Forgotten Spurgeon-out of print

Charles Spurgeon is my favorite preacher of all time. His writings, sermons, and passion for God gives me hope that I too can pursue Jesus with all that is in me. This book is a short biography of Spurgeon and it focuses on the end of his life with the Down-Grade Controversey as well as what happened to Spurgeon's church, Metropolitan Tabernacle, after his death. It is interesting to see that, despite his preaching and doctrinal teaching to his church, the church abandoned Spurgeon for new models in the early 1900's. Sadly, the church never has regained the prominence it had in London since the death of Charles Spurgeon. For those who study church growth, this book is a great reminder that only God builds His church. Churches built by men are doomed for failure! When Metropolitan Tabernacle gave in to the spirit of the age (Moody, Torrey, Finney) then the church fell. We must never substitute God's presence for men's traditions (Mark 7:1-13). May the Church of God be faithful to once again proclaim, as Spurgeon so masterfully did, Christ alone and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

This really isn't a biography of Spurgeon. Rather, it is a rumination about Calvinism and church organization, filtered through the words and purson of Spurgeon. Well worth the read. It is at times moving, and Murray has a considerable talent for explanation.

This is easily my favorite biography of Spurgeon. Iain Murray covers the passion and beauty of Spurgeon's preaching which is so marvelous to read. He has a way of lifting you up and shaking you around, providing amazing illustrations, and then sending you off with encouragement.But this aspect of Spurgeon's preaching is what everybody talks about. What nobody talks about, the Forgotten Spurgeon, is his passion for not only preaching, but also for doctrine. This book highlights Spurgeon's battles with Arminians, Hyper-Calvinists, baptismal regenerationists, and modernists. Spurgeon was a devoted Calvinist, and this book shows how centrally Spurgeon viewed Calvinism to his preaching. It was so important to him that he would fight tooth and nail over it, not giving in until confident of doctrinal purity. Spurgeon's doctrine is the forgotten Spurgeon. And this biography is noteworthy for pointing that out.Recommended reading for learning more about Spurgeon, as well as for learning more about the doctrines of grace.

This volumn will make the sincere Christian's heart burn within them. I read this book early in my Christian life and it helped me greatly in understanding the value of developing strong convictions on scriptural doctrines. I have personally given out about one dozen copies of this fine book as gifts to encourage others in their growth in grace. Ian Murray does a fine job in showing Spurgeon, ever valiant for the truth, graciously opposing error in Christ's church and preaching Christ and biblical truth in a more faithful and powerful way than perhaps any other has in the history of the English language. Other than Holy Scripture, I can do no better than to recommend Spurgeon for your reading. This book deals in particular with controversies and doctrinal errors within the British Baptist Union, and the greater professing Evangelical church of the day. Spurgeon displays his love for God and his people by defending His Word, and exhorting His people to believe and obey it. This is perhaps my favorite Spurgeon biography and I heartily recommend it.

Iain Murray's "The Forgotten Spurgeon" sheds light on the great nineteenth century English preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Having heard Spurgeon called "the prince of preachers" for most of my life, I was surprised to learn that he was a Calvinist. Murray's book helped me to realize that Spurgeon was a great preacher not merely because of his prodigious memory or his natural eloquence, but because of his strong convictions regard the gracious nature of salvation. I would recommend this book for all people, and particularly Baptists, who are struggling with the doctrines of election and predestination.