What do you think?
Rate this book
Theologians on the Christian Life
Spurgeon on the Christian Life: Alive in Christ
Charles Spurgeon, widely hailed as the “Prince of Preachers,” is well known for his powerful preaching, gifted mind, and compelling personality. Over the course of nearly four decades at London’s famous New Park Street Chapel and Metropolitan Tabernacle, Spurgeon preached and penned words that continue to resonate with God’s people today.
Organized around the main beliefs that undergirded his ministry—the centrality of Christ, the importance of the new birth, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the necessity of the Bible—this introduction to Spurgeon’s life and thought will challenge readers to live their lives for the glory of God.
Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.
Organized around the main beliefs that undergirded his ministry—the centrality of Christ, the importance of the new birth, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the necessity of the Bible—this introduction to Spurgeon’s life and thought will challenge readers to live their lives for the glory of God.
Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2018
59 people are currently reading
689 people want to read
About the author
Michael Reeves
75 books570 followersMichael Reeves (PhD, King's College, London) is President and Professor of Theology at Union School of Theology in the UK (www.ust.ac.uk). He is Director of the European Theologians Network, and speaks and teaches regularly worldwide. Previously he has been Head of Theology for the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship and an associate minister at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
December 11, 2019
Como todos os livros de Michael Reeves, eis um livro cativante, instrutivo, cheio de sã teologia e bom humor. Sou grato a Deus por ter publicado essa preciosidade. Altamente recomendado!
February 9, 2019
Remarkable.
February 24, 2023
Wow! I thought I liked Spurgeon! Reeves puts us all to shame. What a great book. This is not a biography it is more a summary of the main things that Spurgeon made the main things in his ministry. And Reeves does it with hundreds of quotes from Spurgeon! It was so epic! I don’t know about the rest of this series but if they are like this then they are gonna be awesome!
January 26, 2022
A fantastic insight into the thinking of Charles Spurgeon (not that I’ve read any other biographies on him).
The book is mainly about his theology which means there was loads of amazing quotes from the man himself, and heaps of topics covered. A good resource to dip back into. It’s definitely made me want to read more about him as a person, that’s for sure.
“There is, certainly, enough in the gospel for any one man, enough to fill any one life, to absorb all our thought, emotion, desire, and energy, yea, infinitely more than the most experienced Christian and the most intelligent teacher will ever be able to bring forth. If our Master kept to his one topic, we may wisely do the same, and if any say that we are narrow, let us delight in that blessed narrowness which brings men into the narrow way. If any denounce us as cramped in our ideas, and shut up to one set of truths let us rejoice to be shut up with Christ, and count it the truest enlargement of our minds.”
The book is mainly about his theology which means there was loads of amazing quotes from the man himself, and heaps of topics covered. A good resource to dip back into. It’s definitely made me want to read more about him as a person, that’s for sure.
“There is, certainly, enough in the gospel for any one man, enough to fill any one life, to absorb all our thought, emotion, desire, and energy, yea, infinitely more than the most experienced Christian and the most intelligent teacher will ever be able to bring forth. If our Master kept to his one topic, we may wisely do the same, and if any say that we are narrow, let us delight in that blessed narrowness which brings men into the narrow way. If any denounce us as cramped in our ideas, and shut up to one set of truths let us rejoice to be shut up with Christ, and count it the truest enlargement of our minds.”
February 22, 2018
Spurgeon on the Christian Life by Michael Reeves is the latest installment in the Crossway Series, Theologians on the Christian Life. This excellent book covers some basic biographical information on the Prince of Preachers. He is rightly described as a man who “went at all of life full-on.” Spurgeon was a man of “deep affections.” Reeves is quick to characterize Spurgeon as a man of deep joy and God-centered wisdom.
Spurgeon was a man who possessed a strong reverence for Christ and his Word. A fair amount of space is devoted to showing how Spurgeon made Christ central in his life and his pastoral ministry: “You cannot taste the sweetness of any doctrine till you have remembered Christ’s connection with it,” writes Spurgeon. He was a man who was gripped by the Bible which is evident to anyone who reads his sermons.
Spurgeon was cut from the cloth of the Puritans. This man was a Calvinist through and through. Reeves adds, “Spurgeon was a Puritan and a Calvinist not through adherence to any theological system or tradition as such but because he believed such theology most glorifies Christ.” But Spurgeon never got boxed in by his theological systems. Above all, he was a Christian: “We believe in the five great points commonly known as Calvinistic; but we do not regard those five points as being barbed shafts which we are to thrust between the ribs of our fellow-Christians. We look upon them as being five great lamps which help to irradiate the cross; or, rather five great emanations springing from the glorious covenant of our Triune God, and illustrating the great doctrine of Jesus crucified.”
Reeves labors to explore the essence of Spurgeon’s preaching. The general purpose of his preaching is explored and his exegetical habits are examined. Spurgeon’s first aim in the pulpit was to clearly and faithfully preach Christ crucified. The author remarks, “If he is to be preached faithfully, the Christ who is the light and glory of God must be preaching by clearly and beautifully.” This is the kind of preaching that marked the ministry of C.H. Spurgeon.
Spurgeon’s passion for doctrine appears through this work with an emphasis on regeneration, conversion, human inability, sanctification, and the cross of Christ. “The cross - ,” writes Spurgeon, “that deepest revelation of the glory of God - is the great weapon that breaks down the heart’s defenses.”
Dr. Reeves presents an honest appraisal of Spurgeon. He was a man of prayer. But he was also a man who battled most of his adult life with despondency and depression. This leads to what may very well be the most important feature of the book, namely, the emphasis on fighting for joy. In one sentence, Reeves articulates Spurgeon’s heart on this matter with deep insightfulness: “Christians must, then, fight for joy, and fight for that intimacy with God that fosters joy. Such is the warp and woof of the Christian life that Spurgeon lived so well.
One may wonder how such a book could make any significant contribution, especially in light of some very good recent publications that survey the life and ministry of Spurgeon. Books like Living By Revealed Truth by Tom Nettles, The Forgotten Spurgeon by Iain Murray, Spurgeon’s Sorrows by Zach Eswine, and most recently, Steal Away Home by Matter Carter and Aaron Ivey have uncovered a wealth of information about the Prince of Preachers. But Spurgeon on the Christian Life is a helpful addition, indeed. This very readable book presents Spurgeon in an honest light which glorifies the great God of the universe. Readers would be remiss to ignore this precious treasure!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
Spurgeon was a man who possessed a strong reverence for Christ and his Word. A fair amount of space is devoted to showing how Spurgeon made Christ central in his life and his pastoral ministry: “You cannot taste the sweetness of any doctrine till you have remembered Christ’s connection with it,” writes Spurgeon. He was a man who was gripped by the Bible which is evident to anyone who reads his sermons.
Spurgeon was cut from the cloth of the Puritans. This man was a Calvinist through and through. Reeves adds, “Spurgeon was a Puritan and a Calvinist not through adherence to any theological system or tradition as such but because he believed such theology most glorifies Christ.” But Spurgeon never got boxed in by his theological systems. Above all, he was a Christian: “We believe in the five great points commonly known as Calvinistic; but we do not regard those five points as being barbed shafts which we are to thrust between the ribs of our fellow-Christians. We look upon them as being five great lamps which help to irradiate the cross; or, rather five great emanations springing from the glorious covenant of our Triune God, and illustrating the great doctrine of Jesus crucified.”
Reeves labors to explore the essence of Spurgeon’s preaching. The general purpose of his preaching is explored and his exegetical habits are examined. Spurgeon’s first aim in the pulpit was to clearly and faithfully preach Christ crucified. The author remarks, “If he is to be preached faithfully, the Christ who is the light and glory of God must be preaching by clearly and beautifully.” This is the kind of preaching that marked the ministry of C.H. Spurgeon.
Spurgeon’s passion for doctrine appears through this work with an emphasis on regeneration, conversion, human inability, sanctification, and the cross of Christ. “The cross - ,” writes Spurgeon, “that deepest revelation of the glory of God - is the great weapon that breaks down the heart’s defenses.”
Dr. Reeves presents an honest appraisal of Spurgeon. He was a man of prayer. But he was also a man who battled most of his adult life with despondency and depression. This leads to what may very well be the most important feature of the book, namely, the emphasis on fighting for joy. In one sentence, Reeves articulates Spurgeon’s heart on this matter with deep insightfulness: “Christians must, then, fight for joy, and fight for that intimacy with God that fosters joy. Such is the warp and woof of the Christian life that Spurgeon lived so well.
One may wonder how such a book could make any significant contribution, especially in light of some very good recent publications that survey the life and ministry of Spurgeon. Books like Living By Revealed Truth by Tom Nettles, The Forgotten Spurgeon by Iain Murray, Spurgeon’s Sorrows by Zach Eswine, and most recently, Steal Away Home by Matter Carter and Aaron Ivey have uncovered a wealth of information about the Prince of Preachers. But Spurgeon on the Christian Life is a helpful addition, indeed. This very readable book presents Spurgeon in an honest light which glorifies the great God of the universe. Readers would be remiss to ignore this precious treasure!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
July 14, 2018
Absolutely superb. Mike Reeves does an amazing job of letting Spurgeon do the talking, while helping the reader to be profoundly blessed by the message of the book. Well-researched, well-written, life-stirring. This is an easy read and it will burn through highlighter pens!
May 14, 2018
Michael Reeves does a great job in giving us a good overview of Spurgeon's view on the most important things in life. Really enjoyable.
Read
August 15, 2024Imagine if someone compiled a summation of your life and works, and the fruits of this labor yielded a book that could be read devotionally, touching the heart and soul, convicting at one turn and comforting at the next. Michael Reeves has done an excellent job getting at the heart of what Spurgeon was most passionate about: the centrality of Christ, the indispensable nature of the Bible, and the need to communicate directly and passionately to the hearts of anyone listening. The book is sparse on biographical elements, but it is clear that Charles Spurgeon wore himself out for the sake of the Gospel. I am so grateful that he did, and I look forward to reading much more of Spurgeon’s works.
July 29, 2022
Wow, what an encouraging read. Michael Reeves does a fantastic job unpacking Spurgeon‘s life administry in such a way where you feel like you have access to his thoughts and feelings. Spurgeons relentless Christ centeredness along with his emphasis on the new birth, the sovereignty of God, and Christ’s compassion for the lowly are a breath of fresh air. This book put fuel in my tank as I work to become a better pastor, and preacher. Highly recommend!
March 10, 2023
4.5 Got a lot more out of this book than I was expecting. The sections on Spurgeon's Christ centeredness, Christian Joy, and hope in our future Glory were of great usefulness for me. One quote that took out says, "I do not know, beloved, when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the cross."pg-142
September 26, 2021
This book is gold.
Thank God I got interested in Spurgeon.
I can relate to him on so many aspects. Especially the aspect of faith and mental health.
Very encouraging read.
Thank God I got interested in Spurgeon.
I can relate to him on so many aspects. Especially the aspect of faith and mental health.
Very encouraging read.
April 26, 2022
How could a book on or by Spurgeon not be 5 stars and worth your time...there is so much to learn from this godly man.
February 18, 2023
Loved. Much encouraged for ministry.
May 15, 2021
This is a great, mouth watering, introduction to the theology and heart of Spurgeon.
Loaded with great quotes and insights, this book both makes you want to read more Spurgeon and know Christ more.
Bravo Mr Reeves.
Loaded with great quotes and insights, this book both makes you want to read more Spurgeon and know Christ more.
Bravo Mr Reeves.
January 17, 2018
First sentence: Crowds lined the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the olivewood casket as it made its way through the streets of south London.
Spurgeon on the Christian Life by Michael Reeves is one of the books in Crossway's Theologians on the Christian Life series. It is divided into four parts: "Charles Spurgeon," "Christ The Center," "The New Birth," and "The New Life." It blends the formats of biography and theology. Readers learn a bit about Charles Spurgeon--his life and the times in which he lived--and a lot about what Spurgeon believed (taught and preached).
In the introduction, Reeves writes:
This is a book about Spurgeon’s theology of the Christian life, and those were the concerns that lay at the heart of it. Spurgeon was unreservedly Christ-centered and Christ-shaped in his theology; and he was equally insistent on the vital necessity of the new birth. The Christian life is a new life in Christ, given by the Spirit and won by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross... What I have attempted here is to let Spurgeon’s theology of the Christian life shape the very structure—as well as the content—of this book. This is not a comprehensive analysis of Spurgeon’s overall theology, nor is it a biography, though it should help readers get to know both the man and the broad brushstrokes of his theology.
Reeves decided to let Spurgeon do most of the talking for himself. He says, "In my own experience, I generally find reading Spurgeon himself like breathing in great lungfuls of mountain air: he is bracing, refreshing, and rousing. I want, therefore, to try to make myself scarce and let Spurgeon leap at readers himself."
I would say that Reeves was successful.
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Spurgeon on the Christian Life. I found it to be packed with great insight. It almost goes without saying that it's relevant as well. Every page of this one has treasure. Most pages have treasures in heaps. That is how good Spurgeon is. But it is also how good Reeves is. He organized, clarified, and wove everything together into a lovely book.
I already loved Charles Spurgeon. This book made me love him even more. It definitely whet my appetite for MORE Spurgeon in 2018. I think this one would be a great book to introduce Spurgeon to new readers and/or new believers. Spurgeon is not an intimidating author--neither is Reeves. And he packs more truth per page--I stand corrected, packs more CHRIST per page--than most any other author I've read. This makes for rich reading indeed. How could you read it and not find it delightful?!
Spurgeon on the Christian Life by Michael Reeves is one of the books in Crossway's Theologians on the Christian Life series. It is divided into four parts: "Charles Spurgeon," "Christ The Center," "The New Birth," and "The New Life." It blends the formats of biography and theology. Readers learn a bit about Charles Spurgeon--his life and the times in which he lived--and a lot about what Spurgeon believed (taught and preached).
In the introduction, Reeves writes:
This is a book about Spurgeon’s theology of the Christian life, and those were the concerns that lay at the heart of it. Spurgeon was unreservedly Christ-centered and Christ-shaped in his theology; and he was equally insistent on the vital necessity of the new birth. The Christian life is a new life in Christ, given by the Spirit and won by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross... What I have attempted here is to let Spurgeon’s theology of the Christian life shape the very structure—as well as the content—of this book. This is not a comprehensive analysis of Spurgeon’s overall theology, nor is it a biography, though it should help readers get to know both the man and the broad brushstrokes of his theology.
Reeves decided to let Spurgeon do most of the talking for himself. He says, "In my own experience, I generally find reading Spurgeon himself like breathing in great lungfuls of mountain air: he is bracing, refreshing, and rousing. I want, therefore, to try to make myself scarce and let Spurgeon leap at readers himself."
I would say that Reeves was successful.
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Spurgeon on the Christian Life. I found it to be packed with great insight. It almost goes without saying that it's relevant as well. Every page of this one has treasure. Most pages have treasures in heaps. That is how good Spurgeon is. But it is also how good Reeves is. He organized, clarified, and wove everything together into a lovely book.
I already loved Charles Spurgeon. This book made me love him even more. It definitely whet my appetite for MORE Spurgeon in 2018. I think this one would be a great book to introduce Spurgeon to new readers and/or new believers. Spurgeon is not an intimidating author--neither is Reeves. And he packs more truth per page--I stand corrected, packs more CHRIST per page--than most any other author I've read. This makes for rich reading indeed. How could you read it and not find it delightful?!
November 24, 2018
This looks to be a fantastic series, but I've only read Mike Reeves' volume on Spurgeon so far. What could be more central for a believer than understanding the key features of the Christian life, and what could be more important than grasping what great thinkers of the past have made of it?
Spurgeon is already a personal hero and this book only serves to deepen that appreciation. Reeves offers a comprehensive and erudite (from my novice perspective as one who has not studied Spurgeon in depth) account of what he wrote and taught. There is so much gold here - all the more so because we get relatively extensive quotations interspersed with brief explanations or contextual comment.
If I had one reservation (and it is a small one) it is the occasional sense that it falls between the two stools of comprehensivity (the danger of brief overviews of a person's thought is being reduced to an extended bullet list) and pastoral necessity (I've no doubt that many will pick up this series for solace and wisdom for their own walk). I particularly felt this during the chapter on suffering (ch11). Spurgeon wrestled with so many challenges in his life and to be fair Reeves does provide some details in the course of this short chapter. But by skating so swiftly over the results of Spurgeon's own processing of, and then preaching into, suffering, it can feel glib and simplistic. For those in the midst of such things, this is sensitive ground. I would, therefore, recommend Zack Eswine's superlative Spurgeon's Sorrows.
This is not to detract from the book - merely to alert readers to what this book (and presumably series?) seeks to achieve. From reading Reeves account, I learned much and loved Spurgeon even more!
Spurgeon is already a personal hero and this book only serves to deepen that appreciation. Reeves offers a comprehensive and erudite (from my novice perspective as one who has not studied Spurgeon in depth) account of what he wrote and taught. There is so much gold here - all the more so because we get relatively extensive quotations interspersed with brief explanations or contextual comment.
If I had one reservation (and it is a small one) it is the occasional sense that it falls between the two stools of comprehensivity (the danger of brief overviews of a person's thought is being reduced to an extended bullet list) and pastoral necessity (I've no doubt that many will pick up this series for solace and wisdom for their own walk). I particularly felt this during the chapter on suffering (ch11). Spurgeon wrestled with so many challenges in his life and to be fair Reeves does provide some details in the course of this short chapter. But by skating so swiftly over the results of Spurgeon's own processing of, and then preaching into, suffering, it can feel glib and simplistic. For those in the midst of such things, this is sensitive ground. I would, therefore, recommend Zack Eswine's superlative Spurgeon's Sorrows.
This is not to detract from the book - merely to alert readers to what this book (and presumably series?) seeks to achieve. From reading Reeves account, I learned much and loved Spurgeon even more!
August 18, 2023
Excellent! I’m not sure what I expected when I decided to read this book. I was definitely not anticipating so many areas of my Christian life being encouraged. I love how clearly Reeves allows Spurgeon’s theology, thoughts, and ideas speak to the reader. I’m not typically one to read a book multiple times, but I would give this one another shake to see what other nuggets of gold I could sift out!
September 3, 2023
I decided to start this book up after stopping a few chapters in last semester and I’m so glad I did. Spurgeon was uniquely his own and a great shepherd of his church. His words pointed me to Christ repeatedly and that’s about all you can ask for in a book.
“Thus when our hearts or circumstances leave us feeling that we cannot rejoice in anything else, we can still rejoice, for we rejoice in One who is unchangeably joy-giving.”
“Thus when our hearts or circumstances leave us feeling that we cannot rejoice in anything else, we can still rejoice, for we rejoice in One who is unchangeably joy-giving.”
July 20, 2024
This was an exceptional biographical outline of Spurgeon and his thought. Reeves brings this work to life with excellent historical backgrounds, fascinating anecdotes and stories, and remarkable truths from Scripture. Well worth your time.
September 4, 2024
I absolutely loved listening to this book. I so admire Surgeon's love for God in preaching the gospel in urgency of lost souls. He suffered physically and battled depression. He talked about God being close to him during his suffering. He spoke honestly about himself. He was a joyful man. I gleaned a lot from Spurgeon's own thoughts and teachings. A hero in my heart.
August 11, 2022
Cigar-smoking gas
November 18, 2021
I am giving this 5 stars because the book doesn't try to tell you what Spurgeon thought, it quotes Spurgeon and lets you know what Spurgeon believed from Spurgeon's own words. Yes, that is a lot of "Spurgeon" in one sentence.
If you wanted to know more about Spurgeon, this is a quick and very informative read. It is not a biography, it is a concise summation of Spurgeon's theology in his own words.
If you wanted to know more about Spurgeon, this is a quick and very informative read. It is not a biography, it is a concise summation of Spurgeon's theology in his own words.
July 10, 2024
I audio booked this one, and it was a blast listening to it.
One of the things I came to love even more about Spurgeon through this book is that even though he was titled the ‘king of preachers,’ he always taught his people about Christ with a simplicity and clarity in his preaching that was engaging for the everyday man, without ever becoming dumbed down.
“Better far give the people masses of unprepared truth in the rough, like pieces of meat from a butcher’s block, chopped off anyhow, bone and all, and even dropped down in the sawdust, than ostentatiously and delicately hand them out upon a china dish a delicious slice of nothing at all, decorated with the parsley of poetry, and flavored with the sauce of affectation” - Spurgeon
Pairing this clear and beautiful preaching style with radical Christ centeredness and an incredible passion for life is what makes Spurgeon so unique and so worth learning about.
This whole series “on the Christian Life” is excellent.
One of the things I came to love even more about Spurgeon through this book is that even though he was titled the ‘king of preachers,’ he always taught his people about Christ with a simplicity and clarity in his preaching that was engaging for the everyday man, without ever becoming dumbed down.
“Better far give the people masses of unprepared truth in the rough, like pieces of meat from a butcher’s block, chopped off anyhow, bone and all, and even dropped down in the sawdust, than ostentatiously and delicately hand them out upon a china dish a delicious slice of nothing at all, decorated with the parsley of poetry, and flavored with the sauce of affectation” - Spurgeon
Pairing this clear and beautiful preaching style with radical Christ centeredness and an incredible passion for life is what makes Spurgeon so unique and so worth learning about.
This whole series “on the Christian Life” is excellent.
March 12, 2018
*Why bother about someone who lived about two centuries ago? As the preface to the ‘Theologians on the Christian Life’ series, of which the book under review is a part, points out, studying past theologians and believers gives us perspective:
“We tend to lack the perspectives from the past, perspectives from a different time and place than our own. To put the matter differently, we have so many riches in our current horizon that we tend not to look to the horizons of the past.”
Hence, a look at an aspect of the life and ministry of one of the great leaders in the last two hundred years would surely afford us some perspective.
The man
The name of C.H. Spurgeon is beloved among evangelical [i] Christians. He is loved for the warmth and wittiness of his writing, as well as the biblical faithfulness which exudes from his sermons. Living between the years 1834 and 1892, his influence has far outlasted his short years.
But how well have we really known him? This volume by Michael Reeves has successfully helped to bridge that gap for us in the twenty-first century.
Spurgeon was pre-eminently a preacher. Coming from a long line of preachers, it is hardly a surprise that God chose to call him to the same vocation. In view of this, his life and ministry are relevant to modern preachers, as the book so clearly displays.
This is particularly because Spurgeon wasn’t merely a preacher; he was a Christ-centred one. And his devotion to Christ was not a mystical adoration, it was a thoroughgoing reliance on the person and work of the Redeemer. It resulted in several other points of emphasis in Spurgeon’s ministry. He spoke of the depth of human sin, the compelling need for the new birth, the daily reliance on the cross of Jesus for the believer’s sanctification, as well as a life of prayer. This dogged focus on Christ arose from his saturation in scripture, which he saw as leading to Jesus from every text, in much the same way every hamlet or town in England had a path that led to London.
Spurgeon was equally a pastorally minded theologian. Although he was well versed in theology, with knowledge of the biblical languages, yet he always sought to distill this in plain terms which ordinary people could understand.
A catholic Calvinist
He was what we might call a catholic Calvinist. He described his perspective thus:
“Calvinism means the placing of the eternal God at the head of all things. I look at everything through its relation to God’s glory.”
However, his Calvinism was derived from his devotion to Christ. He saw that everything hinged upon Christ and upon God’s sovereign grace in the salvation of sinners. So he was willing to extend a hand of fellowship to those who, while not adhering to Calvinism, clearly reveled in the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ. As Michael Reeves reminds us,
“He rejoiced in warm fellowship with Methodist, Arminian friends, viewing them as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and “natural allies” in the gospel of free grace against ritualist and rationalist Christianity.
It is helpful to hear Spurgeon himself on this:
“We believe in the five great points commonly known as Calvinistic; but we do not regard those five points as being barbed shafts which we are to thrust between the ribs of our fellow-Christians. We look upon them as being five great lamps which help to irradiate the cross; or, rather five bright emanations springing from the glorious covenant of our Triune God, and illustrating the great doctrine of Jesus crucified.”
Spurgeon’s perspective is thus a helpful guide for some believers today, who zealously adopt the name of ‘Calvinist’ yet fail to extend charity to those who might not have grasped the full extent and beauty of God’s redemptive plan.
RegenerationSpurgeon - book
Converted to Christ after a 5-year period under conviction of sin, Spurgeon never doubted the importance of regeneration or the new birth. And he believed it was the commencement of the Christian life. Thus he came to view baptism as the public profession of this new life which had just commenced at regeneration. As Reeves narrates, ‘he believed that baptism is essentially about an outward expression of the believer’s faith, not a conferral of God’s grace.’
In view of the foregoing, Spurgeon was vehemently opposed to the practice of infant baptism (or paedobaptism). Aside from his conviction that the practice is not scriptural, he believed that it obscured the need for saving faith in Jesus Christ. Many orthodox believers in paedobaptism, no less than John Calvin or John Murray or most of the Puritans, would disagree. They would insist that baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant; unlike Spurgeon who claimed it was an expression or ‘avowal’ of faith.
Spurgeon was concerned, and I think rightly, about the dangers which the practice of infant baptism could breed in people. For so many in his day and ours believe themselves to be safely in God’s kingdom because they had received baptism as infants. However, I believe his concern was also shared by many who still held on to the practice because they saw that the flow of scripture required it. The problem lies in whether a full diet of scripture is presented in churches which practice it. Do they clearly teach that baptismal regeneration is unscriptural? Do they remind the parents of the child that their infant is to be brought up to eventually and truly profess faith in Jesus? Where these are lacking, infant baptism would lead to serious issues.
Suffering
Spurgeon came to realize, just like a great number of witnesses throughout the history of the church, that the call to follow Christ often comes with suffering as a package. While suffering has no redemptive effect itself, it is a means by which God often fits his workers for ministry to others.
This brings to mind Peter’s counsel to believers in 1 Peter 4:12 that suffering should not be seen as something strange. Paul also instructs us that God will not allow us to suffer beyond the measure of God’s grace (1 Cor. 10:13). Our faith in Christ bears us up and leads us to trust in Him even more.
We should take the Puritans seriously
Those familiar with Spurgeon have long known that he loved the Puritans. This volume was helpful in showing why.
Aside from being brought up in a home which treasured their writings so much as to have a large stock of them, Spurgeon was struck by their depth and seriousness. As any reader of the Puritans would realize, they took the Bible seriously and would spend so much time and ink in ‘screwing the word into men’s hearts’ (their language)
In addition, the Puritans’ devotion to Christ, which shines through their writings, endeared them to Spurgeon. Here is a quote from Richard Sibbes[ii], one of the Puritans, which might have just been spoken by Spurgeon himself:
“The special work of our ministry is to lay open Christ, to hold up the tapestry and unfold the mysteries of Christ. Let us labour therefore to be always speaking somewhat about Christ, or tending that way. When we speak of the law, let it drive us to Christ; when of moral duties, let them teach us to walk worthy of Christ. Christ, or something tending to Christ, should be our theme, and mark to aim at.”
For the Puritans, theology was to lead to worship and prayer. One of the early representatives of this school, William Ames[iii] had even defined theology as the science of living to God. Their profound grasp of the doxological end of all theological study resonated with Spurgeon and made their writings his lifelong companions.
His favourite book after the Bible was the Puritan classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress[iv]. And Christian’s journey was for Spurgeon a true picture of the believer’s experience. Coming from the City of Destruction and moving on to the Heavenly Jerusalem, the believer meets all sorts of challenges and frustrations on the way. But under the watchful eye of his crucified but risen Saviour, the journey is completed successfully when the Christian enters into the joy of his heavenly Father. This was itself a summary of Spurgeon’s life and ministry.
And it continues to be a description of everyone who shares Spurgeon’s faith in the glorious Christ.
*Michael Reeves. Spurgeon on the Christian Life (Theologians on the Christian Life). Crossway, 2018. 192 pp. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Crossway through the Blog Review Program.
[i] Evangelical Christians believe in the divine authority of the scriptures, the universal problem of sin, and the truth that only in Jesus Christ can people be reconciled to God and receive salvation.
[ii] Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) – Anglican pastor and theologian
[iii] William Ames (1576-1633) – English protestant theologian and pastor
[iv] The Pilgrim’s Progress, published in 1678, is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan (1628-1688)
“We tend to lack the perspectives from the past, perspectives from a different time and place than our own. To put the matter differently, we have so many riches in our current horizon that we tend not to look to the horizons of the past.”
Hence, a look at an aspect of the life and ministry of one of the great leaders in the last two hundred years would surely afford us some perspective.
The man
The name of C.H. Spurgeon is beloved among evangelical [i] Christians. He is loved for the warmth and wittiness of his writing, as well as the biblical faithfulness which exudes from his sermons. Living between the years 1834 and 1892, his influence has far outlasted his short years.
But how well have we really known him? This volume by Michael Reeves has successfully helped to bridge that gap for us in the twenty-first century.
Spurgeon was pre-eminently a preacher. Coming from a long line of preachers, it is hardly a surprise that God chose to call him to the same vocation. In view of this, his life and ministry are relevant to modern preachers, as the book so clearly displays.
This is particularly because Spurgeon wasn’t merely a preacher; he was a Christ-centred one. And his devotion to Christ was not a mystical adoration, it was a thoroughgoing reliance on the person and work of the Redeemer. It resulted in several other points of emphasis in Spurgeon’s ministry. He spoke of the depth of human sin, the compelling need for the new birth, the daily reliance on the cross of Jesus for the believer’s sanctification, as well as a life of prayer. This dogged focus on Christ arose from his saturation in scripture, which he saw as leading to Jesus from every text, in much the same way every hamlet or town in England had a path that led to London.
Spurgeon was equally a pastorally minded theologian. Although he was well versed in theology, with knowledge of the biblical languages, yet he always sought to distill this in plain terms which ordinary people could understand.
A catholic Calvinist
He was what we might call a catholic Calvinist. He described his perspective thus:
“Calvinism means the placing of the eternal God at the head of all things. I look at everything through its relation to God’s glory.”
However, his Calvinism was derived from his devotion to Christ. He saw that everything hinged upon Christ and upon God’s sovereign grace in the salvation of sinners. So he was willing to extend a hand of fellowship to those who, while not adhering to Calvinism, clearly reveled in the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ. As Michael Reeves reminds us,
“He rejoiced in warm fellowship with Methodist, Arminian friends, viewing them as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and “natural allies” in the gospel of free grace against ritualist and rationalist Christianity.
It is helpful to hear Spurgeon himself on this:
“We believe in the five great points commonly known as Calvinistic; but we do not regard those five points as being barbed shafts which we are to thrust between the ribs of our fellow-Christians. We look upon them as being five great lamps which help to irradiate the cross; or, rather five bright emanations springing from the glorious covenant of our Triune God, and illustrating the great doctrine of Jesus crucified.”
Spurgeon’s perspective is thus a helpful guide for some believers today, who zealously adopt the name of ‘Calvinist’ yet fail to extend charity to those who might not have grasped the full extent and beauty of God’s redemptive plan.
RegenerationSpurgeon - book
Converted to Christ after a 5-year period under conviction of sin, Spurgeon never doubted the importance of regeneration or the new birth. And he believed it was the commencement of the Christian life. Thus he came to view baptism as the public profession of this new life which had just commenced at regeneration. As Reeves narrates, ‘he believed that baptism is essentially about an outward expression of the believer’s faith, not a conferral of God’s grace.’
In view of the foregoing, Spurgeon was vehemently opposed to the practice of infant baptism (or paedobaptism). Aside from his conviction that the practice is not scriptural, he believed that it obscured the need for saving faith in Jesus Christ. Many orthodox believers in paedobaptism, no less than John Calvin or John Murray or most of the Puritans, would disagree. They would insist that baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant; unlike Spurgeon who claimed it was an expression or ‘avowal’ of faith.
Spurgeon was concerned, and I think rightly, about the dangers which the practice of infant baptism could breed in people. For so many in his day and ours believe themselves to be safely in God’s kingdom because they had received baptism as infants. However, I believe his concern was also shared by many who still held on to the practice because they saw that the flow of scripture required it. The problem lies in whether a full diet of scripture is presented in churches which practice it. Do they clearly teach that baptismal regeneration is unscriptural? Do they remind the parents of the child that their infant is to be brought up to eventually and truly profess faith in Jesus? Where these are lacking, infant baptism would lead to serious issues.
Suffering
Spurgeon came to realize, just like a great number of witnesses throughout the history of the church, that the call to follow Christ often comes with suffering as a package. While suffering has no redemptive effect itself, it is a means by which God often fits his workers for ministry to others.
This brings to mind Peter’s counsel to believers in 1 Peter 4:12 that suffering should not be seen as something strange. Paul also instructs us that God will not allow us to suffer beyond the measure of God’s grace (1 Cor. 10:13). Our faith in Christ bears us up and leads us to trust in Him even more.
We should take the Puritans seriously
Those familiar with Spurgeon have long known that he loved the Puritans. This volume was helpful in showing why.
Aside from being brought up in a home which treasured their writings so much as to have a large stock of them, Spurgeon was struck by their depth and seriousness. As any reader of the Puritans would realize, they took the Bible seriously and would spend so much time and ink in ‘screwing the word into men’s hearts’ (their language)
In addition, the Puritans’ devotion to Christ, which shines through their writings, endeared them to Spurgeon. Here is a quote from Richard Sibbes[ii], one of the Puritans, which might have just been spoken by Spurgeon himself:
“The special work of our ministry is to lay open Christ, to hold up the tapestry and unfold the mysteries of Christ. Let us labour therefore to be always speaking somewhat about Christ, or tending that way. When we speak of the law, let it drive us to Christ; when of moral duties, let them teach us to walk worthy of Christ. Christ, or something tending to Christ, should be our theme, and mark to aim at.”
For the Puritans, theology was to lead to worship and prayer. One of the early representatives of this school, William Ames[iii] had even defined theology as the science of living to God. Their profound grasp of the doxological end of all theological study resonated with Spurgeon and made their writings his lifelong companions.
His favourite book after the Bible was the Puritan classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress[iv]. And Christian’s journey was for Spurgeon a true picture of the believer’s experience. Coming from the City of Destruction and moving on to the Heavenly Jerusalem, the believer meets all sorts of challenges and frustrations on the way. But under the watchful eye of his crucified but risen Saviour, the journey is completed successfully when the Christian enters into the joy of his heavenly Father. This was itself a summary of Spurgeon’s life and ministry.
And it continues to be a description of everyone who shares Spurgeon’s faith in the glorious Christ.
*Michael Reeves. Spurgeon on the Christian Life (Theologians on the Christian Life). Crossway, 2018. 192 pp. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Crossway through the Blog Review Program.
[i] Evangelical Christians believe in the divine authority of the scriptures, the universal problem of sin, and the truth that only in Jesus Christ can people be reconciled to God and receive salvation.
[ii] Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) – Anglican pastor and theologian
[iii] William Ames (1576-1633) – English protestant theologian and pastor
[iv] The Pilgrim’s Progress, published in 1678, is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan (1628-1688)
April 4, 2018
This great little read features one of my favorite subjects (Spurgeon) by one of my favorite writers (Reeves) and was a pleasure to read. As always Reeves makes his subject matter approachable and compelling, and creates a book you’d be happy to pass along to a believer at any stage. Balancing academic depth with language that normal human beings speak, he’s hit another home run with this book.
As the series indicates, the books within briefly track biographical information with theological insight, and insight in particular on the daily walk of the believer.
Chapter by chapter, we find in Spurgeon a preacher who centralizes the message of the Cross. This beating heart vitalizes nearly all of his theology including,
…Bibliology…
So, “cling you to Scripture. Scripture is not Christ, but it is the silken clue which will lead you to him.”
…Christology…
“If you cannot say, “Jesus is precious to me,” I do not care to what church you belong, or what creed you are ready to die for, you do not know the truth of God unless the person of Christ is dear to you.”
…Preaching…
“Our precious Christ can never be made too much”
…Sin…
“If you would preach sinners to Christ you must preach Christ to sinners, for nothing so attracts the hearts of men as Jesus himself. The best argument to bring sinners to believe in Jesus is Jesus.”
…The Cross…
“The atoning work of Jesus is the great gun of our battery. The cross is the mighty battering-ram wherewith to break in pieces the brazen gates of human prejudices and the iron bars of obstinacy.”
…Sanctification…
“I do not know, beloved, when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the cross.”
In sum, a great book on a great man, by a great writer, both of whom love a Great God.
As the series indicates, the books within briefly track biographical information with theological insight, and insight in particular on the daily walk of the believer.
Chapter by chapter, we find in Spurgeon a preacher who centralizes the message of the Cross. This beating heart vitalizes nearly all of his theology including,
…Bibliology…
So, “cling you to Scripture. Scripture is not Christ, but it is the silken clue which will lead you to him.”
…Christology…
“If you cannot say, “Jesus is precious to me,” I do not care to what church you belong, or what creed you are ready to die for, you do not know the truth of God unless the person of Christ is dear to you.”
…Preaching…
“Our precious Christ can never be made too much”
…Sin…
“If you would preach sinners to Christ you must preach Christ to sinners, for nothing so attracts the hearts of men as Jesus himself. The best argument to bring sinners to believe in Jesus is Jesus.”
…The Cross…
“The atoning work of Jesus is the great gun of our battery. The cross is the mighty battering-ram wherewith to break in pieces the brazen gates of human prejudices and the iron bars of obstinacy.”
…Sanctification…
“I do not know, beloved, when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the cross.”
In sum, a great book on a great man, by a great writer, both of whom love a Great God.
March 6, 2021
Mike Reeves provides a helpful offering in the very nice series 'Theologians on the Christian Life'. Reeves has particularly mastered the primary source material, and this book is filled with many different Spurgeon extracts & quotes. This results in lots of great nuggets, especially where Spurgeon addresses both the suffering and depression that we are (and he profoundly was) subject to in this life, and on the flip side, the joy, mirth and levity which he also delighted in as a man truly 'alive in Christ'.
I also liked the insights into his preaching. People sometimes claim that for all Spurgeon's Christ-centredness, eloquence, and affective quality, they were too loosely exegetical. But he actually had another portion of the church service where he would give an exposition of the passage, and it's just that he recognized the preaching as something that must heartfully and directly present Christ to the congregation. So we see an emphasise on expositional teaching whilst also recognising that powerful preaching must be something more entirely.
The structure of the book was awkward at times, and I thought it was very strange that only a sentence or two was devoted to the Down-Grade controversy. There should have been more biographical material, I felt, to flesh out the quotes. Finally, there were times when it felt like we were hearing more of what Mike thought on a theological topic, with a Spurgeon quote as the backing. Four stars seems exactly right :)
I also liked the insights into his preaching. People sometimes claim that for all Spurgeon's Christ-centredness, eloquence, and affective quality, they were too loosely exegetical. But he actually had another portion of the church service where he would give an exposition of the passage, and it's just that he recognized the preaching as something that must heartfully and directly present Christ to the congregation. So we see an emphasise on expositional teaching whilst also recognising that powerful preaching must be something more entirely.
The structure of the book was awkward at times, and I thought it was very strange that only a sentence or two was devoted to the Down-Grade controversy. There should have been more biographical material, I felt, to flesh out the quotes. Finally, there were times when it felt like we were hearing more of what Mike thought on a theological topic, with a Spurgeon quote as the backing. Four stars seems exactly right :)
December 23, 2022
As Michael Reeves points out in the beginning, reading Spurgeon is often “like breathing in great lungfuls of mountain air: he is bracing, refreshing, and rousing.” This book gave me insight into Spurgeon’s life and theology, invigorating me to live, hope, and aim more for the glory of God. He was so full of life, and yet suffered many things including depressing. In these times, he sought to understand God’s purposes, hold to His promises, and seek comfort in Christ. According to Spurgeon, the nature of the Christian life is to be “rooted in glory, and gravitating to glory.”
“To be where Jesus is is the highest imaginable bliss, and bliss away from Jesus is inconceivable to the child of God.”
“To be where Jesus is is the highest imaginable bliss, and bliss away from Jesus is inconceivable to the child of God.”
Read
May 16, 2019The book "Spurgeon on the Christian Life" brings an encouragement to a fully satisfied Christian life in God using the example of Spurgeon's life.
Michael Reeves separates chapters into topics of theology (such as Christ's Person, Calvinism, Preaching, New Birth, Sin), introduces Spurgeon's view of that topic, and then how that knowledge made a difference in his life.
Spurgeon, known as the "Prince of Preachers", had the centrality of his preaching the person of Christ. Reeves says:
"Spurgeon preferred to speak of preaching 'Christ' than preaching 'the gospel,' 'the truth,' or anything else, because of how easily we reduce 'the gospel' or 'the truth' to an impersonal system. Christ himself is, in person, the way, the truth, and the life; "
With this example, it is possible to see how Spurgeon took his Christianity very seriously, not only as a "religion" or a system of coherent ideas, but as something real and personal, which does not ignore knowledge but considers knowledge "Coram Deo "(Before God).
The beginning of the Christian life is regeneration, which is the work of the Holy Spirit in us, which removes our old heart and gives us a new heart, says Spurgeon. But sanctification also depends on the power of the Holy Spirit. It causes a change not only in behavior, but a profound and radical change. "For Spurgeon, the heart of sanctification is the sanctification of the heart."
It’s due to the supernatural cause that non-christians do not understand the Christian religion. They think they are only services and duties, and never pleasure and delight. But for us, "our piety is our pleasure, our hope is our happiness, our duty is our delight," because God has changed our heart.
The reading of "Spurgeon on the Christian Life" is pleasant because it shows a piece of the thought of Charles Spurgeon, who being someone important in the history of the church is worth knowing, but also how we can have joy and true satisfaction through theology, in a relationship with Christ. Living for Christ is our life and our hope. As Reeves states at the end of the book, "Heaven is heavenly precisely because it is the place of communion with Christ, where his glory is enjoyed."
_____
Ps: For this review I received a free digital copy of the "Crossway" for "Blog Review Program."
Michael Reeves separates chapters into topics of theology (such as Christ's Person, Calvinism, Preaching, New Birth, Sin), introduces Spurgeon's view of that topic, and then how that knowledge made a difference in his life.
Spurgeon, known as the "Prince of Preachers", had the centrality of his preaching the person of Christ. Reeves says:
"Spurgeon preferred to speak of preaching 'Christ' than preaching 'the gospel,' 'the truth,' or anything else, because of how easily we reduce 'the gospel' or 'the truth' to an impersonal system. Christ himself is, in person, the way, the truth, and the life; "
With this example, it is possible to see how Spurgeon took his Christianity very seriously, not only as a "religion" or a system of coherent ideas, but as something real and personal, which does not ignore knowledge but considers knowledge "Coram Deo "(Before God).
The beginning of the Christian life is regeneration, which is the work of the Holy Spirit in us, which removes our old heart and gives us a new heart, says Spurgeon. But sanctification also depends on the power of the Holy Spirit. It causes a change not only in behavior, but a profound and radical change. "For Spurgeon, the heart of sanctification is the sanctification of the heart."
It’s due to the supernatural cause that non-christians do not understand the Christian religion. They think they are only services and duties, and never pleasure and delight. But for us, "our piety is our pleasure, our hope is our happiness, our duty is our delight," because God has changed our heart.
The reading of "Spurgeon on the Christian Life" is pleasant because it shows a piece of the thought of Charles Spurgeon, who being someone important in the history of the church is worth knowing, but also how we can have joy and true satisfaction through theology, in a relationship with Christ. Living for Christ is our life and our hope. As Reeves states at the end of the book, "Heaven is heavenly precisely because it is the place of communion with Christ, where his glory is enjoyed."
_____
Ps: For this review I received a free digital copy of the "Crossway" for "Blog Review Program."
August 29, 2022
Disclaimer: I only listened to this one on Hoopla.
In this book, Michale Reeves provides an introduction to Charles Spurgeon’s beliefs and teaching on the Christian life. The book is neither a biography nor a systematic outlining of the doctrines that Spurgeon believed; rather, it is the Prince of Preachers application of the Scriptures to his life and those whom he would instruct. The work thus serves as a great accompanying introduction to Spurgeon with a necessary additional component of biographical information on the man.
In this book, Michale Reeves provides an introduction to Charles Spurgeon’s beliefs and teaching on the Christian life. The book is neither a biography nor a systematic outlining of the doctrines that Spurgeon believed; rather, it is the Prince of Preachers application of the Scriptures to his life and those whom he would instruct. The work thus serves as a great accompanying introduction to Spurgeon with a necessary additional component of biographical information on the man.
October 24, 2023
I listened to this book over about one week. About 25% in, I was not sure I liked the approach (after recently listening to a biography on Luther by Herman Selderhuis, which was excellent). This Reeves work is not a detailed account of his life but rather discusses his doctrinal views. I'm good with this. It just started slow, IMO. However, once it got going, I really enjoyed it and appreciated it... and learned a lot about Spurgeon's theology/doctrine.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews