Why I Am a Christian [Hardcover]

John Stott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 19, 2003

Why Jesus?

Perhaps you have had the funny feeling that God wants to get your attention.

Or maybe you're intrigued with what you've heard about Jesus.

Or maybe you're simply looking for meaning and direction in your life.

John Stott has spent a lifetime wrestling with questions about Jesus both personally and in dialogue with skeptics and seekers around the globe. Now in he provides a compelling, persuasive case for considering the Christian faith.

If you take an honest look at Jesus, you will discover that following him gives you the purpose, identity and freedom you've been searching for--and far more than you have ever imagined.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a time when many Christian authors recommend the claims of Christian faith by descriptions of faith encounters and invitations to "dance with the mystery," Stott, author of many foundational apologetic works, offers a clear and compelling account of the theological basis for his own belief. He begins by explaining the sense of God's own pursuit of him, providing illustrations from the lives of famous Christians with similar experiences. He continues with a logical examination of the claims and character of Jesus as seen in Scripture. The last section discusses the nature and needs of human beings, explaining how those needs are fully met through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The book concludes with a simple invitation for the reader to respond to the claims of Christ personally, offering a sample prayer. For some readers, the book will seem overly structured, since Stott frequently reviews the logical points of each section. For those accustomed to arguments conducted by way of emotive stories, his reliance on logic may feel a bit dry. But readers of a more analytical temperament will find a compelling discussion of the claims of Christ in a remarkably readable, brief form. It's the sort of book that Christians who need a more reasoned, thoughtful approach to their faith will read and then pass along to skeptical friends.
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From Booklist

Stott has long been one of the most effective Christian apologists in English, and his Basic Christianity (1958) is a modern classic. On the evidence of his new book, he has only become more direct and lucid. This is a more gracefully expressed book than Basic Christianity, as befits its more personal tone. In it he isn't teaching, after all, but answering one of the most important questions a believer could be asked. He is a Christian, he says, because he was raised one, to be sure, and because he opened the door to Christ's knock (Revelation 3:20), but also because Christ pursued him to save him, because the claims of Jesus are true, because of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross, because Christianity explains human identity, because surrender to Christ is the key to freedom, and because Christ fulfills his basic aspirations. The six chapters expounding those answers are models of fluency, hard to break away from once begun. They make his concluding invitation to accept Christ very compelling. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 140 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (December 19, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083083205X
• ISBN-13: 978-0830832057
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John R. W. Stott is known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). His many books, including Why I Am a Christian and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies around the world and in dozens of languages. Whether in the West or in the Two-Thirds World, a hallmark of Stott's ministry has been expository preaching that addresses the hearts and minds of contemporary men and women. Stott was honored by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Short and to the point May 24, 2006

By Richard Menninger

Format:Hardcover

The prolific evangelical author John Stott has provided a down to earth discussion of why he believes in Jesus Christ as lord and savior. This book is a balance between reason and faith, clearly fulfilling Anselm's dictum. "I believe in order that I might understand." The present work is an indirect response to Bertrand Russell's case against Christianity and with logic, insight and faith Stott offers the reasons for his faith.

He develops his basis for convictions in six chapters, with the first being the most intriguing. Chapter one begins with Stott recalling why he became a Christian. He offers the familiar reasons for becoming a believer: he was born into a Christian home and accepted Christ around the age of 17; however he is quick to point out that he could have rejected this heritage and walked away. But he didn't. Stott then focuses on Francis Thompson's poem, "The Hound of Heaven." Stott relates this poem to the Apostle Paul, Augustine, C. S. Lewis and then to himself. In a few words, Stott relates how God pursued him as a hound on the trail of a hare.

From this juncture he then shares in the next five chapters the claims of Christ, his cross, humanity's flaws, freedom in Christ, and the fulfillment that only Christ can offer. Stott's book ends with chapter seven, a look at Matthew 11:25-30. Stott relates from this passage two of Christ's affirmations and two of his invitations. The book concludes with the sinner's prayer.

For those familiar with Stott and his writing, this is undoubtedly his work. It is well thought out and clearly written. He is well acquainted with many sources and includes many timely examples to prove his point. If Stott is one of your favorite writers (as he is of mine) this book well peel back a layer of mystery and reveal a person who isn't all that different in his conversion to and journey with Christ. If one is a nonbeliever this work may not convince you to become a Christian (though it can surely present a `reasoned faith' for the skeptic). But, I see this book especially opportune for the seeker, one who has serous interest in believing in Christ but may wonder if Christianity is able to offer something to our pluralistic and postmodern society. To this last group I think Stott will most definitely speak.

35 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Case For Following Christ December 31, 2003

By Gontroppo VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This is another terrific book from John Stott. In his short write-up and expansion of 4 sermons preached at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, Stott refers to Bertrand Russell's 1927 public address at Battersea entitled "Why I am not a Christian" which 30 years later became a collection of essays with that title. However this book is not an answer to Russell, but does make the case for Christianity, making points that Russell never considered.

So why is Stott a Christian? In the seven chapters, Stott gives 6 reasons why he is a Christian, and finally an invitation to the reader to respond to "the greatest of all invitations" from Jesus Christ himself.

Stott's six reasons?

1. Not because I found Christ, but because he, the Hound of Heaven, pursued me.

2. Because I am convinced that the claims of Jesus are true.

3. Because of the cross of Christ.

4. Because Christianity best explains who we are, both our weaknesses and our glories.

5. Because Jesus Christ is the key to true freedom.

6. Because human beings have aspirations which only Christ can fulfil.

There are less than 140 pages of text, but the book packs a lot into those pages and is highly recommended.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable insight for Christians and non-Christians July 28, 2004

By David

Format:Hardcover

Again John Stott has captured the subject of Chritianity in a simplified and yet most dignified manner. Although not a long book, this 'essay', explains all of his reasons that should be easy to understand by the readers, and then inspire more than a few minutes thought and real consideration for praying as he did on the final page. As well as being inspirational to Christians it provides answers for evangelists who often have to debate the basic challenges to Christianity which are often challenges to their own understanding of their faith. Tears of joy were there when I read it and I can truly say it is the best reaffirmation of why Christianity not only makes the most sense, but the only sense in man's search for freedom from the everyday pressures of our modern lifestyle that lead to temptation and sin and leading to salvation or as John Stott explains 'true freedom'.

For all readers, it has so much truth in it that is all based on the bible's teachings. It covers love and forgiveness and explains the trinity in the most subtle of ways by telling us how God made it all possible. Please read it, share it and get a rejuvenation of life as God wants us to have. It will really challenge non-Christians to reconsider.

In addition to pastors and preachers, there is a real treasury of sermon material in this book.