Encounter with Spurgeon

by Helmut Thielicke, translated by John W. Doberstein

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Extent: 226 pages

Publisher: The Lutterworth Press

Subjects: Religious Studies

Series: Thielicke Library

Language: English

Paperback (No longer our product)

(November 2016)

ISBN: 9780718894559

6.1 x 9.17 inches

Price: $32.00

In stock

The German theologian Helmut Thielicke comes to terms with the inheritance of the leading 19th-century preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon, and brings together a collection of the latter’s most important lectures and sermons.


In his introductory essay to this selection from the writing and preaching of C.H. Spurgeon, Helmut Thielicke – himself among the best preachers of the twentieth century – expresses his surprise and delight at his discovery of the great Victorian preacher. He draws out those qualities which made Spurgeon one of the most influential ministers of his day, and explains what it was that attracted him to the self-educated Baptist preacher. They share a recognition of the urgency of their message: ‘We stand in need of the simple way in which Spurgeon dares to say that what really and ultimately counts is to save sinners.’ Warmth, immediacy and directness are Spurgeon’s hallmarks; qualities which Thielicke’s own remarkable sermons share but whichhe felt much preaching of his day lacked. It is still a convincing testament to Spurgeon’s continuing vitality and relevance that Thielicke, one of the greatest modern preachers, should say, ‘Sell all that you have … and buy Spurgeon.’ Originally translated by the American Lutheran theologian John W. Doberstein, this reprinted edition of Encounter with Spurgeon was published to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Helmut Thielicke’s death.

Helmut Thielicke was one of the most outstanding preachers and theologians of the German Lutheran Church. Dismissed by the Nazi regime from his post of Professor of Theology at Heidelberg in 1940, he came to prominence in Stuttgart where, during the worst of the bombing raids and in spite of continuing Nazi opposition, he continued to preach to a congregation of several thousand each week. After the war, he joined the faculty of the University of Tubingen as a Professor of Systematic Theology, later becoming Rector at the University of Hamburg, the first Protestant theologian to hold this position. During this time, he also became a world traveller, lecturing and preaching in the United States, South Africa, Australia and Latin America. He died in Hamburg in 1986.

  • By (author) Helmut Thielicke
  • Translated by John W Doberstein

"A reading of these lectures will humble the most accomplished preacher." English Churchman "I am inclined to think that Encounter with Spurgeon ... is one of the most significant books of the century." Life of Faith
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