KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) — Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) celebrates the May 15 release of “Christ Our All: Poems for the Christian Pilgrim” (B&H Academic). Containing hundreds of Charles Spurgeon’s original poems, many of them previously unpublished, the volume was compiled by Geoffrey Chang, curator of the Spurgeon Library and assistant professor of church history and historical theology at Midwestern Seminary.
“I am grateful for the release of Dr. Chang’s new edited book ‘Christ Our All,’” said MBTS President Jason Allen. “It is an incredible privilege for Midwestern Seminary to steward the Spurgeon Library and the Heritage Collection. This new book featuring Spurgeon’s poems, many of which were unpublished, is a great reminder of that stewardship. I am grateful for Dr. Chang and his tireless work, and I am grateful that Spurgeon admirers everywhere will benefit from reading the Prince of Preachers’ poetry.”
Known for his ministry to thousands as a preacher and pastor in Victorian England, Charles Spurgeon wrote hundreds of poems delighting in Christ. One of his poems, “Christ Our All,” provided the book’s title.
“In this poem, Spurgeon prays for God to illumine the Word so that he might see Christ’s ‘shining face,’” said Chang. “I felt this was a fitting title for the entire volume, as Spurgeon’s love for and dependence on Christ is the thread that weaves all the poems together.
“All the poems portray the Christian as a pilgrim on his way to the Celestial City. These poems, then, are reminders that we are not alone on this journey, but Christ is with us every step of the way.”
Chang went on to share the importance of making Spurgeon’s unpublished poems available today, noting the rich spiritual encouragement available therein. “Spurgeon is known worldwide as one of the greatest preachers of church history. But very little is known about his poetry. What makes this compilation unique is that it includes not only his hymns and poems but also a collection of unpublished poems.”
These unpublished poems, numbering 186, were handwritten in a notebook which is currently housed in the Spurgeon Library at Midwestern Seminary.
“These are private, devotional poems written as prayers, theological reflections, and expressions of sorrows and joys,” Chand said. “They not only give us insight into the poetic heart of Spurgeon, but they are also deeply encouraging for the Christian life.”
The first part of Chang’s book comprises these poems, including the themes of prayer, heaven, salvation and God’s faithfulness. The second part comprises 43 additional poems by Spurgeon, all of them previously published, many in his lifetime.
In his introduction to the book, Chang describes Spurgeon’s love for poetry and his poetic influences, such as William Cowper and John Bunyan, author of “Pilgrim’s Progress.” Chang also highlights how Spurgeon applied his love of poetry to pastoring by arranging a hymnal for his church.
