On the alternative so-called baptismal rite - the salient questions are:
1. Why is it so semi-Pelagian when it claims to be about grace? "Will you help them?" It's wet... and not in the water sense!
2. Where is the sense of their own pilgrimage which was expressed in "walk with them in the way of Christ?"
3. Where is the truth that we are rebels against God expressed?
4. Where is repentance from sin?
5. Where is renunciation of the devil and evil? ("reject" is a much weaker word - I can reject your ideas, but I need to reject and renounce the devil and evil)
6. Where is the sense that Christ is Saviour - and that we need saving?
7. Where is submission to the rule of Christ as a disciple?
8. Where is the understanding that sin, the world and the devil are all areas where the rule of Christ needs to be affirmed and lived. Not just the obviously evil bits...
9. Why is the suggested credal interrogation the weak one - when the Apostles' Creed is the place where our faith has always been affirmed in baptism?
10. "They will need to learn the story..." No, they need to *inhabit* the story, as forgiven sinners, as praying people, as those in whom the Spirit dwells (the Spirit doesn't get a mention here...)
This is crass. It's baptism lite. It will not do.
