Charles Spurgeon: An Example For Us Today
Known as the Prince of Preachers, London’s Charles Spurgeon was a vibrant combination of Christian orthodoxy and concern for people. Decades later, no sermons are read as much as his.
It is impossible to evaluate the approach to social issues in the preaching of Spurgeon without knowing something of the religious condition of the land at the time when his ministry commenced in the middle of the 19th century. Protestant Christianity was more or less the national religion in England. With some urban exceptions, church going was the general custom. Yet, there were observable signs that the church was too fashionable, too respectable, too much at peace with the world. Few seemed to be aware of this condition. Outward prosperity carried the routine of past years.
Spurgeon attacked this lifeless traditionalism. That which was true of the country in general was particularly true of London. While Spurgeon looked at the gospel of Christ as being the ultimate cure for social ills, he did not advocate being oblivious to the particular issues of the culture in which one lives.
A perusal of his sermons indicates that not only did he possess a firm social conscience, but was typically outspoken in that area. He commented on the oppression of the poor, voiced support for the emerging labor movement, expressed concern for the poor, pronounced war as evil, eschewed imperialism and abominated slavery.
He also took to heart the old adage that actions speak louder than words. This is evidenced by his creation of various institutions of a social or semi-social nature. Prominent among these was the Stockwell orphanage that housed around 500 boys and girls at the same time. Additionally, when his congregation moved to the newly-constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle, proceeds from the sale of the old property were used for new schools and houses for the poor. Likewise, Spurgeon encouraged those who were providing shelters for the homeless and he took a personal interest in the church’s home for elderly ladies.
Charles Spurgeon’s approach to social issues is so suggestive to us today. While sex work is far from new, it has been accelerated in our technological age. Those identifying with Spurgeon’s evangelicalism will do well to embrace his on-hands concern for social issues. In our time, especially, this includes care for those victimized by the sex industry.
