How can you speak of life and death with such a heart? How can you preach of heaven and hell in such a careless, sleepy manner? Do you believe what you say? Are you in earnest or in jest? How can you tell people that sin is such a thing, and that so much misery is upon them and before them, and be no more affected with it? Should you not weep over such a people, and should not your tears interrupt your words? Should not you cry aloud, and show them their transgressions, and entreat and beseech them as for life and death?

Richard Baxter (1615–1691), Pastor

Topics: Church & Congregation, Witness & Mission, Discipleship

Occasions: For Reflection

Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter war ein englischer puritanischer Pastor und Theologe des 17. Jahrhunderts, der vor allem durch seinen Dienst im englischen Kidderminster bekannt wurde. Er prägte eine praxisnahe Seelsorge sowie ein überkonfessionelles Glaubensverständnis, geriet jedoch wegen seiner Nonkonformität zur Staatskirche und seiner vermittelnden Rechtfertigungslehre in politische und theologische Konflikte. Bibellesern gilt er heute als historisches Beispiel für eine konsequente Verbindung von biblischer Lehre, persönlicher Frömmigkeit und engagierter Gemeindepraxis.

All quotes by Richard Baxter (92)

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