8th May 2021: John Stott Birding Day

‘It was Jesus Christ himself in the Sermon on the Mount who asked us to look at the birds! (Matthew 6:26) So we have the highest authority to justify this activity!’ John Stott

On 29 April, the A Rocha family will celebrate 100 years since the birth of John Stott (1921-2011). This world-renowned theologian was considered by many, not without humour, to be the ‘Evangelical Pope’. What is perhaps less well known is that he was a great birdwatcher, and in his case the expression is not overused. Indeed, his wonder at the diversity of bird forms and behaviours was always a wonder at the ‘wonderful works of the Lord’ (Psalm 111:2). He went even further, believing that birds can teach us much, both about God and about our relationship with him, as he elaborates in his book The Birds our Teachers: Biblical Lessons from a Life-long Bird-watcher, inventing in the process a new discipline: ‘ornitheology’.

Beyond birds, John Stott invited us to broaden our focus to the whole of God’s creation: ‘Since the “wonderful works” of the Lord refer to his works of creation and also of redemption, it seems to me that the study of nature and the study of the Bible should go hand in hand. Many Christians have a good knowledge of redemption, but need a better knowledge of creation. We should enrich our faith with at least one aspect of natural history.’

John Stott encouraged and supported the development of A Rocha from the beginning, and with this in mind, A Rocha International has created a one-day global event to commemorate and celebrate in his centenary year.

For all the information on how to take part, please go to the special John Stott Birding Day website.