Book Review: The Gospel Focus of Charles Spurgeon by Steven Lawson

A couple of weeks ago I requested another PDF book to review from Ligonier Ministries, this one the above titled book The Gospel Focus of Charles Spurgeon by Steven Lawson. I read the book over the course of a couple of weeks, and was delayed by a bout of the flu. But before doing this review I sat down again today and read the book again the whole way through. The book is not a complete biography of Spurgeon, but rather a short overview of his ministry, just enough to hopefully whet your appetite to learn more about the "prince of preachers"

The book starts out with a brief introduction by the author on how he became aware of Charles Spurgeon and his ministry, and the effect Spurgeon has had on his own ministry. He then discusses a little about why he wanted to write a book on Charles Spurgeon, the author having previously written similar books on Jonathan Edwards and John Calvin. 

The first chapter of the book gives a brief biographical sketch of the preacher beginning with his birth and ending with his death. One of the things that surprised me was the early age at which he began his ministry, with no formal training, and also the young age at which he died. However due to the young age at which he started preaching full time (18), he preached for nearly 40 years. The majority of which was spent in London. 

The next 5 chapters are focused on what made Charles Spurgeon's ministry so impactful and long lasting,  the 5 keys if you will to his ministry. They are a belief in the supremacy of God's word and it's divine inspiration, a understanding of the doctrines of grace commonly referred to as Calvinism, a heartfelt evangelistic devotion to the lost, a ministry with Christ and his completed work at its center, and a reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. The final chapter concludes with a brief call for more pastors to minister with the fire and passion of Charles Spurgeon.


I don't want to go into much detail on the chapters with them being pretty short, but only want to note that each one will give you a lot to think about. If you come from a non Calvinist background you are going to have a lot of issues with the chapter entitled Sovereign Grace. Both the writer and Charles Spurgeon are Calvinistic in doctrine. A year ago that would have been difficult for me to agree with, but I find myself finding that Calvinism is in the scriptures, especially the Epistles of Paul. 


I found this to be a terrific book, with a lot of helpful insight into preaching, and the gospel. The book also inspired me to learn more about the life and preaching of Charles Spurgeon. The book is not that long but is one you will reread multiple times to really let everything sink in. I want to conclude with a few of my favorite quotes from the book. 


"The sermon which does not lead to Christ,or of which Jesus Christ is not the top and the bottom,is a sort of sermon that will make the devils in hell laugh,but might make the angels of God weep."

 "I do not envy Gabriel his crown when God gives me souls.I have thought that I would rather be here to talk with you and point you to my Master’s cross than be up there and cast my crown at His feet.For surely there can be no joy in heaven greater than the joy of doing the Master’s will in winning souls."

And lastly the one he might be the most famous for

 "If sinners will be damned,at least let them leap to hell over our bodies.And if they will perish,let them perish with our arms about their knees,imploring them to stay.If hell must be filled,at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions,and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."


This book comes with a heartfelt recommendation from me, I cannot recommend it more highly.

In accordance with FCC bylaws, I must note that I could receive a copy of the book as compensation for my review.