Living Radical Discipleship: Inspired by John Stott

By Langham Global Library

John Stott’s legacy of faithful Christian discipleship continues to impact Christians on every continent and in every sphere of life. This book pays homage to that legacy and to Stott’s unwavering commitment to Christ’s transformative Lordship over all facets of existence, especially those we may find particularly convenient to ignore. In this collection of essays, integral mission scholars and practitioners from around the world – many of whom knew John Stott personally and worked with him extensively – reflect on several of the concerns that developed and deepened over the course of Stott’s life, reminding us that Christian obedience must include caring for God’s creation, engaging in social action and advocacy, and supporting church leadership of the Majority World. Living Radical Discipleship calls us to repentance, to recommitment, and to wholehearted discipleship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Langham Global Library
• Release date: Jan 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781839731075

Book preview

Book cover image

This slender volume, like the ever modest giant it commemorates, is simple, and yet profound. The contributors are well known across the spectrum of world evangelicalism – not the sectarian politicized variety caught in the glare of a rightfully suspicious public press – but those who graciously, lovingly, and without fanfare follow their Lord in the irenic spirit of John Stott. This book reminds us that he exemplified as few public evangelical figures have the good news of the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Every chapter in this book celebrates dimensions of Stott’s character and work in ways that remind readers how to be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love . . . . (Eph 5:1–2). Those who read and ponder this book will find their spirits encouraged, their minds renewed, and their faith invigorated. I guarantee it.

Jonathan J. Bonk, PhD

Executive Director Emeritus,

Overseas Ministries Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

Research Professor of Mission,

Founding Director Emeritus, Dictionary of African Christian Biography,

Boston University, Massachusetts, USA

John Stott’s influential work, The Radical Disciple, is the springboard for this collection of superb essays that extends and develops Stott’s legacy. Most contributors knew Stott personally, and their memories reveal an authentic, compassionate, and humble Christian, who preferred Uncle John to any title. He inspired multifaceted reflection on social action as integral to God’s mission in the world. This collection deepens and expands his efforts for social justice rooted in biblical preaching, so that the global church might be salt and light in a world torn by racial and ethnic strife and concerned for God’s creation.

Jesus declared that a student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher (Luke 6:40 NIV); these students of John Stott have proved their teacher’s wisdom and modeled his passion for proclaiming God’s full gospel of love and justice.

Lynn H. Cohick, PhD

Provost, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Professor of New Testament,

Northern Seminary, Lisle, Illinois, USA

One significant moment in my life was when (after the General Committee of IFES in Paris 1959) I met John Stott in Cambridge during a course that Inter-Varsity UK organized for a group of delegates. He was our guide in the visit to Cambridge and became one of my mentors. Through the years I could see how his mind grew with his experiences of ministering in numerous places around the world. I was his companion and translator in places such as Quito, Ecuador; Lima, Perú; Recife, Brasil; Córdoba, Argentina; Urbana, USA; and Toronto, Canada. His ministry was crucial in the development of the Lausanne movement around the world. I am glad and thankful for this book that reflects his lasting influence at a global level. Praise the Lord for John Stott.

J. Samuel Escobar, PhD

Emeritus Professor of Missiology,

Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA

President, United Bible Societies

Former President, International Fellowship of Evangelical Students

What a gift this book is! This volume brings together an exceptional group of international scholars to celebrate the life and work of one of the most important Christian thinkers of the recent past. John Stott’s lifelong pursuit of an integrated Christian life that is centered on God and finds expression in relationships with others led him to work tirelessly for the inclusion and unity of all persons as image-bearers of God with a single-minded focus on service as the natural outflow of the Christian life. Stott’s life and work will continue to transform Christian witness for generations to come – and Living Radical Discipleship bears witness to that.

George Kalantzis, PhD

Professor of Theology, Wheaton College, Illinois, USA

Director, The Wheaton Center for Early Christian Studies

Senior Fellow, International Association for Refugees (IAFR)

This book of reflections on the life and work of John R. W. Stott is both a tribute to his legacy and a live conversation on the theological themes that occupy us. The insightful talks and remembrances are themselves a testament, not just to his continuing intellectual influence, but to the depth of his friendships and the breadth of his concern for the global church.

I was one of those who took shelter under his giant shadow when as a young woman my early writings four decades ago on culture, gospel and society roused much heat and misunderstanding. Without the cognitive support and encouragement of leaders like him, I would not have had the courage and stamina to continue. John Stott’s humble readiness to listen and come alongside Majority World people birthing new wineskins was rare among leaders of his time. This book is a rich treasure of his iconic impact as an inspiring and radical disciple of our Lord Christ.

Melba Padilla Maggay, PhD

President,

Institute for Studies in Asian Church and Culture

Arguably, no other evangelical leader has had more influence in shaping global evangelicalism in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries than the Englishman, John R. W. Stott. His life and legacy as a clergyman, scholar, evangelist, writer, and shaper of movements and institutions has impacted leaders young and old on every continent. An endowed chair in his honor in the Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR) Program at Wheaton College perfectly symbolizes, as an eternal reminder, this man’s contribution to the global church.

The Fall Symposium of the HNGR program at Wheaton in 2019 was aptly themed from the final book Stott wrote, The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling. This compendium demonstrates in a clear way the incarnational and transformative power of the gospel as John Stott experienced personally, lived out in his clerical parish, and taught in his amazing corpus of theological writings. Each chapter’s critical reflections on what being a radical disciple of Christ means show not only the influence Stott had on the writer’s life and work but also how in today’s society we can be a radical disciple, loving Jesus in all of life.

I find this book truly provocative, stimulating, and inspiring. This is a visionary challenge of what the gospel can achieve in personal and community life.

Las G. Newman, PhD

Global Associate Director for Regions,

Lausanne Movement

These essays – some more anecdotal, but all theologically perceptive – are more than a fitting tribute to John Stott’s memory and legacy. They embody his lifelong commitment to a discipleship of mind and heart, radical faith and just works. As such, they present a powerful challenge to our complacency, shameful compromises, and meaningless polarizations. This is a book to be pondered by all who care for the credibility of the church in our contemporary world.

Vinoth Ramachandra, PhD

International Secretary for Dialogue and Social Engagement,

International Fellowship of Evangelical Students

This book is an excellent introduction and faithful response to radical discipleship preached and lived by John Stott! Sadly, his call for a double listening both to the word and to the world has become rather a bigger challenge due to the privatization of faith which is lost in the public square. I am sure dear Uncle John would be pleased to recommend this global collaboration of his dear friends. Every contributor goes further in grasping the radicalness of the good news for the whole world instead of repeating clichés of congratulations. As a publisher who has translated and published forty titles by John Stott, I heartily recommend Living Radical Discipleship: Inspired by John Stott to the global Christians living between and in two worlds, especially to the young generation, for the formation of radical discipleship.

Hyoun-Ki Shin

Publisher, Korea InterVarsity Press

This Stott Symposium volume has probing reflections on costly, uncompromising discipleship by global leaders shaped and nurtured by the amazing life and ministry of John Stott. These penetrating essays from all parts of the global church help us understand more clearly how to apply the gospel to every area of life.

Ronald J. Sider, PhD

Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Theology, Holistic Ministry and Public Policy,

Palmer Seminary at Eastern University, St David’s, Pennsylvania, USA

The church needs a thoughtful relevant guide to become a community that reflects God’s kingdom. This book is a critical resource for reflective practitioners and practical theologians who desire biblically grounded and socially informed ways forward to living in this world as the body of Christ. You will find yourself considering the intersections of witness, economic justice, environmental stewardship, and how the gospel empowers us to respond in courage. This global collection of scholar neighbors will awaken us to questions we need to be asking and provide frameworks for how the gospel invites us to be engaged citizens.

Rev. Sandra Van Opstal

Founding Director, Chasing Justice

Author, The Next Worship

Living Radical Discipleship

Inspired by John Stott

Edited by

Laura S. Meitzner Yoder

© 2021 Laura S. Meitzner Yoder

Published 2021 by Langham Global Library

An imprint of Langham Publishing

www.langhampublishing.org

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ISBN: 978-1-83973-071-9

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The Human Needs and Global Resources Program logo on the cover represents growth and rootedness, as well as flourishing and unity. The tree and the circle are deeply symbolic as individual components, but when joined together, they embody the values the Program stands for, namely, a life-orienting commitment to justice, intercultural humility, compassion, hospitality, environmental health, and peacemaking, as actively reflected in lifestyle and vocation.

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Contents

Cover

Foreword

Preface

References

Acknowledgments

Part 1 Commitment to Majority World Church Leadership

1 Between Two Worlds?

Culturally Privileged

Christ-Centred and Personally Discipled

Biblically Disciplined

Theologically Integrated

Prayerfully Grounded

Ecclesially Rooted

Rationally Exacting

Evangelistically Committed

Colonially Repentant

Relationally Transformed

Globally Awakened

Ornithologically Impassioned

References

2 All the Churches of Christ Greet You (Rom 16:16)

Introduction

The Logic of John Stott’s Vision

What Has Been Accomplished through John Stott’s Vision?

How Were John Stott and the Global Church Mutually Impacted?

Why Does It Matter?

References

Part 2 Christian Social Engagement

3 The Image of God and Justice

Introduction

The Image of God as a Royal Role

The Image of God in a Fallen World

Conclusions

References

4 The Gospel and the Public Square

The Gospel Imperative for Social Justice: A Reflection on Stott’s Understanding

Public Life, the Public Square and the State

Believers as Citizens in the World

References

5 Relentless Love and Justice in Radical Whole-Life Discipleship

Domesticated Love Makes Justice a Project

Relentless Love Integrates Justice into Every Aspect of Life

Reference

Part 3 Creation Care

6 Intertwining Roots for Just Conviviality

References

7 Loving Our Neighbour in God’s World

Introduction: Snowy Owls and Christian Discipleship

Christian Formation

The Journey Continues of Knowing a Bigger God

Towards an Integral Understanding of Mission

Mission and Creation Care

The Challenges of Engaging the Church in Integral Mission

Responding as the People of God

Conclusion: God’s Ownership and Neighbour Love Lead to Action

References

8 Seeing God’s World

Introduction: Coming to See and to Bear Witness

Window 1: Environmental History

Window 2: Water and Insularity

Window 3: John Stott’s Concern for Creation Care

Looking Forward: Majority World Voices in Creation Care

References

List of Contributors

About Langham Partnership

Endnotes

Foreword

One of the privileges of the work I do