The World (Volume 5)

God's Word for Today

by John R.W. Stott, Tim Chester (With)

How can Christians effectively engage today's world while staying true to Scripture? Calling us to listen well to both the Word and the world, John Stott shows how Christianity can preserve its authentic identity and remain relevant to current realities. With the God's Word for Today series, pastor Tim Chester has updated Stott's classic book The Contemporary Christian and made it accessible to new generations of readers. In The World, Stott presents four major aspects of the church's mission--God's assignment to infiltrate the world and share the good news. How do we understand the uniqueness of Christ in a pluralistic world? What is the biblical basis for mission? What is the relationship between evangelism and social responsibility? And what can we learn about mission from the life and work of Jesus? Each chapter includes questions for reflection or discussion. The Christianity of the Bible is not a safe, escapist religion but an explosive force pulling us into the world to witness and serve. This book equips individuals and churches to join the mission that flows from the heart of God.

128 pages, Paperback

Published August 27, 2019

About the author

John R. W. Stott is known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist, and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). His many books, including Why I Am a Christian and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies around the world and in dozens of languages. Whether in the West or in the Two-Thirds World, a hallmark of Stott's ministry has been expository preaching that addresses the hearts and minds of contemporary men and women. Stott was honored by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do missions have a place in the mind and life of the contemporary Christian? This is the question John Stott seeks to answer in The Contemporary Christian. Originally published as a book, it has been divided into new and updated volumes by InterVarsity Press.

If you have not already, I encourage you to check out my reviews of the previous two books in this five-part series. I give some background on the author and this specific collection. For this review, I would like to jump right in.

The Mission of the Church

Although this book is titled The World, Stott makes it clear from the beginning that this book is about the mission of the church. That is the God-given responsibility to infiltrate the world, listen to its challenges, but also bringing its own challenge by sharing the good news in word and deed. Fittingly, the first chapter is all about the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, and that he is our Lord and Savior.

Chapter two examines the connection between the mission of Christians and our missionary God. Stott takes on the claims that our mission is intolerant, arrogant, and violent. He looks at Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Biblical letters, and the climax of revelation as being our grounds for Christian witness in the world.

Holistic and Christ-Exalting

The third chapter is a tricky chapter to read as he tackles the holistic mission of the church. Namely, he looks at the relationship between evangelism and social responsibility. He looks at the character of God and the ministry and teaching of Jesus to prove his points.

The final chapter looks at Christ’s incarnation, cross, resurrection, exaltation, and Spirit-gift, and return. It is a fitting end to this series as it exalts Christ and exhorts us to finish his work.

Heartfelt Faith

This series has challenged me to think holistically about my faith. It challenges me to give it my intellectual attention. And at the same time, it helps me to give my heart more to the gospel, being and making disciples, God’s Word, his church, and towards his mission in the world.

I was provided a complimentary copy of The World: God’s Word for Today in exchange for an honest review.