Category Archives: Controversy

Charles Spurgeon and the Downgrade Controversy

Posted by on September 7, 2009 No comments

Charles Spurgeon

By Erroll Hulse

Through the constant republication of his sermons and voluminous writings (135 books) the influence of Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) maintains an immense spiritual influence throughout the evangelical world. Over half a million visits have been made to The Spurgeon Archives, probably the best of several Spurgeon websites. The last five years of Spurgeon’s life, 1887-1892 were troubled and saddened by the Downgrade Controversy. Spurgeon carried an enormous workload. He possessed neither the time nor the energy to pursue and remedy the widespread doctrinal decline in the B U (Baptist Union). For any leader to appraise so great an issue would involve full-time work for more than one astute theologian. For his unwillingness to provide documentation concerning his allegations CHS was misunderstood and maligned. The controversy exacerbated his health problems. He admitted at one stage that the controversy was killing him.

A preliminary comment is needful with respect to the Baptist Union. There are many Baptist denominations around the world and they differ widely in character. In South Africa the battle over liberal theology was won in the 1920s so the B U of South Africa is evangelical and has managed to remain intact and resist soul-destroying liberal doctrines. As an introduction to Spurgeon I recommend Iain Murray’s book The Forgotten Spurgeon published by the Banner of Truth.

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Charles Haddon Spurgeon and the Downgrade Controversy

Posted by on September 12, 2008 No comments

By Erroll Hulse

Through the constant republication of his sermons and voluminous writings (135 books) the influence of Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) maintains an immense spiritual influence throughout the evangelical world. Over half a million visits have been made to The Spurgeon Archives, probably the best of several Spurgeon websites. The last five years of Spurgeon’s life, 1887-1892 were troubled and saddened by the Downgrade Controversy. Spurgeon carried an enormous workload. He possessed neither the time nor the energy to pursue and remedy the widespread doctrinal decline in the B U (Baptist Union). For any leader to appraise so great an issue would involve full-time work for more than one astute theologian. For his unwillingness to provide documentation concerning his allegations CHS was misunderstood and maligned. The controversy exacerbated his health problems. He admitted at one stage that the controversy was killing him.

A preliminary comment is needful with respect to the Baptist Union. There are many Baptist denominations around the world and they differ widely in character. In South Africa the battle over liberal theology was won in the 1920s so the B U of South Africa is evangelical and has managed to remain intact and resist soul-destroying liberal doctrines. As an introduction to Spurgeon I recommend Iain Murray’s book The Forgotten Spurgeon published by the Banner of Truth.

  • Click here to continue reading this article or…
  • Click here to download a PDF version of this article (for printing)