Pastor-2-Pastor: An Interview with Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Introduction to the Interview with Charles Spurgeon

Throughout history, certain voices have echoed with remarkable power, shaping the course of Christian thought and inspiring countless believers. One such voice is that of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, often called the Prince of Preachers. Though he lived in the 19th century, his words continue to challenge and encourage us today.

But what if we could sit down with Spurgeon and ask him the questions that weigh on our hearts in this modern age?

In this special interview, I, Barry Davis, take on the role of interviewer, posing questions relevant to both Spurgeon's time and ours. The responses you will read are not fictional imaginings, but rather carefully constructed answers based on Spurgeon's own sermons, books, and recorded statements. His responses are drawn from his vast body of work—including Lectures to My Students, The Soul Winner, Morning and Evening, All of Grace, and countless sermons delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Every answer reflects the deep biblical convictions Spurgeon preached with unwavering faith.

While we cannot truly sit across from Spurgeon, his voice still speaks through the legacy he left behind. May this interview bring clarity, conviction, and encouragement as we consider the wisdom of one of the greatest preachers of the gospel.

Now, let us begin.

 Barry Davis: Mr. Spurgeon, thank you for joining us. You are often called the "Prince of Preachers." What do you believe made your preaching so effective?

Charles Spurgeon: The effectiveness of any preacher lies not in his eloquence or intellect, but in the power of the Holy Spirit working through the proclamation of God’s Word. I have always sought to make Christ central in every sermon, for "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). When Christ is lifted up, He will draw men unto Himself (John 12:32).

Barry Davis: You began preaching at a young age and pastored the Metropolitan Tabernacle for nearly four decades. What was your approach to sermon preparation?

Charles Spurgeon: I firmly believe that the preacher must first be a man of prayer. "A sermon full of Christ, delivered in the power of the Spirit, will do wonders." I sought to be diligent in studying the Scriptures, filling my mind with the great truths of God, and drawing illustrations from life, nature, and history. However, my chief method was to rely on the unction of the Holy Spirit. Many times, I would have my sermon subject given to me moments before I ascended the pulpit, for the Lord never fails to supply His servant.

Barry Davis: Your sermons are known for their warmth, theological depth, and accessibility. How do you balance doctrine with engaging delivery?

Charles Spurgeon: Truth should never be dull, nor should doctrine be dry. I have often said, "If I was a dry preacher, I would be dry in my hearers' hearts as well." A preacher must first feel the weight of the truth he preaches—he must believe it with all his soul. If I do not weep over my own sermon, I cannot expect my people to do so. I labored to make my messages clear, so that even the simplest soul in the pew might grasp the riches of Christ’s gospel.

Barry Davis: You were known for your strong commitment to the sovereignty of God in salvation. How would you explain the doctrines of grace to a modern audience?

Charles Spurgeon: The doctrines of grace, often called Calvinism, are not merely theological points to be debated but the very essence of the gospel. They show us that salvation is of the Lord from first to last. Man is utterly fallen, unable to come to God of his own will (Romans 3:10-11). It is God who elects, calls, justifies, and glorifies (Romans 8:30). Christ's atonement is not a mere possibility but a certainty for His people (John 10:11). These truths should not make us idle, but rather stir us to greater love and zeal, for it is God's power that secures the sinner's redemption.

Barry Davis: Your ministry was not without controversy. You stood firm during the Downgrade Controversy. Why did you take such a strong stand?

Charles Spurgeon: Truth is worth contending for. During the Downgrade Controversy, I saw a grievous departure from sound doctrine in the Baptist Union, with ministers embracing liberalism, denying the authority of Scripture, and undermining the gospel. I could not, in good conscience, remain silent while the very foundations of our faith were being eroded. As I have often said, "Fellowship with known and vital error is participation in sin." I would rather stand alone with the truth than be in a multitude that compromises the Word of God.

Barry Davis: Many modern churches struggle with a desire to be culturally relevant. What advice would you give to today’s preachers?

Charles Spurgeon: A preacher’s task is not to conform to the world but to declare the unchanging gospel. The church does not need new methods; it needs men full of the Spirit, filled with Scripture, and fervent in prayer. Many today seek to entertain rather than to preach, but a soul cannot be saved by amusements. "We have no business to supply the world with something better than the gospel, for there is nothing better than the gospel." Let the preacher trust in the old, rugged cross, for it still has power to save.

Barry Davis: You had a great passion for evangelism. How should Christians today approach sharing the gospel?

Spurgeon: The great work of the church is to preach Christ and Him crucified. If we are to win souls, we must declare the gospel plainly and urgently. The sinner must be made to see his lost condition, the sufficiency of Christ, and the necessity of repentance and faith. "We have no business to supply the world with something better than the gospel, for there is nothing better than the gospel!"

Barry Davis: What do you say to those who feel inadequate in witnessing?

Spurgeon: It is not your eloquence or knowledge that wins souls, but the power of God’s Spirit. Speak simply, love fervently, and pray earnestly. As I have said before, "If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our dead bodies."

Barry Davis: What role did prayer play in your ministry?

Spurgeon: Prayer is the engine of ministry. A preacher may prepare a sermon, but without prayer, he is a soldier without a weapon. I have often found that my best sermons were the result of much prayer, and my weakest were those I approached in my own strength. "If you wish to know the success of my ministry, it is due to my people’s prayers."

Barry Davis: Many today question the authority of Scripture. How would you respond?

Spurgeon: The Word of God is the anvil upon which the hammers of skepticism have been broken for centuries. I do not defend the Bible; I simply let it loose, like a lion, and it defends itself. Every doctrine, every promise, every word is inspired and infallible.

Barry Davis: What would you say to a young believer struggling to understand the Bible?

Spurgeon: Read it daily, prayerfully, and expectantly. "Visit many good books, but live in the Bible." The more you immerse yourself in its pages, the more you will see the face of Christ shining through.

Barry Davis: You endured great suffering in your life—physical pain, depression, and opposition. How did you endure?

Spurgeon: Suffering is the furnace in which God purifies His saints. "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages." Trials have drawn me nearer to Christ, and I would not trade them for ease. A faith untested is a faith unproven.

Barry Davis: What would you say to those enduring hardships today?

Spurgeon: Take heart! The darker the night, the brighter the stars. The heaviest burdens are often laid on the strongest backs. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Hold fast, for He who has begun a good work in you will complete it.

Barry Davis: What advice would you give to believers struggling in their prayer lives?

Spurgeon: Pray even when you do not feel like praying. The weakest prayer uttered in faith is mighty before God. Do not seek eloquence in your prayers—seek earnestness. "A prayerless soul is a Christless soul."

Barry Davis: What concerns would you have about the modern church?

Spurgeon: I fear that many churches seek to entertain rather than to edify. "The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than suggesting to the church that she should turn herself into an entertainment company." The church needs men of God, filled with Scripture, aflame with the gospel, and unafraid to declare the whole counsel of God.

Barry Davis: What advice would you give to pastors today?

Spurgeon: Preach Christ and Him crucified. Do not trim the truth to fit the times. A pastor must be a watchman, a shepherd, and a herald of God’s Word. "Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Barry Davis: Finally, if you could give one piece of encouragement to pastors today, what would it be?

Charles Spurgeon: Do not grow weary in well-doing. The ministry is often laborious, burdensome, and filled with trials, yet Christ is faithful. “Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you” (Psalm 55:22). Whether your congregation is large or small, preach as a dying man to dying men. Be steadfast, for "they that sow in tears shall reap in joy" (Psalm 126:5). Never lose sight of the cross, for "we preach Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:23), and in this gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

Barry Davis: Thank you, Mr. Spurgeon. Your words continue to inspire preachers today.