LONDON — John Stott, a major figure in evangelicalism during
the 20th century who helped frame the Lausanne Covenant and authored Basic
Christianity and a series of other popular books, died July 27 at the age of
90.
An Anglican theologian, Stott’s influence spread far beyond London,
where he served as rector of All Souls
Church for more than 20 years. His
books were popular because they were both theologically sound and easily
understood. Basic Christianity (1958) sold 2 million copies and was translated
into more than 60 languages. Other popular titles included I Believe in
Preaching (1982), Issues Facing Christians Today (1984), The Cross of Christ
(1986) and The Contemporary Christian (1992). He said his goal was to “relate
the ancient Word to the modern world.” He wrote more than 40 books.
He became a rector in 1950 when evangelicalism had little influence in
Anglicanism, and he helped spur its growth not only in that denomination but
worldwide. He took sharing his faith seriously and encouraged church members to
take a weekly training course in evangelism. In 1974 he chaired the committee
that drafted the Lausanne Covenant, a landmark document passed by 2,000-plus
Christian leaders gathering in the Swiss city. The document outlined shared
biblical beliefs and underscored the need of Christians to cooperate in
missions.
Stott’s death sparked a round of tributes to him by Christian leaders on their
Twitter accounts. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback
Church in California,
called Stott “one of my closest mentors.”
“I flew to the UK
recently just to pray for him & sit by his bed. What a giant!” Warren
wrote.
R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville,
Ky., wrote, “You cannot explain
English-speaking evangelicalism in the 20th century without crucial reference
to the massive influence of John Stott.”
Author and Christian apologist Lee Strobel called Stott a “giant of the faith
and a gentle, sweet soul.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Compiled by Michael Foust, associate editor of Baptist Press.)