In Spurgeon: A Life, Alex DiPrima provides an updated and accessible biography of the Prince of Preachers. Few of Spurgeon’s many biographies accurately portray his life or reflect the scholarly precision his legacy warrants. This new portrayal serves the church because it “makes some improvements over previous accounts of his life and also takes into view many of the new studies and new data now available to historians and researchers” (15–16). Beyond increasing appreciation of Spurgeon, this book aims to help readers develop “a deeper love for the glorious Savior who captivated Spurgeon’s heart and life” (17).

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834–92) continues to be a colossal influence on gospel-centered ministry. Contemporaries recognized his significance, resulting in many biographies of him in the months and years following his death, not to mention those written during his lifetime. However, new developments, like the creation of the Spurgeon Center at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, have opened up new opportunities for exploring studies of Spurgeon’s legacy.

In Spurgeon: A Life, Alex DiPrima provides an updated and accessible biography of the Prince of Preachers. Few of Spurgeon’s many biographies accurately portray his life or reflect the scholarly precision his legacy warrants. This new portrayal serves the church because it “makes some improvements over previous accounts of his life and also takes into view many of the new studies and new data now available to historians and researchers” (15–16). Beyond increasing appreciation of Spurgeon, this book aims to help readers develop “a deeper love for the glorious Savior who captivated Spurgeon’s heart and life” (17).

Formed by the Saints

Raised in a deeply convictional Christian home, Spurgeon learned from his parents and grandparents the truth of the gospel. His father, John, served as a lay preacher among Congregationalists, and his mother, Eliza, intentionally taught her children the gospel. Yet his grandfather James, a Congregationalist preacher, proved one of the most influential individuals on the young man. Spurgeon lived with his grandparents for several years and had access to his grandfather’s library, which was filled with Puritan authors and their meditations on Christ. His early enthrallment with the Puritans continued throughout his life, and these saints of old formed his life, theologically and pastorally. As DiPrima explains, “Spurgeon’s childhood was deeply shaped by the gospel” (37). And yet he remained unconverted.

As Spurgeon matured, he faced growing anxiety about his future, his career, and his burden of sin. All this likely weighed on his mind as he walked into the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Colchester. On that snowy day in January 1850, Spurgeon heard the gospel from Isaiah 45:22, and God brought about new life. Spurgeon’s own account reveals this to be one of the most simplistic but effective sermons ever documented.

Spurgeon’s spiritual formation obviously didn’t stop there. As DiPrima shows, Spurgeon’s path to discipleship was marked by baptism and local church membership.

Read More