Spurgeon: A Life
In this biography Alex DiPrima paints a fresh portrait of Charles Haddon Spurgeon—the most well-known minster of the gospel in the nineteenth century. As DiPrima traces Spurgeon’s life from the famous “boy preacher of the fens” to the mature pastor of later years, readers will marvel at his extraordinary speaking abilities, his genius for administration, and his massive global influence, which set him apart as a leader of rare brilliance. Yet by presenting Spurgeon in his social, historical, and religious contexts, DiPrima helps us comprehend the whole of Spurgeon’s ministry in metropolitan London. Combining academic expertise with popular presentation, this short biography of the famed Prince of Preachers will be the go-to introduction on Spurgeon for years to come.
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
- Essex Lad
- “Look and Live”
- A Preacher Is Born
- The Call to London
- Opposition and Criticism
- Love and Marriage
- The Metropolitan Tabernacle
- The Prince of Preachers
- The Pastors’ College
- Wielding the Sword
- Finding Strength amid Weakness
- In Labors More Abundant
- The Downgrade Controversy
- Final Days
Timeline
Bibliography
Endorsements
“Like Spurgeon himself, Alex DiPrima is a gifted pastor-theologian who delights in serving God’s people. DiPrima is also an acclaimed Spurgeon scholar, and his Spurgeon: A Life is a welcome addition to the many works chronicling Spurgeon’s life and ministry. I’m thankful for DiPrima and this new Spurgeon biography. If you read this accessible, inspiring work, you will be too.”
—Jason K. Allen, president, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary & Spurgeon College
“Charles Spurgeon lived such a massive life that single-volume biographies represent an incredible challenge. Yet Charles Spurgeon’s life, beliefs, and ministry—propelled by the power of his remarkable preaching—represent a story that must be told. In this book Alex DiPrima has produced what many others have failed to deliver: a one-volume biography of Spurgeon that tells the story with power, insight, and due recognition of his historical significance. This is a biography written for Christians about one of the titanic Christian influences of the modern age. It deserves a wide readership.”
—R. Albert Mohler Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
About the Author
Alex DiPrima is senior pastor of Emmanuel Church in Winston Salem, North Carolina. He holds a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in historical theology with a focus on the ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He is the author of Spurgeon and the Poor and has published several articles with 9Marks ministries, the Spurgeon Center, and the Gospel Coalition.
