Episode 80 - Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals: John Angell James

This season we're doing something a little different. This season will consist of mostly shorter episodes with inspiration drawn from the Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals by Mark Noll and published by Intervarsity Press. BDE features brief biographies, ordered chronologically, of over 400 evangelicals from John Wycliff to the modern day spread across 816 pages. My plan for each episode is to use a random number generator to select a page and then deliver a brief biography of whomever was randomly selected. This is something of an experiment and we'll have to see how it goes.

Transcript

Hello and welcome to the start of season 6 of the Giants of the Faith Podcast. My name is Robert Daniels and I am the hot of this show. This season we're doing something a little different. This season will consist of mostly shorter episodes with inspiration drawn from the Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals by Mark Noll and published by Intervarsity Press. BDE features brief biographies, ordered chronologically, of over 400 evangelicals from John Wycliff to the modern day spread across 816 pages. My plan for each episode is to use a random number generator to select a page and then deliver a brief biography of whomever was randomly selected. This is something of an experiment and we'll have to see how it goes.

Insert computery sound

OK, that was exciting. The random number generator has spit out 329, which in my book corresponds to John Angell James. Let's learn about John together.

John Angell James was born on June 6, 1785, in Blandford Forum, Dorset, England. Shout out to my daughter Tori who shares a birthday with James. John's parents were Joseph and Sarah James. Joseph had one of the most interesting jobs of anyone we've mentioned on this show. We did one time have a guy that was a barber/surgeon and that was pretty cool. Anyway, John James was a button maker. His parents were Dissenters, and you may remember from previous episodes that Dissenters, or Nonconformists, were Christians in England that were opposed to the Church of England. He was raised in a pious home, and like many great preachers, his path to ministry was not entirely straightforward. 

In 1798 James was apprenticed to a draper in Poole, England. There he learned to rely on prayer and sat under the teaching of various ministers - Baptists, Methodists, Calvinists, and Arminians. He taught Sunday School and eventually James came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and felt called to the ministry. James' father bought him out of his apprenticeship and his passion for the gospel led him to train for pastoral work, and in 1802, at just 17 years old, he entered the Gosport Academy, a well-known center for preparing Nonconformist ministers. Under the tutelage of David Bogue, one of the great mentors of the evangelical movement, James developed his theological foundation and preaching skills.

By 1805, at the age of 20, James received a call to Carr’s Lane Chapel in Birmingham, an important center of Nonconformist worship. This was the beginning of a remarkable 55-year ministry at the same church—something almost unheard of in our transient age. But what made his ministry so enduring? Let’s take a look.

John Angell James was not a fiery, theatrical preacher like some of his contemporaries, but he had a gift for clear, heartfelt, and practical exposition of Scripture. He emphasized the importance of plain yet earnest preaching that reached the conscience and heart. He was deeply concerned with the spiritual growth of his congregation and believed that Christianity should shape every area of life.

One of his defining characteristics was his pastoral heart. He cared deeply for his people, visiting them in their homes, praying with them, and counseling them through the challenges of life. His consistency, humility, and faithfulness earned him great respect, and under his leadership, Carr’s Lane Chapel grew into one of the most influential evangelical congregations in England.

James made a habit of visiting members of his congregation in their homes, ensuring that he was accessible to them not only as a preacher but as a shepherd. Whether they were struggling with sin, facing personal trials, or rejoicing in blessings, he was there to counsel, encourage, and pray with them. He took seriously the responsibility of guiding people in their spiritual journeys. 

James saw it as his duty to walk with his congregation through illness, bereavement, and hardship. He was known for his warm and tender manner when dealing with grieving families, always pointing them to the hope of Christ. He believed that true faith must be lived out in everyday life. Through his sermons and personal interactions, he exhorted his people to grow in holiness, be diligent in their work, and show love and charity to others.

James was also passionate about the spiritual formation of young people, promoting Sunday Schools and encouraging young men to pursue ministry. His leadership in education and training for ministers ensured that his influence extended beyond his own congregation. While he was compassionate, he also upheld the importance of accountability within the church. He believed that members should live in accordance with biblical principles and was not afraid to correct those who strayed, always with the goal of restoration. James exemplified the kind of pastoral care that was both deeply personal and theologically rich. His faithfulness to his congregation for over 50 years shows his dedication to shepherding God’s people with love and truth.

John Angell James married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to Frances Charlotte Smith on July 7, 1806. Frances was the daughter of a physician and possessed an independent fortune. The couple resided on Hagley Road in Birmingham and had four children - although only two, Thomas and Sarah, lived past infancy. Frances expired on January 27, 1819. Three years later, on February 19, 1822, James married Anna Maria Neale, the widow of Benjamin Neale, whom she had married in 1812. Anna had no children from her previous marriage, and together, she and John Angell James did not have any children.

John's siblings were all involved in ministry in one way or another. His brother Thomas became the pastor of City Chapel in London. Another brother James was an ordained deacon in John's church Carr's Lane Chapel. And his sister Harriet married the Reverend Richard Keynes, an influential Congregationalist pastor.

Although James was a powerful preacher, his greatest legacy may actually be found in his writings. He was a prolific author, producing more than 30 books on various Christian topics, including church life, personal holiness, and missions. His most famous work, The Anxious Inquirer After Salvation Directed and Encouraged (1834), was widely read in its time and remains somewhat influential today. This book was written for those struggling with questions about salvation, and its simple, compassionate guidance made it a bestseller, with thousands of copies circulating in both England and America.

Another of his notable books, Christian Charity Explained, focused on the duty of believers to engage in social good, an emphasis that reflected his broader concern for societal transformation through gospel-centered living. James was also deeply involved in evangelical initiatives. He was a strong advocate for the London Missionary Society, a supporter of education for ministers, and a vocal proponent of Sunday Schools—believing that biblical literacy was crucial for the health of the church.

One of James’s most distinctive qualities was his commitment to unity among evangelical Christians. At a time when denominational divisions ran deep, he sought to bring believers together around core gospel truths. He worked closely with Baptists, Methodists, and other Nonconformists to advance the kingdom of God, setting an example of cooperation and mutual respect. This commitment to unity was particularly evident in his support for mission efforts and organizations that brought together Christians of different theological persuasions. He understood that the gospel was greater than individual denominational distinctives and sought to build bridges where others built walls.

In August 1859, during the ceremony for the start of construction of The Metropolitan Tabernacle, Charles Spurgeon said of James, "Especially must I mention the name of that honoured father of all the Dissenting churches, the Rev. John Angell James, of Birmingham. There is no name I think just now that ought to be more venerated than his. We frequently exchange notes. I had a sweet letter from that eminent servant of God, in reply to one I had written asking him to come to this meeting. He said, 'I would have done so if I had been well enough, but I am unable to travel. My work is almost done, I cannot serve my Master much longer, but I can still do a little for Him. I preach perhaps once on the Sabbath, and I still continue to do what I can with my pen. What a mercy,' he adds 'to have been permitted to serve my Master so long.' I had written to him sometime before expressing my candid opinion concerning him, and my hearty respect; and he told me that I was mistaken in him. I am quite sure that I was not. I know that I could not think too highly of him." High praise indeed from someone like Spurgeon.

John Angell James continued preaching and writing until his death in 1859. Even in his later years, he remained active in ministry, constantly pointing people to Christ and urging them to live out their faith with sincerity and devotion. 

His influence extended beyond his lifetime, particularly through his writings, which continued to shape evangelical thought for generations. He was a man who modeled faithfulness in ministry, depth in theological reflection, and passion for lost souls.

Well, thanks for listening. Until next time, God bless.