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John Stott, evangelical leader, dead at 90
Baptist Press
July 28, 2011
2 MIN READ TIME

John Stott, evangelical leader, dead at 90

John Stott, evangelical leader, dead at 90
Baptist Press
July 28, 2011

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.)