The love of God and neighbor is the heart of the Christian faith. Forgotten saint Samuel Pearce teaches us how to live a life faithful to the greatest commandment.

Pearce was a Baptist pastor known in eighteenth-century England for his moving preaching and strong, pious character. In his short life, he supported believers in his own parish as well as in the many cities where he preached and helped send missionaries. Yet his personal faith, founded on the "holy love" of God, formed his most compelling witness to the world. By getting to know Pearce's story, readers will learn from his example what it looks like to love God and neighbor - in good times as well as challenging and seemingly mundane ones.

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.

Michael A. G. Haykin is professor of church history and biblical spirituality at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. He is author of numerous books, including Rediscovering the Church Fathers: Who They Were and How They Shaped the Church.
Jerry Slate is pastor of Berean Baptist Church (Hiram, GA). He is contributing author to The Glory of God Among All the Nations.