The Down-Grade Controversy. More liberal academics are beginning to deny the deity of Christ, and Arminians are also being to take a focus off of doctrine and sanctification and onto counting the numbers of converts. The idea was that the high view of scripture was ending and instead focus was on human reason and on our ability to assent to doctrines. Along the way, Arminianism was on the rise, and people were shoving the Calvinistic doctrines aside as antiquated. Progressivism will win this one, and Spurgeon withdraws from the Baptist union and finds that a real toll has been taken on his health.
I found myself, as I read this section, wowed by how much I take for granted as a normal part of my church life that was progressivist at heart.
I think about how much we compromise in terms of the simplicity of Christ just to draw people in and to up our number of converts. I wonder how our generation will be judged in history in terms of our faith and the damage we have done in the name of entertaining people and attempting to influence them for Christ.
Yet, in the place we are in, it is only realistic to believe that we must continue with some of what is progressive here because it is the very nature of our gospel. Jul 17, Brian Nicks rated it it was amazing. Do you know C. If not, read this short accessable biography by one of the premier biographers and church historians of our time.
So worthwhile, it will make you want to read some of the larger, more in-depth biographies of the Prince of Preachers. Mar 28, Jimmy added it. I've thoroughly enjoyed this biography, though the author insists throughout the work that this is really not a biography of Spurgeon per se, and was written to fill in the gaps that is often left out concerning the real Spurgeon that is contrary to the popularized image of Spurgeon according to the perception of mainstream Evangelical and some biographies out there.
In commenting about the deficiency of some of the biographies about Spurgeon, this work notes how some of the popular biographers I've thoroughly enjoyed this biography, though the author insists throughout the work that this is really not a biography of Spurgeon per se, and was written to fill in the gaps that is often left out concerning the real Spurgeon that is contrary to the popularized image of Spurgeon according to the perception of mainstream Evangelical and some biographies out there.
In commenting about the deficiency of some of the biographies about Spurgeon, this work notes how some of the popular biographers have not grasp or understood the significance of the theology that have driven Spurgeon.
Spurgeon in his life was a man of God that was not only a gospel preacher to the masses but also a man of God who would take a stand for the truth of God's Word. Throughout his lifetime, the "forgotten" Spurgeon was involved with three major controversies which the book discusses about, concerning baptismal regeneration, hyper-calvinism and the Down Grade Controversy.
A fascinating fact that I was not aware of before reading this book was the author's observation that in the baptismal regeneration debate, Spurgeon did not expected much support from certain religious quarters which ironically did affirm and supported Spurgeon's concern, while in the Down Grade Controversy Spurgeon expected support from certain quarters Evangelicals that in the end not only materialized but turned out to be against him.
Even his own brother who was a minister disagreed with him and readers might be shocked to learn of this contrary to the image of Spurgeon as always being popular. It is the down grade controversy which most people remember of the three, but knowing what the others were about also allow readers to better situate Spurgeon in his context, and perhaps a more balance understanding of Spurgeon when it comes to controversy.
Perhaps the part of the book that I found most fascinating what the closing chapter that talked about the fate of Spurgeon's church after his death.
It was a painful thing to hear of how those who took up the ministry after him including his son, moved away from the theology that Spurgeon has embraced. It is probably the most sobering part of the book for me, as I think back to campus ministries that I have been involved with in the past that has been so strong biblically and numerically only to have it handed off to others that eventually would not agree with your distinctives or emphasizes and even hostile against it, or disregard what precious truths that has motivated the first "generation"!
It was saddening to read this last portion of the book. I cannot help but to think of the historical lesson here as it relates to our day and age. Mahaney, etc. The ending of the book allow me to have some soul searching of whether or not as a young pastor, my goal should be to become a famous great preacher.
It made me think about how some people follow preachers just for the sake of the man's fame rather than really seeing the man's theology coming from the Scripture itself. Will the saints still be faithful to what is biblical?
Who will take over and will they be able to fill the mighty shoes left behind, while being faithful to the Word of God and have the ability to lead the body? It makes me think much about the issue of a Christianity that is driven more by personality and charisma though those that lead are orthodox; as in the case of the Hebrews escaping Egypt in the Exodus, people have an uncanny way of making their own idols even in the midst of God's great works.
Jan 01, Aaron Irlbacher rated it it was amazing. This historical work on the Prince of Preachers was excellent. Murray divided Mr. This book endeared this reader to Spurgeon all over again. The last chapter was an interesting history of the Metropolitan Tabernacle following the death of Spurgeon.
The following slide of his old church, after his death, into a simi This historical work on the Prince of Preachers was excellent. The following slide of his old church, after his death, into a similar evangelicalism that he opposed in life was sobering. This book felt incredibly relevant to our current modern church culture with many helpful points of application. I will definitely be recommending this book to friends. This was a book that, even before I started reading it, I knew would probably be a good read.
And yet Iain Murray still blew my expectations with his masterful work on Spurgeon. The reader of this book will not only be delving into the mind of one of the greatest preachers in church history, but will also partake in deep theological studies and learn much church history as well. Though not a complete biography of the life of Spurgeon, the book presents such a thorough picture of Spurgeon's belie This was a book that, even before I started reading it, I knew would probably be a good read.
Though not a complete biography of the life of Spurgeon, the book presents such a thorough picture of Spurgeon's beliefs and opinions on a host of issues that by the time I was finished, I felt almost like I knew Spurgeon personally.
Murray seeks to show the side of Spurgeon that few biographers or historians wish to discuss: his theological convictions. While many love Spurgeon for his preaching abilities and his good works, far less are even aware of what Spurgeon firmly believed and taught.
In order to shed light on this, Murray structures his book around the three biggest controversies in Spurgeon's ministry: the controvery in his early days over his Calvinism, the Baptismal Regeneration controversy, and the infamous Down-Grade controversy. By looking closely at each of these events and exploring what drove Spurgeon to respond the way he did, Murray shows that Spurgeon was a man who believed that the doctrines he taught were indispensible to the health of his church and the promotion of the true gospel.
Because of this, Spurgeon refused to compromose his stances, even when most preachers around him were doing so in the name of "love" and "unity. I can think of at least three books in my room right now that, when describing Spurgeon, attempt to tone down his theology and ignore the fact that Spurgeon's theological convictions are what drove him throughout his ministry.
Murray's book eliminates this notion, showing that the Spurgeon of history was a strong Calvinist who preached a gospel that was kept undiluted from modern methods of "evangelism" or "revival". I trust that this book has brought and will continue to bring people to a knowledge of the true Spurgeon and, in the process, help shape their understanding of the sovereign, glorious God whom Spurgeon was unceasingly devoted to as well.
I really enjoyed this book on Spurgeon. Unlike other biographies on C. Many view Spurgeon's life and ministry as one consisting of only success and fruitfulness, but this book shows the reality that Spurgeon faced many hardships, both from with I really enjoyed this book on Spurgeon.
Many view Spurgeon's life and ministry as one consisting of only success and fruitfulness, but this book shows the reality that Spurgeon faced many hardships, both from within and outside of the church.
Spurgeon's convictions and views, although opposed by many in his day, were based solely on the Word of God. The easy path would have been to compromise his commitment to the Bible and receive the welcome and approval of all those who opposed him Arminians, Hyper-Calvinists, Journalists, Catholics, Anglo-Catholics, the Baptist Union, etc.
But Charles was immovable. He believed the Bible to be His ultimate authority and, "he would do his duty, though the heavens fall. The only sure ground of consistent evangelicalism which can never be circumvented by heresy is that on which Spurgeon stood in the controversy of the New Park Street days, the Prayer Book controversy of , and finally in the Down-Grade.
Christianity is a very factious religion, there is an incalculable number of sects and groups that exist and the religion has a long history of ex-communications and pronouncements of heresy that stretch back to its earliest days.
Spurgeon was a dedicated Calvinist, a theology that would normally keep many from admiring him, and The Forgotten Spurgeon seeks to reestablish his theology as first importance when remembering who he was.
Murray begins by explaining that Spurgeon himself had to explain reformed theology to the people of England due to the fact that newspapers attempted to claim that he was a Calvinist in name only. He then moves into the eventual conflict between Spurgeon and the theology of infant baptism, which essentially served as a foretaste of the theological downgrade that was yet to come. Finally, Mr. Murray moves into the most important fight Spurgeon was involved in, the rise of Arminianism. Regardless of whether or not you find yourself a Calvinist, it would be intellectually dishonest to say anything other than that Spurgeon had a genuine belief in his theology and was willing to defend it no matter the cost.
What I mean by this is that the writing present here seemed to be a bit scattered, I found it difficult to trace what happened at what points and their connection to one another. In the first chapters, the reader is given an excellent, very coherent, view of how Spurgeon came to prominence and how he exploded in popularity. Spurgeon's defense of his Calvinism and everything that occurs up to the building of the first Metropolitan Tabernacle is well written and well-sequenced.
This problem only gets worse once Mr. Despite the issue with structure, the content remains very good. I learned more about the nuances of the Calvinistic view of grace and the Arminian position on the atonement in this one book than in most other resources I've come across.
I will also mention that Mr. If an author wants to use footnotes to mention sources, or clarifications of some of the content, I fully understand and support them.
What I do not understand or support, however, is the use of footnotes to write an additional paragraph of information that could easily be placed into the main text. None of these long footnotes are irrelevant to the content being discussed, but their length did more to make me lose my place in what I was reading than they did to help, and this is doubly bad when one considers the issues this book already has with structure and keeping a coherent timeline.
Despite my issues with the structure and use of footnotes, Mr. Murray is an excellent writer. There is a tendency in the world of Christian publishing to fall into one of two camps: Funny and easy to read, or dense and intellectual.
However, Mr. More than anything else, his ability to write is what stands out in this book, through the whole thing I felt like I was in the head of someone examining current events, and it went a long way to keep my attention when I would wonder what the connection between the current event was and the one previous. Overall, this is a book that I would recommend to people looking for a view on Spurgeon the apologist. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking to learn the difference between the Calvinistic view of grace and the Arminian view, however, as the argumentation on the consequences of both views and how they line up with biblical theology is first-rate.
Jul 08, Barry Davis rated it it was amazing. He decried any action that pushed for the unity of the church by diluting the whole counsel of God. In the chapter Church Issues Revived, the author covers a range of issues, notably Tractarianism, which sought to create a similar model to Roman Catholicism in the Anglican Chcurhc.
Sadly, this controversy survived Spurgeon some biographers suggest it hastened his death and is still with us today! Sep 08, Jason rated it it was amazing. However, according to Iain Murray in this book, much of what Spurgeon stood for was either quickly forgotten or left out in the biographies that immediately followed his passing.
While this was true, Spurgeon was also dead serious when it came to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout his lifetime, Spurgeon found himself in the midst of three major controversies. The first controversy centered on the weakening evangelicalism that Spurgeon was observing in his day. The second controversy dealt with the subject of Baptism. The third, and perhaps most well known, was the Down-Grade controversy. Murray does a commendable job in navigating through these controversies and showing the reader how Spurgeon dealt with each one.
Spurgeon was and is today being used by God to show many their need for a Savior. I highly recommend this book so people can have a clearer better rounded view of Spurgeon and appreciate the passion this man had for Christ.
Oct 11, Wesley Kavanagh rated it it was amazing. After reading "The Forgotten Spurgeon", one thought dominates my mind--"preach the truth, and do not compromise no matter what the consequences. Walk alone if you must, but preach and stand for the truth, to the glory of God alone. Iain Murray does an amazing job of pulling together historical documents, letters and newspaper articles of Spurgeon, his friends and enemies, to draw a picture of the man as he was, and not as he has been mis- After reading "The Forgotten Spurgeon", one thought dominates my mind--"preach the truth, and do not compromise no matter what the consequences.
Iain Murray does an amazing job of pulling together historical documents, letters and newspaper articles of Spurgeon, his friends and enemies, to draw a picture of the man as he was, and not as he has been mis-characterized by modern fundamentalists and evangelicals.
Spurgeon was dedicated to the doctrines of Grace, preaching them uncompromisingly and boldly. His whole ministry at the Tabernacle was built upon them. I was challenged as I read the book to evaluate my own commitment to the doctrines of Grace. My heart burned within me as Spurgeon was attacked again and again, and yet stood firm.
My ire was raised when I saw how he was vilified at the time by members of his own denomination, and how far modern Fundamentalism has strayed from the grand old doctrines that Spurgeon thundered forth from the pulpit of the Tabernacle week after week. May God grant us grace in our generation to recapture that same zeal and Puritan spirit that he had!
Perhaps God in his mercy will allow us to see another revival in our generation. Soli Deo Gloria! Jan 01, Ted Newell rated it it was amazing. This book traces the main lines of Spurgeon's spiritual thought in connection with the three great controversies in his ministry - the first was his stand against the diluted gospel fashionable in the London to which the young preacher came in the 's; the second, the famous 'Baptismal Regeneration' debate of ; lastly, the lacerating Down-Grade controversy of when Spurgeon sought to awaken Christians to the danger of the Church 'being buried beneath the boiling mud-showers of modern heresy'.
Spurgeon, presented around the great controversies that confronted him in eighteenth century London. This book uses Spurgeon to show what high theology looks like in one with an unquenchable zeal to preach these truths in a compelling and contagious fashion. Cover Download. Teaching Series. Conference Messages. Tabletalk Magazine. Gift Certificates. Ligonier Ministries.
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