Lectures to My Students by C.H. Spurgeon is a masterpiece that has been published many times over. It was first published from 1875-1894. The edition being reviewed is published by Banner of Truth Trust who first published this work in 2008, and then again in 2011.
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This is one of those books that I am very tempted to provide a short review that says the following: just buy this and read it over and over and over again!
Charles Spurgeon, the prince of preachers, is a wonderful gift from God to His church! He has given us many sermons and writings that, when digested slowly, are sure to aid the Christian in their growth in Christ! Lectures to my Students is a most unique contribution to Christian literature. It is in some ways very different than sermons or books. These are lectures that were given to his students which are purposefully colloquial, familiar, full of anecdote, and often humorous”. He professes, in his “Introduction and Apology” to “speak without restraint.” The reader is sure to feel as if they are actually sitting at the table with Spurgeon himself.
This is a nearly 1,000 page book that is filled to the brim with gold for the preacher and teacher of the Gospel! The book is divided into four parts. The first part is referred to as the First Series, and it touches on the following topics: The Minister’s Self-Watch, The Call to Ministry, the Preacher’s Private Prayer, Sermons–Their Matter, The Minister’s Ordinary Conversation, and more. The second section, called the Second Series, deals with: The Holy Spirit in Connection with our Ministry; Open-Air Preaching; Posture, Action, Gesture, etc.; and more. The Third Series: Illustrations in Preaching; The Uses of Anecdotes and Illustrations; etc. The four section is called Commenting on Commentaries, and this is a chat about, yes, commentaries!
This book is very easy to read and understand. Though most Christians could certainly benefit from the truths on these pages, it is most likely a book that only ministers are going to cherish due to the nature of these talks. I think that ministers would do well to read at least a small portion of this book on a yearly basis for encouragement and growth.
Banner of Truth’s publication of this book is wonderfully done. As usual, it’s a very nice hardcover with a wonderful dust-jacket that contains a picture of Spurgeon.
I highly recommend this book, and I highly recommend that it’s read often (at least portions of it). Tolle lege, take up and read!
Disclaimer: My thanks to Banner of Truth for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
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