Susan Wood brings together the history and theology of baptism (systematic, sacramental, and liturgical), focusing especially on the divergent paths taken in the understanding of the sacrament since the Reformation. Her illuminating perspective will lead readers toward deeper understanding.

Susan K. Wood, SCL, is professor of theology at Marquette University. Active in ecumenical work, she serves on the U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue, the U.S. Roman Catholic-Orthodox Theological Consultation, the conversation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Baptist World Alliance, and the international Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue. She is an associate editor of Pro Ecclesia and serves on the editorial advisory board of the journal Ecclesiology. In addition to numerous articles, she has published Spiritual Exegesis and the Church in the Theology of Henri de Lubac (Eerdmans, 1998), Sacramental Orders (Liturgical Press, 2000), and is the editor of Ordering the Baptismal Priesthood (Liturgical Press, 2003).