The New York Times published an excellent review of John Stott's life and influence. Back in 2004 David Brooks wrote a much-praised review of John Stott's influence as well. Both articles cite Michael Cromartie's remark that if evangelicals could elect a pope, Stott is the person they would likely choose. In a collection of tributes, VirtueOnline included Dr. David Wells' instructive reflections (below). Wells' reflections rightly point out Stott's emphasis on the needful exposition of Scripture from church pulpits around the world.
It was my privilege while studying at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School to sit under Dr. Stott's lectures on the Sermon on the Mount, as well as his series of lectures on II Timothy. A more humble, gracious, or more clear-thinking man one could never hope to meet. It was also my privilege to hear him deliver plenary Bible studies at the huge InterVarsity Urbana Missionary Convention held on the campus of the University of Illinois. No tribute can overstate the influence and magnificence of the man. Books on my bookshelf, if they could talk, would say how privileged they feel to be next to those written by John Stott.
Wells says of Stott: (my emphases)
Stott will be remembered for a long time to come for his roles as writer, speaker, and leader. In these roles he often served different audiences and yet what stands out across a long life is how utterly consistent he was. And that consistency, in public and in private, was rooted in the same, unshakable convictions. At their center, first, was his lifelong commitment to make himself subject to the truth of Scripture. It was because of his own inner commitment at this point that he could preach to others with such insistence, directness, and effectiveness. Yet his sermons were not simply words, mere orations, but expositions of divinely given truth. For Scripture is not merely a book but, in and through its teaching, it is the disclosure of God, the unveiling of his character, will, and ways. What this inspired Scripture says, then, God says. So it was that Stott preached and so it was that he pastored.
And his second, central principle concerned the uniqueness of Christ as God-incarnate and the uniqueness of his substitutionary death on the Cross. Without this work, there is no reconciliation with God, no forgiveness, no justification, and no hope. It is these principles that framed and directed everything he did.
In this connection, then, there was first of all his role as a writer. He wrote or edited almost 60 books. Among them, of course, is his classic, Basic Christianity, which sold more than a million copies and is translated into more than 60 languages. His books fall into two main categories: Those on or about the biblical Word and those in which he sought to engage the world from within the truth of this Word. . .
Second, there is his role as a speaker. It is hard to remember now that when John began his preaching in All Souls, the expository sermon was almost unknown or, at least, unpracticed in most churches. It is a testament to the greatness of his influence that expository preaching has come back. With his clarity, luminous language, and matchless organization, he showed us how to preach. His expositions, in part borne also by his commentaries, have been heard around the world. But the fact is that preaching is not simply technique that can be learned. Without a deeply spiritual person behind the words, sermons fall to the ground. To his extraordinary set of natural gifts, which were always evident in his preaching, he brought a heart that beat for God, that longed for God to be honored and his name revered. That is why he was so effective as a preacher.
Third, there was his role as a leader. When John began in All Souls, evangelicals were a small, inconsequential minority in the Church of England as well as elsewhere. Under his leadership in the post-War years they emerged in Anglicanism as a voice with which church leaders, who might not have been otherwise sympathetic, had to reckon. But this was no mere game over power and attention. Stott wanted the church's life to be reformed in light of the teaching of Scripture and the Scripture's central theme, the person and work of Christ. It was this same impulse that he also brought into the wider evangelical movement, most notably at the Lausanne Congress in 1974, the most representative gathering of Christians in history to that time, where he was mainly responsible for the Lausanne Covenant. This is what also explains his worldwide travels. Despite his privileged upbringing, he had a heart for those in the developing world and did more than anyone else to bring theological education to its church leaders, books to its seminaries, and expository preaching into its churches.
A pastor, preacher, teacher, a writer, leader, friend to so many, an exemplar of what Christian faith is about, a model in every way, he will be sorely missed. Always principled but always kind, courageous but courteous, strong but surprisingly tender hearted, deeply spiritual but very practically-minded. In the language of an older generation, he was "a prince among men." A prince has now left us to join the heavenly choirs in their worship around the Lamb.
In his final book, The Radical Disciple, he spoke of having become dependent on others as he has needed more and more care which he was receiving in the College of St. Barnabas. I visited him there, in the company of old friends, at the end of last month. His mind was clear but his vitality had all gone. He was bed-ridden, immobile, and his life was seeping away. As we left, we consoled ourselves with the thought that when we next see him, he will be leaping and laughing in a new body.
His old body will be taken to Dale, near his beloved retreat in Wales, the Hookses. There will be numerous memorial services, in Britain and the United States including, it appears, one in St. Paul's Cathedral. This is an extraordinary honor. It is good, though, that John will not be there on this occasion. He would be deeply embarrassed by such attention.
---David F. Wells is Distinguished Research Professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA
Update 8/15/11: See also the U.K. Guardian's tribute written by Matthew Cresswell. Rick Warren says, "My friend, John Stott, significantly shaped my ministry." Other remembrances include Paul Marshall, various Brazilian leaders, Vinay Samuel, and the Anglican Bishop of Sydney, Peter Jensen. Jay Haug speaks of Stott's balance and nurture of young people.
At Stott's funeral, Dr. Chris Wright noted (and expounded) Stott's two favourite verses: Galatians 6:14: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" ; and John 14.21 " Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. "
I watched the video of Wright's sermon and learned that "It was John's daily habit on waking up to greet each person of the Holy Trinity with this prayer:
Heavenly Father I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more.
Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you.
Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruits to ripen in my life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.