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Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott

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In 2005, Time magazine named John Stott one of the 100 most influential people in the world. The profile of him was penned by none other than Billy Graham, arguably the most influential American Christian leader of the 20th Century. Graham wrote: "I can't think of anyone who has been more effective in introducing so many people to a biblical world view. He represents a touchstone of authentic biblical scholarship that, in my opinion, has scarcely been paralleled since the days of the 16th century European Reformers."

My guess is that most of Time's readers scratched their heads at the editors' choice of Stott, not to mention Graham's usage of the phrase, "biblical world view." But to anyone cognizant of the growth and influence of international evangelicalism, the choice made perfect sense. Stott is indeed one of the most prolific writers and influential organizers of contemporary evangelical Christianity.

Stott was born on April 27, 1921, in the London parish of All Soul's Church. He would be associated with this congregation of the Church of England his entire life, first as parishioner, then as curate, rector, and rector emeritus. At this church, he developed his expository style of preaching, characterized by the act of "double listening," to the Word of God and to the contemporary world. And out of this church, he organized the Langham Partnership, which provides graduate scholarships and academic resources to Christian leaders in the developing world.

On the international scene, his greatest influence has been felt through his organizational influence on and intellectual leadership of the Lausanne movement, which was founded by none other than Billy Graham. (Their association extends across six decades.) This movement has for 40 years helped international evangelicalism clarify its theological understanding and practice of Christian mission, defined as evangelism and social concern.

Anglican. Evangelical. Missional leader. Those are three excellent descriptors of Stott, and they come across clearly in Roger Steer's very readable biography. The title of the biography, Basic Christian, riffs off the title of one of Stott's best-known books, Basic Christianity. It is subtitled, The Inside Story of John Stott, and it focuses on Stott's personal life and associates.

Here we see Stott's relationship with his parents, which was very conflictual during World War II because Stott considered himself a pacifist while his father rose to the position of major general in the Army's medical corp. Indeed, his father didn't want him to become a priest at all, but rather a diplomat, given Stott's facility with languages. Here we see Stott's conflict with other British evangelicals, such as D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who thought an Anglican evangelical was a contradiction in terms. Here we see Stott's interaction with charismatic evangelicals, whose emotional excesses concerned him greatly, even though he maintained a generally open attitude toward them. And here we see especially Stott's relationship with his staff, including longtime assistant Frances Whitehead, and his numerous (and often American) study assistants.

Steer also gives us insight into what Stott calls his "three renunciations": of an academic career at Cambridge, where he did quite well; of marriage; and of ecclesiastical promotion. Stott chose the ministry of preaching and writing, didn't marry, and didn't seek an Anglican bishopric. These renunciations show both Stott's character and his commitment to what he felt God had called him to do. Interestingly, he wasn't necessarily joyful about the single state, being very mindful of its downsides. And he sometimes second-guessed his renunciation of ecclesiastical promotion, since a bishop had power to influence the church through appointments and whatnot.

But Stott has been influential nonetheless, through his writings, leadership, and organizational ability. Many leaders are great from a distance, but less attractive up close. The testimony of Stott's closest associates--Whitehead, his study assistants, and countless evangelical leaders--is that Stott improves upon inspection. Perhaps his renunciations for the cause of Christ helped him become more Christlike in character.

Basic Christian reminds us that the Christlike life is possible in the lives of ordinary people who open their lives to the Lord's use.

Having read Timothy Dudley-Smith's two volume biography of John Stott some eight years ago, I thought this book of 288 pages might be somewhat boring, but instead I found it highly interesting and more personable. I learned more about Frances Whitehead, Stott's longtime secretary, and his various study assistants over the years.

One of the book's advantages is it contains information of Stott's recent years, through 2008, including his illnesses and living in a residential community near Lingfield, Surrey.

The full "Contents and Timeline" in the front of the book highlights the contents of each chapter by date and event, making it unnecessary to have an index at the back of the book. One feature I particularly liked in the bibliography was the listing of John Stott's published works by year. Several of the most recent ones were unknown to me, and I already have ordered one of them.

If you like John Stott, you will like this book.

When my pastor, Pastor Brian Brodersen, recommends a book on his Back to Basics Radio blog I pay attention. After reading the review I immediately ordered my own copy from Amazon. Here is what he said:

One of the things I really enjoy doing is reading biographies of men and women of faith. One of my favorite biographers is Roger Steer, whose biography on J. Hudson Taylor was superb. When I heard a few weeks ago that Roger Steer had recently written a biography on John Stott, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! So having secured a copy I sat down over the past few days and read through it. What a blessing! I've been reading books by John Stott ever since I began training for the ministry 30 years ago and have always enjoyed his writings.

I remember the first time I taught through Paul's epistle to the Galatians, Stott's commentary on Galatians was so helpful. To this day I think it's the best commentary on Galatians I've read. His commentaries on the Acts of the Apostles and the Sermon on the Mount are brilliant as well. His book, Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century, is a classic and a must-read for preachers. I don't think there's anything John Stott has written that I wouldn't recommend, especially to those who preach and teach the Word. But I must say that reading Roger Steer's, Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott, gave me a whole new appreciation for this great man of God. From his early life as the son of a prominent physician; to his conversion as a teenager; to his call into the ministry and the disapproval of his father; to his being appointed by the king as rector of All Souls, London, at the ripe old age of 29; to his rise to worldwide notoriety as a Bible expositor and Christian statesman; to his love and concern for the poor and underprivileged and his unceasing efforts to do all he could to help in the training of preachers and teachers of the Word of God, especially in Africa, Asia, and South America, it is an inspiring story and one that I would recommend to every minister of the gospel. Basic Christian is probably more of a book for pastors and preachers, but there are many other books by Stott that will be a blessing to anyone and everyone: Basic Christianity and The Cross of Christ being at the top of the list.

Roger Steer has written another fine biography - this time about an Englishman who is known in evangelical circles as a consistent evangelical clergyman who, to this day, continues to live, pray, write, and influence all faiths, as well as Christianity.

What is a "basic Christian"? Read the life story of John Stott and you'll definitely have an answer. He grew in his faith as he studied the Bible and other texts to become a preacher, a writer, and a teacher known world-wide as a humble servant of God.

I loved reading about England before and after the world war; about the Angelican church, about Stott's influential parents, his education, and ambition. Other reviewers have contributed more of the content of this interesting book, so rather than repeat, let me just say this is a biography for everyone - inspiring, uplifting, and fair.

John Stott had gradually slipped off the world stage over the last few years. But when he died at the age of 90 in July 2011, suddenly he became an object of conversation. He was without peer as an evangelical Christian leader in Britain and the world. It is a testament to his talents as a bridge-builder that tributes to him came from all over the world and all over the spectrum of political and religious belief.

This biography by Roger Steer was written in 2009, and was based in part on conversations with Stott and several of his friends. It traces Stott's life from his early days as the son of a prominent physician, to his days at Cambridge and his decision to become a pastor, to his time as curate and rector of All Souls in London and his rise to international prominence. It gives details about his many travels, his contributions to the evangelical Christian movement and his friendships with other well-known people.

In it, Stott comes across as a man with a gift for friendship, a sharp mind, a sense of humor and a deep commitment to Jesus as Lord of all of life. The book is not afraid to present Stott "warts and all," but there really aren't many warts. Despite his gift for friendship, Stott could be reserved. With his great intelligence and disciplined lifestyle, he could sometimes be impatient with those who were more sloppy in their thinking or less disciplined in their living than he was. However, he was a man who was conscious of his faults and humble enough to admit them.

Stott has long been a hero of mine, and this book did nothing to change that. If anything, it made me miss Stott even more. He was able to remain biblically faithful and speak charitably with those whom he disagreed. The latter characteristic is in especially short supply these days, both in the church and the world. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Stott's life, especially those who might be intimidated by Timothy Dudley-Smith's larger two-volume biography.

If you want to know about Evangelicalism as a movement you have to become familiar with John Stott. I was first introduced to him years ago through his magnificent work, The Cross of Christ. Few books are mind-altering or paradigm-shifting. This one still is. I went on to read many of his other books - Basic Christianity, The Living Church - and his commentaries have helped refine my teaching for years. In short, I owe a great debt to the late John Stott.

Despite reading many of his published works I still knew next to nothing about John Stott the man. I was delighted when InterVarsity Press published a biography of Stott by Roger Steer. Steer has written many other books and a few biographies. Previously, I had read his biography of George Mueller. It was excellent. He brings those same qualities into this biography of Stott.

Steer has that enviable ability to take the minute details of a person's life and make them interesting. I have no interest in bird watching. Stott loved it. Steer is able to weave in accounts of Stott's favorite hobby in a way that makes them interesting. Rather than finding Stott to be some boring figure staring at birds we are presented with the image of a man who possesses a profound love for "the least of these" and astonishing attention to detail. Bird-watching serves to build up the picture of the man rather than merely provide an answer to Evangelical Trivial Pursuit.

I had a professor at the Moody Bible Institute who would always remind us that every person is a deep well. We are a complex web of emotions, thoughts, motivations, influences, temperament and environment. A figure even of the stature of Stott is no different. Steer presents him honestly; warts and all. The split between Stott and Lloyd-Jones over Evangelical Anglicans is among the more sad accounts of Stott's ministry. But it serves to remind us that Stott was still growing in his sanctification like all the rest of us.

The author of Hebrews calls us to "remember your leaders...Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith" (13:7). John Stott is one that Evangelicals will be remembering for many years to come. He is an example of leadership and Christian confession that is to be help as an example to follow. Roger Steer has given us a gift in his biography of Stott. No doubt that there will be many to come in the ensuing years. This one is excellent

NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the Federal Trade Commission I would like to state that I received a complementary copy of the aforementioned text for the purposes of review. I was not required to furnish a positive review.

John Stott has long been one of the primary voices of worldwide evangelicalism. This new biography of Stott fills in the details of his lengthy ministry. Stott admirers may be surprised to discover that he once espoused pacifistic views, that his father disapproved of his service to the church, and that he and Martin Lloyd Jones had a major disagreement over Stott's unwillingness to leave the Church of England.

This biography does a good job of laying out the major moments in Stott's life. But after finishing the book, I didn't feel like I knew Stott more than I did before. I was hoping to find out what makes Stott tick and what has driven his ministry all these years. Steer did an admirable job recounting the major events (and interspersing these events with friendly recollections). But I was hoping for more. Maybe Steer wasn't able to get into Stott's mind either...

I thought this was a very good story, but very badly written--choppy, not smoothly put together. He puts in trivia and pretends it is important, but leaves out the significance, if any, of the little event. Still, I feel I know more about John Storr now, and that's a good thing,