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Rick Warren Becomes First ‘Honorary Chancellor’ of Spurgeon’s College

Perhaps no single individual has done as much to stunt the spiritual growth of and sear the modern American evangelical conscience than Rick Warren. With his Peter Drucker-mentored corporatization of the church, his advocacy for purpose-driving, his Schuller-inspired, man-pleasing “gospel,” and his endless ability to taint every would-be solid minister from on his way to becoming the king of dollar store, bargain-bin Christianity, Rick Warren’s career as the leader of the 25,000 members, 14 campus Saddleback Church has been nothing short of infamous. Warren’s brand of cheap, biblically-devoid, “I’m lovin’ it” Christianity has been the junk food that fattened up the American McChurch with so many empty spiritual calories, and he has been nothing if not boastful about it. 

He’s also just been appointed and installed as the “first-ever Chancellor of Spurgeon’s College,” a London-based Baptist Institution that “trains men and women for evangelism, ministry, and pastoral leadership,” according to a press release.

Founded in 1856 Charles Haddon Spurgeon when he was just 22 years old, during the esteemed Baptist preacher’s lifetime, nearly 900 pastors trained at the college, and almost 200 new churches were planted in Britain alone. Now, Warren will be the honorary and ceremonial Head of the institution. It is an official and ambassadorial role where the Chancellor will serve as “a vital advocate for the vision, gospel mission and values (nationally and internationally) of Spurgeon’s College.”

This is the epitome of downgrade. Commenting about the incident, the Dissenter was characteristically fiery, writing:

Charles Spurgeon was a beacon of evangelicalism and a stalwart of biblical truth. Yet, in one fell swoop, the college that bears his name defiles his legacy by aligning itself with a figure whose theology is as far from Spurgeon’s as East is from West. Warren’s ecumenical bent, his wavering from the steadfast road of biblical inerrancy towards a gospel of unity and compromise, is a flagrant betrayal of Spurgeon’s legacy.

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Op-Ed: John MacArthur is NOT The Spurgeon of Our Day

Is MacArthur the Spurgeon of our day? I’ve heard it said, but no.

MacArthur’s best attribute is his unwavering commitment to truth and scriptural exposition over many decades. I’ve seen nothing in his material that is terribly profound. Rarely have his words taken me off my feet. He does not, as Paisley said, “Make every sermon a thunderbolt and every word a lightning strike.”

But MacArthur is like a compass and North Star, faithful to point in the right direction. He’s like the old MagLight or Nokia 3310; it will always work and do it’s job, does not break, and will probably survive the apocalypse.

MacArthur’s preaching is like a bland porridge that, despite its humble appeal, will sustain your life and fill your belly. It won’t make the food-porn network, but neither does momma’s cooking. And this world is fed by momma’s cooking, not Foie gras and bouillabaisse with a cranberry reduction.

MacArthur is no Spurgeon, for Spurgeon could only be replaced by a thousand preachers. But MacArthur is certainly a Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, steady as a rock amidst shifting sand. His work exemplifies the plum line looking backward and the astrolabe charting our path forward.

MacArthur is like grandpa, who fought in two world wars and a jungle conflict, who strangled Charlie with piano wire but still carries Werther’s Original to spoil his grandkids. Sure, he tells kids to get off his lawn, but he planted that grass during the ‘31 Dust Bowl when it was just sand and thistles.

MacArthur-the-random-pastor could not become MacArthur-the-living-legend in a year, or ten years, or thirty.

It took 80.

Let that be a lesson. Steadfastness is more desirable than pizzazz. Jazz hands can’t replace a surgeon’s steadiness. Flair and fads aren’t the same as faithfulness, and don’t bear the same results.

Pastor and Publisher JD Hall