Are you sure you like Spurgeon?

Charles Spurgeon has been referred to as the "prince of preachers." He is quoted by Calvinists and Arminians alike. After reading this article I would be interested in the differing opinions of Charles Spurgeon.

Charles Spurgeon on the Doctrines of Sovereign Grace (Calvinism)

 

You like him from the Arminian perspective I suppose....

 

Some people considered Spurgeon to be Arminian not based on anything that he said or wrote but based on the fact they ignore(d) his theology. Modern day free will preachers admire Spurgeon for his homeletical skills but ignore his theological content.

 

Pipe, this thread is not about comparing "giants", it is about opinions on Charles Spurgeon. Certainly you are welcome to start a thread on Wesley, Arminius or Pelagius. This is simply my desire to see what people think of Spurgeon once they drill down and find out what he truly taught.

 

So far, interesting replies. The "preaching to the choir" crowd (of which I would be one) have responded. I suppose what I am looking for is the reaction of our free will friends once they view the substance of Spurgeon's theology.

The church that planted my current church had those in leadership who adored Spurgeon. But our sending church is strongly free will. It has to make you wonder whether they actually know what Spurgeon believed and taught or not. In the same vein, those who hold to Reformed theology should review the teachings of Charles Wesley. Wesley was a strong advocate of the free will position.

My point is not to uplift or degrade anyone. But we sometimes create a caricature of long since gone theologians that may or may not be accurate. I believe our free will friends would join with me in scrutinizing the possible misconceptions of our departed heroes of the faith.

 

Yes, he was a man. But what is your opinion of overall ministry? Considering his very plainly stated Calvinist convictions, what do you make of the totality of his ministry?

 

Yes, he was a man. But what is your opinion of overall ministry? Considering his very plainly stated Calvinist convictions, what do you make of the totality of his ministry? </font>[/QUOTE]Do you know of any preacher today who has a perfect understanding of scripture?

there's different areas/gifts of the gospel, prophecy is not Gospel is not prophecy, and I don't think there isn't anyone who doesn't stray from their particular called area, But imperfect men is all God has to work with.


Spurgeon preached against the free will of man to believe whatever he chose, and at the same time confessed there were two different beliefs, but did he think the other belief was a gospel from hell, I think not.

And both sides fulfilled their purpose, even with their "imperfections". </font>[/QUOTE]For the record, I do not hold to the view that one must be a Calvinist in order to be saved. When a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ their knowledge of theology is limited. Most only know their sin and that Jesus Christ is able to forgive their sins if they repent and place their faith solely in Christ. As they grow in respect to salvation their theology will often times tell whether their faith was accurate. For instance, if a person claims faith in Christ and then goes on to proclaim that Jesus is not God then their faith was in vain because they have denied an essential truth. They were never saved to begin with. As far as the doctrines of sovereign grace, it depends on how deep they progress into the free will side. I do not believe the foreknowledge view alone will prove their salvation false. But there are depths to the free will view that I believe do prove their salvation false. I suppose that is for another thread.