Engaging Trip through the Life of an Awesome Man of God

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	• Spurgeon: A New Biography Arnold A. Dallimore Banner of Truth, 1985 - 252 pages average customer review:based on 9 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Good place to start but not much more

I agree with the other reviewers that this is a good place to start on the life of Spurgeon but I was disappointed by the book. I hope my 3 stars isn't unfair, I just expected much more fom Dallimore. I thoroughly enjoyed his one volume work on George Whitefield and therefore the "bar" was a bit higher for me.

The main reasons why I gave book this 2 stars:
First, this book would really only be useful for a person who has never even heard the name Charles Spurgeon...but then, one who has never heard of the man will likely not plop down and read a whole biography about him!

Secondly, Dallimore does not deal with Spurgeon's theology in any significant way. It was precisely Spurgeon's knowledge of God that enabled him to do the things he did.
I also think he gets some things wrong when dealing with the issues surrounding the "downgrade controversy."

This book is better than nothing, but not too much better. I have heard that "The Forgotten Spurgeon" by Iian Murray is better...I'm off to try that one! If you're interested in Whitefield, I highly recommend Dallimore's book on his life. For learning about the life of Spurgeon, save your money for another day.

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Spurgeon: A New Biography

I have not finished with the book yet. My pastor, Jerry Johnston, told me to read it. I am interested in having some of Spurgeon's books of sermons in my library. I have found it an easy read and easier to understand than the 4 volume biography probably would be. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to get a basic idea about Spurgeon's life, then go to the 4 book biography for a more indepth look at his life, if you so choose.

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A Great Introduction to the Prince of Preachers

This was my first book on Charles Spurgeon, and I have to say that it sparked my interest so much that I proceeded to his 4 volume Autobiography! Dallimore writes very well, breaks down the material into short, manageable chapters, and liberally uses the words of Spurgeon himself to give the reader a good snapshot of the preacher. One of the things I like about this book is that while Dallimore gives us a good clear picture of Spurgeon the man, he also provides the reader a faithful glimpse of Spurgeon the servant of God. I could not help but be inspired by the work of God in this man. This is a biography of Charles Spurgeon, but it is ultimately about the incredible local and global work of Christ through one of His humble servants. If you are looking for a short, first book on Spurgeon, then this is the one. It is concise, accurate, faithful to the man himself, and inspirational.

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Instructed and Inspired by Spurgeon's Powerful Example

In the past I have read Iain Murray's The Forgotten Spurgeon and Spurgeon vs. Hyper Calvinism. Both of these works were excellent at getting to know the theology that drove the man. Yet their purpose was not to tell the life story of the man. Dallimore does just that. He says his goal will have succeeded if many "come to know him better and are both instructed and inspired by his powerful example".

Dallimore begins his biography by showing the preparation of the man. This serves to help us see the foundation that was built in this mighty man of God. Young Charles had studied and read extensively on the Puritans. Certainly, they (along with Spurgeon's passion for Scripture) were used by God to develop at a young age the passionate theology of Spurgeon. It is because of the "boy and his books" that Spurgeon became the "prince of preachers" that labored to earnestly contend for the faith.

In this shorter biography Dallimore will lead us from the boy preacher at Waterbeach to the embattled veteran defender of biblical faith against the onslaught of New Theology. We read of his early labors at the New Park Street Chapel to his thriving services at the famous Metropolitan Tabernacle. Dallimore champions throughout this work the exhausting labors of Charles Spurgeon. It is telling that after his death it took many men to carry on that which Spurgeon started and they still were not able to fill his shoes. We are introduced to many friends and even a few in opposition to Spurgeon. We also are honored to meet in these pages Spurgeon's admirable wife Susannah.

Dallimore closes with a beautiful chapter on Spurgeon's funeral. He writes as if he were there and takes the reader into the funeral services. I found myself holding back tears, mourning the loss of this wonderful saint. Therefore, I find as I close the book, that Dallimore has succeeded. I feel as if I know Spurgeon better, but more importantly I have been instructed and inspired by his powerful example.

Should You Buy It?

It is a wonderful work, and for that reason I give a wholehearted "yes" to buying it. However, if you want to buy a book dealing with his theology and preaching methods, Dallimore might not be the best place to go. I would suggest buying this book to be introduced to Dallimore's life, then as an accompaniment I must encourage the reader to buy Iain Murray's works on Spurgeon.

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Engaging Trip through the Life of an Awesome Man of God

Arnold Dallimore's books about the great evangelist George Whitefield enthralled me with every turn of the page. This biography of the Rev. Charles Spurgeon is up to Dallimore's high standards. You'll learn about Spurgeon's voracious appetite for reading, his thorough knowledge of Christian theology at a young age, and his heartfelt conversiona t the age of sixteen while listening to a layman preach on Isaiah 45:22.

You'll also learn of the wonderful married life he had with his wife Susannah, and of his spellbinding, down to earth sermons. You'll marvel as the Baptist church he pastors grows to about 6000 members.

You'll also learn of his health crises and of his battles with depression. You'll also see that even though Spurgeon was a great man of God who started a college for ministers, he still had plenty of enemies both within and outside of the body of Christ.

This is a compact, action packed, engaging study of a great life. I give it a very high recommendation.

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