Outed Parodist

There might be a more normal approach to take for my first Te decet hymnus post, post-College Church. I'll get around to that later. But this one is prompted by my being "outed" as a parodist, in a comment made by my senior pastor. To be fair, Josh was highlighting things he appreciated about me, and one exhibit was this little parody I wrote to honor a colleague's change of theological conviction.

"Jay" (we'll call him Jay for purposes of this story, because that is his name) was a diligent defender of credo-baptism (baptism should only take place upon a personal confession of faith). This on a staff and in a church where we also practice paedo-baptism (infant baptism). Jay's good-natured but ardent challenges to the paedo-baptists among us are legendary.

So it was a bit of a surprise when that conviction became a matter for personal study, and a huge surprise when he switched his view entirely. Well, there really was - nor is there yet - a better response than the following:

Baby Baptizer

dedicated to Pastor Jay Thomas

with apologies to Lennon and McCartney

sung to the tune of “Paperback Writer”

Baby baptizer …

Dear Rev’rend Doctor, I have read your book,

It took me years to get, but I’m fin’lly hooked.

Based on a covenant it seems so clear,

Now I’m in your camp, and I want to be a baby baptizer.

Baby baptizer.

I would be like Calvin, Cranmer, Keller, too,

Wesley, Edwards, Packer – just  to name a few.

I can fin’lly get into that Cov’nant style,

I have changed around and I want to be a baby baptizer.

Baby baptizer.

Baby baptizer  . . .

It’s not the doctrine that I learned in school,

But my heroes do it, so I guess it’s cool.

Yeah, I used to diss it, but I’ve changed my mind;

You may be surprised, but I want to be a baby baptizer.

Baby baptizer.

I am really digging sacramental rites,

But it took some time, it wasn’t overnight.

I am still reforming, paedo-baptist here,

This is my big break, and I want to be a baby baptizer.

Baby baptizer.

Baby baptizer . . .

Baby baptizer – baby baptizer

Baby baptizer – baby baptizer

Chuck King © 2010 All rights reserved.