Richard Baker (theologian) facts for kids

Richard Baker (born 1741, died 1818) was an English writer. He focused on religious topics and was known for his theological works. He also earned a special degree called a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.), which is a high academic title in religious studies.

Richard Baker's Life

Richard Baker went to Pembroke College at Cambridge University in England. He was a very good student.

He earned several degrees there:

• He got his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1762. He was the seventh-best student in his year!
• He earned his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in 1765.
• Later, in 1788, he received his Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree.

After finishing his studies, Richard Baker became a fellow at his college. This meant he was a senior member of the college, often involved in teaching or research. In 1772, he became the rector (a type of priest) of a church in Cawston-with-Portland in Norfolk, England. He stayed in this important role until he passed away in 1818.

His Writings

Richard Baker wrote several books about religion and Christian beliefs. His works aimed to help people understand the Bible better.

Here are some of his main books:

• How the Knowledge of Salvation is attainable (1782): This was a sermon, which is a speech about a religious topic. It explored how people can find spiritual understanding.
• The Harmony or Agreement of the Four Evangelists (1783–1787): This book was published in four parts. It looked at how the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in the New Testament agree with each other. He wanted to show how their stories fit together.
• The Psalms of David Evangelized (1811): In this book, Baker connected the ancient songs and prayers from the Book of Psalms (in the Old Testament) to the teachings of Christianity. He showed how the ideas in the Psalms relate to Christian beliefs and the experiences of religious people throughout history.