The Treasury of Solomon: A Retrieval of Charles H. Spurgeon’s (1834–1892) Spirituality of the Song of Songs

Abstract

In this dissertation, I argue that Charles H. Spurgeon, in light of his Christ-centered hermeneutical and homiletical convictions, practiced the spiritual, christological interpretation of the Song of Songs, and that his interpretive model of the Song is one to be retrieved. Chapter 1 examines the essential elements of the study, sets forth the thesis of this work, and establishes Spurgeon’s Christocentric view of the Song of Songs. Chapter 2 presents a biography of Spurgeon’s life with the Song of Song in view and also establishes what influenced Spurgeon’s hermeneutic and homiletic to see communion with Christ as the central theme of the Song. Chapter 3 explores what Spurgeon termed as “spiritualizing,” seeing how this practice from Spurgeon is essential to understanding his spiritual interpretation of the Song. Chapter 4 analyzes and considers the variety of spiritual benefits and enjoyments Spurgeon discovered in the Song, with special attention on mutual affection and enjoyment with Christ, friendship with Christ, and the biblical spiritual disciplines. Chapter 5 narrows in focus by examining how Spurgeon preached one verse, Song of Songs 2:16, and the spiritual comfort he saw in the text, namely, the doctrine of assurance. Chapter 6 concludes the study with a summary of key findings and arguments, and it provides spiritual and practical reflections for recovering a Christoaromatic spirituality of the Song for today.