The Radical Disciple - by John Stott (Paperback)

About the Book

In the last book by the leading evangelical churchman of the 20th century, John Stott opens up what it means at root to be a follower of Jesus. He explores eight aspects of Christian discipleship which are too often neglected and yet deserve to betaken seriously: nonconformity, Christlikeness, maturity, creation care, simplicity, balance, dependence and death.The message is simple, classic and personal: Jesus is Lord. He calls. We follow.

Book Synopsis

What is a life of radical discipleship? At the root, it means we let Jesus set the agenda of our lives. We aren't selective. We don't pick and choose what is congenial and stay away from what is costly. No. He is Lord of all of life.

In the last book by the leading evangelical churchman of the twentieth century, John Stott opens up what it means to truly be a follower of Jesus. In a refreshing and accesible style, he explores eight aspects of Christian discipleship which are too often neglected and yet deserve to be taken seriously: nonconformity, Christlikeness, maturity, creation care, simplicity, balance, dependence and death.

Here, including the last public sermon he ever preached, Stott offers wisdom gained from a lifetime of consistent Christian commitment. In addition, he poignantly reflects on his last years of life and ministry.The message is simple, classic and personal: Jesus is Lord. He calls. We follow.

Review Quotes

"Considered a dean of evangelical leaders of the last half century, Stott still deserves to be heard when he speaks. He continues to be relevant in analyzing destructive philosophical and lifestyle trends. As he approaches the end of his own life, he has provoking, yet comforting thoughts regarding the deaths of believers . . . An emphatic yes for church and Bible-college libraries."

Church Libraries, Fall 2010

"Dr. Stott has gone to be with the Lord but he has left behind for us a rich legacy of biblical expression. Read his final words in The Radical Disciple."

John Lathrop, The Pneuma Review, Spring 2012

"Knowing this is Stott's final book, especially poignant are final chapters on dependence and death. Readers will reap the fruits of the author's solid grasp of Scripture and life experience. Highly recommended for anyone desiring to live an authentic Christian lifestyle."

Neil Bartlett, CBA Retailers Resources, August 2010

"Stott examines eight aspects of radical Christian discipleship. . . . Characteristically, he gives attention both to the need for personal spiritual discipline that helps the individual believer grow into the likeness of Christ and to the need for social action that gives evidence of conversion. . . . Stott left a precious gift to readers. Treasure it, and be changed by it."

Ken Camp, Baptist Standard, February 16, 2015

"Stott's book is not a marriage book, per se. It is a discipleship book, but most of the chapters have direct application to marriage. If we become Christlike, we will be different in our marriages. As we understand, pursue, and develop other neglected aspects of discipleship--non-conformity, maturity, simplicity, balance, and dependence--we should become better marriage partners. Stott, writing as though this is his farewell book, offers wisdom from his long pastoral experience. His transparency about his own mortality--'As I lay down my pen for the last time at the age of 88'--brought me to tears in several sections."

Susan Olasky, World Magazine, June 5, 2010

"Stott's writing is still crisp, cutting, and insightful, and his life-long love and devotion to God comes through clearly in every word of this challenging and encouraging book."

Jeff Friend, Worship Leader Magazine

"This book will be a rich inheritance for the evangelical community for decades to come."

Brad Sumner, Mennonite Brethren Herald, May 2010

"This is a (nearly) pocket-sized summary of practical and biblical wisdom from one of the giants of evangelical Christianity in the last century--one of those books that takes an hour or two to read and months to digest. Besides, who doesn't want to buy John Stott's last book?"

Leadership Journal, September 2010,

"This slim volume is good reading, a lovely immersion into the truth of God's revelation in Scripture, full of wise words for those who find themselves on a pilgrimage through a dark world towards a City filled with divine light. The Radical Disciple is more like what I imagine he might say to a young friend who is accompanying him to the place of his retirement, and who has the chance to listen in on what Stott is most exercised to pray for when he thinks of the church he has served so faithfully for so many years. It isn't the final word, perhaps, but it's a timely one, and a word of wisdom worth heeding."

Dennis Haack, Critique, 2010

"While the writer's unadorned prose, threaded with biblical references, adheres to the essentials fo Christianity orthodoxy, his deep concern for the prophetic and evangelical dimensions of Christianity comes through loud and clear."

Publisher's Weekly, April 12, 2010

About the Author

John R. W. Stott (1921-2011) was known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist, and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States, and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). Stott's many books, including Basic Christianity and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies.