Richard Baxter’s passionate plea to unbelievers, calling upon them to convert to Christianity, is as thought-provoking and religiously profound today as when first published centuries ago.
An unabashed and compelling exhortation, A Call to the Unconverted marries the author’s keen grasp of logic and reason with his utmost admiration and love for Jesus Christ. The combination of Baxter’s astute mind and his veneration of the Son of God makes this treatise a true classic of Christian literature: from the moment the text first appeared in 1669, the reception among Christians and non-Christians alike was appreciative.
For Baxter, Christianity is the one and true faith upon the Earth. Whilst acknowledging the essential values imparted in other religions – such as the virtues of human conduct; kindness, compassion, humility, honesty, courage – Baxter is eager to emphasize that Christ is the authentic embodiment of belief. Only by aligning oneself to Jesus can the believer be assured of spiritual harmony during and after their lifetime.
Although Baxter was a devout and pious Christian, by nature he was a gentle and kind person. His character is reflected in his writing, which exhorts but does not employ fear of God’s condemnation to deliver a point. This alongside his scholarly knowledge makes A Call to the Unconverted a true gem of Christian writing for all-time.
