Theology in Particular Episode 220: Richard Baxter And Benjamin Keach On Justification With Tom Hicks
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Oct 20, 2025 Tom Hicks, a pastor and adjunct professor, delves into the theological clash between Richard Baxter and Benjamin Keach over justification. He explores how Baxter's self-taught methods during the English Civil War influenced his views, highlighting his neonomian stance and departure from classical imputation. In contrast, Hicks outlines Keach's defense of justification through imputed righteousness. Their debate continues to resonate today, revealing the implications of these beliefs on assurance and faith, as well as their relevance to contemporary theological movements.
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Baxter's Army Chaplain Experience
- Richard Baxter served as an army chaplain and saw soldiers justify licentious living by claiming imputed righteousness alone.
- That experience drove him to write against what he perceived as the dangers of Reformed justification.
Baxter's 'New Law' And Governmental Atonement
- Baxter taught God relaxed the law after Adam's fall and that Christ's death mainly proves God's seriousness, not satisfaction of justice.
- He denied traditional imputations and made personal obedience a legal ground in a flexible new law.
Justification By Faith Plus Obedience
- Baxter taught that faith plus sincere obedience justify, making imperfect obedience the legal ground under a relaxed law.
- He explicitly claimed sincere obedience is a condition for continuance in justification.
