CSB Spurgeon Study Bible, book review

CSB Spurgeon Study Bible

Author

Alistair Begg, ed.

Publisher Info

Holman Bible Publishers, 2017. 1,840pp.

Summary

Charles Spurgeon, or maybe more affectionately known as “the Prince of Preachers,” continues to be a prominent voice in the work of pastoral ministry. The CSB Spurgeon Study Bible is no exception to this. The CSB Spurgeon Study Bible features thousands of excerpts from Spurgeon’s sermons chosen and edited by Alistair Begg in order to bring the richness of the Prince of Preachers insights into your daily study of God’s Word. Each of the carefully selected portions of Spurgeon’s work compliments the corresponding parts of God’s Word well. Each book of the Bible is prefaced with a page from Spurgeon’s own writings that introduce the book as well as give a few personal thoughts from Spurgeon himself regarding the book.

Throughout the Bible you will find “quotables” from Spurgeon that give brief insight into his mind regarding particular texts. Also within the Bible you will find sermon illustrations and outlines that are useful to anyone who reads. I think one of the neatest aspects of these notes is the text that can be found in Spurgeon’s own handwriting. Call me an old soul, but I enjoy pen and paper. There is something about reading along in your Bible and coming across a handwritten note to the side that gives the words a greater vibrancy. You feel connected to Spurgeon’s mind as he was reading God’s Word.

One thing worth mentioning is where this differs from a typical study Bible that might have a half-page of Scripture with the other half-page commentary is that the CSB Spurgeon Study Bible is brief in its extra-biblical content. This was particularly refreshing since I (like many pastors) am typically reading the Bible, commentaries, or other works as I prepare sermons. The Spurgeon Study Bible allowed me to have that small piece of extra insight without being overwhelmed by the amount of commentary.

Benefit for Pastoral Ministry

I have found myself encouraged and challenged by the words of Spurgeon as I have read through several books of this Bible. Spurgeon’s notes, quotes, and illustrations help to provide some direction without completely derailing your own discernment and time with the Lord. I found this Bible to be an excellent Bible to turn to when preparing a sermon and need that little push in the right direction.

As you read along in this Bible you feel as though you are embarking on a conversation between yourself, the Father, and one of history’s greatest preachers. With all the notes within the text being from Spurgeon’s sermons and journals it gives the reader a special experience. One aspect of Spurgeon’s notes worth mentioning here are the excerpts from “The Treasury of David,” found in the Psalms. This is a classic work that still flies off shelves today, and it adds value to this Study Bible as a great source in understanding some of those more difficult passages.

Pastor if you are looking for something new, different, and refreshing in a study Bible, this is for you. This is a great study Bible for collection.