It is striking that Charles Spurgeon, one of the most influential figures in the church since the 19th century, is better known for his ministry than for his personal life, and not without reason. But have you ever wondered how the Spurgeons managed their finances? Or what was your work rate like? What did he do when he got sick? What role did Spurgeon’s wife play in his life?
In Spurgeon’s pilgrimage there were key events, even in the most mundane of his life, that help us understand the reason for his great impact and ministerial influence. Considering these realities, Juan Carlos de la Cruz, pastor in the Dominican Republic and director of the Southern Baptist School, presents his book: .
Biography of Charles H. Spurgeon
John Charles of the Cross
Biography of Charles H. Spurgeon
John Charles of the Cross
Publishing Clie . 224.
Is it can be of great help and blessing to the church today. The author focuses on demonstrating the wonders that Spurgeon was able to achieve as a direct result of God’s grace and providence. Such a message is completely necessary today, when we have the need for growth and impact of our churches in the midst of society.
Publishing Clie . 224.
The beginnings of an exceptional preacher
In chapter 1, the author describes that Spurgeon’s birth coincides with important events, such as the struggle for the abolition of slavery in the United States, the rise of Darwin’s theory of the “Origin of Species”, the “Manifesto communist” by Marx, among others. Spurgeon was a contemporary of influential Christians such as missionary David Livingstone and theologian Archibald A. Hodge. He also rose to the top of High Criticism and the liberalism of Swiss, Prussian and German theology, with the postulates of Schleiermacher, Bultmann, Harnack, among others.
This is important because “Spurgeon not only considered himself a conservative, but he considered himself an heir to the Puritans. His grandfather and his father, both Congregationalist ministers, had trained him in the more conservative wing of Protestantism” (p. 23).
Later, the author reveals how this family doctrinal heritage led Spurgeon to establish a tenacious position based on the interpretation of the Scriptures, without incurring in radicalism.
Chapters 2-4 develop more personal aspects of Spurgeon, such as his family and conversion. Regarding his early life, the author presents Spurgeon as a son who belonged to a family with several generations serving in the ministry. At age six, Spurgeon found John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress a valuable work that he would read more than 100 times and greatly influence his conversion and ministry.
De la Cruz points out that Spurgeon determined “that, if he were to become a preacher, he would always point to the gospel of Jesus Christ in each of his messages, as we can confirm that he did” (p. 41). Later, at the age of 21, Spurgeon married Susannah Thompson on January 8, 1856. They had two children. About the marriage and upbringing of the Spurgeons, the author summarizes: “It is one thing to have a family and raise it in the principles of the faith. Another very different thing is to be a minister of the gospel and that the children love the ministry” (p. 53).
The prince on his knees
Chapters 5-8 recount how Spurgeon’s ministerial life began and how he promoted changes in the church where he served during his ministry:
“Although when Charles arrived at the Chapel New Park Street, in 1854, there were 232 members; Thirty-seven years later, in 1891, the church then called the London Metropolitan Tabernacle, listed 5,311 members. Just over fourteen thousand (14,000) had become members of that church in that period of nearly four decades of Mr. Spurgeon’s ministry” (p. 59).
This is no small achievement, considering Spurgeon’s difficult days. On one occasion, during a preaching where more than six thousand people gathered, seven of them died and another 28 were injured by hostile attacks from some.
Spurgeon never received a formal theological education. However, he had a deep commitment to the pastoral ministry and preaching. He also had a special predilection for the college for pastors, where nearly 900 students graduated. In addition, he took special care of the orphanage for children. At the time, it housed 1,099 children. This institution was a monument to mercy, not only of Spurgeon, but of his entire family, since they were all involved.
When we read quotes from Spurgeon, we rarely find reference to his more than fifty ministries. Although, as the author clarifies, preaching was Spurgeon’s most visible contribution: “As a preacher, many say, since the days of Paul there has probably been no one with the grace of Charles” (p. 77).
It is surprising to read about the achievements achieved by Spurgeon’s preaching and that the author describes in detail in this biographical work. But the author not only collects these great successes, but also attributes them to Spurgeon’s theology and practice of prayer: “I would look here (in prayer), before, in any other matter, for the inordinate success of the famous preacher” (p. 96). Like Orlando Boyer, De la Cruz points out that “the prince of preachers was above all the prince on his knees” (p. 106).
Later, the author points out Spurgeon’s theology and its main concerns (ch. 9), and also describes the preacher’s literary output (chs. 10 and 11). He then concludes with a summary of Spurgeon’s achievements and last days, but not before dealing with practical aspects such as his conception of the church and its leaders.
De la Cruz summarizes Spurgeon’s work and writings this way: “It is likely that the work directed by Spurgeon will far exceed those of presidents and prime ministers with a hundred times more available resources in volume and utility. Glories be given to the Father of lights for giving us men with such a degree of efficiency!” (p. 73).
A great example for our days
Is it can be of great help and blessing to the church today. The author focuses on demonstrating the wonders that Spurgeon was able to achieve as a direct result of God’s grace and providence. Such a message is completely necessary today, when we have the need for growth and impact of our churches in the midst of society.
Spurgeon was enormously influential in the era in which he lived and his influence continues to this day. Juan Carlos de la Cruz writes: “Spurgeon’s theology was Christ-centered. The theme of Charles’s preaching was always and only Christ. He ten times he preached a week, ten times he exposed Christ ”(p. 181). I want to conclude with Spurgeon’s words to his physician:
“My dear doctor, do not think that I do not know how to talk about another subject, it is that Christ is the only subject of my preaching” (p. 182).