Michael Reeves tells the story of the Reformation in a fast-paced style. John Stott (text updated with permission) takes the story forward, looking at the essence of the evangelical faith, and our responsibility now to hold it fast, and to pass it on. In an Appendix, Alan Purser asks us to re-examine what Jesus was praying for in John 17, when he asked his Father that the church may be one. This passage has been misunderstood and mis -preached for centuries. The book, carefully footnoted, includes a Timeline, running from the earliest 'heretik' martyr in Scotland in 1407 to the production of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. We have the precious and eternal gospel' passed down to us through the courage of the Reformers', said the book's Editor, Julia Cameron.'This modest volume gives readers an easy grasp of the racy history of events in Europe. More than that, it shows why we need to know about the Reformation now.'

To enclaves of young converts tucked away in the mountains of Asia Minor, Paul wrote what is perhaps the oldest document in the New Testament - the letter to the Galatians. What problems were they facing? Among a variety of religious authorities espousing different teachings, how were they to know who was right? How were men and women to be put right with God? How could Christians in the midst of a pagan culture live lives truly pleasing to God? 'Only one way -' answered Paul, 'through Jesus Christ.' His answer holds true for us as well. The details of our struggle have changed since Paul's day, but the principles he sets forth are as timeless as the Lord he exalts.

Paul's letter to the young church in Rome has dramatically influenced Christians through the ages. It has been described as a 'gateway into heaven'. In this letter Paul gives a complete picture of the gospel - the fullest and grandest in the New Testament. His horizons are vast, taking in time and eternity, the past, present and future of humanity, and the great themes of justification, sanctification and glorification. This is the most personally rooted of John Stott's expositions, for he confesses to have re-encountered Paul's letter constantly throughout his Christian life. At the same time, her interacts with other commentators, some of whom are challenging interpretations that are time-honoured and traditional. He sees Romans as a Christian manifesto for our increasingly unstable world, emphasising the good news of freedom through Jesus Christ. Paul's vision of this freedom is astonishing. It overcomes ethnic conflict, the darkness of moral guilt, condemnation from God and alienation from others. It is a freedom to serve God and our neighbours in love.

The Book of Acts is vital not only for its vivid historical record, but also for the inspiration which it brings to us now. Today's church can seek to recapture something of the early confidence, enthusiasm, vision and power of the church of the first century. Despite all its imperfections and troubles, the young church clearly had been overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit, who thrust it out to witness. The experiences of the early church have lots to say about issues that concern Christians today. What can Acts tell us about extraordinary manifestations of the Spirit? How should churches structure themselves - with elders, deacons, pastors or all three? And, of course, how should the church reach out into a lost world, with the glorious message of salvation? As John Stott concludes: 'The Acts of the Apostles have long ago finished: the acts of the followers of Jesus will continue until the end of the world.'

'The followers of Jesus are to be different,' writes John Stott, 'different from both the nominal church and the secular world, different from both the religious and the irreligious. The Sermon on the Mount is the most complete delineation anywhere in the New Testament of the Christian counter-culture. Here is a Christian value-system, ethical, standard, religious devotion, attitude to money, ambition, lifestyle and network of relationships - all of which are totally at variance with those in the non-Christian world. And this Christian counter-culture is the life of the Kingdom of God, a fully human life indeed but lived out under the divine rule.' In his careful exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, John Stott accurately expounds the biblical text and relates it to life today. Above all, the author says, he wants to let Christ speak this sermon again, this time to the modern world.

How do two brief letters to a church in first-century Macedonia speak to us today? John Stott demonstrates that Paul's letters to the Christians in Thessalonica offer three key messages to churches at the beginning of the twenty-first century: - a model for ministry, as Paul's self-giving, prayerful love for the church challenges Christian leaders - a vision for the local church, as the apostle touches on evangelism, pastoral care, ethical standards, fellowship, worship, obedience and future hope; - an affirmation of our faith, as he repeatedly returns to the foundation facts that 'Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.' Characterised by John Stott's customary clarity and perception, this exposition illuminates aspects of Christian life and service that are at the heart of God's purposes for this people today.

John Stott writes, 'During the gestation of this book I seem to have lived inside the second letter of Paul to Timothy. In imagination I have sat down beside Timothy and have tried myself to hear and heed this final charge from the ageing apostle ... 'On each occasion I have been impressed afresh by the timeliness for today of what the apostle writes, especially for young Christian leaders. For our era is one of theological and moral confusion, even of apostasy. And the apostle summons us, as he summoned Timothy, to be strong, brave and steadfast.'

Recipient of a 1988 ECPA Gold Medallion Award An Eternity 1987 Book of the Year "I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross . . . In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?" With compelling honesty John Stott confronts this generation with the centrality of the cross in God's redemption of the world -- a world now haunted by the memories of Auschwitz, the pain of oppression and the specter of nuclear war. Can we see triumph in tragedy, victory in shame? Why should an object of Roman distaste and Jewish disgust be the emblem of our worship and the axiom of our faith? And what does it mean for us today? Now from one of the foremost preachers and Christian leaders of our day comes theology at its readable best, a contemporary restatement of the meaning of the cross. At the cross Stott finds the majesty and love of God disclosed, the sin and bondage of the world exposed. More than a study of the atonement, this book brings Scripture into living dialog with Christian theology and the twentieth century. What emerges is a pattern for Christian life and worship, hope and mission. Destined to be a classic study of the center of our faith, Stott's work is the product of a uniquely gifted pastor, scholar and Christian statesman. His penetrating insight, charitable scholarship and pastoral warmth are guaranteed to feed both heart and mind.

Truth matters. The apostle Paul's passion for truth runs throughout his Pastoral Letters - that it may be faithfully guarded and handed on. John Stott is at pains to convey Paul's passionate concern for the future of the gospel, and for younger pastors charged with its care. Contemporary culture, John Stott points out, is being overtaken and submerged by relativism and pluralism - an attitude that all so-called 'truth' in fact can make no demand that others be converted to its particular view. The apostle's unambiguous commitment to the definite truth of the gospel is in stark contrast to the contemporary spirit, and his concern for its future needs to grip us today.

A new and better society has been the constant dream of men and women. Responding to this dream, John Stott has been attracted back again and again by Paul's letter to the young church at Ephesus. It portrays a new society of Christ's making that stands out in bright relief against our colourless world of oppression, heartache, separation and division. Paul's letter, with its exultant vision of a renewed human community, has, says John Stott, 'stirred me deeply'. John Stott expounds Paul's theme of uniting all things in Christ by uniting his church and breaking down all that separates us from God, one ethnic group from another, husband from wife, parent from child, master from slave. Paul's insights are for all who want to build the church into the new society God has planned it to be.

The church lies at the very centre of the eternal purposes of God. But what exactly does a living church look like? The Living Church brings together a number of characteristics of what the author calls 'authentic' or 'living' church. The marks, being clearly biblical, are timeless and need to be preserved. We are called to become learning churches, caring churches, worshipping churches and evangelising churches. John Stott unpacks the Bible's wisdom rigorously with a teacher's skill and applies it faithfully with a pastor's heart. We can all play a part in becoming a living church.

John's affection for the recipients of his letters is clear: 'They are his "dear children", his "dear friends",' as John Stott points out. He continues, '[John] longs to protect them from both error and evil, and to see them firmly established in faith, love and holiness. He has no new doctrine for them. On the contrary, he appeals to them to remember what they already know, have and are. Whenever innovators trouble the church, and ridicule whatever is old or traditional, we need to hear and heed John's exhortation, to continue in what we have learnt and received, and to let it continue in us.'

What does it mean to seek first the kingdom in our relationships, values, ambitions, finances and commitment to God? Jesus' answer to these questions amazed those who first theard the Sermon on the Mount. In this guide, John Stott amazes and challenges us by the greatest sermon ever preached. This revised Lifebuilder Bible Study features additional questions for starting group discussions and for meeting God in personal reflection, together with expanded leader's notes and an extra 'Now or Later' section in each study. There are twelve studies in this book that cover Matthew 5 to Matthew 7.

Why Jesus? Perhaps you have had the funny feeling that God wants to get your attention. Or maybe you're intrigued with what you've heard about Jesus. Or maybe you're simply looking for meaning and direction in your life. John Stott spent a lifetime wrestling with questions about Jesus both personally and in dialogue with skeptics and seekers around the globe. In Why I Am a Christian he provides a compelling, persuasive case for considering the Christian faith. If you take an honest look at Jesus, you will discover that following him gives you the purpose, identity and freedom you've been searching for--and far more than you have ever imagined.

John Stott's definitive and passionate plea to the church to listen both to God's Word and to his world (double listening)

John Stott's definitive and passionate plea to the church to listen both to God's Word and to his world (double listening)

Christianity the world's largest religion: almost a third of the population describe themselves as Christian. Over 2000 years since it first started, no other religion has had such cultural and global impact and millions today claim their lives are completely changed by their decision to be a Christian. But what is a Christian and how do you become one? What do Christians actually believe and how does that impact their everyday life? As an introduction to Christianity or a refresher course in the essentials, Christian Basics is a concise but comprehensive guide. * How to become a Christian * How to grow as a Christian * Belief in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit * Why church is important * What a Christian life looks like. 'At whatever stage of your spiritual journey, I pray that something or other in this little book may help you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ' John Stott

Scripture has brought us light in darkness, strength in weakness, comfort in sadness. It isn't difficult to endorse the Psalmist's experience that the words of God are 'more precious than gold... sweeter than honey'. So it's distressing to watch the Bible being dislodged from its position of authority, not only in our nation but also in the church. Here we focus on the urgent need to continue in, respond to, interpret and expound God's Word.

Contemporary models of Christian leadership are often shaped more by culture than by Christ. Ineffective leadership, overbearing authority and burnout are endemic. In stark contrast, John Stott urges that our view of leadership must be determined by our view of the Church, and not the other way round. He demonstrates that the theme of 'power through weakness' is central. He expounds the role of the Holy Spirit in God's revelation, and he examines four of Paul's most striking models of ministry, each of which is an aspect of humility. In contrast to seductive styles of leadership being advocated by the wisdom of the world, John Stott urges Christian leaders to be characterised above all else by 'the meekness and the gentleness of Christ'.

The Contemporary Christian is John Stott's definitive and passionate plea to the church. Before we attempt to teach or evangelise, he urges, we must listen to God's Word and God's world. Only then will we be able to communicate the authentic gospel effectively.John Stott himself models this 'double listening' as he tackles five key questions: * Amid scepticism inside the church as well as outside, what is the authentic gospel? * In a world torn by pain and need, what characterises the obedient disciple? * Now that the Bible is often set aside as culturally irrelevant, how can we relate it with integrity to contemporary society? * Given the church's general lack of credibility, what is her calling and how can she fulfil it? * In a pluralistic society and a hungry world, what is the church's mission?

'A rare and personal glimpse of the sacrificial discipleship that marked John Stott's life so deeply.'Peter Harris What is a life of radical discipleship? At root, it means we let Jesus set the agenda of our lives. We aren't selective. We don't pick and choose what is cosy and stay away from what is costly. He is Lord of all of life. In the last book by a Christian leader who was himself a radical disciple, John Stott opens up what it means at root to be a follower of Jesus. He explores eight aspects of Christian discipleship that we need to pay much closer attention to. The message is simple, classic and personal: Jesus is Lord. He calls. We follow.

Jesus, meek and mild? Think again: Jesus was a controversialist. And he still is today. Are you prepared to be challenged? Jesus has a way of cutting right across our logic and opinions, just as he did while on earth. He took issue with his contemporaries on basic questions like: * Who is God? * How do we obey Scripture? * How are we saved? * How should we live morally? * How should we worship authentically? In exploring these questions, John Stott shows that evangelical Christianity is authentic Christianity, as Jesus taught, and has the power to utterly transform us.

In Basic Christianity, Third Edition, world-renowned preacher John Stott clearly defines both the fundamental claims of Christianity and the proper out-workings of those basic beliefs in the daily lives of believers. Stott's Basic Christianity is a sound, sensible guide for anyone seeking an intellectually satisfying presentation of the Christian faith.

In The Cross of Christ, John Stott explains the significance of Christ's cross and answers objections commonly brought against biblical teaching on the atonement.

Stott will help you discover how Jesus himself understood the cross, and how 'Christ in our place' is at the heart of its meaning. Understand what the cross achieved and learn what it means to live under the cross.

These modern classic combines excellent biblical exposition, and a characteristically thoughtful study of Christian belief, with a searching call to the church to live under the cross.

The church lies at the centre of God's purpose. Christ gave himself 'to purify for himself a people that are his own'. But when we think about church, there's the tension between the ideal and the reality. The former is beautiful: God's special treasure, the covenant community, a haven of love and peace. The latter? A motley rabble needing constant rebuke and exhortation. Here we focus on the ideal, on what God intends his church to be, while all the time keeping in view the reality, so that we can grasp the changes that need to be made.