Author Archives: St. John Studies

Rereading is an unusual activity, especially when years have elapsed since the first reading.  I referred to that in my previous post*, that I am commenting on an important book that I read thirty-five years ago, John Stott’s Basic Christianity. … Continue reading →

When I first read Basic Christianity about thirty-five years ago, I needed information about my new faith.  I had a serious desire for an orientation because I had only bits and pieces of something that older, more experienced Christians seemed … Continue reading →

 Basic Christianity:  Part Three: Christ’s Work… Since I have finished commenting on Chapter 8 of John Stott’s The Cross of Christ, it is now time to swing back to his book Basic Christianity. The timing could not have been any … Continue reading →

When someone tells you that they hate you, tell them you hate them too.  When someone assaults you, assault them back.  When you experience dishonesty, tell a lie to match the lie that you hear or go even bigger…tell a … Continue reading →

Love is one of “those” words.  What I mean by calling love one of those words is that love is a connotative word.  Our language is full of connotative words, words which have some emotional association.  There will be some … Continue reading →

One of the most uncomfortable feelings I ever have is when I am teaching a Sunday school class and I introduce a new term to Christians and they wonder whether it is “legit” or not.*  The looks of consternation are … Continue reading →

Before launching into Chapter Eight of The Cross of Christ (entitled “The Revelation of God,” I think it is important to orient ourselves to where we are in the overall book.  John Stott says the “heart of the cross” is … Continue reading →

At times it is best to be honest or maybe a better way to express this is, we need to be frank.  In this context “frank” is best defined as “direct in speech or writing, especially when dealing with unpalatable … Continue reading →

On February 10, I began a series of discussions about the consequences of sin based on Chapter 6 of John Stott’s book Basic Christianity.  Since then, I have commented on how sin alienates us from God, sin enslaves us to … Continue reading →

When I was a baby, I reportedly had a visit from my great aunt Effie Thompson.  According to family legend, this wise, venerable lady leaned into my bassinet and declared “his ears are close to his head; he is going … Continue reading →