John J, as he was affectionately known to everyone, was born in Dornoch, Sutherland. Brought up in the tradition of solid Highland piety, he exuded Christian warmth and generosity of spirit which was to enthuse many to share his passion for the Reformed faith, in Scotland and beyond.
The spirituality of Jonathan Edwards and David Brainerd made a deep impression on him, while he was also influenced by the ministry and writings of an eminent lifelong colleague, Professor John Murray, who he loved and respected. Converted in his teens, his first love in life, up until his death, was for his precious Saviour and best friend, King Jesus.
His influence beyond Scotland arguably started in the 1960s after Iain H. Murray invited him in June 1960 to join the editorial department of the Banner of Truth Trust, in London. This was to be a turning point in his life and for the next 60 years he was to be at the forefront of Reformed book publishing.
While in London, he began attending Friday night lectures at Westminster Chapel, and became a board member of the Evangelical Library Committee.
After yielding to a call into ministry, he began theological studies at the Free Church College, Edinburgh in 1974, after which he accepted a call to Oban Free (High) Church in 1978. There he remained until 1989, when he was called to St Columba’s Free Church in Edinburgh, where he faithfully ministered God’s word for the next 13 years up until his ‘retirement’ in 1992.
Continuing as a well-known conference speaker and preacher, he also cared for many pastorless congregations in the Free Church (Continuing) and was a help and mentor to many other ministers. His close relationship with his brother William resulted in a joint venture which produced several testimony booklets and devotional pamphlets to follow the previous years’ books. One called Catechizing – A Forgotten Practice is particularly noteworthy.
After tragically losing the first of two daughters to cancer, he wrote a short book, Behind a Frowning Providence. The booklet continues to be a blessing to thousands of people across the world.
He leaves behind his wife Cynthia, and his son Andrew and family.
Truly, ‘a great man has fallen in Israel’. Having been unwell for some time, he eventually fell victim to the coronavirus which translated him from grace to glory.
