Monday, August 1, 2011
Basic Christianity, in fact, was a little more accessible to me as a twenty-something than Mere Christianity. Both C. S. Lewis and John R. W. Stott were Brits, and in their utilization of the English language left their American counterparts well behind. Stott, perhaps more than Lewis, went directly do the point. In those early, impressionable years, both influenced me deeply.
As a youngster, Stott aspired to be a diplomat. Lewis, a literary critic. Both of them converted to Christianity as unlikely candidates. Both had been thoroughgoing skeptics. But they became convinced, and opened their hearts. The rest is history.
While Stott’s attempt to summarize the Christian faith for a disbelieving audience (Basic Christianity – first published in 1958) didn’t sell quite as well as Lewis’ (Mere Christianity – first published in 1952), it sold 2.5 million copies and has been translated into 50 languages. Royalties from the sales of the book did not enrich Stott who, as everyone who knew him would affirm, lived simply. His favorite pastime – bird watching. The proceeds from the brisk sales of the book were poured directly into a non-profit organization (or better, organisation) he called Langham Partnership International – designed to provide theological education and encouragement to international church leaders with little access to either.
News of Dr. Stott’s passing just this week released a flood of memories. He was, without reservation, one of my favorite seminary professors. All three years, he was professor in residence the third quarter. One year, we lived in the same apartment building on campus. (Occasionally, his discarded tea leaves would clog the drains.) I realize now that between lectures that year, he was working on the Lausanne Covenant which in 1974 became the basic document binding together a global association of evangelicals. He and Billy Graham convened that conference which drew more than twenty-five hundred leaders from over one hundred countries. This week, Christianity Today said, “Stott’s skill as a diplomat was never more in evidence, as he chaired potentially fractious meetings, getting people to listen to each others’ views. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes to draft and redraft the covenant, finding wording that would capture various points of view without doing violence to any… Lausanne was a defining moment in global evangelicalism. Billy Graham was the indispensable convener, but John Stott was the indispensable uniter.”
Dr. Stott combined all the best qualities of a scholar, theologian, pastor and professor. He explained things. He read widely. He knew the philosophers and the influencers. He demonstrated an understanding of the issues with which we grappled. His sermons/lectures would begin with a statement of the problem – usually controversial. He did not address solutions or responses until he exposed the challenge. Sometimes his analysis was so convincing, so precise, we wondered how we might ever find our way out. Then he would proceed to apply biblical insight and the fog would clear. He modeled a faith that investigated fully – listening intently, reading broadly, assessing deeply – to interact with concerns of the day. He saw no distinction between evangelism and social action. They were one in the same. He did not envision theocracy as the goal of this life. “That Kingdom is yet to come,” he would say. The gospel is not something we impose on the world, we invite. Stott prepared thoroughly. He reasoned carefully. He disagreed gently. He taught us to do the same.
I knew him as a professor, and as a neighbor. Then I witnessed his role as pastor of a congregation of some twenty-thousand collegians when he led us to the Communion Table in the great conference hall at the University of Illinois (Urbana 1981). He raised a loaf of bread, and broke it. He drew us to the table of mercy and grace, forgiveness and hope. I’ll never forget it.
Carolyn and I were on the hunt for Charles Dicken’s Museum in London in 1994 (our twenty-fifth anniversary trip). We rode the London Double Decker through the city and by no advanced planning, stumbled across All Soul’s Church. We saw the name on the map, jumped off the bus and walked to the domed worship center, wondering – could this be the place? The marquis identified John R. W. Stott as rector, and announced that he would be speaking the following morning (Sunday). After visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, we just assumed it would be another ecclesiastical museum, long on history, short on worshippers. We thought we would “pad” the audience for our old friend.
We arrived promptly at eleven the next morning. But there were no seats left. Every spot, including all those in the balcony, were taken. Crowds waited in the lobby. We were ushered to the front and invited to take our place on the floor. Dr. Stott preached that morning, as promised. We enjoyed an unforgettable conversation afterwards, reminiscing over the Trinity years.
In 2005, Time Magazine listed Stott as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In his response, Billy Graham stated that Stott’s work is foundational to the explosive growth of the church in the developing world.
It saddens me today to think of the loss. His family was by his side. They all listened to Handel’s Messiah as Dr. Stott breathed his last. His legacy lives in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him, everyone who read any of his fifty books, all of us who aspire to be ministers of reconciliation.
Copyright Kenneth E Kemp 2011
Ken, I didn’t know you knew him personally. I admired his writings
Wow, Ken. What a gracious tribute. I had a theology professor that I admired as well, Ray Anderson. He was a pastor and author. At his funeral I was touched by the number of people who came out of love and respect, with wonderful stories of how he ministered to them. It was Dr. Anderson that took time to explain to me that although divorce is a sin, it is forgiveable through God’s Grace with confession and repetance. That opened the door to Gary, my wonderful husband. God Bless You..I feel your loss.
Very thoughtful and emotionally engaging. Thank you for that tribute.
Stu
Ken, such rich memories! when we were missionaries in Guatemala, the first book i would give to my new church planters was Basic Christianity. it was so well done. Stott spoke at Lausanne in Manila in 1989, teaching on Romans each morning. i STILL remember those messages…and most of his quips. How cool that you were able to camp at his feet for a while. Truly one of the Great Hearts of the 20th century.
ps
another comment mentions Ray Anderson–another phenomenal voice in the church. He probably did more to shape my understanding of what it means to be the church than anyone except Bonhoeffer–and Ray introduced me to Bonhoeffer!!!
(BTW, this is alan writing on Barb’s computer 🙂 )
Just stumbled upon this wonderful blog about Stott. Your personal interaction is lovely and makes the whole story rich. I have been trying to discover if
John Stott and C.S. Lewis ever met. Do you know? Thanks for a great blog!
Blessings, Sue Awes
Yes, a great loss to us all, for now. I don’t know for sure, but I must believe that they at least knew of each other. Stott was involved in the Billy Graham Crusade in 1954. C.S. Lewis lived into the 60s. In the 1950s, Lewis appeared on the radio in the 40s and 50s, addressing Christian issues. SAMPLING.
Stott is credited with leading the post-war resurgence of the British evangelical movement. As well as inspiring generations of evangelical within and beyond the Church of England he worked in partnership with Billy Graham in his groundbreaking UK missions from the 1950s onwards . . . After retiring . . . Stott continued to exert enormous influence on global Christianity. He was instrumental in framing the 1974 Lausanne Covenant . . . He remained celibate his whole life, lived modestly, and poured royalties from book sales into the work of raising up church leaders in developing countries.” (Justin Brierly, Premier Radio Presenter, writing in Christianity Magazine)
Here is an interesting interview with Sherwood Wirt… one of the last for C.S. Lewis in which he answers a question about BG.
So far – in answer to your questions, I can only speculate based on the research so far. I’d like to believe somewhere along the line, they had a very interesting lunch. Wouldn’t it be cool to have a recording of THAT conversation?
Blessings!
Ken