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A Defence of Calvinism by Spurgeon, Charles Haddon (2010) Paperback
A Defence of Calvinism by Spurgeon, Charles Haddon [Banner of Truth, 2010] (P...
Paperback
About the author
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
5,989 books1,618 followersCharles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) was England's best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London's famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian, John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues, Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861, the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 25, 2025
I'm not marking this low because of the content of this 'book', I'm marking it low so that maybe someone sees this before purchasing and isn't tricked, as I was, into buying pamphlet, (I'm looking at you reformers bookshop! 😂).
I don't agree with Calvinism at all, and this 'book' is short and without a strong argument at all. No scriptures, its basically a short philosophical defence and its not strong. However, Spurgeon and many others who are much smarter and well read than I hold this doctrine tight, so who knows, I don't think theology matters too much. What I don't like is when people matter-of-factly say it does, or go as far as calling an opinion heresy, like Spurgeon does:
"And what is the heresy of Arminianism but the
addition of something to the work of the Redeemer? Every heresy, if brought to the touchstone, will discover itself here. I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism.
It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else"
To me, Surgeons own admission in this book sums up the issue for me. Calvinism can't actually be explained, believers just have to accept that it will make sense later.
"That God predestines, and yet that man is responsible, are two facts that few can see clearly. They are believed to be inconsistent
and contradictory to each other. If, then, I find taught in one partof the Bible that everything is foreordained, that is true; and if I find, in another Scripture, that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is only my folly that leads me to imagine that these two truths can ever contradict each other. I do not believe they can ever be welded into one upon any earthly anvil, but they certainly shall be one in eternity."
This review is nearly longer than the book.
I don't agree with Calvinism at all, and this 'book' is short and without a strong argument at all. No scriptures, its basically a short philosophical defence and its not strong. However, Spurgeon and many others who are much smarter and well read than I hold this doctrine tight, so who knows, I don't think theology matters too much. What I don't like is when people matter-of-factly say it does, or go as far as calling an opinion heresy, like Spurgeon does:
"And what is the heresy of Arminianism but the
addition of something to the work of the Redeemer? Every heresy, if brought to the touchstone, will discover itself here. I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism.
It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else"
To me, Surgeons own admission in this book sums up the issue for me. Calvinism can't actually be explained, believers just have to accept that it will make sense later.
"That God predestines, and yet that man is responsible, are two facts that few can see clearly. They are believed to be inconsistent
and contradictory to each other. If, then, I find taught in one partof the Bible that everything is foreordained, that is true; and if I find, in another Scripture, that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is only my folly that leads me to imagine that these two truths can ever contradict each other. I do not believe they can ever be welded into one upon any earthly anvil, but they certainly shall be one in eternity."
This review is nearly longer than the book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review