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Why I Am a Christian

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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.

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.

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.

Well written! The author's reasoning is categorized, and is presented in a logical progression. Inspirational--and just what I was looking for.

Having read this book, I gave it to an inquiring physician friend of mine. Later in our discussion he expressed appreciation for Stott's work. I find the book to be true to the evangelical faith while expressing that faith in a contemporary idiom. I highly recommned "Why I Am a Christian" by John Stott.

I loved this book and i like Stott in general. I have read several of his books and intend to read even more. My small group did a study on his basic christianity which is another great short book that gives you an overview of what it means to be a Christian. I recommend it with strong prayer.

I am now for the second time using this as a freshman-level textbook in a course introducing Christianity to undergraduate students. Stott is the quintessential Christian gentleman, and very articulate. It is a testament to his greatness that he can, with all his accumulated wisdom, still write such an eloquent and accessible text.

Dennis Durst
Kentucky Christian University

Dr. Stott has a way with the pen. I commend this volume to anyone who wonders about his or her faith and how precious and valuable it might be. If you are second guessing, read this volume.

Pastor and teacher John Stott puts his own personal thoughts together on the reasons that he is a follower of Christ and it makes for a very easy and enjoyable read. Stott begins with the concept that he is a Christian not because of his own desires to be so, but because of the love of God for him through Jesus Christ. "The Hound of Heaven" is the first chapter and sets the stage for the rest of the book by putting the reader in a proper perspective to understand the true nature and character of God. Stott reminds the reader, that if they are a follower of Christ, then they, too, were first pursued by God and it was because of the grace of God, not their own works, that is the cause and crux of their salvation.

Stott then moves on to six other reasons that he is a follower of Christ - from the typical "claims of Christ" arguments that Jesus is either who he said he is or is not worthy of our adoration and worship - Stott concludes that Jesus is, indeed, the Son of God. He also reasons that the sacrifice of Christ shedding his blood on the cross in payment for our sins makes Christ worthy of our very lives. The next chapter, "The Paradox of Our Humanness," was excellent - Stott put forth the concept that the very existence of man is quite a paradox of creation - both light and dark, good and evil are so evident throughout human history - Stott asks how these seemingly low creatures can rise to such high ideals and ambitions and at the same time sink to such depravity and debauchery. Christ and the concept of sin and redemption are the solutions to this inquiry into the nature of man, claims Stott.

He finishes the book with chapters stating the Christ is the key to our freedom, the fulfillment of our aspirations and offers the greatest invitation for man - to literally be a child of the Living God. Only through Christ does man not only know himself, but also becomes who he is created to be. Only in Christ does our soul find rest, as Augustine wrote. Stott has experienced this peace and fulfillment in his own life and this book would be an excellent gift to share with another seeking to find the true meaning of life - Stott is pointing them in the direction of the cross - the symbol of suffering and deliverance together by the work and sacrifice of Christ.

In this day and age we are presented with book after book telling Christians to embrace the mystery of God, and to emphasize narrative while downplaying exposition. Apparently John Stott never received the memo. Why I Am A Christian is not Blue Like Jazz or a story the Emergent crowd would support. Instead it is a logical, biblical examination of the claims of Christ and the reasons John Stott is a Christian.

The book was inspired by a public address delivered by Bertrand Russell's in 1927 entitled "Why I Am Not A Christian." While the book does not directly interact with Russell's arguments, it does provide the opposite perspective. Through seven chapters Stott provides seven reasons that he is a Christian and an invitation for the reader to join him in the kingdom. Here are the six reasons Stott is a Christian:

1. Because the Hound of Heaven relentlessly pursued him. He did not find Christ; rather, Christ found him.
2. Because he is convinced that the claims of Christ are true.
3. Because of the cross of Christ which gives Jesus His credibility.
4. Because Christianity best explains the paradox of our humanity.
5. Because Jesus Christ is the key to freedom.
6. Because only Christ can fulfill many of the most basic human longings and aspirations.

The book concludes with "the greatest of all invitations" - an invitation for the reader to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The book is well-written and generally theologically-sound. It is, on the whole, consistent with a Reformed understanding of the faith. The only real concern I had was with several references to Malcolm Muggeridge whom Stott refers to as an example of another man (along with himself, the apostle Paul, Augustine and C.S. Lewis) who was pursued by the Hound of Heaven. This choice seems inconsistent with much of the theology taught within the book, as Muggeridge was, of course, a devout Roman Catholic. I suppose this is consistent with Stott's recent ecumenical leanings. It is too bad as it calls into question what Stott really believes.

Why I Am A Christian is a good book and one I can recommend with only a small amount of hesitation. It is well-suited to provide to a friend or family-member who is interested in learning more about the Christian faith. It is a good "giveaway" book. I can't say that it would be my first choice, but you could certainly do far worse.