Richard Baxter and Conversion

"...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.

CONTENTS
Foreword by J.I. Packer .......................................................................7
Introduction ......................................................................................11
1. The Life and Ministry of Richard Baxter .................................19
2. The Theological Foundation For Conversion .........................35
Baxter’s Theological Methodology ................................................................................ 35
The Nature and Fall of Man ........................................................................................... 42
The Basis for Conversion: The Grace of God and the Work of Christ ...................... 47
3. Controversy Regarding Justifi cation .......................................59
4. The Process of Conversion ........................................................77
The Effi cient Cause of Conversion: The Holy Spirit .................................................. 79
The Means of Conversion: The Word of God .............................................................. 81
Preparation for Conversion: Consideration and Humiliation ...................................82
The Channel of Conversion: Faith and Repentance .................................................... 89
The Result of Conversion: Can the Christian Expect to Realize Assurance of Salvation? .....91
5. Presenting the Gospel: Manner and Methods ........................99
6. Conversion and the Church ....................................................113
The Nature of the Church ............................................................................................. 114
The Sacraments ............................................................................................................... 121
Baptism ............................................................................................................................ 122
The Lord’s Supper .......................................................................................................... 127
The Role of Church Discipline ..................................................................................... 130
The Teaching Ministry of the Church ......................................................................... 135
Conclusion ......................................................................................137
Endnotes ..........................................................................................149
Bibliography ...................................................................................221