The following is a list, not at all exhaustive, of some resources on paedobaptism. In my study of the issue, the Lord used many of these to convict me of the doctrine of covenant baptism, including paedobaptism, as outlined in the Westminster Standards. I hope these resources will help others as well.
The organization here is simple: the resource, followed by my comments, and then a quality rating.
The Baptism Debate: James White vs. Gregg Strawbridge
This was the first debate and my initial foray into studying the topic. At the time, I considered myself a Reformed Baptist, conflicted on covenant theology. I knew of 1689 Federalism and thought it was interesting and made sense, but at the same time I had trouble with viewing the Old Covenant as external and temporal, as well as their apparent harsh dichotomy between the law and the gospel.
So I commenced study by watching this debate at home when I had the free time. Speaking frankly, I believe that James White won the debate rhetorically. As to the substance of argument, I was too green at the time to really understand all that was being said. Nevertheless, I walked away thinking that Paedobaptists were near-heretics who denied the mediatorial efficacy of Christ as our High Priest.
I thought this because James White strawmanned Strawbridge. I later learned of the distinctions of the administration/substance of the covenant and the visible/invisible church—distinctions which Paedobaptists hold (because the Bible holds them forth) which allow them to maintain that someone may both be (a) under the administration of the covenant and in the visible church, yet not (b) in the substance of the covenant, savingly united to Christ, and in the invisible church.
Important note: Strawbridge is not a classic Westminsterian in his view of the covenant and the Church. Rather, he holds to Federal Vision, which is something different. So, his comments and view should be taken in that context. In my opinion, Federal Vision is Baptistic hermeneutics applied in a Reformed Presbyterian context, just like Paedocommunion. And I reject both as neither biblical nor confessional.
Quality Rating: 2 out of 5. White won rhetorically and Strawbridge was/is not the best theological proponent of classic covenant theology and paedobaptism. One can start here but one should not stop here.
The Baptism Debate: James White vs William (Bill) Shishko
Now this particular debate discharged a peculiar challenge to me. Why? Because Pastor Shishko caught me off guard. I had never heard these things before. He showed me how little I understood of Scripture, of its continuity, and especially of the argumentation for Paedobaptism. I had never considered the texts and their implications which he brought up. He revealed the great weaknesses in my systematization—really, lack thereof—of the Bible. It was here that the road presented a real turn.
Shishko won this debate both rhetorically and substantively. At the time, I thought James White was the Master Debater Theologian Supreme! But not so here. He obviously was out-leagued both as to argumentation and persuasiveness. And he even seemed unprepared for certain points that Shishko made, if memory serves me correctly. Shishko has a (dare I say it) winsomeness about him in this debate. I got the sense he sincerely cared for his hearers, not simply for the debate. And his framing of the issue and delivery of challenge to White was never meaningfully answered, at least for me.
Quality Rating: 5 of 5. Must watch. If you only watch one debate, this is the one.
Infant Baptism Debate: Robert Strimple vs. Fred Malone
This is a unique debate in that Robert Strimple, arguing for infant baptism, was previously a Baptist, whereas Fred Malone, arguing for anti-paedobaptism, was a Baptist, then a Paedobaptist, then returned finally back to being a Baptist. He has also written a work entitled A String of Pearls Unstrung, which, though I have not read it, I’ve heard is a decent work on the issue from an Anti-paedobaptist perspective.
I don’t remember thinking who won. At this point I was not interested in that; I was simply trying to listen and evaluate arguments. I recall Strimple raising several points that really piqued my interest and got me thinking. In fact, for a while I have wanted to revisit this debate to take notes because I recall he said a number of things I found uniquely insightful. Strimple is also very easy to listen to.
Quality Rating: 4 of 5. The strength of the debate objectively is probably the experience and history of both men. For me uniquely it was hearing new things I had not heard previously from Strimple.
Christian Baptism
This is series is located here. Alternatively, copy & paste this into your address bar: shorturl.at/hjouJ
This is a 20 part lecture series on Baptism given by Pastor Bill Shishko from the second debate above. This for me was the second major turning point. The nature of a longer series like this affords it the strength of going into greater detail, giving more of a positive case and presentation, rather than a debate with its often strict rigor and argument. Likewise, if I remember correctly, there are question and answer sessions featured in most or all of the lectures.
I and another brother who have listened to this think this series as a whole is excellent, but it does taper off in the last few lectures. Some of the points there were noticeably weaker than those previous. Still, the series is worth a listen, especially for Baptists, because Shishko consciously and thoughtfully takes a more baptistic approach, hermeneutically, to the issue, focusing on particular texts and words and parts rather than broad principles of theology and covenant etc.
I will include the outline for those interested. It can be found and downloaded here. Note: Click “File > Download as > PDF Document” to download the outline to your computer or device.
Quality Rating: 5 of 5. Especially helpful for Baptists because of the method employed.
This resource list is pending completion. There are many more I want to add in due time.