For challenge and encouragement in your Christian life, read the life stories of the Heroes of the Faith.
The novelized biographies of this series are inspiring and easy-to-read, ideal for Christians of any age or background. In Charles Spurgeon, you’ll get to know the English Baptist who became known as “the Prince of Preachers”—a man who led a 6,000-seat “megachurch” decades before the term was coined, and whose sermons and writings are still readable a hundred years after his death.
Appropriate for readers from junior high through adult, helpful for believers of any background, these biographies encourage greater Christian commitment through the example of heroes like Charles Spurgeon.
The life of Charles Spurgeon is one that was used by God to reach multitudes with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is quite amazing what Spurgeon accomplished for Christ in an era without television or internet. This book provides insights into Spurgeon's life and theology. It left me thirsty to study the great preacher and his writing in more detail.
On a side note, with the current debate in the SBC concerning Calvinism, I can't help but assert that if more Calvinists (of which I include myself) had the heart of Charles Spurgeon, there would hardly be a debate.
Once in a while, when I thought that I’ve done so many works and sacrifices for the Lord in my own small, faulty, ignorance perspective, and craving for people’s appreciation and attention, I will think of two mortal men who will have none of these and puts me - and all of us - to shame. First, the indisputable apostle Paul. “For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace” (1 Corinthians 15:10). And secondly, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He was called to be a preacher when he was 16 years old. It was recorded that in his entire life he preached nearly 3,600 sermons (“The collected sermons filled 63 volumes equivalent to the 27 volume ninth edition of Encyclopedia Britannica,” observes John Piper), and published 49 volumes of commentaries, sayings, illustrations, and devotions. Every week he preached 4 to 10 times, read 6 meaty books, revised sermons for publication, lectured, edited a monthly magazine, and in his spare time, he wrote about 150 books! Not to mention, he shepherded about 6,000 church members (legend says that he knew all members by name), founded and directed a theological college, an orphanage, and oversaw 66 Christian charities.* Remember too, he was a family man with a godly wife and a healthy relationship with all his children. There are more but I think you get the point.
This biography of Spurgeon covers faithfully the life, loves, physical and emotional pain, persecutions from within and outside the church. But especially his love and devotion to Jesus.
"Christ not only saved from the penalty and power of sin but that He was the ever-present Friend, keeping the promise He made to the disciples that He would be with them always, even to the end of the age. The glad certainty was never quite absent, even in the darkest hours of Spurgeon’s suffering and conflict. He knew he was not alone."
The book finishes with this- "The qualities Spurgeon embodied were never more urgently needed than now. The steady persistence and cheery optimism with which he faced difficulties are examples we cannot neglect."
Excellent book in every sense. Written by JC Carlile who knew Spurgeon personally (it is not ‘by Dan Harmon’, but modernised and edited by him), it’s only flaw if it can be called as such, is that it glosses over Spurgeon’s depression, addictive pipe smoking and has an overall tone of pure admiration.
Well written and researched, this book comes from a person who knew the subject personally. A very good sketch of his life with lengthy (sometimes too lengthy) quotes from his sermons. I do however feel that this book only skims the surface of Spurgeon's theological stances. That being said, this remains a wonderful introduction to the life of the Prince of Preachers.
Written with the reader in mind, this was an engaging read that not only provided insight into Spurgeon's life and times, but also some of the character flaws with which he contended. I'd highly recommend this to anyone looking for a concise biography of this great man of God.