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What Was the Downgrade Controversy Actually All About?
“For my part, I am quite willing to be eaten of dogs for the next fifty years; but the more distant future shall vindicate me.” Spurgeon spoke these fateful words at the conclusion of his presidential address at the Annual College Conference, a gathering of current and former students of the Pastors’ College. He voiced them in the midst of the greatest conflict of his life, often referred to as the Downgrade Controversy. He was tired, discouraged, and disillusioned, yet also calm, resolute, and certain. He had made his stand for the truth, and he felt sure he could endure whatever opposition would come, confident in the knowledge that he had his Lord’s approval.
Most people familiar with Spurgeon’s story have at least a working knowledge of the Downgrade Controversy, which in many ways defined the final years of Spurgeon’s life. But if you ask people to identify the exact issues that were under debate, few would be able to name them. So what was the Downgrade all about after all?
Who is Spurgeon?
Whether you are new to Spurgeon, or a familiar friend, here are a few things you should know about Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
His Personal Library
For the first time ever: Spurgeon’s own writings & select volumes from Spurgeon’s personal library, complete with annotations, now available digitally and free of charge.
The Spurgeon Center
The Spurgeon Library is the premier center of Spurgeon scholarship, housing nearly 6,000 volumes from Charles Spurgeon’s personal library.
The Lost Sermons
Never-before-published sermons from the Prince of Preachers now in print in elegant, full-color volumes from B&H Academic.
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What Was the Downgrade Controversy Actually All About?
January 17, 2022
“For my part, I am quite willing to be eaten of dogs for the next fifty years; but the more distant future shall vindicate me.”[1] Spurgeon spoke these fateful words at the conclusion of his presidential address at the Annual College Conference, a gathering of current and former students of the Pastors’ College. He voiced …
Preparing to Suffer
January 11, 2022
The best time to work on your theology of suffering is not when you are in it, but before the suffering comes. Spurgeon would know a lot of suffering in his adult years – gout, depression, kidney disease, opposition, and much more. But we see him developing his theology of suffering well before those years. …
Sermons from the Pastor of Waterbeach Chapel – The Lost Sermons of C. H. Spurgeon, Vol. 6
December 15, 2021
You’ve probably heard of Spurgeon, the famous pastor in the 19th century, who pastored a church of over 5,000 members, published over a hundred books, founded two orphanages, trained hundreds for pastoral ministry, planted dozens of churches, and, of course, who preached thousands of rich, Word-centered, Christ-exalting sermons for over 38 years from his pulpit in …
Highlights from the Final Three Years, S&T 1890-1892
December 9, 2021
The year 1892 marked the last year that Charles Spurgeon served as the chief editor of The Sword and the Trowel. Up to the end, the magazine existed for the two-fold mission for which it was founded: fighting error and building up the church. Throughout 1890 and 1891, a very sick and heartbroken Spurgeon published …
