Richard Baxter and Conversion: A Study of Puritan Concept of Becoming Christian [Paperback]

Tim Beougher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 3, 2007

"...If you be not converted, you are not true Christians. You may have the name, but you have not the nature."

Richard Baxter, A Treatise of Conversion 1657.

Puritan religious experience was centered on conversion, the 'new birth' of the soul - the essence of Puritanism.

Tim Beougher forensically dissects Baxter’s writings and life so that we see how he constructs a ‘systematic theology of conversion’. How relevant this is becomes clear as Beougher investigates how Baxter speaks to us today about controversies on justification, church discipline and the sacraments.

Baxter was, arguably, the greatest of the Puritan pastors, over the period of his ministry in Kidderminster he had every person in his town to his house to enquire of their spiritual state. It was central to his care for his ‘flock’.

In an era where authentic belonging is sought, but rarely found, Baxter can speak to us today just as effectively through this study by Tim Beougher.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

the Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He studied at KSU, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Prior to taking up his present position he was assistant professor of evangelism at the Wheaton College Graduate School and associate director of the Institute of Evangelism at the Billy Graham Center.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Mentor (December 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845503104
• ISBN-13: 978-1845503109
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,579,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent treatment on an Important Theologian, January 18, 2012

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This review is from: Richard Baxter and Conversion: A Study of Puritan Concept of Becoming Christian (Paperback)

This book was a required textbook for my Historical Theology class. I have not read any book on Richard Baxter before. This lucid and important work, by Professor Tim Beougher (Professor of Historical Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), provides a rich and comprehensive analysis of Richard Baxter's life, his theology, and his writings on conversion, preaching the gospel, and church practice.

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) is vitally important in church history because among the 17th century Puritan theologian-practitioners, Baxter has provided many important works that deal specifically with conversion.

Puritan studies are enriching because they not only provide deep spiritual insights about godly living in obedience to the Word of God, but they offer rich insights about genuine conversion and the correct preaching of the gospel as well.

Contents of this Book:

Foreword by J.I. Packer
Introduction

1. The Life and Ministry of Richard Baxter
2. The Theological Foundation for Conversion
3. Controversy regarding Justification
4. The Process of Conversion
5. Presenting the Gospel
6. Conversion and the Church

Conclusion
Endnotes
Bibliography

The most interesting chapters to me were the ones on the theological foundation for conversion and the controversy regarding justification. In his treatment of Baxter's theology, Beougher mentions that even though Baxter was "eclectic" in his theology, he was heavily influenced by Scripture and by the political method of Hugo Grotius (esp. De Satisfactione). There is much discussion on whether Baxter was Amyraldian, especially in his belief in "hypothetical universalism." Baxter initially held to the concept of limited atonement but later revised his view to embrace unlimited atonement (pp. 50-58). Another controversial issue was Baxter's belief in two justifications: the first when a person believes in Christ and second during the Day of Judgment (p. 61).

One area that I wished Dr. Beougher addressed more completely in the book was Baxter's concept of Total Depravity. It seems to me that the logical starting point of theological discussion (whether it be Calvinist or Arminian) is the concept of Total Depravity. Baxter believes in "common grace" and holds to unlimited atonement as well. Does this mean that Baxter is "Arminian"? Dr. Beougher does not think so.

In chapter 4 dealing with the Process of Conversion, Beougher addresses Baxter's view of the means of conversion (the Word of God) and channel of conversion: faith and repentance. In chapter 6 (Conversion and the Church), Beougher deals in detail Baxter's views of the two sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and the church's role in church discipline.

I learned a lot about the Puritan concept of conversion from reading this important and comprehensive work. I'm glad that this book was assigned as required reading. For readers who wish to study more about Puritan concepts of conversion and the presentation of the gospel, this book is a good place to start. Dr. Beougher provides a lucid, comprehensive, and practical treatment of conversion. You'll be enriched by the life of Richard Baxter and be challenged in a positive way by his treatment of theology and his concepts of conversion. Richard Baxter is a godly theologian-minister who practiced what he preaches. We are so enriched by his godly life, his passion for evangelism, his love for the Christian church and his insights on conversion. Highly recommended!