John Stott, 1921-2011

Cal Thomas | Syndicated Columnist | Updated: Oct 12, 2011

John Stott, 1921-2011

John Sott died Wednesday in England at age 90. If you never read any of his 50 books or heard him speak, he was a thinking Christian who, along with the likes of Carl Henry, gave intellectual depth to a faith that was often attacked by unbelievers for lacking substance.

My pastor said of Stott: "With him passes the last of the true giants of evangelicalism. What's left is a strange group with different agendas."

I once asked John Stott about a story I had covered in Houston. A preacher testified to the city council in favor of a law banning adult book stores in a section of town. He mostly quoted the Bible and was ignored. He spoke truth but was ineffective. What could he have done differently?

Stott replied, "God's principles work whether you acknowledge their source or not."

I took that to mean the man should have spoken about the loss of taxes as legitimate businesses fled the area, more police presence and cost with a seedier element visiting the area, and other truths. I have tried to apply that strategy in my writing and speaking before the unbelieving world.

John Stott: A servant of Christ, now with his savior.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.

Publication date: July 29, 2011

John Stott, 1921-2011