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Alistair Begg (born May 22, 1952) is a retired Scottish pastor who served a significant portion of his ministry in America. He is the former senior pastor of Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio. He leads ‘’Truth for Life’’, a preaching and teaching ministry that broadcasts his sermons daily to more than 1,800 radio stations in North America. Begg is the author and editor of numerous books.

Early life and education

Begg was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 22, 1952.[1] With regard to career, Begg first considered law, but “sensed a call to pastoral ministry” which redirected his path of study.[2]

He graduated from the London School of Theology (LST),[2] in Northwood, London in 1975.[3]

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.[4][5]

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.[6] He has published several devotional books based on his radio talks.[7]

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.[2] 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.”[8]

Controversy

In January 2024, Begg received criticism for advising a grandmother to attend her grandson’s wedding to a transgender person.[9][10] Critics included Owen Strachan, provost of Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Conway, Arkansas,[10][11] and Steve Jordahl of the American Family Association,[12] the latter of which removed Begg’s Truth for Life broadcasts from its American Family Radio network.[13]

Awards and recognition

Begg has received several honorary degrees, including Doctor of Divinity degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary (May 28, 2009)[2] and from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania (May 16, 2015).[14]

Personal life

Begg left his native Scotland, after three decades, in 1983 when he took his position at Parkside,[2] although he has retained a distinctive Scottish accent through his years of ministry in the United States.[15]

Begg married his wife Susan, an American, in 1975. They have three grown children, and several grandchildren.[16]

Bibliography

Works Edited

  • C.S.B. [version] Spurgeon Study Bible. B&H Publishing Group, 2023.

Works Authored

  • What Angels Wish They Knew: The Basics of True Christianity. Moody Publishers, 1998.
  • Preaching for God’s Glory. Crossway, 1999.
  • Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives. Crossway Books, 2000.
  • The Hand of God: Finding His Care in All Circumstances. Moody Publishers, 2001.
  • (With Derek Prime:) On Being a Pastor: Understanding Our Calling and Work. Moody Publishers, 2004.
  • Made for His Pleasure: Ten Benchmarks of a Vital Faith. Moody Publishers, 2005.
  • Christmas Playlist: Four Songs That Bring You to the Heart of Christmas. The Good Book Company, 2016.
  • Parenting God’s Way. 10Publishing, 2017.
  • (With Sinclair Ferguson:) Name Above All Names. Crossway Books, 2018.
  • Pray Big. The Good Book Company, 2019.
  • Brave by Faith. The Good Book Company, 2021.
  • Truth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions, Volume 1. The Good Book Company, 2021.
  • Truth for Life: 365 Daily Devotions, Volume 2. The Good Book Company, 2022.
  • The Christian Manifesto: Jesus’ Life-Changing Words from the Sermon on the Plain. The Good Book Company, 2023.
  • Let Earth Receive Her King. The Good Book Company, 2024.
  • (With Charles H. Spurgeon:) Morning and Evening. Forthcoming.

References

  1. ^ “Library of Congress name authority file”. id.loc.gov. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e 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.
  3. ^ “Preaching with Spurgeon: An Interview with Alistair Begg”. Preaching Magazine. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Begg, Alistair (2021). Truth for Life — Volume 1: 365 Daily Devotions. The Good Book Company. ISBN 978-1-78498-586-8.
  8. ^ “NewsNet 5 Interview”. Archived from the original on 20 June 2009. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  9. ^ “‘The Christian Manifesto’ Interview”. Truth for Life. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  10. ^ a b Sey, Samuel (22 January 2024). “Alistair Begg, gay weddings, and love”. Christian Post. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  11. ^ Strachan, Owen (19 January 2024). “Unrighteous Wedding Invitations: A Loving Response to Alistair Begg”. Grace & Truth. Substack. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ “Alumni News”. alumni.gcc.edu. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  15. ^ “Pastor Alistair Begg Sermons”. Oneplace.com. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  16. ^ “Transatlantic Love Story”. FamilyLife Today. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2026.