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Las Controversias de Jesús
El título Las Controversias de Jesús no significa que Jesucristo fuera una figura controvertible, sino que sostenía controversias. De hecho, muchos de sus discursos públicos eran debates con los líderes religiosos contemporáneos en Palestina. Ellos no estaban de acuerdo con él, y él a su vez disentía de ellos. En este libro, John Stott estudia las controversias de Cristo, con el propósito de aclarar las cuestiones debatidas y para demostrar que todavía tienen vigencia hoy. La posición que Cristo adoptó en cada debate es la que cada cristiano "evangélico" debería sostener, ya que si reunimos todas las verdades en que insistió Jesucristo en estas controversias, el resultado será una exposición bastante amplia de lo que significa la "fe evangélica" En muchos aspectos, Jesucristo disentía de la enseñanza de los fariseos o de los saduceos, de la misma manera, que los cristianos "evangélicos" de hoy en día, disienten de otros en la iglesia.
254 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1970
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249 people want to read
About the author
John R.W. Stott
305 books553 followersJohn 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."
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July 14, 2014
John Stott, Christ in Conflict: Lessons from Jesus and His Controversies, rev. ed. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2013). Paperback / Kindle
What is evangelical Christianity?
Ask the average American, and they will probably answer with some variation on politicized religion of the right-wing variety. There is an element of truth to this. White evangelical Christians in America tend to be politically conservative, after all, voting for Republicans in large majorities. Then again, African American and Hispanic evangelicals, by contrast, tend to be economically liberal but socially conservative, voting for Democrats to a similar or greater extent. Worldwide, the politics of evangelicals are even more diverse.
There is an element of tragedy to the average American’s answer, then, for it reduces evangelical Christianity to a political stance that does not accurately describe it or capture its real essence. To discover that essence, one must define evangelicalism theologically, recognizing that right-leaning evangelicals (such as the late Charles Colson) and left-leaning evangelicals (such as Ron Sider) are more united by their theology than they are divided by their politics.
Even when one factors in theological differences among evangelicals—such as the Arminian/Calvinist debate, the cessationist/continuationist debate, and the complementarian/egalitarian debate—the underlying theological foundations of evangelical Christianity are still held in common. That is why, in the 18th-century transatlantic revivals, John Wesley and George Whitefield could view one another as friends and colleagues, despite their strong theological disputes. That is why today, the National Association of Evangelicals can encompass a wide spectrum of opinion on those issues and more. There is something more basic to and common in evangelical Christianity than those disputes.
What that basic, common theology underlying evangelical Christianity is can be gleaned from the pages of Christ in Conflict by John Stott. Stott, who died in 2011, first published this book in 1970 under the title, Christ the Controversialist. Langham Literature, which was founded by Stott and holds copyright to his books, has reissued this little work with a new title and a few editorial changes, principally, Americanizing the spelling, changing the Bible version used, and deleting some illustrations that had become dated.
Stott himself stated the “aim” of his book very clearly at the outset: “to argued that ‘evangelical’ Christianity is real Christianity—authentic, true, original and pure—and to show this from the teaching of Jesus Christ himself” (p. 15). To accomplish that aim, Stott turns to eight conflicts recorded in the Gospels that Jesus had with either the Sadducees or the Pharisees. We might state those controversies in the form of a question:
Is religion natural or supernatural?
Is theological authority found in tradition or Scripture?
Is the Bible an end or a means to an end?
Is salvation based on merit or mercy?
Is morality outward or inward?
Is worship a matter of the lips or of the heart?
Is it the Church’s responsibility to withdraw from the world to become involved in it?
And should our highest ambition be our own glory or God’s?
In each case, Stott aligns evangelical Christianity with the second option. What, then, is evangelical Christianity? It is a supernatural, biblically grounded, Jesus-focused, merciful, heart-changing, authentic, socially engaged, and humble form of religion. Or rather, that’s what it should be. To the extent that it is not, it has departed from the teaching and example of Jesus Christ.
On the whole, I found Stott’s treatment of these controversies both enlightening and persuasive. Stott was a moderately Calvinistic Anglican priest. I am a thoroughly Arminian Pentecostal minister. And yet, I see how both his form of Anglicanism and my Pentecostalism agree wholeheartedly on these more basic matters. There are a number of theological nuances to these matters that I would have liked Stott to embrace, not to mention a few interpretations of Jesus’ Jewish interlocutors that I think need to more carefully qualified. Regardless, his Anglicanism and my Pentecostalism are clearly siblings in the same religious family, a family into which all of us have been adopted by God.
Although 40+-years-old, Christ in Conflict can help American evangelicals today—besmirched and begrimed by politics as we are—uncover again our basic theological assumptions. Doing so will have several salutary effects: It can help us refocus us on the mission Christ gave us to make disciples of all nations. It can help unify us across denominational and even national boundaries. And it can remind us that we unites us in Christ as evangelicals is greater, more important, and more foundational than what divides us in Washington DC.
What unites us is nothing less than the gospel—in Greek, euangelion—that gives us evangelicals our name.
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
What is evangelical Christianity?
Ask the average American, and they will probably answer with some variation on politicized religion of the right-wing variety. There is an element of truth to this. White evangelical Christians in America tend to be politically conservative, after all, voting for Republicans in large majorities. Then again, African American and Hispanic evangelicals, by contrast, tend to be economically liberal but socially conservative, voting for Democrats to a similar or greater extent. Worldwide, the politics of evangelicals are even more diverse.
There is an element of tragedy to the average American’s answer, then, for it reduces evangelical Christianity to a political stance that does not accurately describe it or capture its real essence. To discover that essence, one must define evangelicalism theologically, recognizing that right-leaning evangelicals (such as the late Charles Colson) and left-leaning evangelicals (such as Ron Sider) are more united by their theology than they are divided by their politics.
Even when one factors in theological differences among evangelicals—such as the Arminian/Calvinist debate, the cessationist/continuationist debate, and the complementarian/egalitarian debate—the underlying theological foundations of evangelical Christianity are still held in common. That is why, in the 18th-century transatlantic revivals, John Wesley and George Whitefield could view one another as friends and colleagues, despite their strong theological disputes. That is why today, the National Association of Evangelicals can encompass a wide spectrum of opinion on those issues and more. There is something more basic to and common in evangelical Christianity than those disputes.
What that basic, common theology underlying evangelical Christianity is can be gleaned from the pages of Christ in Conflict by John Stott. Stott, who died in 2011, first published this book in 1970 under the title, Christ the Controversialist. Langham Literature, which was founded by Stott and holds copyright to his books, has reissued this little work with a new title and a few editorial changes, principally, Americanizing the spelling, changing the Bible version used, and deleting some illustrations that had become dated.
Stott himself stated the “aim” of his book very clearly at the outset: “to argued that ‘evangelical’ Christianity is real Christianity—authentic, true, original and pure—and to show this from the teaching of Jesus Christ himself” (p. 15). To accomplish that aim, Stott turns to eight conflicts recorded in the Gospels that Jesus had with either the Sadducees or the Pharisees. We might state those controversies in the form of a question:
Is religion natural or supernatural?
Is theological authority found in tradition or Scripture?
Is the Bible an end or a means to an end?
Is salvation based on merit or mercy?
Is morality outward or inward?
Is worship a matter of the lips or of the heart?
Is it the Church’s responsibility to withdraw from the world to become involved in it?
And should our highest ambition be our own glory or God’s?
In each case, Stott aligns evangelical Christianity with the second option. What, then, is evangelical Christianity? It is a supernatural, biblically grounded, Jesus-focused, merciful, heart-changing, authentic, socially engaged, and humble form of religion. Or rather, that’s what it should be. To the extent that it is not, it has departed from the teaching and example of Jesus Christ.
On the whole, I found Stott’s treatment of these controversies both enlightening and persuasive. Stott was a moderately Calvinistic Anglican priest. I am a thoroughly Arminian Pentecostal minister. And yet, I see how both his form of Anglicanism and my Pentecostalism agree wholeheartedly on these more basic matters. There are a number of theological nuances to these matters that I would have liked Stott to embrace, not to mention a few interpretations of Jesus’ Jewish interlocutors that I think need to more carefully qualified. Regardless, his Anglicanism and my Pentecostalism are clearly siblings in the same religious family, a family into which all of us have been adopted by God.
Although 40+-years-old, Christ in Conflict can help American evangelicals today—besmirched and begrimed by politics as we are—uncover again our basic theological assumptions. Doing so will have several salutary effects: It can help us refocus us on the mission Christ gave us to make disciples of all nations. It can help unify us across denominational and even national boundaries. And it can remind us that we unites us in Christ as evangelicals is greater, more important, and more foundational than what divides us in Washington DC.
What unites us is nothing less than the gospel—in Greek, euangelion—that gives us evangelicals our name.
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
January 28, 2013
John Stott does a great job in defining the pillars of the Evangelical faith and explains unequivocally all the main points that are the core of the reformed churches.
Great book for Bible studies.
Great book for Bible studies.
July 24, 2021
Really solid.
June 2, 2023
The theme of this book was to study the major "controversies" that Christ had with the Pharisees. In contrast to the religious leaders, Christ taught that our authority is to be found in God's Word alone without the addition of human traditions; and our salvation is to be found in God's mercy alone apart from the addition if human merit. He taught that the morality and worship pleasing to God are those of the heart, inward rather than outward. He taught that our Christian responsibility is to be involved in the world, not to withdraw from it. And He taught that our overriding Christian ambition should not be to seek our own glory, but the glory of God.
November 4, 2017
It is unfortunate that people see in Jesus Christ a reflection of themselves and that is certainly the case here [1]. As is often the case with books like this, I found much that related to myself, from the way that the author tries to take Evangelical and turn it into an general adjective rather than a party affiliation as often seems to be the case to the fact that the author has no problems tangling with those he disagrees with. Anyone who knows me who would probably agree that I am at least a bit of a controversialist who relishes a good intellectual fight every now and then to keep life from being too tedious. We learn a lot about John Stott by reading this book and unlike the case with some other examples of this sort of writing, what we learn is not bad at all. In fact, it's quite interesting I must admit. I find a lot more to agree with in terms of the author's claims for how believers are to be like Christ than I do with the actual performance of Protestants (including Evangelicals like the author) in living up to that standard, though.
The book itself has both a foreword and a preface that seek to frame the work and give praise to it, to provide some additional legitimacy to its contents. After that the book consists of two parts. The first part lays the foundational assumptions and worldview of the author, calling for clarity about terms rather than the sort of mush-mouthed confusion that often passes for peacemaking in many ecumenical efforts as well as a use of evangelical that seeks to claim for that term the Gospel message and not merely one interpretation of it. The rest of the book consists of eight different conflicts that Jesus Christ had with the Jewish leadership of his day that remain highly relevant for Christians who must fight against contrary tendencies in our own behavior that would make us like the Sadducees and Pharisees of old about matters like religion, authority, the purposes of the Bible, salvation, morality, worship, responsibility, and ambition. The author manages to hit his targets in a solid effort. This is really a great book to appreciate, and even if I think that the author falls short of the way he sees the Protestant world, there is still a great deal here that is worth celebrating and applying.
It is worthwhile at this point to talk about the author's failures and successes, though. While the author would wish to have Evangelical be seen as something more than a partisan designation, unfortunately it appears that the term has too much baggage at this point, despite the author's best interests. This is especially true in that the author criticizes the Roman Catholic church for its adherence to tradition when a great many Protestant beliefs (see, for example, the Trinity as well as their refusal to remember the Sabbath day as God commands) spring about because of mistaken views about progressive revelation and an adherence to unbiblical traditions resulting from mistaken human reasoning. This book is a case where a bit more self-knowledge would have made the author less strident, but where the author still manages to speak about areas of justice and involvement in the world in the right ways that are well worth paying attention to. This is a book that manages to succeed at presenting the conflicts of Christ's ministry as relevant in the best use of the term, even if the author shows himself as not obeying the Bible in his own practice as much as he might claim.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
The book itself has both a foreword and a preface that seek to frame the work and give praise to it, to provide some additional legitimacy to its contents. After that the book consists of two parts. The first part lays the foundational assumptions and worldview of the author, calling for clarity about terms rather than the sort of mush-mouthed confusion that often passes for peacemaking in many ecumenical efforts as well as a use of evangelical that seeks to claim for that term the Gospel message and not merely one interpretation of it. The rest of the book consists of eight different conflicts that Jesus Christ had with the Jewish leadership of his day that remain highly relevant for Christians who must fight against contrary tendencies in our own behavior that would make us like the Sadducees and Pharisees of old about matters like religion, authority, the purposes of the Bible, salvation, morality, worship, responsibility, and ambition. The author manages to hit his targets in a solid effort. This is really a great book to appreciate, and even if I think that the author falls short of the way he sees the Protestant world, there is still a great deal here that is worth celebrating and applying.
It is worthwhile at this point to talk about the author's failures and successes, though. While the author would wish to have Evangelical be seen as something more than a partisan designation, unfortunately it appears that the term has too much baggage at this point, despite the author's best interests. This is especially true in that the author criticizes the Roman Catholic church for its adherence to tradition when a great many Protestant beliefs (see, for example, the Trinity as well as their refusal to remember the Sabbath day as God commands) spring about because of mistaken views about progressive revelation and an adherence to unbiblical traditions resulting from mistaken human reasoning. This book is a case where a bit more self-knowledge would have made the author less strident, but where the author still manages to speak about areas of justice and involvement in the world in the right ways that are well worth paying attention to. This is a book that manages to succeed at presenting the conflicts of Christ's ministry as relevant in the best use of the term, even if the author shows himself as not obeying the Bible in his own practice as much as he might claim.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
Read
January 14, 2024The thesis of this book is that when we examine Jesus' controversies with the Pharisees and Sadducees, we will find that those conflicts show Jesus' as "evangelical."
To a reader in 2024, this premise might seem ridiculous. Certainly Stott is not attempting to leverage scripture to defend Christian Nationalism, megachurches, the prosperity gospel, alter calls or any number of other cultural and theological features of evangelicalism. What he means is that evangelicalism, as a historical broad movement, has had certain commitments that find support here in the conflicts. Evangelical theology is committed to the supernatural over the natural, giving glory to God as opposed to self, reaching out to the world rather than retreating from it, the importance of conversion, etc.
In the end, I valued two aspects of "Christ in Conflict." The first is that Stott's exegesis of the relevant passages is solid and insightful. He does a good job of transposing those 1st century conflicts into their 20th (and 2st) century counterparts. The second is that Stott's book reminded me of why I remain an evangelical even though I am put off by much of what American evangelical culture has become over the years. I find the core commitments of historic evangelicalism to be convincing at the level of biblical interpretation.
This will probably serve as a handy resource for preaching and teaching in the future.
To a reader in 2024, this premise might seem ridiculous. Certainly Stott is not attempting to leverage scripture to defend Christian Nationalism, megachurches, the prosperity gospel, alter calls or any number of other cultural and theological features of evangelicalism. What he means is that evangelicalism, as a historical broad movement, has had certain commitments that find support here in the conflicts. Evangelical theology is committed to the supernatural over the natural, giving glory to God as opposed to self, reaching out to the world rather than retreating from it, the importance of conversion, etc.
In the end, I valued two aspects of "Christ in Conflict." The first is that Stott's exegesis of the relevant passages is solid and insightful. He does a good job of transposing those 1st century conflicts into their 20th (and 2st) century counterparts. The second is that Stott's book reminded me of why I remain an evangelical even though I am put off by much of what American evangelical culture has become over the years. I find the core commitments of historic evangelicalism to be convincing at the level of biblical interpretation.
This will probably serve as a handy resource for preaching and teaching in the future.
August 14, 2024
I'm rounding this up from a 3.5. Stott's book examines Christ's conflicts with the Pharisees of his time and then relates this to today's church. This book is filled with helpful insights and information and the teaching is clear and even impactful. I found much of it hit home for me personally. My only complaint is that the style was very dry and academic; the observations were generally true for the church, but the individual was often left to make their own conclusions. The tone was lacking in warmth and I struggled to get through some of the sections. This is a hard book to dislike, but it was also a hard book to get enthusiastic about reading.
December 6, 2025
This is clear and concise teaching from John Stott on the person and deity of Jedus Christ. It is not only a superior exposition of Christ's nature, character, personality, teaching with direct respect to His conflicts with the pharisees and other religious leaders of the time, but also applies this teaching to now. It is relevant to all generations and is especially relevant in the study of Mark's gospel. More importantly it is extremely relevant to our living lives in accord with the Lord Jesus. It is a challenge to our hearts and minds and our lives. Read it.
December 24, 2020
This book is as important for Christians today as it was when it was first written, perhaps even more so given the cultural and political issues confronting the church. In a nutshell, the book argues that Christians should not back away from controversy so long as their motive is to glorify God and proclaim the gospel. This, of course, because of human nature, is often easier in theory than in practice. The themes in this book can be—and ought to be—revisited often by believers.
April 20, 2021
John Stott performs a phenomenal task in addressing the major issues that brought Jesus into confrontation with the Pharisees and other elites. Stott unpacks the confrontations Jesus had, what Jesus taught, and how to apply that to today's contemporary churches. I enthusiastically recommend that you read this.
November 14, 2020
Must read
I think this book is a must for all Christians. Very simple to understand and it touches upon important issues that plagued during Jesus' day and still today are rampant among Christians.
I think this book is a must for all Christians. Very simple to understand and it touches upon important issues that plagued during Jesus' day and still today are rampant among Christians.
August 21, 2023
Though published in 1970 Biblical truths never change and this book is even more meaningful now, more than 50 years later. A prophetic call for the church to be the church of Christ and Christ alone. Highly recommended.
April 27, 2025
si deseas conocer a fondo que cosas el hombre toma para si y cuáles no de Jesús, debes leerlo. también como el hombre tergiversa a su conveniencia las escrituras y lo que dice Jesús a través de los evangelios.
Es un muy buen libro con sus referencias bíblicas atinadas.
Es un muy buen libro con sus referencias bíblicas atinadas.
January 19, 2024
Author contributes a vantage point of what and how Jesus spoke and taught using every available option possible to His listeners to make parables, points, and statements have their meaning.
December 29, 2024
Classic John Stott, very readable and practical. I especially like the chapter "Religion - Natural or Supernatural?".
April 10, 2025
I love John Stott, but this wasn’t my favourite text.
March 30, 2015
The point of this work is to examine controversies Christ engaged in, and to see how those are the very same issues debated today (or 1970, when he wrote the book, although as you will see the issues are still sharp). The first issue concerns the reality of the supernatural. The Sadducees did not believe in the supernatural world, and attempted to make its implications ridiculous in Luke 20:27-38, the debate concerning marriage in heaven. The second issue concerns source of authority--tradition or Scripture? As you can imagine, the Pharisees were the cause of this debate (see Mark 7:1-13), which is still with us today in inter-denominational dialogue. Speaking of which, Stott spends an introductory chapter defending evangelical Christianity, properly understood. He points out that it is theological, biblical, original, and fundamental, and therefore ought not to be rejected. This essay alone was worth the price of admission.
Third is the debate concerning bibliolatry (perhaps the opposite of the last debate). See John 5:39-40. In other words, is Scripture the ends or the means of Christian faith? This is challenging to those, like me, who are careful to get their theological ducks in a row but risk doing so at the expense of piety. Fourth is the classic debate on salvation--is it based in merit or mercy? The parable of the publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14) is a great jumping-off point.
Fifth Stott considers morality--it is outward or inward focused?--based again on Mark 7, this time focusing on verses 14-23. Stott does a wonderful job of balancing the fact that it is ultimately a matter of heart with the fact that the law is still valid and binding on the Christian. Nevertheless, the moral takes precedence over the ceremonial, and people over persons. Stott walks this fine line well. He similarly addresses worship in the sixth chapter--lips vs. heart (see Mark. 7:6-7, as well as the discussion with the woman at the well).
A final chapter address the last debate--that of the responsibility of the believer in the world--is it one of withdrawal, or one of involvement? This was a huge sticking point in Jesus's ministry with the Pharisees, who openly bragged about their separation from the world around them. Jesus would tolerate no such monasticism.
It should be clear that these issues are all with us today. Stott does well to root his discussion in the Gospels, while aptly drawing conclusions for today's church. He does something similar in his commentary on the sermon on the mount, which I also recommend.
Third is the debate concerning bibliolatry (perhaps the opposite of the last debate). See John 5:39-40. In other words, is Scripture the ends or the means of Christian faith? This is challenging to those, like me, who are careful to get their theological ducks in a row but risk doing so at the expense of piety. Fourth is the classic debate on salvation--is it based in merit or mercy? The parable of the publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14) is a great jumping-off point.
Fifth Stott considers morality--it is outward or inward focused?--based again on Mark 7, this time focusing on verses 14-23. Stott does a wonderful job of balancing the fact that it is ultimately a matter of heart with the fact that the law is still valid and binding on the Christian. Nevertheless, the moral takes precedence over the ceremonial, and people over persons. Stott walks this fine line well. He similarly addresses worship in the sixth chapter--lips vs. heart (see Mark. 7:6-7, as well as the discussion with the woman at the well).
A final chapter address the last debate--that of the responsibility of the believer in the world--is it one of withdrawal, or one of involvement? This was a huge sticking point in Jesus's ministry with the Pharisees, who openly bragged about their separation from the world around them. Jesus would tolerate no such monasticism.
It should be clear that these issues are all with us today. Stott does well to root his discussion in the Gospels, while aptly drawing conclusions for today's church. He does something similar in his commentary on the sermon on the mount, which I also recommend.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews