Perhaps one of the must universal human experiences is found in the stark realization that each one of us will die. How we confront the reality of death is deeply informed by our worldview and belief system; Christianity has much to say about death.
Volume Three of The Practical Works of the Rev. Richard Baxter contains Baxter’s writings on death. The Last Work of a Believer is derived from a eulogy Baxter delivered at the funeral of one of his dear friends and congregants. Death inspired Baxter to reflect on his own death and the broadly shared experience of knowing and loving individuals who have died. He turns to the words of Paul, and compares life to a race that must be run, in full acknowledgment of Christ as the author and perfecter of faith. In the meantime, our tasks include studying, preaching, praying, and avoiding activities which divert our attention—lust, ambitions, and the quest for power.
Baxter’s honest reflections on death emphasize the central themes of the Gospel—resurrection, life, and salvation—in the face of human suffering, doubt, and loss.
