Required reading
Lectures to my students by Charles Spurgeon (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 7 (On spiritualizing).
My summary
Today Spurgeon speaks about the spiritualizing.
Spurgeon advises us to:
(i) not violently strain a text by illegitimate spiritualizing;
(ii) never spiritualize upon indelicate subjects;
(iii) never spiritualize for the sake of showing what an uncommonly clever fellow you are;
(iv) never pervert scripture;
(v) in no case allow our audience to forget that the narratives which we spiritualize are facts;
(vi) generalize the great universal principles evolved by minute and separate facts.
What grabbed me
Although there are dangers in spiritualising, I liked how Spurgeon was careful to point out the benefits: 'However, there is a legitimate range for spiritualizing, or rather for the particular gift which leads men to spiritualize. For instance, you have frequently been shown that the types yield ample scope for the exercise of a sanctified ingenuity. Why need you go about to find “odious women” to preach upon, when you have before you the tabernacle in the wilderness, with all its sacred furniture, the burnt-offering, the peace-offering, and all the various sacrifices which were offered before God? Why struggle for novelties when the temple and all its glories are before you? The largest capacity for typical interpretation will find abundant employment in the undoubted symbols of the Word of God, and it will be safe to enter upon such an exercise, because the symbols are of divine appointment.'
In particular, I believe that types of Christ in the Old Testament are God given and should be embraced for our edification.
Next week's reading
Read Chapter 8 (On the voice).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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