Understanding Spurgeon’s Concept of Salvation

This study aims to understand Spurgeon s soteriology by studying selected sermons from his pastoralship. After a brief view of Spurgeon s biography, the author studies Spurgeon s preaching, relating it to the five points of Calvinism. The author chooses Calvinism s five points to study Spurgeon s soteriology because Spurgeon used Calvinism as the basis for his theology and preaching. By analyzing the theological themes of election, fall, atonement, calling, and preservation, the author reveals that Spurgeon s soteriology is based on Calvinism. However, the author also reveals that Spurgeon was at the center of a doctrinal controversy because of the ambiguous attitude between Calvinism and Arminianism. Through this study, the author raises questions, including: “Was Spurgeon a true Calvinist?,” “Was he modified Calvinist?,” or “Was he an Arminian?” The author concludes the study by arguing that Spurgeon is a Calvinist, but more than that, he is a faithful preacher of the Bible rather than a strict theologian.