John Stott, C.A.D.

The Rev’d Dr. John R.W. Stott died today at age 90. The Anglican world has lost a giant and evangelical Anglicans like myself have lost a brilliant teacher. You might wonder what the C.A.D. stands for in the post’s title. I will let Dr. Stott explain:

One of the most searching tests to apply to any religion concerns its attitude to death. And measured by this test much so-called Christianity is found wanting in its black clothes, its mournful chants and its requiem masses. Of course dying can be very unpleasant, and bereavement can bring bitter sorrow. But death itself has been overthrown, and ‘blessed are the dead who die in the Lord’ (Rev. 14:13). The proper epitaph to write for a Christian believer is not a dismal and uncertain petition, ‘R.I.P.’ (requiescat in pace, ‘may he rest in peace’), but a joyful and certain affirmation ‘C.A.D.’ (‘Christ abolished death’).

—From “The Message of 2 Timothy” (The Bible Speaks Today series: London and Downers Grove: IVP, 1973), p. 39.

Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and share your Master’s happiness (Matthew 25.23) as you await your new resurrection body.