Whether or not we are aware of it, everyone is being ""baptized."" While the church baptizes people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the culture in which we live is baptizing us into the trinitarian values of consumption, production, and acquisition. The respective baptism we choose to immerse ourselves in is consequential for the type of people we are becoming. Wade In the Water alerts us to the presence of these formative forces, so that we can choose the sacred ways that form us in the Jesus Way. ""In this thoughtful and powerful book, Eric Peterson pulls on the thread of Christian baptism, and by the time he is done the whole fabric of the Christian life has been gathered up. Read this book alone for encouragement, read it with others for strength, proclaim it from the pulpit for courage and guidance."" --Thomas G. Long, Professor, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia ""More than merely a quaint church photo op for babies and their parents, Peterson shows how baptism is the pattern for a way of life in the midst of an increasingly toxic culture. We find here a compelling demonstration of practical theology as related to the meaning and practice of baptism that is biblically engaged, historically informed, theologically insightful, and always pastorally wise."" -- Gordon S. Mikoski, Associate Professor, Director, Editor, Theology Today, Princeton Theological Seminary Eric E. Peterson is the founding pastor of Colbert Presbyterian Church in Eastern Washington where he has served since 1997. Eric is married to Elizabeth; together they are the grateful parents of six children.
