Directions for profitable Reading the Holy Scriptures. Direct. 7
‘Compare one place of Scripture with another, and expound the darkest by the help of the plainest, and the fewer expressions by the more frequent and ordinary, and the more doubtful points by those which are most certain;’ and not on the contrary.
(…to be continued)
From A Body of Practical Divinity, or A Christian Directory, Vol. 3
As I continue to learn more about the Puritans, just like mine some of their warts are beginning to become apparent. Some of these “warts” are serious and some are not. I have found these Ten Directions for profitable Reading the Holy Scriptures to be quite insightful and much of what Baxter wrote and did was productive. I continue to learn more about Mr. Baxter and I have found that, though many hold him in high regard, there is one important question that is brought up about him. From more than one source I have found that Baxter became disturbed by the antinomianism he saw amongst the soldiers in Cromwell’s army. Of course Baxter had every right to be deeply disturbed by the excessive antinomianism he saw but it led him to a position on Justification that seems wrong. He knew the reformed views of Justification in his time, as far as I’m aware, but his views changed over time and he came up with something “original.” Baxter is primarily associated with starting and promoting the theological views that became known as neonomianism. Many who were solid on Reformed orthodoxy found Baxter’s new formulation upsetting. The more I read the more I don’t blame them. For a deeper dive, check out this article and video and go from there:
NOT BY FAITH ALONE: The Neonomianism of Richard Baxter (1615–91)
Was Richard Baxter a Heretic? ***Bow Tie Dialogue with Tom Hicks***
By the way, this is a serious bump in the road but by no means will it keep me from publishing the remaining three directions from Baxter that I think are beneficial. Because I’m finding that Baxter may have been in error on the important subject of Justification, I will probably post the remaining three “Directions” in one post. At the same time, until I find that Baxter’s ideas about Justification were correct (and I’m finding just the opposite at present), I will not put up any other posts about Baxter after that.
Chris Reimers
Research articles about Baxter’s Neonomianiam:
Reformed and Lutheran Responses to Richard Baxter: Theological Heterodoxy and the Synod of Dort
Refuting Arguments for Neonomianism
Neonomian Presbyterians vs Antinomian Congregationalists?
Guilty, Not Guilty
“Richard Baxter accused John Owen of antinomianism, and Owen returned the favor by warning about Baxter’s neonomianism.”
Richard Baxter: A Strange Theological Mix
“Happily, these erroneous doctrines do not surface much in Baxter’s devotional writings, which are geared mainly to encourage one’s sanctification rather than to teach theology.”
Neither Antinomian nor Neonomian
The Grace of the Law
“It is a study of the seventeenth century debates around Antinomianism and Neonomianism in which he guides the reader through the main issues with honesty, letting the participants speak for themselves and demonstrating how our Puritan forefathers brought the teaching of the Bible to combat both errors.”
Baxter’s Soup and Wright’s Soap
Includes interesting thoughts on N.T. Wright’s theology
Richard Baxter on The Importance of Hard Work
Was Richard Baxter Orthodox on Justification?
Posted by Chris 
Wings of the Wind 
Why was the Reformation necessary?
April 30, 2026I would like to thank Tom of excatholic4christ for publishing this important video. I grew up in a church that discussed the Reformation quite a bit and have been surprised throughout my life as I’ve discovered how few churches discuss this important time in history. Every believer should know about the Reformation and why it was necessary.
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