A primer on the place of social ministry in Reformed theology
Scholarly yet engaging, “Spurgeon and the Poor” offers both an historical portrait of the man and his tremendous work, and also a theological sketch of how Spurgeon viewed the relationship of social ministry to the Gospel and to the preaching of the Gospel: the preaching of the Gospel is central; caring for the material needs of the poor - second, yet indispensable, as DiPrima is careful to reiterate in each chapter, with abundant and moving quotations from Spurgeon’s sermons and writings. DiPrima describes, with references, the astounding array of social ministries which Spurgeon founded and which were supported by thousands of volunteers from among the Metropolitan Tabernacle membership: an orphanage, a tuition-free seminary, almshouses that cared for poor widows, food pantries, clothing supplies, 66 distinct ministries in all to meet various needs of the destitute in Industrial-Revolution London. These are described in fascinating and inspiring detail. My only disappointment is that DiPrima did not say more about Spurgeon’s advocacy. He does dedicate a whole section of a chapter to Spurgeon’s vociferous denunciation of slavery, and the price Sturgeon paid for that. DiPrima does not, however, describe specific ways in which Spurgeon may have attempted to address poverty and injustice at the level of public policy in London. Neither does DiPrima mention other facets of Spurgeon’s theology which might not square with the Reformed confesssions. Overall, I loved this book. I happen to be a former Roman Catholic, and I appreciated finding in Protestantism a leader as eloquent and active - perhaps more so - regarding social teaching and ministry as Pope Leo XIII or any figure in the Catholic social tradition.
