John Stott, RIP

John Stott died recently (while I was on vacation), and his passing should not go unnoticed on MoJ.  David Brooks explained, back in 2004:

[I]f evangelicals could elect a pope, Stott is the person they would likely choose. He was the framer of the Lausanne Covenant, a crucial organizing document for modern evangelicalism. He is the author of more than 40 books, which have been translated into over 72 languages and have sold in the millions. Now rector emeritus at All Souls, Langham Place, in London, he has traveled the world preaching and teaching. . . .

It is a voice that is friendly, courteous and natural. It is humble and self-critical, but also confident, joyful and optimistic. Stott's mission is to pierce through all the encrustations and share direct contact with Jesus. Stott says that the central message of the gospel is not the teachings of Jesus, but Jesus himself, the human/divine figure. He is always bringing people back to the concrete reality of Jesus' life and sacrifice.

Nicholas Kristof wrote another tribute after Stott's death.  Christianity Today has much more information on his life here.  If you're looking for a nice example of the clarity of Stott's thought and writing, you can start with a classic: Basic Christianity.