Spurgeon Reflection 1
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Spurgeon Reflection 1
Everett Nelson Tye
CHMN 679: Capstone
October 28, 2023
1
Scripture played an incredibly important role in the life of Spurgeon. One of the
components of those who preceded him in the work of theology was the way by which these
individuals were often negligent of evangelism. Earls writes, “Between 1715 and 1792 Baptists
were evangelistically stagnant.”
1
It is described in this book that the reason this happened was
due to an “over-commitment” to the doctrines of Calvinism and election. The mentality that the
elect will be saved led to an inappropriate view of evangelism that caused an apathetic attitude
towards reaching the lost.
Spurgeon was also committed to the teachings and doctrines of scripture. However, what
Spurgeon did that many other theologians before him did not was submit to the full instruction of
scripture. Where those who came before were content with ignoring their responsibility to reach
the lost because of their theological conviction, Spurgeon was more convicted by the calling of
God to seek and save the lost. Because he held all of scripture as authoritative, he was able to
have similar theological ideas as those before him, but still maintain his understanding of
responsibility to evangelize the lost.
This is something which the church should learn from. Many become too attached to
doctrine and find themselves lacking regarding outreach and missions. This is found in churches
in which the pastors can find themselves spending their entire forty-hour work week studying
and preparing for their sermon but to do not spend any time in the world being the hands and feet
of God.
Spurgeon shows modern believers there should be balance. It is not enough to study the
word of God, but believers must also submit to its instructions, regardless of personal
understanding of other theological principles. Five-point Calvinists must recognize that while
God may call the elect and only the elect will come into a loving and knowing relationship with
1 Rod Earls,
Spurgeon’s Theology for Multiplying Disciples and Churches
(S.l.: WIPF & STOCK PUB, 2022), 11.
2
God, God also uses whom he pleases to accomplish His work in individuals’ lives. Matthew 28
makes it clear that it is the responsibility of the church to “make disciples,” and if individuals are
refraining from doing this because of a theological idea which is not completely clear, they are
not living in submission to scripture.
Where Spurgeon was observably influenced by his grandparents was in his approach to
the work of ministry. “James Spurgeon passed onto Charles the value and conviction of a Spirit-
anointed life for the Savior’s service.”
2
When engaging with others, while he has strong ideas
about election, he allowed himself to trust in the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of others. He
understood his responsibility to be in the world and allowed the Holy Spirit to the catalyst for
change in people’s lives.
This is something that the church should also learn from. While it is the responsibility of
the church to reach to the lost, it is not their responsibility to save the lost. This is the work of
God and believers should not put so much of the responsibility on themselves. This means not
getting discouraged in failure, as well as not becoming prideful in success.
2 Earls,
Spurgeon’s Theology,
21.
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3
Bibliography
Earls, Rod.
Spurgeon’s Theology for Multiplying Disciples and Churches
. S.l.: WIPF & STOCK
PUB, 2022.