A Catholic defense of infant baptism against Noahide attack, some are leaving the church over this

  See Home Page
SevenColorsMinistry@gmail.com

Catholic Perspective on Confusion About Infant Baptism, the Noahide Movement’s Influence, and Reasons to Remain in the Church

The practice of infant baptism is a cornerstone of Catholic sacramental theology, rooted in scripture, tradition, and the Church’s understanding of grace. However, some Catholics question why they must baptize their infants, particularly when exposed to alternative perspectives like the Noahide movement, which offers a framework for non-Jews based on the Seven Laws of Noah. The Noahide movement’s rejection of Christian sacraments, including baptism, can appeal to Catholics who are uncertain about infant baptism’s necessity, sometimes leading them away from the Catholic Church. This essay explores why some Catholics question infant baptism, the answers provided by the Noahide movement that attract them, and Catholic refutations of these answers. It concludes by affirming the theological and pastoral reasons for infant baptism, encouraging Catholics to remain in the Church.

---

Why Some Catholics Question Infant Baptism

Several factors contribute to Catholics’ confusion about the necessity of infant baptism, particularly when they encounter the Noahide movement:

1. Lack of Catechetical Understanding
   Many Catholics lack a deep understanding of the theology behind infant baptism. Without clear catechesis, they may question why infants, who cannot yet profess faith, are baptized. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1250) teaches that baptism removes original sin and incorporates the child into the Body of Christ, but this doctrine may seem abstract or unnecessary to those unfamiliar with its scriptural and traditional roots.
2. Influence of Biblical Literalism
   Some Catholics, reading scripture independently, notice that the New Testament primarily describes adult baptisms (e.g., Acts 2:38-41). They may question whether infant baptism is biblically grounded, especially if they encounter groups like the Noahides, who emphasize adherence to Old Testament-based moral laws over Christian sacramental practices.
3. Exposure to the Noahide Movement
   The Noahide movement, rooted in Jewish tradition, appeals to Catholics seeking a simpler, biblically based ethical framework. By promoting the Seven Laws of Noah as sufficient for non-Jews, the movement questions the necessity of Christian sacraments, including baptism. This can resonate with Catholics who are uncertain about infant baptism’s role or feel drawn to the movement’s emphasis on universal moral principles.
4. Cultural and Interfaith Dialogue
   Increased dialogue with Jewish communities or exposure to Jewish teachings through media or study can lead Catholics to admire the Noahide framework’s connection to the Hebrew Scriptures. This admiration may prompt questions about whether Christian practices like infant baptism are essential, especially when Noahides present their laws as a complete path to righteousness for non-Jews.

---

Noahide Answers to Questions About Infant Baptism

The Noahide movement provides answers that appeal to Catholics questioning infant baptism, often leading them away from the Church by emphasizing the sufficiency of the Noahide laws and rejecting Christian sacramental theology. These answers include:

1. Sufficiency of the Noahide Laws
   • Noahide Position: Noahides argue that the Seven Laws of Noah, derived from Genesis 9:1-7, are God’s universal covenant for all non-Jews, sufficient for righteousness without the need for Christian sacraments like baptism. They point to Genesis 9:6 and the prohibition against idolatry to assert that non-Jews are called to ethical living, not ritual practices like baptism.
   • Appeal to Catholics: Catholics questioning infant baptism may find this framework appealing, as it simplifies their religious obligations to a set of moral laws, bypassing the perceived complexity of sacramental theology.
2. Rejection of Original Sin
   • Noahide Position: Noahides, following Jewish theology, often reject the Christian doctrine of original sin, arguing that humans are born with a neutral inclination (yetzer hara and yetzer tov) rather than an inherited sin requiring baptism. They cite Ezekiel 18:20 (“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father”) to argue that infants are not born in a state of sin needing sacramental cleansing.
   • Appeal to Catholics: This rejection of original sin can resonate with Catholics who struggle to understand why innocent infants require baptism, making the Noahide approach seem more intuitive.
3. Emphasis on Personal Faith and Choice
   • Noahide Position: Noahides emphasize that religious acts, including any form of spiritual commitment, should be based on personal choice and understanding, not imposed on infants who cannot consent. They may reference Deuteronomy 30:19 (“Choose life, that you and your offspring may live”) to stress individual responsibility, suggesting that baptism should be reserved for adults who can profess faith.
   • Appeal to Catholics: Catholics influenced by modern notions of autonomy may find this emphasis on personal choice compelling, questioning why infants are baptized without their consent.
4. Torah’s Eternality Over Christian Innovation
   • Noahide Position: Noahides view the Torah as God’s eternal and complete revelation, citing Deuteronomy 4:2 (“You shall not add to the word that I command you”). They argue that Christian sacraments like baptism are innovations that deviate from the Torah’s universal covenant with Noah, as outlined in Genesis 9.
   • Appeal to Catholics: Catholics drawn to the Noahide movement may see its adherence to the Torah as a return to biblical purity, questioning whether infant baptism is a necessary addition to God’s original plan.

---

Catholic Refutations of Noahide Answers

From a Catholic perspective, the Noahide answers, while appealing to those seeking simplicity or biblical fidelity, misrepresent the role of baptism and the fullness of God’s revelation in Christ. The following refutations address each Noahide position, affirming the necessity of infant baptism and encouraging Catholics to remain in the Church.

1. Refutation of the Sufficiency of the Noahide Laws
   • Noahide Claim: The Seven Laws of Noah are sufficient for non-Jews, making baptism unnecessary.
   • Catholic Response: While the Noahide laws reflect universal moral principles, they are incomplete without the fullness of revelation in Christ. Baptism is the gateway to the New Covenant, instituted by Jesus (Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them”). The New Testament teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation (John 3:5: “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”). The CCC (1257) affirms that baptism is the ordinary means of salvation, incorporating individuals into Christ’s Body (1 Corinthians 12:13).
   • Conclusion: Infant baptism ensures that children receive the grace of salvation, keeping Catholics rooted in the Church’s sacramental life.
2. Refutation of Rejection of Original Sin
   • Noahide Claim: Infants are not born in sin, as per Ezekiel 18:20, making baptism unnecessary.
   • Catholic Response: The doctrine of original sin, rooted in scripture, teaches that all humanity inherits a fallen nature from Adam (Romans 5:12: “Sin came into the world through one man”). Psalm 51:5 (“In sin did my mother conceive me”) underscores this inherited condition. Baptism removes original sin and imparts sanctifying grace (CCC 1263), enabling infants to share in Christ’s redemption from birth. Ezekiel 18:20 addresses personal sins, not the inherited state of original sin, which affects all humanity (CCC 404).
   • Conclusion: The Noahide rejection of original sin overlooks the biblical and patristic understanding of humanity’s need for redemption, which infant baptism addresses, reinforcing the Catholic call to remain in the Church.
3. Refutation of Emphasis on Personal Faith
   • Noahide Claim: Baptism should be based on personal choice, not imposed on infants.
   • Catholic Response: The Catholic practice of infant baptism reflects the communal nature of faith, where parents and the Church act on behalf of the child, as seen in the Old Testament practice of circumcising infants into the covenant (Genesis 17:12). The New Testament supports household baptisms, including children (Acts 16:15, 16:33), indicating that faith is nurtured within the family and community. The CCC (1250) explains that infant baptism entrusts children to God’s grace, with parents and godparents responsible for their Christian upbringing. Personal faith develops as the child grows, confirmed in later sacraments like Confirmation.
   • Conclusion: The Noahide emphasis on individual choice misunderstands the communal and covenantal nature of baptism, which integrates infants into the Church, encouraging Catholics to stay faithful.
4. Refutation of Torah’s Eternality Over Christian Innovation
   • Noahide Claim: Baptism is an innovation that deviates from the Torah’s eternal covenant (Deuteronomy 4:2).
   • Catholic Response: The Catholic Church teaches that the New Covenant fulfills, not abolishes, the Torah (Matthew 5:17). The prophecy of a new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34, fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 8:8-13), shows that God intended to deepen His revelation through Jesus. Baptism, instituted by Christ (Mark 16:16), is the sign of this new covenant, replacing circumcision as the entry into God’s people (Colossians 2:11-12). The early Church, guided by the apostles, practiced infant baptism (e.g., Origen, Commentary on Romans, 5.9), affirming its apostolic origin.
   • Conclusion: The Noahide view misrepresents baptism as an innovation, whereas it fulfills the Torah’s promises, anchoring Catholics in the Church’s tradition.

---

Why Catholics Baptize Infants

Catholics baptize infants for several theological and pastoral reasons, rooted in scripture and tradition, which address the concerns of those drawn to the Noahide movement:

1. Removal of Original Sin
   Baptism cleanses infants of original sin, inherited from Adam, and imparts sanctifying grace, making them members of Christ’s Body (CCC 1263). This ensures that children, even before they can profess faith, are united to God’s saving work (1 Peter 3:21).
2. Incorporation into the Church
   Baptism is the gateway to the sacramental life, integrating infants into the Church as the family of God (CCC 1213). This communal aspect reflects the covenantal nature of salvation, seen in the Old Testament’s inclusion of infants in the covenant (Genesis 17:12).
3. Gift of Grace
   Infant baptism is an act of God’s gratuitous love, offering salvation to those who cannot yet choose it (John 3:5). Parents, acting in faith, entrust their children to God, who desires all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).
4. Apostolic Tradition
   The practice of infant baptism is attested in early Church writings (e.g., St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 2.22.4) and rooted in the New Testament’s household baptisms (Acts 16:15). It is a continuous tradition that reflects the Church’s mission to bring all to Christ.

---

Encouraging Catholics to Stay in the Church

To Catholics questioning infant baptism and drawn to the Noahide movement, the Church offers a compelling response: baptism is not an arbitrary ritual but the foundation of Christian life, fulfilling the Old Testament’s promises and uniting believers to Christ’s redemptive work. The Noahide movement, while offering a moral framework, lacks the fullness of revelation found in the Catholic Church, which integrates the Torah’s ethical principles with the sacraments of the New Covenant. The Eucharist, Confirmation, and other sacraments build on baptism, providing a lifelong journey of grace that surpasses the Noahide laws’ simplicity. By baptizing infants, Catholics participate in God’s plan to redeem all humanity, ensuring that their children are embraced by His love from the earliest moments of life. Remaining in the Church allows Catholics to experience this fullness, rooted in scripture, tradition, and the living presence of Christ.

---

Conclusion

Some Catholics question infant baptism due to a lack of catechetical clarity, exposure to biblical literalism, and the appeal of the Noahide movement’s emphasis on the Torah’s sufficiency. Noahides attract these Catholics by presenting the Seven Laws as sufficient, rejecting original sin, emphasizing personal choice, and critiquing Christian sacraments as innovations. However, Catholic theology refutes these claims by affirming baptism’s necessity for salvation, the reality of original sin, the communal nature of faith, and the fulfillment of the Torah in Christ. Infant baptism is a gift of grace, incorporating children into the New Covenant and the Church. By understanding these truths, Catholics can remain confident in their faith, finding in the Church the fullness of God’s revelation and a vibrant sacramental life that surpasses the Noahide framework.