Spurgeon's Forgotten Sabbatarianism: Examining the Role of the 4th Commandment in His Life and Theology

by Brandon Rhea

Spurgeon’s Forgotten Sabbatarianism seeks to document Charles Spurgeon’s teaching and practice on the Christian Sabbath. By looking at his biography through his Sunday activities, the reader will see how Spurgeon believed Sabbath observance required laboring for the Lord through worship, preaching, singing, evangelism, Sunday School ministry, and private devotion. Furthermore, the book shows Spurgeon’s adherence to the Second London Confession of Faith’s articles on the law of God and the Christian Sabbath. He held to the tripartite division of the law and taught all men to obey the moral law which includes the 4th commandment. Rather than seeing the Sabbath as a legalistic burden, he encouraged Christians to observe it with joy while looking with eyes of faith to the eternal Sabbath to come.

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2024

Reviews

[Josiah Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thesis of this book was very straight forward. Charles Spurgeon affirmed the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith’s teaching concerning the moral law and the Christian Sabbath. He believed in a tripartite division of the Law. He believed that that moral law, written on man’s heart at creation and revealed explicitly at Sinai in the ten commandments, is binding under the New Covenant. This of course includes the Sabbath. He believed that under the New Covenant, the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He believed that the Christian Sabbath was set aside exclusively for works of piety, necessity, and mercy.

Rhea does a great job at proving this thesis by giving a biographical sketch of Spurgeon’s own Sabbath keeping from his youth to his death and showing from Spurgeon’s preaching and writing that he fully affirmed the 2LBC’s teaching concerning the Sabbath. Rhea also shows that Spurgeon was unashamedly a Particular Baptist. He even republished the 2LBC for his church and placed a copy in the cornerstone of Metropolitan Tabernacle along with a Bible and a hymnal.

[R.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a completely unique book in that it focuses on Spurgeon’s life in relation to the Christian Sabbath (Sunday). No doubt after reading this book that Spurgeon was a Sabbath keeper and advocated strongly for it.

[Joshua Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am neither a Sabbatarian nor a confessor of the 1689, I found "Spurgeon's Forgotten Sabbatarianism" to be a excellent study on this important and under researched aspect of Spurgeon's theology.

[Bob Burger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath

I heard an interview with Dr. Rhea on the Sword and the Trowel podcast and found him fascinating. As a recovering Roman Catholic, I was brought up to believe not going to church on Sunday was a mortal sin. I still remember asking my dad when I was young why do we go to church on Sunday and his reply was so that we don't burn in hell.

Years later, as a non dom protestant, my love for the Lord had grown, but I did not feel the need to attend service every Sunday. Now in my 60's, and feeling the call of the Reformed church, my heart has changed again. After reading this book, I now feel a sorrow for the Sabbaths I have missed.

Dr. Rhea presents his argument in a way that is convincing but not dry. I could feel his conviction in every chapter. I believe that this book is a must read for every believer.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will be challenged by this book. Rhea, in my opinion, successfully demonstrates Surgeon's Sabbath keeping and how it comports to the 2nd London Baptist Confession. Spurgeon was an excellent model of a minister of the Lord. Following him as he follows Christ would benefit the Christian.