SPURGEON:
A Life
By Alex DiPrima
Reformation Heritage Books.
300 pages. £27.99
ISBN 979 8 886 861 150
Alex Di Prima has already written helpfully on Spurgeon in his Spurgeon and the Poor: How the Gospel Compels Christian Social Concern (Reformation Heritage Books, 2023). In turning to this book my expectations were high, and they were not disappointed.
Di Prima has produced a faithful (and inspiring) retelling of Spurgeon’s life which is long enough to explore important themes, but not so long as to become overly detailed. The book’s recounting of the criticism Spurgeon received as a young preacher (and while attracting vast crowds in London) is helpfully explored. Would it be any different today? The great importance of a loving marriage is given due time as the relationship between Charles and Susannah Spurgeon is outlined. And the sheer extent of Spurgeon’s work clearly comes across. From the ‘prince of preachers’, to the leader of the ‘pastors’ college’, to the founder of a significant orphanage and more, the ‘real’ Spurgeon in all his fullness is set before readers.
