John Burgess explores the distinctive qualities of Christian identity by demonstrating how baptism, the Eucharist, and the Commandments are basic points of orientation for Christians. He challenges the church and its members to identify and claim key practices and disciplines of faith to deepen baptismal identity and give the Christian life solid form today. His work ultimately seeks to stimulate pastors, educators, and church leaders to encourage the church to practice ways of life together that will lead to a more faithful living of the Christian faith.

John P. Burgess is James Henry Snowden Professor of Systematic Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), he was previously Associate for Theology in the Office of Theology and Worship. Among his books is After Baptism: Shaping the Christian Life, published by Westminster John Knox Press.