The Booming Baritone Bell of England
The Pedagogy and Practice of Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s Open-Air Preaching
- Preaching & Worship
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2023
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Publisher's Description
When the Prince of Preachers steps into the open air, the result will change his ministry forever. Using Charles Spurgeon's own words, as well as contemporary accounts, E. G. Romine digs deep into the legendary pastor's unexamined legacy of open-air preaching. In The Booming Baritone Bell of England, Romine argues that Spurgeon's open-air preaching was a profound influence not only on his audience, but on Spurgeon himself. A thorough and thoughtful exploration of a neglected area of Spurgeon's ministry, Romine's exhaustively-researched book will appeal to casual readers and scholars alike.
Endorsements (16)
“E. G. Romine has captured the spirit, zeal, theology, and love of Charles Spurgeon in this volume. If anything showed the true passion of Spurgeon for truth and for people, it was his open-air preaching. His polemics throughout his ministry manifested his love for orthodox, evangelical, and, yes, Calvinistic truth. All of that, however, was in service of the purity of the gospel preached to the lost. This excellent work explores the theology, practice, and pedagogy of preaching in the open air. Romine has given it a charming presentation.”
“E. G. Romine is one of the most passionate and convictional Christians that I know. Thus, it’s fitting that he’s produced this volume on Charles Haddon Spurgeon, one of the most passionate and convictional Christians who has ever lived. Romine’s The Booming Baritone Bell of England is sure to bless every minister who will read it.”
“I have considered myself somewhat a student of Charles Spurgeon for many years. That is until I met E. G. Romine. His dedication to the works of the prince of preachers causes mine to appear as simple fandom. This book is evidence of that dedication. In these pages you will find conviction, encouragement, and a glimpse into the heart that Spurgeon had for the lost. It has my unreserved recommendation. Read and be encouraged.”
“Whether one adopts Spurgeon’s practice of open-air preaching or not, E. G. Romine’s work is valuable for at least two reasons: First, it highlights the role that open-air preaching played in Spurgeon’s pastoral training. Second, it argues for the formative role that open-air preaching played in Spurgeon’s evangelistic preaching, particularly in emboldening him. Open-air preaching may not be the right strategy in your context. But the boldness and initiative shown in such preaching will always be strategic for the gospel. Romine’s work can help you grow in those qualities.”
“Nothing is more needed in modern preaching than a retrieval of the powerful pairing of a Christ-centered hermeneutic with an evangelistic boldness. In his masterful review of Spurgeon’s open-air preaching, E. G. Romine has given us an important model for this retrieval. May this portrait of the Booming Baritone Bell lead to a clear gospel resounding in the pulpits—and in the streets—of our contemporary landscapes far and wide.”
“In a day when open-air preaching is often demeaned and considered fanatical, E. G. Romine’s The Booming Baritone Bell of England offers a subtle rebuke through an excellent examination of Charles Spurgeon’s belief in and practice of open-air preaching. Though it may appear that this book is geared towards historians and Spurgeon scholars, there is much here for the pastor and for anyone who has a heart for preaching and evangelism. I highly recommend it.”
“I often ask exceptional preachers if they have gone out to the urban areas to street preach. They always say, ‘No,’ and attempt to justify themselves. I leave saddened by the prevailing lostness, wondering, ‘Have we tried everything to bring revival?’ E. G. Romine reflects on a time when men were trying everything and sharing in the sufferings of Christ to find the one lost sheep. My hypocrisy and idols are exposed. Thank you, brother. I am without excuse.”
“After nearly a decade of knowing E. G. Romine and currently serving as co-elders together, I am delighted to witness this exceptional work on a subject he knows firsthand—open-air preaching. This labor of love magnificently showcases Spurgeon’s dual role as a teacher and practitioner of the subject, challenging us to consider and rediscover its contemporary application.”
“The life and ministry of Charles Spurgeon continues to serve as a seemingly bottomless mine filled with gems that supply the church with a wealth of instruction and inspiration. In this volume, E. G. Romine uncovers more of those riches with a well-researched look at Spurgeon’s pedagogy and practice of open-air preaching. This book will challenge every believer to live more zealously for the winning of souls.”
“Christ is worthy to be preached in the pulpit and in the open air! E. G. Romine’s superb book documents Charles Spurgeon’s passion to minister in the fields and to instruct others to follow his example. Any Christian who reads this volume will glean from Spurgeon’s practical advice about open-air preaching and from his exhortation to preach Christ crucified to all.”
“Spurgeon preached everywhere from village cottages to London’s vast halls. Buildings couldn’t contain the crowds; therefore, he also preached outside to the masses. Scholar and open-air preacher E. G. Romine is the most qualified person that I know to write a book on Spurgeon’s open-air preaching. Read this joyful and well-informed book!”
“Much has been written about the prince of preachers; until now, nothing on his teaching of open-air preaching and how it impacted his pulpit ministry and zeal to see souls saved. E. G. Romine, pastor and open-air preacher, shares with us this impact and conviction on open-air preaching which should spark a zeal for the lost. If preachers practiced Spurgeon’s teaching and conviction on open-air preaching, there is no telling how God might move.”
“Today, there is a revival of Spurgeon scholarship, but for far too long Spurgeon’s open-air ministry has been neglected. As a faithful evangelist and scholar, there is none more qualified to fill that gap in scholarship than E. G. Romine. The Booming Baritone Bell of England is what we’ve all been waiting for. Spurgeon wasn’t content to sit inside while the world went to hell, and I pray this work inspires many more to share in that discontentedness.”
“Many books have been written on the life and preaching of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. When most people write on the preaching of Spurgeon, they focus on his pulpit preaching. What E. G. Romine has done in this book is focus on the preaching that was so dear to Spurgeon’s heart—preaching in the open square! If you would like to understand Spurgeon better—and even more, to preach like Spurgeon—this book is for you.”
“E. G. Romine provides us tremendous insight into the philosophy, hermeneutics, and evangelistic zeal that compelled Charles Spurgeon to herald the gospel not merely behind the pulpit but also—and especially so—out in the open air to be heard by multiplied thousands at a time. The Booming Baritone Bell of England ably fills what has been lacking in Spurgeonic scholarship. I enthusiastically commend this work to the pastor, scholar, and layman alike.”
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