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The Army of God: Spurgeon's Vision for the Church
The figures associated with Charles Haddon Spurgeon's ministry are staggering. Between his preaching and the printings of his sermons, he reached hundreds of thousands of people, in his lifetime and in the years since. But he was not an itinerant preacher or writer or philanthropist. He faithfully served the Metropolitan Tabernacle from his arrival in 1854 to his death in 1892. Undergirding everything else was this central Spurgeon was the pastor of a church. What was Spurgeon's ecclesiology and how did it affect how he ordered and led his local church? Chang examines Spurgeon's Reformed ecclesiology and Baptist polity and looks at how they were shaped by his militant church outlook.
353 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 2, 2025
CH. Spurgeon never wrote a systematic on ecclesiology, but this survey of Spurgeon’s works reveals that the local church was very much a priority in Spurgeon’s thinking.
Spurgeon ministered into a context much like today where Church attendance had been sidelined in favour of an individualistic and self-serving religion.
Spurgeon repeatedly rebukes the idea that one can live a Christian life divorced from their local Church.
Spurgeon argued that the decline in ecclesiology was caused by Ritualism, Revivalism and Rationalism that undermined the infallible word of God in favour of personal experience.
Spurgeon held to the two marks of the true church; the right preaching of God’s word and the right observance of God’s ordinances.
Spurgeon believed that although a person could only be saved by coming to faith in Christ individually, nonetheless their salvation is also a corporate reality, lived out in service under the headship of Christ in the body of the local church. It was simply impossible for Spurgeon to conceive of any faithful approach to the Christian life which did not find its home in the local church.
Spurgeon believed that the church was not an institution to dip in and out of at one’s own convenience, but a family to love and commit to.
“Before we can do anything for Christ, we must be right at home.”
The book then moved on to Spurgeon’s view of the Church militant, an army whose calling is to proclaim Christ until the second advent and Chang beautifully compiles Spurgeon’s teaching to show how he trained, nourished and prepared his troops for warfare.
Chang’s assessment of Spurgeon’s works provides a model for convictional ecclesiology. From the pulpit, to the sacraments, from Church order and discipline, to training, planting and mission.
Spurgeon said “the greatest weapon against error is the local church where the gospel is preached and the people are engaged in ministry.”
A much needed reminder for the complacent “believer.”
Spurgeon ministered into a context much like today where Church attendance had been sidelined in favour of an individualistic and self-serving religion.
Spurgeon repeatedly rebukes the idea that one can live a Christian life divorced from their local Church.
Spurgeon argued that the decline in ecclesiology was caused by Ritualism, Revivalism and Rationalism that undermined the infallible word of God in favour of personal experience.
Spurgeon held to the two marks of the true church; the right preaching of God’s word and the right observance of God’s ordinances.
Spurgeon believed that although a person could only be saved by coming to faith in Christ individually, nonetheless their salvation is also a corporate reality, lived out in service under the headship of Christ in the body of the local church. It was simply impossible for Spurgeon to conceive of any faithful approach to the Christian life which did not find its home in the local church.
Spurgeon believed that the church was not an institution to dip in and out of at one’s own convenience, but a family to love and commit to.
“Before we can do anything for Christ, we must be right at home.”
The book then moved on to Spurgeon’s view of the Church militant, an army whose calling is to proclaim Christ until the second advent and Chang beautifully compiles Spurgeon’s teaching to show how he trained, nourished and prepared his troops for warfare.
Chang’s assessment of Spurgeon’s works provides a model for convictional ecclesiology. From the pulpit, to the sacraments, from Church order and discipline, to training, planting and mission.
Spurgeon said “the greatest weapon against error is the local church where the gospel is preached and the people are engaged in ministry.”
A much needed reminder for the complacent “believer.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2025
I received this book at a conference and was honestly a bit hesitant to begin it. As merely a lay member of my church, and assuming that this volume would be relevant mostly to pastors, I anticipated skimming a few sections at best. I am so glad I read the entire thing!
First, Geoff Chang did a wonderful job of taking what had the potential to be dry, academic subject matter and writing in a very engaging way. The Army of God, while not a true biography, read very similarly to one. Chang traces Spurgeon's theological growth and evolution over the course of his career. Perhaps more importantly, he details the areas in which Spurgeon resisted ecclesiological and societal pressure to change and steadfastly maintained the Word of God as his guide in all aspects of his role as pastor and preacher.
Secondly, this book spoke to me on a personal level regarding my own local church. During the 10 days or so in which I read this book, our congregation has fallen into a painful episode of hurt, pride, nonrepentance, threats, and unforgiveness. As I read with this in the background, I became increasingly pained at the division in this local part of the body of Christ. Spurgeon also dealt with times of strife within his congregation, yet kept God's inerrant Word as the centerpiece of all church activity. It reminded me that, when taken seriously, the Bible should serve to unify the body of believers. A failure to heed it's words can lead to division, strife, and infighting. As I read, I prayed that those in our church would rally around the Bible and recognize that unity rooted in Scripture must be preserved.
Thank you so much, Dr. Chang, for producing this volume. I think it has much to say to today's congregations, both to pastoral staff and membership at large. It has meant more to me than you would imagine.
First, Geoff Chang did a wonderful job of taking what had the potential to be dry, academic subject matter and writing in a very engaging way. The Army of God, while not a true biography, read very similarly to one. Chang traces Spurgeon's theological growth and evolution over the course of his career. Perhaps more importantly, he details the areas in which Spurgeon resisted ecclesiological and societal pressure to change and steadfastly maintained the Word of God as his guide in all aspects of his role as pastor and preacher.
Secondly, this book spoke to me on a personal level regarding my own local church. During the 10 days or so in which I read this book, our congregation has fallen into a painful episode of hurt, pride, nonrepentance, threats, and unforgiveness. As I read with this in the background, I became increasingly pained at the division in this local part of the body of Christ. Spurgeon also dealt with times of strife within his congregation, yet kept God's inerrant Word as the centerpiece of all church activity. It reminded me that, when taken seriously, the Bible should serve to unify the body of believers. A failure to heed it's words can lead to division, strife, and infighting. As I read, I prayed that those in our church would rally around the Bible and recognize that unity rooted in Scripture must be preserved.
Thank you so much, Dr. Chang, for producing this volume. I think it has much to say to today's congregations, both to pastoral staff and membership at large. It has meant more to me than you would imagine.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews