In the early hours of Thursday morning, Sydney time, one of the twentieth century’s greatest Christian leaders passed away.
Time Magazine named him, along with Nelson Mandela and Bill Gates, in its “most influential people” list in 2005. Billy Graham described him as “the most respected clergyman in the world today.” His name was John Stott, former Rector of All Souls Church, Langham Place, London. He was 90.
John Stott was a pastor, preacher, theologian, and global evangelical strategist. But above all he was a writer, of scores of books and booklets, mostly commentaries on the Bible, and its application to today’s world, and books to help and encourage Christian leaders. He was also largely responsible for the evangelical movement’s two major documents, the Lausanne Covenant in 1974, and the Manila Manifesto in 1989.
John Stott was unwavering in his advocacy of personal spiritual conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the centrality of Jesus’ death in making people whole. For those who knew him, he was “a walking embodiment of the simple beauty of Jesus.”
Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 31 July 2011.
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