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An exploration—and an affirmation—of the connection between the Church’s sacraments of initiation.
Inviting the unbaptized to participate in the Eucharist has become an increasingly common practice in churches, as Christian communities explore ways to use the sacraments as an expression of openness and service. In this volume, sacramental theologian Shawn Strout reconsiders this trend. Arguing from church history, sacramental theology, and liturgical practice, Strout shows how baptism and the Eucharist form an indissoluble bond that is central to Christian initiation and community. The book’s conclusion turns to pastoral considerations and ecumenical relationships, showing the significance of the traditional ordo of baptism and Eucharist for the church.
An important text for clergy, scholars, and church leaders, Bound Together: Baptism, Eucharist, and the Church offers important reflections on an issue of pressing concern.
"Shawn Strout offers fresh perspectives on the vexed question of communion before baptism. With deep respect for those advocating for a change in historical practice, he invites his readers to consider scripture, history, and liturgy, connecting baptism and Eucharist to the Church. This book broadens our horizons, as Strout helps us see how understandings of baptism have changed over the centuries and encourages Episcopalians to embrace the rich baptismal images in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer as foundational for the Eucharist and for the Church as the Body of Christ."
"Theology matters! And how we summarize what we believe matters. Theology and belief statements shift and change, of course, often because a deeper dive into how the building blocks of the topic at hand shift to inform each other. In this introductory text on the theology of church, Shawn Strout helpfully joins together scripture, history, liturgical theology, ecclesiology, and ecumenism to stress how baptism and eucharist are bound together to form what he calls the 'baptismal-eucharistic ecclesiology' of the Episcopal Church (and the hyphen is essential). All who are interested in the relationship between baptism, eucharist, and the Church will want to begin here. Each chapter builds on the previous articulations to create a solid foundation for understanding how changing the cohesion and unity of baptism before communion changes the very theology of the Church."
“Bound Together should be essential reading for every bishop, church leader, and parishioner who desires a deeper knowledge and practice of the sacraments.”