Session 6: Q&A

Questions from this session include:

• For someone wanting to read a biography of Charles Spurgeon, what would you recommend?
• Can you recommend your three best books on Spurgeon?
• So many prominent Christian leaders end their lives surrounded by scandal, either sexual compromise or doctrinal compromise. Many have fallen even within our own lifetime. You work with a man who has been faithful and uncompromising through more than 50 years of pastoral ministry. Q: Was Spurgeon or his ministry ever accused of sexual or financial impropriety? What kinds of accusations, if any, were raised against Spurgeon?
• How has John MacArthur protected himself against similar temptations and or failure?
• Spurgeon’s productivity is legendary. Describe a typical week for Charles Spurgeon. What motivates a person to that kind of service?
• The ministry of Grace to You has been similarly productive. It could be argued that there hasn’t been a greater force for the propagation of Biblical teaching in the history of the church. What motivates you and John MacArthur and your colleagues to this level of productivity for the kingdom?
• Obviously, Phil Johnson and Charles Spurgeon would not agree on every point and nuance of theology. If Spurgeon were alive today and you could sit down to persuade him to change his mind on the biggest issue where you would disagree, what would that issue be, and how would you present your argument?
• If you could live in the 1800s and serve alongside Spurgeon as you have for John MacArthur, what counsel would you give him that would: - improve his preaching? - improve his effectiveness? - prolong his life? - protect him?

From the Audience: Bonus Questions:

• What are the historical roots of egalitarianism in the church?
• Does this connect back to a particular ancient heresy or heretical group, or is it a modern invention?
• What is the woke movement in evangelicalism, and what does it have to do with the gospel?
• Recently GCC has been in the headlines because you are gathering to worship in defiance of state restrictions. This seems to have brought about a bit of nuance in GCC stance on civil disobedience. I heard Mike Riccardi reference some of the teachings of the reformers on the doctrine of the lesser magistrate and defying tyrants. Did the view among some of the elders change over this issue?

Recommended Resources:

• Spurgeon v. Hyper-Calvinism: The Battle for Gospel Preaching by Iain Murray
• The Forgotten Spurgeon by Iain Murray
• Spurgeon on the Christian Life: Alive in Christ by Michael Reeves
• The Spurgeon Archive
• Phil Johnson's blog: Pyromaniacs