First Person with Wayne Shepherd - Ray Rhodes

Biographer Ray Rhodes talks with Wayne Shepherd about his new book, Spurgeon; the Man Beyond the Pulpit about the preacher who left an indelible mark on Christian History.    (click for more…)  

Books: Spurgeon; the Man Beyond the Pulpit, Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles H. Spurgeon
 
In this First Person episode, host Wayne Shepherd interviews pastor and author Ray Rhodes about his biography Spurgeon: The Man Beyond the Pulpit. The book focuses on Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834–1892) as a person rather than only the famous preacher. Rhodes describes researching archives in England and at Midwestern Baptist Seminary, and explains why Spurgeon is better remembered in America than in England. He covers Spurgeon’s early life with his grandparents, his conversion at 15 in a snowstorm at a Primitive Methodist church, and his path to believer’s baptism despite his Congregationalist family. He also recounts Spurgeon preaching his first sermon at 16 and becoming a pastor at 17. His move to London’s New Park Street Chapel followed, along with his meeting Susie, his heavy publishing output, and his friendship with D.L. Moody. Rhodes also discusses Spurgeon’s lifelong struggle with depression, which worsened after the 1856 Surrey Music Hall tragedy. Rhodes’s main takeaway is that pastors can’t imitate Spurgeon but can identify with his sufferings and find the same comfort in Christ.

In an earlier First Person, Ray Rhodes discussed his book on Susie Spurgeon. The episode can be heard here.  

                                          NEXT WEEK:  Randy Simpkins

Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:
FEBC National Processing Center 
Far East Broadcasting Company
P.O. Box 6020 
Albert Lea, MN 56007

Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!