Ideas

The Quotable Stott

Reflections on the occasion of John R.W. Stott’s 80th birthday.

The Christian life is not just our own private affair. If we have been born again into God’s family, not only has he become our Father but every other Christian believer in the world, whatever his nation or denomination, has become our brother or sister in Christ. … But it is no good supposing that membership of the universal Church of Christ is enough; we must belong to some local branch of it. … Every Christian’s place is in a local church. … sharing in its worship, its fellowship, and its witness.Basic ChristianityIf you find it hard to believe in God, I strongly advise you to begin your search not with philosophical questions about the existence and being of God, but with Jesus of Nazareth. … If you read again the story of Jesus, and read it as an honest and humble seeker, Jesus Christ is able to reveal himself to you, and thus make God. … real to you.I Believe in GodThe modern world detests authority but worships relevance. … Our Christian conviction is that the Bible has both authority and relevance. … and that the secret of both is Jesus Christ.Culture and the BibleThe Gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales.Christian Mission in the Modern WorldSocial responsibility becomes an aspect not of Christian mission only, but also of Christian conversion. It is impossible to be truly converted to God without being thereby converted to our neighbor.Christian Mission in the Modern WorldSin and the child of God are incompatible. They may occasionally meet; they cannot live together in harmony.The Letters of JohnGod’s Word is designed to make us Christians, not scientists, and to lead us to eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. It was not God’s intention to reveal in Scripture what human beings could discover by their own investigations and experiments.Christian BasicsGod is a peacemaker. Jesus Christ is a peacemaker. So, if we want to be God’s children and Christ’s disciples, we must be peacemakers too.Decisive Issues Facing Christians TodayThe incentive to peacemaking is love, but it degenerates into appeasement whenever justice is ignored. To forgive and to ask for forgiveness are both costly exercises. All authentic Christian peacemaking exhibits the love and justice—and so the pain—of the cross.The Cross of Christ
It is never enough to have pity on the victims of injustice if we do nothing to change the unjust situation itself.The Cross of Christ

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere

See also today’s related article, “Pottering and Prayer | As John Stott turns 80, he still finds weeds to pull, birds to watch, and petitions to make.”

For Stott’s 75thbirthday, Christianity Todaypublished David Wells’s article, “Guardian of God’s Word| The amazingly balanced, wise, biblical, and global ministry of a local pastor, John Stott.”

John G. Stackhouse Jr. reviewedStott’sEvangelical Truth: A Personal Plea for Unity, Integrity, and Faithfulnessfor Christianity Today‘s February 7, 2000, issue.

Books & Culturealso recently published a lengthy article on Stott’s importance to the evangelical movement: “Basic Christianity—with an Oxbridge Accent| John Stott and evangelical renewal.

The John Stott Ministriessite offers excerpts from Stott’s works, “Stott Daily Thought” and “Stott Bible Study” newsletters, a biographical sketch, and his speaking schedule.

Past Reflectionscolumns include:

Also in this issue

Whatever Happened to Christian History? Evangelical historians have finally earned the respect of the secular academy. But some critics say they've sold out. Not really.

Cover Story

Whatever Happened to Christian History?

Charitable Choice: Charitable Choice Dance Begins

A Reluctant Hero

Holy Desolation

The Back Page | Philip Yancey: Beyond Flesh and Blood

Health Plan Accused

Reform Jewish Leaders Urge Boy Scout Ban

In Memoriam: Megachurch Pastor Jack Hyles Dead at 74

Briefs: North America

Parachurch: Breaking Up Isn't Hard to Do

Decoding Generations

Election 2000: Partisanship in the Pews

Judge Acquits Muslims After Rampage

Pakistan: Christians Cleared of Blasphemy

Briefs: The World

India: Relief Abuses Rampant

Vatican City: Catholic, Reformed, and Lutheran Leaders Discuss Indulgences

Zimbabwe: Evangelicals Attempt to Defuse Crises

Weathering Economic Tsunamis

Wire Story

Columbia: U.S. Demands Information About Missing Missionaries

How to Serve Time

Church, State, and Columbine

Pottering and Prayer

It's Not About Us

Wire Story

Virginia OKs Abortion Restriction

A Velvet Oppression

Our Renaissance Writer

Letters

No More Excuses

The Maturing of Victimhood

Dead Authors Society

Civil Reactions | Stephen L. Carter: Vouching for Parents

Image Is Everything

View issue

Our Latest

News

Amid Fragile Cease-Fire, Limited Aid Reaches Gazans

Locals see the price of flour rise and fall as truce is strained and some borders remain closed.

News

Federal Job Cuts Hit Home as Virginia Picks Its Next Governor

Meanwhile, the GOP candidate draws from Trump’s playbook to focus on transgender issues in schools. 

Religious OCD and Me

Scrupulosity latches onto the thing we hold most dear—our relationship with God.

Why ‘The Screwtape Letters’ Is Uncomfortable to Watch

The two-actor play uses C. S. Lewis’s classic work to warn people—especially Christians—about the dangers of lukewarm faith.

News

Fewer Hong Kong Youth Interested in Seminary

Many feel disillusioned about the church and its lack of engagement amid the turmoil of the past few years.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Tiffany Loftin: How Everyday People Win Big Change

A conversation about the challenges of sustaining joy while fighting injustice.

Public Theology Project

A Real Revival Is Not Controllable 

It implies a movement of the Spirit, not just a boost in numbers.

From Our Community

For Vince Bacote, the Black Evangelical Story Has Something for Everyone

The theologian behind a recent documentary on what compelled him to tell a challenging and beautiful story.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube