DAVID ADAMS reports…
John Stott, one of the most significant Christian leaders of the 20th century, has died near London at the age of 90.
Rev Dr Stott, who died on 27th July apparently from complications related to old age, had retired from public ministry in 2007 and was reportedly living at a home for retired Anglican clergy just south of London.
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Rev Dr John Stott in 2006 (Langham Partnership). “He was, for all of us who knew him, a walking embodiment of the simple beauty of Jesus, whom he loved above all else.”– Chris Wright, a close friend of Rev Dr Stott and the Langham Partnership international director. |
The former rector of All Souls Church in Langham Place, London, Rev Dr Stott was internationally renowned for his ministry work and his writings – the latest of his 50 books, The Radical Society, was published last year.
Born in 1921 to Sir Arnold and Lady Stott, he was educated at Rugby School before going on to Trinity College in Cambridge and then Ridley Hall where he trained for the pastorate. Following his ordination in 1945, Rev Dr Stott became assistant curate at All Souls and then, in 1950, was appointed rector. In 1975, he was appointed rector emeritus, a position he held until his death.
Named in 2005 as one of Time’s most influential people in the world, Rev Dr Stott, who never married, has been described as being “classically evangelical” in his approach while also being passionately committed to the moral and social dimensions of the Gospel.
Among his most famed written works are Basic Christianity, The Cross of Christ and Issues Facing Christian Today as well as his series, The Bible Speaks Today.
“His books have challenged and nourished millions of Christians into a balanced and thinking Biblical faith,” said Chris Wright, a close friend of Rev Dr Stott and the Langham Partnership international director, in a statement. “His legacy through the global impact of the two organisations that he founded, Langham Partnership International and the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, is incalculable.”
In a statement, the Langham Partnership said that “alongside Billy Graham, John Stott was a significant leader of the Lausanne Movement which promotes worldwide Christian evangelism” and was responsible for largely crafting its two major documents – The Lausanne Covenant (1974) and the Manila Manifesto (1989).
The statement quoted George Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, as saying: “John Stott’s contribution to developing a balanced evangelical faith and to a Biblically rooted Anglican communion is probably without parallel in our generation.”
Elsewhere in the statement Mr Wright said Rev Dr Stott’s influence was wide.
“For the vast majority of people whose lives he influenced profoundly he was simply ‘Uncle John’ – a much loved friend, correspondent, and brother, to whose prayers we will never know how much we owe. Like Moses, he was one of the humblest men on the face of the earth, and yet at the same time he was one of the truly great leaders God has given to his people. He was, for all of us who knew him, a walking embodiment of the simple beauty of Jesus, whom he loved above all else.”
In a statement, the World Evangelical Alliance described Rev Dr Stott as “one of the giants of the Christian faith”.
“The WEA has lost one of its founding fathers. We have worked with a giant of the faith. Those who knew him were transformed by his life and witness…The whole of the evangelical movement in the past 60 years has been emboldened by his commitment to truth and proclamation.
” Although there are many of the 620 million evangelical Christians who have never heard of John Stott, almost without exception they will have been unconsciously changed through his presence in much of what they or their pastors have read from his pen. He will be greatly missed but his ministry continues. The whole of the leadership of the WEA acknowledges with great thankfulness to God the legacy that John Stott has left behind to encourage and guide us.”
Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, secretary general of the WEA, wrote that he was personally impacted by the teachings of Rev Dr Stott.
“Uncle John, was a great influence in my own theological development. His commitment to Biblical orthodoxy, global mission and unity in the body of Christ were foundational in my own spiritual journey.”
A Remembrance Book has been set up online at www.johnstottmemorial.org.
