Reformed Pastor (Puritan Paperbacks)

Nice book

Awesome! I was going to give it 6 stars, but Amazon wouldn't let me.This book is a systematic exegesis and exposition of Acts 20:28:"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."Baxter's book, though split into several sections, is generally repetitive. He focuses mainly on "taking heed to" oneself, that is, making sure one practices what one preaches, and that one is a good example, etc. And "taking heed to" the flock, that is, making personally sure that everything necessary for the spiritual growth of the flock is in place. He here focuses little on preaching, but rather on personal visits and communications with each family in the church, helping them in their need, teaching them the Word.His language is not much less archaic than the KJV, and he uses long, complex sentences with a hipponormous vocabulary. He often quotes scripture, and equally often alludes to scripture with his wording. I agree (based on scripture) with the vast majority of what he says, and have been personally challenged concerning my duties in church. Every Christian leader, whether a pastor, worship leader, or head of a family, should read this book. Though it will be difficult if English is not one's first language.This book is cheap and practical to have in paper form, though it is also freely available online.

I discovered this, because if was mentioned in his book "The Christian Priest Today", by Michael Ramsey. I can understand why - they both have the mark of deep spirituality, while remaining eminently practical. I have glad this has come into my hands.

I have known about Richard Baxter's text for decades and I have accepted the view that it taught that the minister should be studying in the morning and pastoral visiting in the afternoon. I have now read it and it doesn't.This was written during the period of the Commonwealth when the Church of England was Presbyterian in government (that is necessary there also was a period when the dominant form was Independency). He is writing for what today would be seen as a ministerial retreat, a day of teaching and confession for the pastors of Northamptonshire.What he is arguing is the need for Pastors to make catechism an important part of their pastoral responsibility. His desire is to see a Reformation of character in the general populace brought about by a greater understanding of the Christian gospel. In this his aim is not to judge who is "saved" and who is "damned". When he is at the relevant part of the book he is reticent to make any such judgement, but to increase the knowledge of the Gospel amongst people so that more might be saved. This means that although learning by rote is the method the emphasis is on understanding. Therefore people don't have to learn a specific catechism (any will do although one is recommended) and on getting poor answer it is the duty of the Pastor to establish whether that is due to poor recall of language or an understanding of the doctrine. Doctrinal disputes are to be left to one side with the concentration of the teaching on the agreed central doctrines of the gospel.Thus is differs markedly from what came later.Another important point is his test of "conversion" was not that a person had prayed a sinners prayer, nor that they had given themselves to Christ but that they were grieved at the sins they had committed. This understanding makes sense of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress where Christian for quite a while carries his burden before he is relieved at the foot of the cross. Christian was seen as "saved" but had not yet got to know scripture to such an extent that he was assured of the forgiveness for his sins.for the modern reader the amount of time spent on the necessity of pastors bringing their lives into accord with the Gospel and the need for Holy living which he goes on about at length (about two thirds of the book) will seem over the top given his central message. However he describes times when people do not know the gospel and do not have the knowledge of the faith even if they have faithfully attended church for years, where Pastors are few and far between even though he is hopeful for the church in England as whole, hoping for a second and greater Reformation, not that of the government of the Church but that of the government of the individual.In many ways I suspect this book framed pastoral care for the next 350 years both in England and Scotland. It is worth reading if only to know where the patterns originated.

What can we say? Just a great albeit brief volume. Baxter really brings it. Reading this book will only remind you what an amazing and untapped resource the puritans are. Personally, I don’t agree with some of Baxter’s theology. I prefer John Owen myself. But there isn’t anything to disagree with here! Baxter starts out with a simple outline. Take care of yourself before you can take care of your flock. The whole point of this book is to stir up seal in pastors, elders, and laymen. Baxter reminds us that those whom God has elected to service have a responsibility to act. That act includes obedience, prayer, and Dedication to Scripture. That dedication includes study not just for sermon prep but for the heart. When you preach, you are communicating to the congregation what God has revealed to you. For Baxter, this is done in the public forum and in one in one conference. If you do not know how to speak in conference, Baxter recommends going through the catechism. He shows that the catechism will produce mature believers. This is a resource that all believers would do well to be acquainted with.

The last section on catechizing is helpful. This is a long book and Baxter repeats himself over and over. I hear there's an abridged version out there. Find it. There were some nuggets in this, but I struggled to get through.