Re:visiting Richard Baxter

One of the first books I read as a seminary student was Richard Baxter's The Reformed Pastor. Baxter utilized the title, not to refer to a theological persuasion, but to designate a regenerated ethic that should accompany the pastor. Written in a day where pastors were known to be drunkards, brawlers, and fornicators, Baxter issues a plea for the Christian pastor to renew a movement of doctrinal education leading to moral transformation.

A practice I have had for numerous years is to keep a regular reading schedule of preaching and pastoral ministry books. Not so much focused on method (for they are countless) but ones focused on a foundational theology developed from Scripture. Today, as I sought to update my reading list, I was persuaded to pick up Baxter's classic work for another read, now a few years and many experiences since my first exposure to it. I have spent much of the day meditating on Baxter's "character of the pastor," for which he lists twelve.

1) Purity of Motive - "hard studies, much knowledge, and excellent preaching are more glorious but still hypocritical sins when they are done for our glory."

2) Diligence and hard work - "[I]t is of infinite importance to others and to ourselves. It is our task to save ourselves and others from temptation, to overcome the devil, to demolish his kingdom, and to set up the kingdom of God."

3) Prudence and efficiency - "The work of conversion, of repentance from dead works, and of faith in Christ, must be taught first and in a frequent and thorough manner." Baxter emphasizes the teaching of basic doctrines over and above speculations, that each might grow in the meat of the word.

4) Certainty about basic doctrines - Similarly, "To teach Christ to our people is to teach everything... Thus the great and commonly acknowledged truths are those that men live by, and which are the great instruments that raise men's heart to God."

5) Plain and clear teaching - "All our teaching must be as plain and evident as we can make it. He that would be understood must speak at the level of his audience. He must make it his business to be understood. Truth loves the light."

6) Dependence upon God and docility before others - "Our whole work must be carried on in a humble sense or our own insufficiency. We need a pious, believing dependence upon Christ for all things. We must go to Him for light, life, and strength. For it is He who sends us into our work."

7) Humility - "Where there is pride, all want to lead and none want to follow or agree. Hence is the cause of schisms, apostasies, arrogant usurpations, and other forms of imposition. Hence also is the concern of ineffective ministry of far too many ministers, who are simply too proud to learn."

8) A balance between severity and gentleness - "If there is no severity, then there will be contempt of our reproofs. If all is severity, then we will be taken to be domineering rather than persuaders of the truth."

9) A zealous and affectionate spirit - "The importance of what we are commissioned to teach will condemn any coldness or sleepy dullness which we may be tempted to indulge in. Let us then be wide awake. Let us then be in such a state that we awaken others."

10) Reverence - "The more God appears in the midst of our duties, the more authority they will have before men. For reverence is that affection of the soul which comes from the deep apprehension of God. It reveals a mind which is intimately conversant with God."

11) A caring love for people - "Be sure that your love is not carnal, coming from pride; let it not be as from a suitor of self-esteem, rather than coming from the lover of Christ. Take heed, then, that you do not connive at secret sins under the pretense of love. So friendship must always be cemented by piety. For a bad man can never be a true friend."

12) Patience - "We must bear with many abuses and injuries from those for whom we are doing good. When we have studied their case, prayed with them, and besought and exalted them, and spent ourselves for them, then we may still need more patience with them. We can still expect that after we have looked upon them as our own children, that there may be some who will reject us with scorn, even hate and contempt. They will cast our kindness in our teeth with disdain, and look upon us as their enemies. They will do this simply because we told them the truth. Yes, even the more we have loved them, the more they will hate us. All this has to be accepted, and yet we still need unswerving and unwearied desire to do good on their behalf."

I have enjoyed my fellowship with Baxter today, probably even more so than I did the first time. In a day of leadership principles, success models, and product promotions, it is good to be reminded that the work of the pastor is not selling his message, but exalting his Lord.