John Stott – some memories
29/07/2011 at 12:25 Dale Appleby 2 comments
John Stott taught me my first Greek phrase, “ouk engkakoumen” (“we do not lose heart” 2 Cor 4.1). He repeated it a number of times during Bible Studies at a CMS Summer School I attended when I was a teenager. It gave me an incentive to learn more of the Greek alphabet than I had already learnt in maths, so I could read the words myself.
However the great impact of the Bible studies was the clarity of the exposition. It was orderly, and it drew out what was in the text. Indeed it gently teased apart the text so that we could see the beauty and meaning of what was there. His teaching stirred me along to want to understand – and teach it – in that kind of way as well.
The expositions also “landed” as he would say in his later book on preaching. You heard how the text might apply to the present. You were helped to practise, not just admire.
John Stott laid a foundation for biblical exposition that has had a great impact in the ministries of later preachers. He has helped many not to lose heart.
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1.
Glenn Davies | 30/07/2011 at 20:39
From Bishop Glenn Davies
A great sadness has overcome the Evangelical world as we mourn the loss of one of God’s great ones.
Of course, John would never have said that, as he always remained a humble servant of Christ, despite the accolades that came his way over many years. Yet we may truly say so, as he has been used by God to teach and preach the supremacy and all sufficiency of Christ for our salvation, and taught us to glory in the Lord and not in human achievement.
I thank God for John’s ministry to me as a teenager, not only through his many books which helped shape my Christian growth, but especially through his graciousness in taking the time to answer my no doubt irritating questions on one of his early visits to Australia. For those who had the pleasure of meeting him personally we share a rare privilege; and for those who did not, they still have the privilege of learning from this great one, through his many books and sermons. May God continue to bless this legacy for many years to come.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” Psalm 116:15
Bishop Glenn N Davies
Chair of EFAC Australia
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Chris Appleby | 29/07/2011 at 21:29
If you would like to read a Canadian perspective from Professor John Stackhouse of Regent College go to his blog site
The enormity of John Stott’s international stature becomes apparent when you read the wide range of tributes on the John Stott Memorial Fund website