Finding Assurance with Thomas Goodwin
Glory in nothing but that you are in Christ
In Finding Assurance with Thomas Goodwin, Andrew S. Ballitch explores how deeply the doctrine of assurance of faith impacted Goodwin’s life and how Christians can learn from him today. Doubt is a common Christian experience, and assurance of faith is a universal Christian desire. The Puritans were acutely aware of this reality—none more than Thomas Goodwin (1600–1680). Goodwin wrestled with doubt for seven years after his conversion. When assurance came, it was with joy and confidence that Christ was for him personally. His confidence fueled a life of holiness, service, and perseverance. Ballitch highlights how Goodwin’s life informed his theology and vice versa, so that readers can experience for themselves the joys of assurance.
Praise for Finding Assurance with Thomas Goodwin
Andrew Ballitch has done a tremendous service by bringing Goodwin’s seminal insights on assurance to a new audience—which is in many ways very comparable to his own seventeenth-century context. If you’re looking for a pastor from the past who seems to know you better than you know yourself, you’re in for a real treat.
—Michael Horton, J. Gresham Machen Professor of Theology, Westminster Seminary California
There are so many helpful pastoral insights into the nature of the Christian life in this book that it is worth reading regardless of one’s position on assurance of salvation.
—Mark Jones, senior minister, Faith Vancouver Presbyterian Church
Andrew Ballitch ably traces Goodwin’s experience and doctrine of assurance of salvation. As Ballitch helps us to see, Goodwin’s teaching fell within a spectrum of Puritan views of how God assures His children of His favor toward them and salvation in them. While Goodwin’s exegesis and doctrine are not above criticism at times, his writings contain many biblically experiential and practical lessons for us still today.
—Joel R. Beeke, president, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Lived Theology series
The Lived Theology series explores aspects of Christian doctrine through the eyes of the men and women who practiced it. Interweaving the contributions of notable individuals alongside their overshadowed contemporaries, we gain a much deeper understanding and appreciation of their work and the broad tapestry of Christian history. These books illuminate the vital contributions made by these figures throughout the history of the church.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
- Introduction
- The Struggle for Assurance
- The Experience of Assurance
- The Theology of Assurance
- The Motivation of Assurance
- The Comfort of Assurance
- The Legacy of Assurance
- Conclusion
- Title: Finding Assurance with Thomas Goodwin
- Author: Andrew S. Ballitch
- Series: Lived Theology
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2023
- Pages: 168
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 5x8
- ISBN: 9781683597223
Andrew S. Ballitch is associate pastor of preaching and ministries at Westwood Alliance Church in Ontario, Ohio, where he also directs Westwood Theological Academy. He is the author of The Gloss and the Text: William Perkins on Interpreting Scripture with Scripture.
Reviews
1 rating
Aaron Lee
10/9/2023
How can you be sure of your salvation? In Finding Assurance with Thomas Goodwin, Andrew S. Ballitch brings the doctrine of assurance to battle doubt. Lived Theology As a part of the Lived Theology series by Lexham Press, this book explains the doctrine of assurance alongside the life of Thomas Goodwin. We journey with him as he comes to discover the joys of knowing you belong to the Lord. What I most appreciated was how the book explains what the applying the doctrine means to us today. For instance, the struggle for assurance is said to be caused by a lack of church, discipline, a refusal to profess the truth, and reliance on past experience in the lives of believers. Ballitch is insightful, and you can see how he challenges our contemporary culture. Sealed by the Spirit I was most interested to see Ballitch examine Ephesians 1:11-14 along with Goodwin. He walks us through Godwin’s exposition of the passage, shedding light on what it means to be sealed by the Spirit. It is wonderful to read and will strengthen your soul. I was most moved to see how assurance comforts those who are suffering. To die with full assurance of faith is admirable and beautiful. This book will guide you to have full assurance in the God of the Bible, who is faithful to his word. I received a media copy of Finding Assurance with Thomas Goodwin and this is my honest review.