The fourth book in the "Finney and Spurgeon Face to Face" series is "The Prodigal Son," where the messages of Charles G. Finney and Charles H. Spurgeon come face to face. Without question among Nineteenth Century preachers and revivalists, Finney was America’s greatest revivalist and Spurgeon was England’s greatest preacher. Both men led thousands to faith in Jesus Christ during their lifetimes, and both men influence Christian preachers, revivalists, and theologians today. These two great Bible expositors can be studied together by reading their sermons on the same Biblical themes. Often contrasted in secondary sources, with the books in the "Finney and Spurgeon Face to Face" series readers can compare as well as contrast these men by reading what they actually taught.

This fourth book in the series, "The Prodigal Son," includes a sermon by Charles Finney that he preached in 1854 (at the age of 62, when he was president of Oberlin College) to the students of Oberlin College; therefore, his sermon speaks directly to college students, professors, and others in an academic setting. Finney focused on the need of sinners (even students in a Christian College) to come to Christ for salvation. Finney dealt with some of the false philosophical and theological ideas that students and academics who were not Christians can have regarding God and the needs of man; especially the false ideas of the agnostic and atheist regarding God and knowing God.

In his first sermon on "The Prodigal Son," Spurgeon preached the sermon below in 1858 (at the age of 24, very early in his ministry). Since Spurgeon preached to a congregation of learned and unlearned people, where some also needed to unlearn falsehoods to learn the truth, Spurgeon preached through the entire parable in a way that would speak to people of all backgrounds.

Finney’s sermon illustrates how to preach on one or two verses of the Bible. Spurgeon’s sermon shows how to preach through and interpret a parable or an entire passage in the Bible. The sermons in each book of this series of sermons by Finney and Spurgeon complement one another for a more complete picture of the teachings of Jesus. Students of the Bible and students of great preaching both will gain much from these masters of the pulpit and Bible interpretation.

The fifth sermon in the series is "The Greatest Treasure."

Biographical Sketch:

Charles Grandison Finney [1792-1875] has been considered America’s Greatest Revivalist. He also served as theological professor and president of Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, which he helped found in 1833. In 1980, L.G. Parkhurst began publishing the works of Charles Finney beginning with "Principles of Prayer" through Bethany House Publishers. More recently he has published Finney’s works through Agion Press, beginning with "Principles of Righteousness."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon [1834-1892] has been considered the Prince of Preachers. He founded Spurgeon’s College in 1856 in London, England, which was named after him following his death. Through Bethany House Publishers in 1988, L.G. Parkhurst published "The Believer’s Secret on Intercession," a devotional from the writings of Andrew Murray and C.H. Spurgeon.

If you enjoy "The Prodigal Son," you will also enjoy the 14 Spurgeon sermons in "How to Find God Again: Taking the Path to God's Open Heart," which includes Jesus' parables on "The Lost Son," "The Lost Sheep" and "The Lost Silver Coin," Spurgeon's Notes, a Study Guide for Individuals and Groups, and a Commentary on Luke 15.