Down Grade Controversy

by Charles Spurgeon

Publisher:

N.P.

, n.d.

Overview

The Down Grade Controversy is a compilation of original materials, including The Sword and the Trowel Magazine, C. H. Spurgeon's Autobiography by Mrs. Spurgeon and J. W. Harrald, and the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit sermon volumes.

The Down Grade Controversy was one of the most significant disputes in the life of C. H. Spurgeon, occurring near the close of his comparatively short life of almost 58 years. It began in 1887 and continued on until — and even after — his death in 1892. He indicated in an editorial "note" in the very last days of his life that the controversy probably contributed to his early demise. He said: "To be free from all ecclesiastical entanglements is to the Christian minister a blessing worth all it has cost, even though an almost fatal illness might be reckoned as part of the price."

The Down Grade Controversy took place at a time when there was profound theological unrest, "with sweeping changes in many realms of thought, and with the unusual dangerous tendency for many to accept the latest hypotheses as proven theories". Spurgeon and other ministers were alarmed at the opinions being expressed about the divinity of Christ, the atonement, resurrection and inspiration.

The lasting effects of the controversy may never be known, but one must speculate that it deeply effected Spurgeon as he withdrew from the Baptist Union over the debate. About this his son Thomas said: "The Baptist Union almost killed my father." Archibald Brown replied: "Yes, and your father almost killed the Baptist Union!" Spurgeon was "a voice crying in the wilderness" during this period.

Product Details

• Title: The “Down Grade” Controversy
• Author: Charles Spurgeon
• Publisher: N.P.
• Print Publication Date: n.d.
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Era: era:modern
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Spurgeon, C. H. › (Charles Haddon),--1834-1892; Baptists › England--History--19th century; Theology, Doctrinal › England--History--19th century
• Resource ID: LLS:WS_52F2AAD743C54CCEA6E419308843B330
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-01-19T20:10:48Z

About Charles Spurgeon

C. H. Spurgeon (1834–1892) is one of the church’s most famous preachers and Christianity’s most prolific writers. He converted to Christianity in 1850 at a small Methodist chapel and began his own ministry immediately, preaching more than 500 sermons by the age of 20. Logos has collected his sermons in The Complete Spurgeon Sermon Collection (63 vols.).

Spurgeon was the pastor of New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle). Many of his sermons were published each week and regularly sold more than 25,000 copies in 20 languages. Spurgeon is still known as the “Prince of Preachers” by Reformed Christians and Baptists.

Spurgeon founded the Pastor’s College (now Spurgeon’s College) in London. Dwight L. Moody was deeply influenced by Spurgeon’s preaching, and founded the Moody Bible Institute after seeing Spurgeon’s work at the Pastor’s College in London.

By the time of Spurgeon’s death in 1892, he had preached almost 3,600 sermons and published, also under the name Charles H. Spurgeon, 49 volumes of commentaries, along with numerous books of sayings, devotions, and more. The Charles Spurgeon Collection (149 vols.) contains over 3,550 sermons from this gifted speaker and leader and his most-loved works like The Treasury of David, Lectures to My Students, The Sword and Trowel, and dozens of other volumes. Also available from Logos is Spurgeon Commentary: Galatians, and the Spurgeon Sermon Upgrade Collection (2 vols.).