Philippa: "Baptism: let’s not water it down!" is the title of a new book by a Jamaican Christian author, Dr Clive Nicholson, who is a medical doctor specializing in family medicine; he is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ for a number of years.
He is not new to writing: if you search the Gleaner archives, you will find 38 articles under his name, most of them published in 1987. He has also had papers published in refereed academic journals, in the early 1990s. This publication, however, is his first book: "Baptism: let’s not water it down!"
Hello, Dr Nicholson. Thank you for giving us some of your time.
Clive: Hi! It's good to be here. Thank you very much for paying attention to me.
Philippa: You describe your book as being designed primarily as a guide for Christians preparing to be baptized, this book looks at what the Bible says on the subject, and presents it in plain language giving persons what you need to know.
But why write a book about baptism? Isn't there enough information out there?
Clive: I have been teaching the baptism class at my church, Swallowfield Chapel, for over a year, without using a textbook. Our textbook is the bible really. But taking the material we cover, and publishing it in a book has been useful on several fronts. Firstly, it gives baptism candidates something to refer to, even after they have been baptized.
Secondly, it gives teachers of baptism classes a set of lesson plans, which they can adapt for their own use. My brother-in-law, who now lives in NJ, when he read the book, said that he used to teach the baptism class at his church, Calvary Gospel Assembly, years ago, and he wishes that he had had this book then.
And thirdly, writing this book also forced me to clarify my own thinking, to dig a little deeper, and to gloss over nothing. Because, when you publish a book, it is for the world.
There are numerous other books on baptism. However, the particular mix of topics is probably unique, because the purpose of this book is to give the new believer a good grounding for living a Christian life that pleases God. So the book presents baptism in the context of living life as a believer in Jesus Christ.
Philippa: And so, it's useful then, not for the new believer only, but (as your brother in law testified) for older Christians, to bring together, and perhaps refresh their understanding about the principles of baptism.
Now, you say to the potential reader that there may be discoveries that will unsettle you, because it pulls no punches. Or it may reassure you. Without giving too much away, are these discoveries about interpretations of Scripture or comments on traditions that many thought were biblical but were really man-made or man-originated?
Clive: Practices and teachings related to baptism vary between churches; and some of what is presented in this book may conflict with a particular reader's tradition.
For example, some churches do not baptize adults, while others do not baptize infants; some churches sprinkle, while others immerse; some churches teach that baptism saves, while others teach that belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God saves. So, depending on the preconceptions that you bring, you may or may not be unsettled by the material you encounter in the book.
A friend of mine who read the first chapter told me that she plans to get a copy of the book for her husband. She says that he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour as an adult, but he sees no need to be baptized, arguing that he was already baptized as an infant.
Philippa: Some of the chapters you have are:
• Prerequisites for baptism
• Significance and meaning of baptism
• Old and new covenant
• Baptism by the Holy Spirit
• Basics to fall back on.
Why include these other chapters?
Clive: The new Christian is at a crucial juncture in their walk with Christ: one of the questions they have is, “OK, I'm a Christian; what do I do now?”
There is a lot they need to understand about what Christ expects of them, what they should expect, and how to cope with eventualities that arise. And baptism class is an opportunity to point them in the right direction, to show them the big picture, to get them off to a good start.
So, an important part of the message of this book is that you are not baptized in a vacuum.
Philippa: Well, the book is available; and you've shared it with the participants or the students in your class. What has been the feedback so far?
Clive: The feedback has been all good. One reviewer said
that this is clearly a book not just for people new to the Christian faith, but for all Christians. And he urges all Christians get this book and to invest the time in going through it.
Philippa: So how might an interested listener find a copy of your book? Where is it available?
Clive: Two versions are available: the Kindle edition, which can be read on your laptop, tablet or smart phone; and the paperback, which is for people who prefer the look and feel of words printed on paper. Both versions are available on Amazon.com. You can find them there by searching for the author's name, Clive Nicholson, or the full title of the book, “Baptism: let's not water it down!”
Philippa: Do you plan to make copies available in bookstores in Jamaica?
Clive: Well, that's something I'm not sure of yet. I'm thinking about it; and I'm talking to someone about it. I do have one or two copies that I distribute to people who ask me.
Philippa: Well, congratulations, Dr Nicholson. Baptism: let's not water it down! You can find it on Amazon.com: either the Kindle version, or the hard copy version. And if you contact Dr Nicholson, he might have a hard copy for you.
Note: if you can't hear this, try another browser.