Although several of Schlink's writings, including his study of baptism, have been available in English for many decades, the publication of the new German edition offered a significant impetus for providing a fresh and more accurate translation of them. The first English edition of his book on baptism, published in 1972, was an abridgment of the German original. In this new edition, words and sentences that were omitted from the first edition have been restored and complete bibliographic information has been given. The editor has also provided many explanatory endnotes that help to illuminate the book's contents. Schlink took the doctrine of baptism seriously, as if it truly matters for the unity of the church. Again and again, he returns to the gospel and its promises that are tied to baptism. While formally open toward siblings in Christ beyond his own confession, his humble and conciliatory method of ecumenism was undertaken consciously and intentionally from within a Lutheran confessional perspective.
