G. Campbell Morgan - Prince of the Expositors

Known as the “Prince of the Expositors,” there is much to learn from the life of G. Campbell Morgan. Morgan was born, the son of a Baptist minister, into a small village in England. From an early age it was apparent that God had gifted this man in unique way; he preached his first sermon at the age of 13. Though he was first rejected as a Methodist preacher, he went on to have a long and fruitful ministry, splitting time between pastoring several churches on both sides of the Atlantic, engaging in itinerate work, and serving in academia, both as a university professor and president. A few key emphases of Morgan’s spiritual and ministerial life should be considered.

First, Morgan did his “spade work” as a young pastor of a small congregation in his early years in the pastorate. It is said that he would arrive in his office at six o’clock in the morning, and would refuse to be interrupted until noon. Morgan later said that these years were formative in allowing him to gain a firm grasp on the Word of God. Morgan was truly a man of the Word, and would refuse to preach from a book until he had read it forty to fifty times. If I am to be a man of the Word, I must emulate that discipline.

Second, Morgan always had an aversion to doctrinal disputes. Morgan hated “ruffling feathers” and instead chose to “rise above” doctrinal differences in order to be as useful to the church as possible. At least two observations can be made about this. First, Morgan’s aversion to doctrinal disputes did indeed cause him to become useful to a greater cross-section of the Church of God. At times in his ministry, he came in contact with Congregational, Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian congregational – and got along fine with all of them. Morgan majored on the majors before that phrase was popular, and he should in some ways be commended for that. However, I would be remiss if I did not offer a second observation regarding this tendency. There are times in God’s Word where we are commanded to take stands based on biblical principle and doctrine. Titus 2 is clear about this. Based on the reading that I have done, I believe that a fair criticism that is levied against Morgan is that he perhaps could have taken more care to stand unapologetically for doctrine. That being said, Morgan often said that he just did not feel like that was his place, and it is certainly not my place to judge him for that these years later.

Morgan was also a man of great influence, who didn’t shy away from that influence. When asked later in life why he never settled down for a long period of time in one area, he responded by saying that he felt as though he could have a greater influence for the cause of Christ by living his somewhat nomadic lifestyle. I believe that there is something to be said for a man of God who recognizes his particular gifts and callings, and engages in unique ministry that seems to most genuinely suit those gifts and callings.

God give us more men like G. Campbell Morgan. Men who give themselves wholly to the study and the proclamation of the word of God. Men with unique gifts and convictions that serve the church well for centuries. May I endeavor to be that man.