MEADVILLE, Pa. (PRWEB)
August 17, 2022

“Baptism, Superstitions, and the Supernatural: A Caribbean Perspective”: a thoughtful example of comparative religion research. “Baptism, Superstitions, and the Supernatural: A Caribbean Perspective” is the creation of published author Lesley George Anderson, a retired Methodist minister of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) and a former president of the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI), Kingston, Jamaica, where he previously served as Methodist warden and lecturer in philosophy and systematic theology. Anderson has twice been chair of the presidium of the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC), served the British Methodist Church Overseas Division as area secretary for the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe for eight years, served two terms as a member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) consultative group with Pentecostals, and was twice president (bishop) of the Panama/Costa Rica District Conference as well as president of the Belize/Honduras District Conference. He holds a Dip. Min. from the United Theological Seminary (UTS), now UTCWI, a BA from the University of London, a Cambridge Certificate in Religious Knowledge (CCRK) from the University of Cambridge, a MTh from the University of Oxford, a MA and ThM from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a MEd and EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University. He was honored as a distinguished alumnus of the latter institution in 2010.

Anderson shares, “the sacrament of baptism is undoubtedly to this day an exceedingly controversial sacrament of the Christian Church. The continuing differing debates, arguments, and views about adult (believers’) versus infant baptism are examined. Superstitions and the supernatural associated with this sacrament are given adequate attention in addition to the many other informative factors relating to this sacrament. Further, this sacrament is examined as a scriptural, psychological, theological, and social reality.

“The introduction of baptism as a liturgical phenomenon highlights the educational quality of this book as it takes the reader into the interesting and fascinating areas of baptism of blood, baptism by fire, baptism of the dead, baptism of the Holy Spirit, and baptism in the name of Jesus only. In addition, this book brings to the fore an intrinsic excitement and understanding about the symbols and symbolisms, images and mysteries, signs and wonders associated with this sacrament. The role of the Holy Spirit and the centrality of Jesus in the baptismal act are of importance recognized.

“If symbolically baptism means dying to sin and rising to new life with Christ, does this apply only to adult believers? This book explores the question against the background of research conducted in the Central American country of Belize that unearthed the views and beliefs of laypersons. The reach of the work extends beyond Belize, and Methodist traditions are compared with contrasting beliefs and practices of other denominations. Popular superstitions associated with baptism are also explored as well as the impact of African cultural practices on Christian theology in the lived experience of Caribbean peoples.

“Although this research was conducted in Belize, it is borderless and boundless. Of vital interest is the exploration of this sacrament in African religious beliefs and cultural practices. According to Professor Neville Duncan, former director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, the book is ‘theologically and sociologically stimulating…while written from the Methodist perspective…the issues raised will resonate with all Christian denominations.’ All denominations noted in this book are given their due respect regardless of their beliefs and/or baptismal practices.”

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Lesley George Anderson’s new book offers a fine balance of religious and cultural influences regarding the baptism ritual.

Anderson offers readers a carefully researched and articulate discussion that will present a unique and respectful perspective on a variety of cultures around the world.

Consumers can purchase “Baptism, Superstitions, and the Supernatural: A Caribbean Perspective” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about “Baptism, Superstitions, and the Supernatural: A Caribbean Perspective,” contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.

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