About the Guest(s): Brandon Rhea
Brandon Rhea serves as the pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Kirksville, Missouri. He holds a PhD from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, with a focus on Charles Spurgeon. His deep interest in Spurgeon stems from his accessible, doctrinally sound sermons, which have profoundly impacted Rhea's ministry. Under his leadership, Faith Baptist Church has experienced significant revitalization, transforming from a dying congregation to a thriving Reformed Baptist community. Episode Summary: In this riveting episode of Renewalcast, hosts Coalt Robinson and Jay Wipf dive deep into the theological and historical contributions of Charles Spurgeon, often hailed as the "Prince of Preachers." They are joined by special guest Brandon Rhea, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Kirksville, Missouri, who provides insightful commentary on Spurgeon’s impact on modern Christianity and explains why Spurgeon continues to be a significant figure in Reformed theology. Throughout the episode, Brandon Rhea narrates Spurgeon’s life journey, from his rise to prominence in London at the age of 19 to his unwavering commitment to doctrinal purity amid rising modernism and Darwinism. The conversation covers Spurgeon’s profound influence on Christian piety, his use of the London Baptist Confession, and his enduring legacy in church practices and theology. Rhea also delves into some of Spurgeon’s personal exceptions to the confession and how these nuances played out in his ministry. Key Takeaways:

• Spurgeon's Influence on Christian Piety: His emphasis on doctrinal soundness combined with a profound commitment to Christian piety continues to inspire modern believers.
• Commitment to Doctrine: Spurgeon’s unwavering stand on Calvinism, the inerrancy of Scripture, and his interpretation of the Sabbath highlight his deep commitment to traditional doctrinal truths.
• Practical Use of Confessions: The London Baptist Confession of Faith served as a doctrinal anchor for Spurgeon’s ministry, shaping his church and instructional materials.
• Balanced Ministry Approach: Despite his strict adherence to doctrine, Spurgeon maintained an ecumenical spirit, inviting preachers from different denominations to his pulpit.
• Sabbatarian Views: Spurgeon strongly believed in the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, viewing it as a foretaste of the eternal rest believers will experience.

Notable Quotes:

• "The reason why I like Spurgeon is because, one, he's pithy, and two, he's easy to read, but he's also doctrinally sound." – Brandon Rhea
• "If you want to understand what the gospel is calling free will, what does that mean? Justification, adoption into the family of God. This is a great place to go." – Brandon Rhea
• "Every Sunday is an appetizer to that glorious, eternal meal that we will have." – Brandon Rhea
• "The two great gifts that God has given to man and her are marriage and the Sabbath." – Brandon Rhea
• "We need to have a confession as a rule, not the final rule, but it brings clarity. We’re on the same page here. This is what it means." – Brandon Rhea

Resources:

• Faith Baptist Church: Website
• Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon: Amazon
• Jeff Chang's "Spurgeon the Pastor": Amazon
• Arnold Dallimore's Biography on Spurgeon: Amazon
• Ed Romines' Book on Spurgeon's Open Air Preaching: Amazon
• Spurgeon’s Sermons and Writings: spurgeon.org

For more inspiring insights on Charles Spurgeon and his theological contributions, listen to the full episode of Renewalcast. Stay tuned for more engaging content that deepens your faith and expands your understanding of historical and contemporary theological issues.