Different Songs of Praise for Every Century? Spurgeon on the Unchanging Gospel
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), often known as the Prince of Preachers, knew well what it meant to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). In mid-to-late nineteenth century England, rationalism was ravaging churches and denominations that traced their roots to the Protestant Reformation. It was argued that the old views of the absolute authority and infallibility of Scripture could no longer stand up to scrutiny. With that came assaults on key doctrines, including those related to the deity of Christ and substitutionary atonement. Spurgeon saw this devolution and stood in the gap, though it cost him dearly and quite likely contributed to his early death. In his biography of Spurgeon, my professor, Tom Nettles (that's Dr. Nettles to me), recounts Spurgeon's battle for the gospel. I wanted to pass along an extended quotation pointing to the absurdity of changing and improving the gospel. Dr. Nettles writes: "To change such per...