Spurgeon and the Poor: How the Gospel Compels Christian Social Concern - Paperback

by Alex Diprima (Author)

Spurgeon and the Poor is a fascinating study into the life and ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, exploring his understanding of the place of benevolence in the ministry of the local church. Alex DiPrima examines the way Spurgeon's belief that gospel preaching and soul-winning formed the church's mission informed his view of social concern as a compelling argument for its power. Readers will gain insight into Spurgeon's theology and experience as he ministered to the oppressed through ministries, private philanthropy, and public advocacy.

Back Jacket

Charles Haddon Spurgeon is best known as England's Prince of Preachers. What has often been forgotten about Spurgeon, however, is his for the activity as a philanthropist, activist, or friend of poor. In Spurgeon and the Poor, Alex DiPrima examines Spurgeon's belief that gospel preaching and soul-winning should be the church's primary mission informed his commendable benevolence and social concern. Part theology and part biography, DiPrima's new study will encourage the church as he recaptures a forgotten aspect of Spurgeon's ministry.

"The best way to address the fear we have about the true gospel being morphed into a social gospel is by seeing how men like C. H. Spurgeon, who were true to the gospel, did mercy ministries. Alex DiPrima gives us a glimpse of this in this well-researched book. Spurgeon remained a true gospel preacher to his dying day. Read this book and see how the gospel he preached fired his heart with loving zeal for the poor and needy in his own day."
--Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church and founding chancellor of the African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia

"When Christians think about Charles Spurgeon, they naturally recall his stirring sermons and energetic evangelism. Spurgeon is not often remembered as an advocate for ministry to the poor and suffering, but as Alex DiPrima's book convincingly shows, he should be. To Spurgeon, caring for the 'least of these' was the inevitable fruit of God's regenerating work in the hearts of the saints. DiPrima's work is a timely reminder that for the church, there should be no artificial separation between the proclamation of the gospel and Christlike works of mercy."
--Thomas Kidd, research professor of church history, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

ALEX DIPRIMA is senior pastor of Emmanuel Church in Winston Salem, NC. He holds a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in historical theology with a focus on the ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He has published several articles with 9Marks ministries, the Spurgeon Center, and Southeastern Seminary.

Author Biography

Alex DiPrima is senior pastor of Emmanuel Church in Winston Salem, NC. He holds a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in historical theology with a focus on the ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He has published several articles with 9Marks ministries, the Spurgeon Center, and Southeastern Seminary.