Was Spurgeon A Calvinist?

Today’s devotional by C. H. Spurgeon is all about inviting one to trust Christ as Lord and Savior; giving oneself to the Lord in gratitude for salvation.  It is also about election and that is a key topic which, when stretched falls into the category of the Calvinist camp.  Calvinists believe one is elect to the point of not needing to proclaim the gospel; those who are elect will be saved whether or not we preach it.  Problem with that is, too many are lured into thinking they have no need or responsibility to preach the gospel.  What about Matthew 28:18-20 – the Great Commission? 

After you have read the devotional (and hopefully heeded its counsel), I will comment further on its Calvinistic content.  Perhaps you theologians out there can add to this discussion through the comments section beneath the blog entry.

 

“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.”

- 1Th_1:4

Many persons want to know their election before they look to Christ, but they cannot learn it thus, it is only to be discovered by “looking unto Jesus.” If you desire to ascertain your own election;-after the following manner, shall you assure your heart before God. Do you feel yourself to be a lost, guilty sinner? go straightway to the cross of Christ, and tell Jesus so, and tell him that you have read in the Bible, “Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.” Tell him that he has said, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Look to Jesus and believe on him, and you shall make proof of your election directly, for so surely as thou believest, thou art elect. If you will give yourself wholly up to Christ and trust him, then you are one of God’s chosen ones; but if you stop and say, “I want to know first whether I am elect,” you ask you know not what. Go to Jesus, be you never so guilty, just as you are. Leave all curious inquiry about election alone. Go straight to Christ and hide in his wounds, and you shall know your election. The assurance of the Holy Spirit shall be given to you, so that you shall be able to say, “I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him.” Christ was at the everlasting council: he can tell you whether you were chosen or not; but you cannot find it out in any other way. Go and put your trust in him, and his answer will be-”I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” There will be no doubt about his having chosen you, when you have chosen him.

“Sons we are through God’s election,

Who in Jesus Christ believe.”

My comments are these:

1.        Notice that Spurgeon does not counsel one to worry about election, but about salvation (belief)?  It is my belief that one is elect if one “hears” the gospel.  One is not saved yet, but one is chosen to respond.  Without hearing, none are saved (see Romans 10:9-17). 

2.       All who are saved are chosen, yes.  We are chosen, and we have accepted (though many do not) to receive the blessing of that choice.  We know that all are chosen at some level, for God is not willing that any should perish, but come to repentance.  We who are saved have heard the offer and accepted. 

3.       Let us always be bold in our evangelism hoping to persuade men everywhere to do as we have – hear and accept God’s glorious salvation.

 

Holler for Jesus,

Greg Yount

 

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