Was Spurgeon really a Calvinist?

Spurgeon a Calvinist? How can that be? He prayed. He evangelized. Next thing you'll be saying is that William Carey, Adoniram Judson and Luther Rice were Calvinists. You probably even think that Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were Reformed in their theology. Gosh, you are so outlandish, you probably even think that we wouldn't have 'Evangelism Explosion' if it wasn't for some Calvinist (D. James Kennedy).

What next?

 

What next?

What next? Let's not worry about what others say about the Bible. Let's go to the Bible and see what God says about all of us.

[ November 02, 2002, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: Helen ]

 

Helen, is this another "loving response"?

 

What kind of a comment was that? I suggest going back to Bible and you get snide?

 

Who is being snide Helen? Our brother brought up a point about what Spurgeon believed (Calvinism), and you decide to challenge it.

Why did the men listed above do what they did? Why did they pray and evangelize, Helen? Because they were convinced of the truthfulness of the Scriptures, and that they were obligated to obey. Perhaps some of them, their sermons and so forth, are worth reading.

With your attitude, I wonder, do you attend a church? Do you listen to the sermons of a pastor? If so, then why? Why don't you just get back to the Bible rather than listening to the words of a man?

Rev. G

 

Just got through reading one of his sermons.
Free Will --- A Slave Dec.2,1855.

He is a Calvinist.

by HIS GRACE

mike

 

Rev. G,

Our pastor preaches exegetically, -- Bible on Bible. It is something I really appreciate. The men mentioned here may be quoted, as are many others, but only Bible is Bible.

You know, sola Scriptura...

In the meantime, there are an awful lot of non-Calvinist missionaries and ministers also preaching and teaching, some of whom I hold in very high regard. Nevertheless, they are not Bible either, and although any of them can get me to think and pray and seek further, none of them are the authority the Bible is.

Shouldn't that be the point for all of us?

 

Spurgeon has been labeled Calvinist by many. Calvinist does not necessarily mean a saint saved by grace. Many who call themselves Calvinist are unconverted. Spurgeon is a man who has been much praised by religionists of different theological persuasions. But the fact is that he taught the heresy of duty faith and duty repentance. In some instances he also taught the heresy that "God wants to save everybody". Also on justification he was amiss, teaching that subjective faith in the heart justifies a sinner before God Almighty. In addition to these he promoted Moody the arminian when he came over to England on one of his "evangelistic crusades". Spurgeon is no good model to imitate, nor should he be praised like as ignorant men keep on doing.

Harald

 

Harald, I have a book entitled "Spurgeon at His Best", compiled by Tom Carter. It is a series of quotes from his many sermons under topic headings. As I have read, it has become evident that this man was subject to deep depressions and despair. He also states that "It strikes me that conflict is the principal feature of the Christian life this side of heaven."

As I have read more of his material, and this for pastor's to use in their Calvinist sermons, all I could end up feeling was great compassion and sorrow for the man. Some of what he said rings with great conviction and joy. But some is more like railing against some horrid doubt or pain that he continued fighting inside.

 

Harald,

Anyone who believes that it is not the duty of all to believe and repent is not a calvinist, but a hypercalvinist. Read the calvinistic confessions.

 

If someone labels me hyper-calvinist, let them do so. The word of God teaches salvation by GRACE. Grace means undeserved or unmerited favour. The Bible teaches saving faith so called is a work and gift of God, tell me someone how that can be a "duty" of those elected in eternity in Christ! The whole duty of man is to keep the commandments. God's covenant blessings to His elect include the twin gifts of saving repentance and saving faith, how could they be duties?? My definition of saving faith in this context is not that faith in the heart saves from sin and its consequences, that is Christ's work. Saving faith realizes this in the power and illumination of the Holy Spirit , 1Thess. 1:4-6).

Harald

 

Too many despise the reproach of the Cross; and seek the pleasures of this world over that to come.

I am sure God intends for His people to be "happy" but we should not seek this temporal happiness as proof of our being blessed of God;

Those who are blinded by the pleasures of this world should note the Bible everywhere speaks of the people of God being persecuted, being in great depression because of this, what of Elijah? Yes, we should possess a ready smile upon our faces, yet, sometimes I wander if this is not what causes our new Christian brothers and sisters to waiver and backslide, as trouble comes they fall, enter into these fits of depression and start to doubt the truth of what they have believed, after all, everyone seems to be teaching that a life serving Christ is always peaches and cream.

God Bless.
Bro. Dallas

 

A.W. Pink on the "duty-faith" issue - www.thevine.net/~phillipj/dutyfth.htm

Ken
A Spurgeonite

 

Spurgeon's bouts of depression, which often went weeks when he could not enter the pulpit, stemmed from his many infirmities; rheumatism, lumbago, sciatica and on top of that gout. He was often bedridden with pain. To top that off was the great fire at Surrey Hall. This played on his mind for the balance of his lifetime. Because of the crowd and the fire, it was required to have a ticket to get into the Tabernacle for regular services to prevent overcrowding.

Despite these upsets in his life the records show: 14,700 were added to the membership; 10,800 by baptism; 2,933 by letter; 947 by profession and 20 by restoration. Not too shabby, I would say.

With all his problems, health, finances, external pressures, battles against modernism in the Baptist Union, Spurgeon was a giant among giants, a man of the Book. I should like to be half the man with a tenth of the burdens and accomplish so much in a short lifetime.

"I am as firm a believer in the doctrine of grace as any man living, and a true Calvinist after the order of John Calvin himself; and probably I have read more of his works than my accusers ever did. But, if it be thought an evil thing to bid sinners lay hold on eternal life, I will be yet more evil, and herein not only imitate Calvin, but also my Lord, who though he taught salvation is of grace, and grace alone, feared not to speak to men as responsible agents, and bid them enter in at the straight gate." The Shadow of the Broad Brim, Day, pp143f

Cheers,

Jim

 

Yes, Harald, you ARE a hyper-Calvinist. May your tribe decrease.

Rev. G

 

You need to do more study on sola Scriptura. The doctrine of "Scripture alone" doesn't mean that we can "interpret" apart from the community of the saints. It doesn't mean that we are without accountability to others in our beliefs. It doesn't mean that we don't need pastor-teachers (Eph. 4). Yes, the Scripture alone is our authority for faith and life (sola Scriptura), no question there. But BECAUSE of Scripture we know that the Holy Spirit raises up men and calls them to help build up His Church. The same Holy Spirit who lives today is the same Holy Spirit who filled men like Spurgeon. We should not ignore what they say. If you appreciate your pastor's ministry, why can't we appreciate the ministries of Spurgeon, Calvin and others?

Great! I'm glad! And (with the most likely exception of Dave Hunt ) - nobody here who is a "Calvinist" is running down those people. Why must you attack us and those whom we cherish, Helen? You seem to want to allow yourself a lot of "room," but you don't appear to want to give any quarter for those who disagree with you here.

By the way, Helen, I still count you a sister in Christ and you are still loved!

Rev. G

 

OK. Mr. G. I won't call you Rev., only God is Reverend. You call me hyper-Calvinist. How do you define such an one? A hyper-Calvinist need not be a bad thing. If William Gadsby, Joseph Charles Philpot, John Brine, John Warburton Sr., and Wilson Thompson were hyper-Calvinists then I am one too, and I am in very good company. We who you call hypers do not like conditionalism, because it is a damnable heresy. Duty faith and duty repentance are known conditionalist heresies.
Jesus Christ did not come in flesh in order to offer the whole world salvation, but what saith the Scripture?

And thou shalt call His name JESUS, for He SHALL save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

and this same JESUS said in one place...

IT IS FINISHED.

Now, where is in all this finished work of the God-Man any room for conditionalism a la duty faith and duty repentance???

Harald

 

Yep,, he and Calvin are like two peas in a pod....