Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born on this date, June 19, 1834 – one hundred and eighty-three years ago. I got to thinking about the influence that Spurgeon has had on my thinking, theology, and Christian life. This thought led to another interesting tidbit. I have been influenced by many Christian men over the years – most of whom I have never met. On Spurgeon’s birthday, consider a few noteworthy men who have played a role in my life. I commend their lives and writings to you.
C.H. Spurgeon – Courage in the face of adversity, an unwavering trust in God’s sovereign purposes, rock-solid commitment to prayer, and a die-hard, Christ-exalting determination in the pulpit.
Jonathan Edwards – The sovereignty of God in all things.
John Owen – The glory of Christ, communion with Christ, and the death of death in the death of Christ.
John Bunyan – Warm-hearted devotion and Pilgrim’s Progress.
John Calvin – Humility, contrition, and trembling before God’s Word.
Martin Luther – Commitment to truth and rediscovering justification by faith.
William Tyndale – Zeal for translating the Word of God into the language of the common man.
John Knox – Steely resolve in the face of adversity.
Thomas Watson – Courage under fire and commitment to biblical principles.
Polycarp – Refusing to bend under pressure. An enemy of pragmatism.
Martyn-Lloyd Jones – Biblical preaching/logic on fire!
Hudson Taylor, David Livingstone, David Brainerd – Missionary zeal.
John Piper – Delighting in God and the fight for joy.
Al Mohler – Confronting culture with the unchanging truths of Scripture.
Francis Schaeffer – Heart for lost people, love for truth, and biblical worldview.
John MacArthur – Faithfulness in the pulpit.
Steven Lawson – Expository preaching.
R.C. Sproul – The holiness of God and Reformed theology.
Ron Nash – Christ-saturated intellectual and spiritual passion.
John Frame – The doctrine of God.
J.I. Packer – Knowing God and Christian creeds.
Wayne Grudem – Systematic theology and a biblical understanding of the Trinity.
David A. Steele (Dad) – Commitment to Scripture, leadership, and personal integrity.
Wayne Pickens – Patiently and lovingly shepherding the flock, commitment to truth, and personal integrity.
Bruce A. Ware – High view of God and the authority of Scripture, and a commitment to the eternal relations of authority and submission in the Trinity.
Don Robinson – Evangelistic zeal, bold resolve.
Cal Blom – Pastoral faithfulness, spiritual disciplines, and integrity.
David Needham – Lover of God and family.
Ron Frost – Approach to God and scholarship.
Hugh Salisbury – Evangelistic zeal and love God and people.
Veritas et Lux 