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Backslider
This updated edition is co-published by The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Baptist leader Andrew Fuller (1754-1815) deals with the issue of backsliding: when genuine Christians lose their passion for Christ and his kingdom. This was not a theoretical issue for Fuller, therefore, and his words, weighty when he first wrote them, are still worthy of being pondered-and acted upon. Included as an appendix is a poetic application of dealing with such a backslidden heart, written by Samuel Pearce (1766-1799) a close friend and co-labourer for Christ with Fuller.
Baptist leader Andrew Fuller (1754-1815) deals with the issue of backsliding: when genuine Christians lose their passion for Christ and his kingdom. This was not a theoretical issue for Fuller, therefore, and his words, weighty when he first wrote them, are still worthy of being pondered-and acted upon. Included as an appendix is a poetic application of dealing with such a backslidden heart, written by Samuel Pearce (1766-1799) a close friend and co-labourer for Christ with Fuller.
- GenresTheology
96 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2018
5 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Fuller
349 books12 followersAndrew Fuller (6 February 1754 – 7 May 1815) was an English Particular Baptist minister and theologian. Known as a promoter of missionary work, he also took part in theological controversy. Fuller is best known in connection with the foundation of the Baptist Missionary Society, to which he for the most part devoted his energies.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 15, 2020
One of the best books on sin in the life of a believer.
January 13, 2026
"On the Mortification of Sin" by Owen (which Fuller quotes at length) gets much of the publicity for books on holiness and fighting sin (and for good reason!), but I think this work by Fuller is much worth reading as well. He masterfully, and with high clarity, unpacks the nature, symptoms, and injuries of "backsliding" (i.e., falling back into habitual sin and away from the Lord Jesus). He also balances the gravity of sin with the greatness of grace in his means to recovery. I appreciated the broad principles and the practicality, and I will probably suggest this to others caught in sins that seem to cling so closely.
November 23, 2020
Rich, direct, and succinct exposition of the topic of backsliding in the Christian faith. Fuller writes with passion, conviction, and sound theology, basing his warning and encouragement in the certainty of biblical truth. I highly recommend this little book to all!
February 25, 2024
Short but good book. Fuller addresses backsliding by addressing the root of unrepentant sin. This was a thought-provoking and convicting book for me in that it is a good warning about not letting oneself become complacent about "little sin" in one's life.
January 5, 2021
I read it in Andrew Fuller’s Works from Banner of Truth.
Sweet and short. A really good analysis of backslidings. Fuller address it’s dangers, symptoms, effets and cures.
Sweet and short. A really good analysis of backslidings. Fuller address it’s dangers, symptoms, effets and cures.
July 9, 2011
Fuller, Andrew: The Backslider: His Nature, Symptoms, and Recovery with biographical sketch by Michael Haykin and introduction by John A. James
I found this book on the subject of backsliding to be very helpful. Having seen some folks become backsliders it was an honest account of them but it is helpful also in encouraging watchfulness so that I myself do not backslide. The author writes with a balanced and I would argue biblical point of view. He holds to the sovereignty of God as taught in Calvinism namely the perseverance of the saints, but does not neglect the teachings on backsliding showing how it may show that one was never a Christians but also that a true Christians will come to repentance. Fuller says, “Backsliding, it is true, always supposes a profession of the true religion; but it does not necessarily suppose the existence of the thing professed.”
The book has a helpful biographical sketch and then is four chapters. The author looks at what a backslider is in general first. Secondly he looks at the symptoms of backsliding which is basically not repenting of sin and how we may think that we have but what unrepented sin looks like. He then shows the dangers effects and consequences of unrepented or what he calls “sin lying upon the conscience unlamented”. Finally in the last chapter He discusses the means to recovery from this state. The helpful lines in this book are too many to quote here.
I read this book under the recommendation of Dr. James Renihan and Michael Gaydosh’s compiled list of a year with Baptist classics. I’m am enjoying finding the great theology in Baptist history.
Publisher: Solid Ground Christian Books
Boards: Paperback
Binding: Glue
Year: 2005 (original publication of work 1801)
Pages: 122
Scripture index: no
Subject index: no
I found this book on the subject of backsliding to be very helpful. Having seen some folks become backsliders it was an honest account of them but it is helpful also in encouraging watchfulness so that I myself do not backslide. The author writes with a balanced and I would argue biblical point of view. He holds to the sovereignty of God as taught in Calvinism namely the perseverance of the saints, but does not neglect the teachings on backsliding showing how it may show that one was never a Christians but also that a true Christians will come to repentance. Fuller says, “Backsliding, it is true, always supposes a profession of the true religion; but it does not necessarily suppose the existence of the thing professed.”
The book has a helpful biographical sketch and then is four chapters. The author looks at what a backslider is in general first. Secondly he looks at the symptoms of backsliding which is basically not repenting of sin and how we may think that we have but what unrepented sin looks like. He then shows the dangers effects and consequences of unrepented or what he calls “sin lying upon the conscience unlamented”. Finally in the last chapter He discusses the means to recovery from this state. The helpful lines in this book are too many to quote here.
I read this book under the recommendation of Dr. James Renihan and Michael Gaydosh’s compiled list of a year with Baptist classics. I’m am enjoying finding the great theology in Baptist history.
Publisher: Solid Ground Christian Books
Boards: Paperback
Binding: Glue
Year: 2005 (original publication of work 1801)
Pages: 122
Scripture index: no
Subject index: no
November 6, 2019
A convicting read regarding the believers battle against sin and how to truly examine your salvation, fight sin, and commune with God.
July 22, 2025
Essential Reading. Balm for the soul. Concise.
February 24, 2016
Andrew Fuller has some great thoughts, and; typical of his time and context, he is exhaustively thorough as he exhorts the backslider towards repentance and a renewed faith.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews