The Incomparable Christ

Stott's video study guides

THE INCOMPARABLE CHRIST
(series of four videos):
The Original, Ecclesiastical, Influential and Eternal Jesus
By Dr. John Stott
London Lecture Trust

'The 2000 AD London Lectures in Contemporary Christianity' given by John Stott at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London, are now available to the wider church and provide a remarkable teaching programme.

For local churches

These videos are a powerful tool for building up local churches. Church members of all kinds will be thrilled with them. They are easily followed, each lasting for about an hour, with a half-way break.

There are three relevant aims for today's Christian: fine biblical teaching about Christ; historical perspectives about the church's understanding of him and his influence on the church and the world; and a contemporary challenge: how does Jesus challenge us today? 'There is nobody like him; there never has been and there never will be'.

Their content

This teaching, relevantly biblical and orthodox, will help 'hungry' Christians needing to broaden their understanding of what Christian doctrines have meant to their forbears. The series is suitable for committed church members, who will find it demanding but quite accessible. It is priceless treasure!

The theme is 'The Incomparable Christ', who is the centre of history, the focus of Scripture and the heart of mission. The gospels, brilliantly summarised, provide 'a portrait with four faces, a diamond with four facets'. All the New Testament letters are outlined, after which John Stott affirms that 'we pay our tribute to the original Jesus, the Jesus of the New Testament witness, who is the incomparable Christ'.

The second and third videos change the approach. 'The Ecclesiastical Jesus' shows how the church down the ages has portrayed him and 'The Influential Jesus' indicates many effects he has had on the church and the world ('a wonderful kaleidoscope of leaders who changed history', through Christ's influence on their lives, said Richard Bewes, the Rector of All Souls Church. David Coffey, General Secretary of the Baptist Union, gave a similar appreciative endorsement). Dr. Stott reviews the teachings of various church leaders from Justyn Martyr to Martin Luther, as well as the early Councils of the church to the World Missionary Conference (1910) and the Lausanne Covenant (1974). Moving references are made to Joni Earickson Tada, Henry Martyn, William Wilberforce, Lord Shaftesbury and others.

In the final video, 'The Eternal Jesus', Dr. Stott skilfully summarises the Book of Revelation, adopting 'the parallelist view' of interpretation. The seven letters to the churches 'carry the marks of an ideal church' (love, suffering, truth, holiness, sincerity, mission and wholeheartedness), which are seven marks he says he would like every church to display. It ends with the church preparing herself for the Lord's second coming: 'I am coming soon'!

The series concludes with the penetrating question: 'How can we come to Christ ourselves, this incomparable Christ?'

Study Questions are provided. One forthright example, regarding the seven 'marks of a living church', is the exhortation to discuss how your own church meets these criteria. Discuss some ways that the weakest areas might be improved.
This magnificent series of superbly-presented videos will, hopefully, be widely used in the churches. It will certainly help Christians anxious to learn more of 'the incomparable Christ'. 'This overview of Jesus as the New Testament sees him has been a rich feast. Our minds have been stimulated, our hearts have been warmed and our souls have been fed' (John Grayson, Organising Chairman).

John Short

This series of four videos (£45 + p&p) and four Study Guides (£9 + p&p) can be ordered direct from CPO, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1BW (01903 263354).

© Evangelicals Now - July 2001
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