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In this episode, Brett, Brian, and Jason continue to look at how baptism is taught in the Old Testament. Today, they take up the story of Naaman and how his washing in the Jordan River cleansed him from leprosy. Leprosy makes for a consistent metaphor in Scripture due to the nature of the disease, which renders one unable to feel pain or detect how injured or ill they really are. Like Naaman, Baptism is a simple thing God has called us to do that delivers his gifts and promises.
Thank you for another great show. I am really enjoying this series. Having been raised in a Baptist hope I never had as much of an appreciation for the sacraments (we called them “ordinances”) as I have now as a Reformed person.
I know you have not touched on it, and I consider it a minor issue, but in the past I have pointed to the two previous passages you guy talked about as examples of why I would not want my children immersed. I point out that immersion baptism happened in those baptisms but it was for the people who were being judged (everyone not related to Noah and the Egyptians). However, in the Naaman story we have immersion but only if this story is intended to inform us about baptism. If it does it ruins my argument against immersion. 🙁 But that is okay. You guys are the first ones I have ever heard who see this story as touching on baptism. Is there anyone else who has done connected this story to baptism? If so, who are they and where can I find their writings regarding that.
The sacramental allusion I always saw in this story is the ‘two mule loads of earth” (5:17) that Naaman takes back home with him. I understand one aspect of a sacrament to be a physical thing that reminds us of a spiritual reality. Every time we think of our baptism or partake of the Lord’s Supper we are reminded by these physical things about the spiritual reality that is true about us. I could see Naaman constantly looking at that dirt to remind himself of the fact that he had been forgiven. I have never read anyone who had this take on this dirt. But it is something I have thought about often and have pictured Naaman smiling every time he looked at that dirt. I am sure I get the same smile on my face every week at the Lord’s Table.
One last thing, it is true that I am not J.T. Realmuto. However, I did live in Philadelphia until I was 10 years old and I have been an avid Phillies Phan for over 45 years now!!! My favorite player growing up was Larry Bowa because he and I played shortstop and we both had really bad tempers. I outgrew mine. I don’t think he ever outgrew his. Also, if you had a speech impediment and tried to say my last name (Borah) it might sound like his. 🙂
Any way, keep up the good work.
Your brother in Christ,
JT Borah
Naaman and baptism is a pretty common connection in Lutheran theology. Unfortunately, I don’t have a specific reference for you, but I’ve been hearing about Naaman and baptism since grade school from my Sunday school teachers and pastors. I’m sure if you start to peruse some Lutheran commentaries or works about baptism you’ll find the reference pretty quickly.
That’s an interesting thought about the loads of earth. I have to confess that I’ve never really even given a second thought to that part of the account.
Brett and I are glad you share an affinity for baseball. Brett is (unfortunately) a White Sox fan, and I claim both the Twins and the Cardinals. My oldest son somehow adopted Philadelphia as his NL team (when you’re a Twins fan, it’s always good to have a backup plan). Philly has had an incredible offseason, and my son went nuts as I gave him the almost weekly updates of the various roster additions.
Yea, it has been a great offseason. However, as I raise my children in the Philly sport Phaith I have tried to make sure they understand that the end of almost all Philly sports is a veil of tears. It was hard to do since they were growing up at the time the Phillies were really good. They have since realized the truth of my catechization of them. 🙂