The Mystical Union of Infant Baptism: How Baptists Contributed to the Idea of Race by Their Rejection of Infant Baptism
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Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2015 The Mystical Union of Infant Baptism: How Baptists Contributed to the Idea of Race by Their Rejection of Infant Baptism Isaiah E. Jones Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Jones, Isaiah E., "The Mystical Union of Infant Baptism: How Baptists Contributed to the Idea of Race by Their Rejection of Infant Baptism" (2015). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 4514. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4514 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE MYSTICAL UNION OF INFANT BAPTISM: HOW BAPTISTS CONTRIBUTED TO THE IDEA OF RACE BY THEIR REJECTION OF INFANT BAPTISM by Isaiah E. Jones A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in History Approved: Norman Jones Philip Barlow Major Professor Committee Member Frances Titchener Daniel Davis Committee Member Committee Member Mark McLellan Vice President for Research and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2015 ii Copyright © Isaiah Jones 2015 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT The Mystical Union of Infant Baptism: How Baptists Contributed to the Idea of Race by Their Rejection of Infant Baptism by Isaiah E. Jones, Master of Arts Utah State University, 2015 Major Professor: Norman Jones Department: History In the first three centuries CE, the sacrament of baptism proved to be a universal tool which united people beyond age, race, or ethnicity as we understand it today. To put it simply, the theological meaning of baptism was reinforced by the sacrament of infant baptism. That is to say that the Christian faith was for all, irrespective of one’s race, age, or social-status. This openness to Christianity changed in the early modern period. In the seventeenth century the Baptists rejected infant baptism, for a more rational faith based on Enlightenment and Romantic assumptions. What the Baptists did not realize was just how embedded the social, political, economic, and other forms of human meaning and understanding were rooted in the sacrament of infant baptism. This thesis is an intellectual and social history on how Baptists contributed to the idea of race in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by their rejection of infant baptism. By the eighteenth iv and nineteenth centuries Southern Baptists created a theology that supported racial superiority in North America. Once radical Protestant groups such as the Baptists rejected the inclusive baptismal theology of Irenaeus Lyon and Origen of Alexandria by leaving the Church of England, the incarnational and communal elements that once united Christianity would lead to racial divisions within Christian denominations in the modern period. Consequently, by rejecting the classical understanding of baptism-salvation; many Baptists looked elsewhere than baptism or religion for their identity and now looked to novel notions of species and race. These innovative explanations of identity outside of baptism led to racial superiority within North American Christendom in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. For the purpose of this study, I shall look at second century CE theologians Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202 CE) and Origen of Alexandria (184-254 CE) and compare their thoughts to the theological interpretation of John Smyth of Nottinghamshire (1570-1612 CE)., and how his theological approach indirectly contributed to the idea of racial superiority (i.e. skin color) within early North American Christendom. (133 pages) v PUBLIC ABSTRACT The Mystical Union of Infant Baptism: How Baptists Contributed to the Idea of Race by Their Rejection of Infant Baptism by Isaiah E. Jones, Master of Arts Utah State University, 2015 Major Professor: Norman Jones Department: History In the first three centuries CE, the sacrament of baptism proved to be a universal tool which united people beyond age, race, or ethnicity as we understand it today. To put it simply, the theological meaning of baptism was reinforced by the sacrament of infant baptism. That is to say that the Christian faith was for all, irrespective of one’s race, age, or social-status. This openness to Christianity changed in the early modern period. In the seventeenth century the Baptists rejected infant baptism, for a more rational faith based on Enlightenment and Romantic assumptions. What the Baptists did not realize was just how embedded the social, political, economic, and other forms of human meaning and understanding were rooted in the sacrament of infant baptism. This thesis is an intellectual and social history on how Baptists contributed to the idea of race in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by their rejection of infant baptism. By the eighteenth vi and nineteenth centuries Southern Baptists created a theology that supported racial superiority in North America. Once radical Protestant groups such as the Baptists rejected the inclusive baptismal theology of Irenaeus Lyon and Origen of Alexandria by leaving the Church of England, the incarnational and communal elements that once united Christianity would lead to racial divisions within Christian denominations in the modern period. Consequently, by rejecting the classical understanding of baptism-salvation, many Baptists looked elsewhere than baptism or religion for their identity and now looked to novel notions of species and race. These innovative explanations of identity outside of baptism led to racial superiority within North American Christendom in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. For the purpose of this study, I shall look at second century CE theologians Irenaeus of Lyons (130-202 CE) and Origen of Alexandria (184-254 CE) and compare their thoughts to the theological interpretation of John Smyth of Nottinghamshire (1570-1612 CE), and how his theological approach indirectly contributed to the idea of racial superiority (i.e. skin color) within early North American Christendom. vii DEDICATION To my wife Josselyn Jones-- the joy of my life. viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In writing this thesis I realized just how many people both inspired and influenced me throughout my journey. I am grateful to my thesis committee members: Norman Jones, Frances Titchener, Philip Barlow, and Daniel Davis for their wise comments which added the right touches to the final product. First, Norman Jones has been supportive every step of the way. His wisdom and attentiveness helped me develop and articulate my thoughts. He is also responsible for showing me what it is to be a historian. Frances Titchener has been more than a professor, but a great friend as well. She showed me patience, love, and guidance from day one. Philip Barlow is another professor and friend who both supported and believed in me. He provided many edifying and delightful conversations. It was his religious studies class where I first discovered my passion for religious history. Daniel Davis, who has become a recent friend of mine, has provided many wonderful conversations as well, and continues to provide sound advice as a dedicated archivist. I am grateful to USU Special Collections, especially Brad Cole, Bob Parson, Clint Pumphrey, Liz Kline, Randy Williams and Sara Skindelien for their support and financial assistance. I want to thank my friends David Patch, Nick Ciancone, Trey Smith, Cameron Davis, Connor Williams, Jah Shams, and Travis Seefeldt for their great conversations and friendship. Special thanks to my priests, Father Elias Koukos, Father Justin Havens, and Father Mario Giannopoulos for their theological and spiritual guidance. I am indebted to several professors and friends outside of my committee including Kyle Bulthuis, Susan ix Cogan, Alexa Sand, Len Rosenband, Brad Gregory, Albert J. Raboteau, Christopher Conte, Victoria Grieve, Charles, Irons, Robin Jensen, Mark Damen, Tammy Proctor, and Ross Peterson. I would not be where I am today without the support and guidance from both of my parents; Paul and Sylvia Jones, as well as the support from my in-laws. My lovely sister Daphne Jones was always willing to discuss my thesis and provided numerous laughs. My amazing wife Josselyn Jones has been my true companion and number one fan as I transitioned from football to academic life. I would not be where I am without her love, patience, compassion, and support. Isaiah E. Jones x CONTENTS ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………….. iii PUBLIC ABSTRACT ……………………………………………………………....v DEDICATION …………………………………………………………………….vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS…………………………………………………………viii GLOSSARY…………………………………………………………………….... xi TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS ………………………………………………...xii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................1 2. SLAVERY, RACE, & BAPTISM ..............................................................................17 3. PLANTER VS. SLAVE BIBLICAL EXEGESIS .......................................................91 4. THE WORD BECOMES FLESH IN VIRGINIA.......................................................97 5. THE CREATION OF RACE IN THE AMERICAN SOUTH ..................................107 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................112