AMAZON REVIEW OF JOHN STOTT: A SUMMARY OF HIS TEACHING

REVIEWED BY SCOTT ROSE, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Two hallmarks of Christianity are dedication to the correct understanding of the Word of God and faithful adherence to it. John Stott exemplified both of these traits, and in his survey of Stott’s teaching, so does Ted Schroder. Thousands have been blessed by the ministry of both men, and Schroder’s latest work – John Stott, A Summary of His Teaching – furthers their lifelong efforts to enable Christians to exemplify the two hallmarks.

Pastors and laymen alike can benefit from Schroder’s outline of the thoughts of one of Christianity’s most important 20th Century figures. In an organized and readable form, Schroder provides easy access to decades of Stott’s thinking and teaching. Stott rejected the need for a “systematic” theology (as does Schroder: “biblical truth is often stated paradoxically”), but these sixteen concise chapters essentially cover the gamut of the Christian religion.

Although asystematic, Stott did not fail to grapple thoroughly with the hard questions and seeming paradoxes. And Schroder’s concise exposition of Stott’s deep thinking is masterful. Together, they offer Christian apologetics so thorough and so compelling that the work is as much an evangelistic tract as it is didactic or celebratory. The chapters on Humanity, The Cross, Holy Scriptures and Salvation succinctly explain man’s condition, as well as the revelation of it and God’s plan of deliverance from it, all in only 30 pages. They alone are worth the price of the book.

Schroder quotes his Cranmer Hall principal as having said about Stott: “He is an exact and rigorous thinker who cuts through ambiguities and obscurities, and compels us to face theological issues, logically and precisely.” I can offer no higher praise than that Schroder brings this same gift to his work on Stott’s teaching.

Schroder’s restrained references to his personal experiences with Stott add just the right amount of credibility and warmth. His familiarity with Stott’s commitment to bird-watching provides the perfect ending chapter. Both men are wise owls whose ability to see behind and ahead in Christian matters is instructive to us all.