This segment from Lohfink’s book explores what is dreadfully absent in the life of most churches: the existence of a serious effort to “socialize”. It’s been largely left to the sermon, which all too often resorts to “Therapy” to soothe the soul (“Chicken Soup”). The absence of any serious effort to combat the world, but rather , to seek to “take the edge off” (like a form of alcoholism) by helping us to feel better. Absent are the expectations that here we are about being shaped and transformed. Periodic “special events” and “extra-curricular” studies will not suffice (“extra” to the “curricula” that consists of the standard fare; the weekly sermon, whcih is what most people consider to be the “dues” that they pay to be counted).

The awareness that acceptance of the faith means entry into a new creation, a new form of society, is evident not only in the Pauline letters. The whole of the ancient Church was sustained by that knowledge, and for that reason it was also aware of the great significance of baptism. Baptism was seen as a change of rulers, a turning away from the gods and demons of Gentile society and an entry into the Church as the space of Christ’s lordship.

All that was very concrete: probably as early as the second century the candidates for baptism each had to produce a guarantor who would attest the sincerity of their conversion. They had to take part in a three-year baptismal catechessis that carefully educated them in Jewish-Christian discernment and the form of life demanded by faith. The ancient Church took it for granted that the Christian life of the baptismal candidates would not come of itself, but had to be learned, It was also assumed that evil is powerful and that every inch of the reign of God had to be fought for. Therefore the instruction of the catechumens and baptism itself was accompanied by symbolic actions that expressed the struggle: exorcism, anointing, imposition of hands, solemn renunciation of the diabolos and his works.

p.211 Does God Need The Church?

The Church of the Saviour set the stakes from the outset, and they have avoided the slow descent into culturally acceptable religion and undemanding community.