Alistair Begg

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Pastor
Alistair Begg
Born (1952-05-22) 22 May 1952 (age 73)[ citation needed ]
Glasgow,[ citation needed ] Scotland
Education London School of Theology
Nottingham Trent University
Westminster Theological Seminary [ citation needed ]
Occupations Pastor, author, radio teacher
Years active1975–present
SpouseSusan Begg[ citation needed ]
Children3
HonorsHonorary doctorates: Westminster Theological Seminary (2009)
Cedarville University
Grove City College (2015)
Website truthforlife.org/about/about-alistair-begg

Alistair Begg (born May 22, 1952[ not verified in body ]) is a retired Scottish pastor who served a significant portion of his ministry in America. Heis the former senior pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, a position he held from 1983. He leads ‘’Truth for Life’’,[ not verified in body ] a preaching and teaching ministry that broadcasts his sermons daily to more than 1,800 radio stations in North America.[ not verified in body ] Begg is also the author and editor of numerous books.

Contents

Early life and education

Begg was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 22, 1952.[ citation needed ] [1] [ failed verification ] With regard to career, Begg first considered law, but “sensed a call to pastoral ministry” which redirected his path of study. [1]

He graduated from the London School of Theology (LST), [1] in Northwood, London in 1975.[ citation needed ] He received further education at Trent University in Nottingham, England.[ when? ][ citation needed ]

In the mid-1980s, Begg began studies, as an external student, for a DMin degree at Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS), [1] in Glenside, Pennsylvania,[ citation needed ] but “the increasing demands of the pastorate and ever widening opportunities for ministry” led to his setting aside completion of the degree. [1]

Career

Alistair Begg graduated from the London School of Theology. He worked as a pastor for eight years in Scotland, both at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and Hamilton Baptist Church, near Glasgow. In 1983, he became senior pastor at Parkside Church in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, and worked there until retiring in 2025. [2] [3]

Radio ministry

Begg’s content is the mainstay of, and he leads ‘’Truth for Life’’, a preaching and teaching ministry broadcasting his sermons daily to more than 1,800 radio stations in North America. [4] He has published several devotional books based on his radio talks. [5]

Influences

Among Begg’s stated influences—first, as stated by Peter A. Lillback, president of Westminster Theological Seminary, were Eric J. Alexander, Sinclair B. Ferguson, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Richard C. Lucas, Alex Motyer, and Derek J. Prime. [1] In addition to these, Jim Elliot, Eric Liddell, Charles Spurgeon, John Stott, and Hudson Taylor have been mentioned.[ citation needed ]

Theological views

Begg believes in the inerrancy and supremacy of Scripture, and in the saving power of Christ alone. He has said that the core belief of Parkside Church is "that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and that to know Him is to know life, both now and forever... Jesus Christ is the only Savior, because Jesus is the only one who is qualified to save." [6]

Controversy

In January 2024, Begg received criticism for advising a grandmother to attend her grandson's wedding to a transgender person. [7] [8] Critics included Owen Strachan, provost of Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Conway, Arkansas, [8] [9] and Steve Jordahl of the American Family Association, [10] the latter of which removed Begg's Truth for Life broadcasts from its American Family Radio network. [11]

Awards and recognition

Begg has received several honorary degrees, including Doctor of Divinity degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary (May 28, 2009) [1] and from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania (May 16, 2015). [12]

Personal life

Begg left his native Scotland, after three decades, in 1983 when he took his position at Parkside, [1] although he has retained a distinctive Scottish accent through his years of ministry in the United States.[ citation needed ]

Begg’s mother mother died on 2 November 1972, leading him to write in relation to that event, that "more spiritual progress is made through failure and tears than success and laughter." [13] [ full citation needed ][ verification needed ]

Begg married his American wife, Susan, in 1975.[ citation needed ] They have three grown children, [14] [ better source needed ] all married,[ citation needed ] and 7 grandchildren. [14] [ better source needed ]

Bibliography

Books edited

The following is a list of some of the book-length works edited by Begg (see citations following).

Books authored

The following is a list of some of the book-length works authored by Begg.[ according to whom? ][ citation needed ]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Lillback, Peter A. & WTS Staff (8 June 2009) [28 May 2009]. "Honorary Doctorate, Alumnus Alistair Begg". Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS; WTS.edu). Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  2. ↑ Vibert, Simon (2011). Excellence in preaching: studying the craft of leading preachers. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books. p. 119. ISBN   978-0-8308-3815-8.
  3. ↑ Klett, Leah MarieAnn. "'God is sufficient': Alistair Begg bids farewell to Parkside Church with message of faith". www.christianpost.com. Archived from the original on 14 January 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  4. ↑ Hendricks, John Allen (13 March 2020). Radio's Second Century: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives. Rutgers University Press. p. 142. ISBN   978-0-8135-9846-8.
  5. ↑ Begg, Alistair (2021). Truth for Life — Volume 1: 365 Daily Devotions. The Good Book Company. ISBN   978-1-78498-586-8.
  6. ↑ "NewsNet 5 Interview". Archived from the original on 20 June 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  7. ↑ "'The Christian Manifesto' Interview". Truth for Life. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 Sey, Samuel (22 January 2024). "Alistair Begg, gay weddings, and love". Christian Post . Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  9. ↑ Strachan, Owen (19 January 2024). "Unrighteous Wedding Invitations: A Loving Response to Alistair Begg". Grace & Truth. Substack . Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  10. ↑ Jordahl, Steve (23 January 2024). "Radio ministry awaits explanation from Begg re: advice to a grandmother". American Family News. American Family Association . Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  11. ↑ Jordahl, Steve; Davis, Billy (24 January 2024). "Radio ministry drops pastor over same-sex wedding comments". American Family News. American Family Association . Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Alumni News". alumni.gcc.edu. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  13. ↑ Begg, Made for His Pleasure, p. 106.[ full citation needed ]
  14. 1 2 3 Begg, Alistair (19 February 2021). "Alistair Begg" (contributor autobiography). The Gospel Coalition (TheGospelCoalition.org). Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2021.[ better source needed ]
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