Preaching Christ: The Life of B A Ramsbottom, by Paul Ramsbotttom, published by Gospel Standard Publications

Those who knew Mr Ramsbottom (1929-2023) will need little encouragement from me to buy and read this affectionate biography written by his son, Paul. But those who did not have that privilege and perhaps, like me, did not even meet him or hear him preach, may need a little persuading. To us he was the greatly respected pastor of a Strict Baptist Chapel in Luton and the author of many fine books, especially for children, but apart from that our knowledge of B A Ramsbottom is limited.

To fill that gap I cannot recommend this biography too highly. It is a delightful and beautifully constructed portrait of a man who lived close to his Lord. The forty-two short and immensely readable chapters are divided into the two main divisions of its subject’s life. Part 1 covers the years he spent in the county of his birth, his beloved Lancashire, until 1966, while Part 2 takes us to Luton and is principally occupied with the 55 years of his pastorate there. He retired in 2022.

“Behind him, as he drove from [his home in Lancashire] lay everything he had ever known: his widowed mother, family, friends, hometown and teaching career” (p.171). But as Paul Ramsbottom comments, “When the Lord puts forth His sheep He goes before them,” and with the Lord’s clear guidance Ben – as he is lovingly called throughout the book – knew he was doing just that. He was forsaking all to follow Christ.

Being a thorough biography, Mr Ramsbottom’s core beliefs are touched on, inevitably including his Calvinism and the charge of hyper-Calvinism that he found so painful to bear. These matters are covered sensitively and unashamedly. It is clear that his warm heart extended far beyond his own circle of churches, as did the esteem in which he was held by others, and his literary output surprised him with its world-wide appeal. One does not have to agree with all that B.A. Ramsbottom held dear to realise that the church is poorer without him. Read this biography and you will understand why.

John Hooper, published in the Bible League Quarterly, October-December 2025