Through Gates of Splendor

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Summary: A must-read for anyone considering the mission field.
Review: This book by Elisabeth Elliot is one of the most moving, most challenging books I have ever read. Not only does it depict the great obedience of Jim Elliot and the other 4 missionaries, but it shows the unimaginable faith of their wives after their deaths. It makes any Christian evaluate themselves and ask themselves, "How much am I really willing to give up for the Lord?"

Rating:
Summary: A remarkable story
Review: This is a remarkable story that only God could have written. I bought this book after hearing the story of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint and the other missionaries at a recent Steven Curtis Chapman concert. Much of Chapman's Declaration CD was inspired by this story and I cannot say enough how incredible a story it is. This alone would make the story very readable. However, I was surprised to see how effectively Elisabeth Elliot weaves together the historical facts, her own experiences and the journal entries of the missionaries to create a book that is far more than simply readable. She has effectively portrayed these five men as men with an enormous passion for God's glory. A passion that they lived and died for. This is a book worth reading, several times. It is filled with inspirational quotes from the journals of the missionaries. This book allegedly pushed many Christians into the mission field. After reading it, I can see why.

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Summary: This Book Spurs Me Toward True Discipleship
Review: To say that this book is an inspiration would be gravely understating it. To read the words of Jim Elliot and his brothers in Christ against the backdrop of their story and their sacrifice is very powerful. It raises the bar for all followers of Christ. I use this book in a discipleship program and it never fails to shake the participants free from their limited perspectives. Every Christian should read this story and allow the Holy Spirit to maximize its testimony in their lives.