Tradition and Innovation: Baptismal Rite and Mystagogy in Theodore of Mopsuestia and Narsai of Nisibis

Nathan Witkamp, Ph.D. (2016), Evangelical Theological Faculty, Leuven/VU Amsterdam, is research fellow of the Netherlands Centre for Patristic Research. He has published several articles on the baptismal rites of Theodore of Mopsuestia and Narsai of Nisibis.

Preface
Glossary
Abbreviations
Quotations


Introduction


Part 1 Preliminary Issues: Terminology and Structure


1 Terminology
 1.1 Introduction
 1.2 ‘Baptism’
 1.3 ‘Mystery/ies’
 1.4 ‘Initiation’ and ‘Baptismal Rite’


2 The Structure of the Rite
 2.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
 2.2 Narsai of Nisibis
 2.3 Concluding Comparison


Part 2 Rituals Preceding the Sacrament


3 Examination, Sponsor, Enrolment
 3.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
 3.2 Narsai of Nisibis
 3.3 The Rituals Contextualised
 3.4 The Rituals Compared
 3.5 Conclusion


4 Deliverance from Sin and the Devil
 4.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
 4.2 Narsai of Nisibis
 4.3 The Rituals Contextualised
 4.4 The Rituals Compared
 4.5 Conclusion


5 Apotaxis and Syntaxis
 5.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
 5.2 Narsai of Nisibis
 5.3 The Rituals Contextualised
 5.4 The Rituals Compared
 5.5 Conclusion


Part 3 Rituals of the Sacrament


6 The Signing on the Forehead
 6.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
 6.2 Narsai of Nisibis
 6.3 The Rituals Contextualised
 6.4 The Rituals Compared
 6.5 Conclusion


7 Baptism
 7.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
 7.2 Narsai of Nisibis
 7.3 The Rituals Contextualised
 7.4 The Rituals Compared
 7.5 Conclusion


General Conclusion


Bibliography
Index