Spurgeon's College
Encyclopedia
Spurgeon's College is a theological
institute of higher learning located in South Norwood Hill, London
. It was founded by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as 'the Prince of Preachers' and in his time minister of the largest church in the world, the Metropolitan Tabernacle at Elephant and Castle. Spurgeon himself only ever taught one morning per week and left the running of the College to others.
. For its 150th anniversary in 2006, the College had its history written by Dr Ian. M Randall. The resulting book is called A School of the Prophets and is available from the College.
. Its current Principal since 2000 is Rev. Dr Nigel Wright. The teaching staff (8 full-time, 3 part-time, over 20 associate tutors) includes persons from other denominations. Among the students is an increasing number from ethnic minorities, and the College is fully committed to equal opportunities. Despite the temptation to move out of London, the College decided to stay in order to serve the growing and increasingly diverse London churches. It delivers training for the Baptist Ministry both in the UK
and elsewhere. It also offers a suite of other courses including online learning, a part-time (Monday) Degree course, several Master's courses, a Doctorate of Ministry, and research for a PhD. Most of these diplomas are validated by the University of Wales
. In 2008 the College was also accredited by the British Accreditation Council
. In 2011 an inspection by the ecumenical churches (Quality in Formation) declared the College 'fit for purpose' and the University of Wales found that the preparation for research degrees (MPhil, PhD) meets the current standards.
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
institute of higher learning located in South Norwood Hill, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was founded by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as 'the Prince of Preachers' and in his time minister of the largest church in the world, the Metropolitan Tabernacle at Elephant and Castle. Spurgeon himself only ever taught one morning per week and left the running of the College to others.
History
Originally named The Pastors' College when it opened in 1857, it later was renamed in honor of its founder, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, when it moved to its present building in 1923. C.H. Spurgeon's own lectures were published in several volumes as Lectures to my Students Spurgeon's College is in membership with the Baptist Union of Great BritainBaptist Union of Great Britain
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, despite its name, is the association of Baptist churches in England and Wales. -History:...
. For its 150th anniversary in 2006, the College had its history written by Dr Ian. M Randall. The resulting book is called A School of the Prophets and is available from the College.
Training for all
Spurgeon's College has always distinguished itself by giving opportunities for training to persons with little academic background. In the 19th century different courses were offered depending on ability. Spurgeon himself said in 1871 that someone who needed help with English should not muddle his head with Hebrew. To this day the College prides itself in offering tailor-made packages to those who are called by God to train for Christian ministry. Biblical Greek and Hebrew are offered on several of its courses but never compulsory.College today
Spurgeon's College has as its basis of faith that of the Evangelical AllianceEvangelical Alliance
The Evangelical Alliance is a London-based charitable organization founded in 1846. It has a claimed representation of over 1,000,000 evangelical Christians in the United Kingdom and is the oldest alliance of evangelical Christians in the world....
. Its current Principal since 2000 is Rev. Dr Nigel Wright. The teaching staff (8 full-time, 3 part-time, over 20 associate tutors) includes persons from other denominations. Among the students is an increasing number from ethnic minorities, and the College is fully committed to equal opportunities. Despite the temptation to move out of London, the College decided to stay in order to serve the growing and increasingly diverse London churches. It delivers training for the Baptist Ministry both in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and elsewhere. It also offers a suite of other courses including online learning, a part-time (Monday) Degree course, several Master's courses, a Doctorate of Ministry, and research for a PhD. Most of these diplomas are validated by the University of Wales
University of Wales
The University of Wales was a confederal university founded in 1893. It had accredited institutions throughout Wales, and formerly accredited courses in Britain and abroad, with over 100,000 students, but in October 2011, after a number of scandals, it withdrew all accreditation, and it was...
. In 2008 the College was also accredited by the British Accreditation Council
British Accreditation Council
The British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education is an educational accreditation agency recognised by the British Government for international students entering the United Kingdom for educational purposes....
. In 2011 an inspection by the ecumenical churches (Quality in Formation) declared the College 'fit for purpose' and the University of Wales found that the preparation for research degrees (MPhil, PhD) meets the current standards.
Former Principals
- Rev Dr Percy Evans
- Rev Dr Frederick Cawley
- Rev Dr George R. Beasley-Murray
- Rev Dr Raymond Brown
- Rev Dr Paul Beasley-Murray
- Rev Michael Quicke
Notable alumni
- J. Sidlow BaxterJ. Sidlow BaxterJ. Sidlow Baxter was a pastor and theologian who authored as many as thirty books analysing the Bible and advocating a Christian theological perspective...
, AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n born pastor and theologian who advocated a fundamentalist Christian theological perspective - Dr George R. Beasley-Murray
- Rev Steve ChalkeSteve ChalkeSteve Chalke, is an ordained Baptist minister who is a prominent, and often outspoken, Christian leader and social activist based in the UK. He is the author of numerous books and articles as well as a regular presenter and contributor on television and radio programmes...
, founder of Oasis TrustOasis TrustOasis Trust is a UK-based Christian registered charity. It was founded by Rev Steve Chalke in August 1985, who had been assistant minister at Tonbridge Baptist Church, Kent, for four years...
, founder of Faithworks, chair of Stop the TraffikStop the TraffikSTOP THE TRAFFIK was founded in 2006 by Steve Chalke MBE as a campaign coalition which aims to bring an end to human trafficking worldwide. Initially STOP THE TRAFFIK was set up as a two year campaign to coincide with the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade... - Rev David Coffey, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great BritainBaptist Union of Great BritainThe Baptist Union of Great Britain, despite its name, is the association of Baptist churches in England and Wales. -History:...
, President of the Baptist World AllianceBaptist World AllianceThe Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:... - Rev Steve Gaukroger
- Rev Vic Jackopson
- Arthur Gostick ShorrockArthur Gostick ShorrockArthur Gostick Shorrock , a pioneer Baptist missionary in China for 40 years. Arthur was born in 1861 in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. He entered Spurgeon's College and as a student preacher took services at the Baptist Chapel in Wraysbury...
, pioneer Baptist missionary in China for 40 years - Jonathan Stephen, principal of the Wales Evangelical School of Theology in Bryntirion, BridgendBridgendBridgend is a town in the Bridgend County Borough in Wales, west of the capital, Cardiff. The river crossed by the original bridge, which gave the town its name, is the River Ogmore but the River Ewenny also passes to the south of the town...
, WalesWalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²... - Dr Nigel G. Wright