Christ the Cornerstone: Collected Essays of John Stott
Christ the Cornerstone
What does it mean to say Jesus is Lord?
The late Anglican pastor John R. W. Stott—named as one of the 100 most influential people in 2005 by Time magazine—was committed to the notion that Jesus’ lordship has ramifications for all of life. Out of this conviction grew his contention that the whole mission of God includes both evangelism and social action. Christ the Cornerstone recovers several decades of his writings exploring the consequences of Jesus’ lordship from the pages of Christianity Today, including the regular “Cornerstone” column he wrote from 1977–1981. In them, he treats such diverse topics as Scripture, discipleship, the worldwide mission of the church, and social concerns such as the value of human life, care for animals, racial diversity, and economic inequality. Gain insight for today from the writings of a guiding light of evangelicalism.
Praise for Christ the Cornerstone
Reading this book I was reminded that a key feature of biblical Christianity is the joy of truth. We see biblical thinking on different issues presented in ways that are intellectually credible, delightfully relevant to our present experience, refreshingly enriching to our spiritual lives, and powerfully motivating to service. John Stott’s ministry exemplified these characteristics well, and these essays are an excellent sampling of his thinking.
–Ajith Fernando, Teaching Director, Youth for Christ, Sri Lanka and author of Discipling in a Multicultural World
John Stott has long been one of my favorite authors - a rigorous thinker and Bible scholar, an evangelical statesman, and a fervent encourager of God’s people all over the world. This collection of articles demonstrates the breadth of Stott’s wisdom and the timeless truth he applied to timely concerns.
–Trevin Wax, Director for Bibles and Reference at LifeWay Christian Resources, author of This Is Our Time: Everyday Myths in Light of the Gospel
For many years when I was asked my opinion about matters of Christian doctrine or practice, I would reply, "well, what does John Stott say, I'm sure I agree with him." The statement did not come from hero worship, but from recognizing the biblical breadth, disciplined insights, and measured conclusions that shone out from the books and articles that came from his pen. The publication of these collected essays is a great boon since it allows more readers to learn more from Stott. No one who dips into these pages will be disappointed.
–Mark Noll, author of Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity
John Stott’s voice of wisdom and his articulation of a balanced, biblical Christianity has only become more relevant and prescient since his death in 2011. This collection of previously unpublished writings will be an invaluable gift to the church that is seeking to live faithfully in a complex world.
–Corey Widmer, former Study Assistant to John Stott, and Lead Pastor, Third Church in Richmond, VA
These essays show the stunning breadth of issues that captured Stott's interest. And yet, despite this remarkable range, the collection holds together wonderfully as a model of what Stott called "double-listening"--careful, respectful attention to the perspectives around us, matched by faithful submission to the timeless Word of God. Reading this book is something like a time-traveling adventure that's also an apprenticeship with a master thinker and communicator. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
–Matthew McCullough, Pastor, Trinity Church in Nashville, TN, and author of Remember Death
Top Highlights
“The word gegraptai, ‘it stands written,’ was enough to remove every doubt and silence every objection. So, with” (Page 6)
“No. He was stating what he himself would and would not do. It was his firm resolve to worship exclusively, he said, and not to tempt God in unbelief. Why? Because this was what was written in the Scriptures. Once again, the simple word gegraptai, ‘it stands written,’ settled the issue for him.” (Page 7)
“Moreover, Jesus obeyed the Scriptures in his ministry as well as in his private conduct. The Old Testament” (Page 7)
“Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus rejected their innumerable man-made rules and traditions and referred them back to the simple, unadulterated Word of God.” (Page 9)
“It is important to grasp that their purpose is not academic but practical” (Page 10)
The Best of Christianity Today
Since 1956, Christianity Today has been the voice of evangelicalism in America—a bellwether of theology, politics, and culture for evangelicals. The Best of Christianity Today is a new series, featuring the most enduring articles from decades of Christianity Today written by the most respected voices in modern evangelicalism. Lexham Press is proud to partner with Christianity Today to bring these treasures of evangelicalism's heritage to readers today.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
Contents
- Introduction by Mark Labberton
- Part I: Scripture and Theology
- Christ and the Scriptures
- Is the Incarnation a Myth?
- Following Paul in Turkey
- Truth, Heresy, and Discipline in the Church
- The Mythmakers’ Myth
- Scripture: The Light and Heat for Evangelism
- Part II: The Christian Disciple
- When Should a Christian Weep?
- Must I Really Love Myself?
- Am I Supposed to Love Myself or Hate Myself?
- Reclaiming the Biblical Doctrine of Work
- Creative by Creation: Our Need for Work
- What Makes Leadership Christian?
- The Unforbidden Fruit
- Part III: The Mission of the Church
- Christians and Muslims
- The Battle for World Evangelism
- Transcendence: Now a Secular Concern
- Freeing a Stalwart People from Fatalism
- The Biblical Scope of the Christian Mission
- Saving Souls and Serving Bread
- Reviving Evangelism in Britain
- The Problems and Promise for Evangelism in India
- Part IV: The Church around the World
- A Visit to Latin America
- “Unhooked” Christians
- English-Speaking West Africa
- Church and State in England: Reflections on Jubilee Year
- The Lambeth Conference
- Evangelicals in Norway
- The Christian Church in Burma
- Challenging the Christians Down Under
- Brazil: The Spiritual Climate
- Part V: Church Challenges
- Anglican Evangelicals Speak Out
- Evangelicals and Roman Catholics
- Are Evangelicals Fundamentalists?
- Seminarians Are Not Tadpoles
- Paralyzed Speakers and Hearers
- We Can Reclaim the Power of Pentecost to Renew the Church
- Part VI: Social Concerns
- Reverence for Human Life
- Christians and Animals
- What Is Human Life Anyway?
- Peacemaking Is a Management Responsibility
- Preserving the Richness of Racial Diversity
- Calling for Peacemakers in a Nuclear Age, Part I
- Calling for Peacemakers in a Nuclear Age, Part II
- Economic Equality Among Nations: A Christian Concern?
- The Just Demands of Economic Inequality
- Does Life Begin Before Birth?
- Who, Then, Are the Poor?
- Conclusion: Jesus Is Lord! Has Wide Ramifications
- Interview: Evangelism Plus: John Stott Reflects on Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going
- Epilogue: “A Plain, Ordinary Christian”
Product Details
- Title: Christ the Cornerstone: Collected Essays of John Stott
- Author: John Stott
- Series: The Best of Christianity Today
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2019
- Page Count: 400
- Format: Logos Digital, Hardcover
- Trim Size: 5x8
- ISBN: 9781683593409
About John Stott
John Stott (1921–2011) was one of the foremost Christian figures of the twentieth century. He was educated at Cambridge, studying French and theology for a double first, and then training to be an Anglican cleric. He served as rector of All Souls Church, Langham Place, in London for 25 years, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. He became known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist, and communicator of Scripture.
A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States, and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant in 1974. His many books, including Why I Am a Christian, Basic Christianity, Your Mind Matters: The Place of the Mind in the Christian Life, Between Two Worlds: The Challenge of Preaching Today, and The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor, have sold millions of copies around the world and have been translated into dozens of languages. Stott was honored by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.”
About Christianity Today
Since 1956, Christianity Today has been the voice of evangelicalism in America—a bellwether of theology, politics, and culture for evangelicals. Some of the most influential and respected modern evangelical leaders have written for Christianity Today, shaping the minds and hearts of millions of Christians for more than half a century.
