Title: Through Gates of Splendor
Author: Elisabeth Elliot
First published January 1, 1957
304 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780842371513 (ISBN10: 0842371516)
Rating: 4.35
Overview
In this poignant and inspiring book, Elisabeth Elliot shares the heartbreaking yet remarkable true story of five young missionaries who lost their lives while attempting to reach out to the fiercely resistant Auca Indians of Ecuador. Through her own personal account as the wife of one of the young men who was tragically killed, Elliot recounts the struggles and triumphs of these brave individuals who were willing to risk everything for their faith and mission.
With a powerful blend of honesty and grace, Through Gates of Splendor is a testament to the enduring legacy of these remarkable missionaries and a call to all who seek to live a life of purpose and meaning.
About the Author
I was born in Belgium, where my parents served as missionaries. When I was just a few months old, we moved to Germantown near Philadelphia, where my father became an editor for the Sunday School Times.
Many churches relied on this publication for their weekly Sunday School materials.
We continued to live in Philadelphia and New Jersey until I left for Wheaton College. By then, my family had grown to include four brothers and one sister.
Studying classical Greek in college would eventually lead me to work on developing a form of writing for unwritten languages.
A year after arriving in Ecuador, I married Jim Elliot, a fellow student from Wheaton. We worked together with the Quichua Indians, and Jim had always hoped to reach an unreached tribe.
The Aucas were one such tribe – a fierce group that had killed anyone who tried to contact them. Jim and four other missionaries went in to make contact, but were speared to death by the tribe after a friendly exchange with three members.
When Jim was killed, our daughter was just 10 months old. I continued working with the Quichua Indians, and through a remarkable providence, I met two Auca women who lived with me for a year.
They were the key to my going to live with the tribe that had killed the five missionaries. I spent two years with the Aucas before returning to the Quichua work until 1963, when I returned to the US with my daughter Valerie.
Since then, I have focused on writing and speaking engagements. In 1969, I married Addison Leitch, a professor of theology at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Massachusetts.
Sadly, he passed away in 1973. I had two lodgers in my home after his death, and one of them ended up marrying my daughter, while the other, Lars Gren, ended up marrying me.
Since then, we have worked together.
Editoral Review
Through Gates of Splendor, written by Elisabeth Elliot, is a highly-regarded work of Christian literature. Published in 1957, Elliot’s book recounts the 1956 deaths of her husband Jim Elliot and his colleagues, who were killed by the Huaorani people in their mission to spread the gospel in the Ecuadorian jungle.
The book is a non-fiction account of their deaths, as well as the life and work of the five men and their families leading up to the tragedy.
Elliot’s writing style is highly descriptive and steeped in Christian values, making this book a must-read for those seeking to deepen their faith.
She paints vivid pictures of the jungle and its inhabitants, while simultaneously delving into the emotional and spiritual struggles faced by her and her husband during their ministry. Through Gates of Splendor is not only a well-written account of the events that transpired, but also an insightful examination of what it means to live a life of faith and devotion to God.
Elliot’s narrative is centered around her late husband, Jim Elliot, and his mission to bring the gospel to Ecuador. She depicts the five men who were killed – including her husband – as courageous and selfless, with an unwavering commitment to their faith.
Through their deaths, Elliot captures the essence of martyrdom, and forces the reader to confront their own understanding of sacrifice and the life of a Christian missionary. One of the strengths of this book is the way Elliot interweaves historical and cultural information into her narrative.
She provides an in-depth look at the Huaorani people and their values, which is essential for the complete understanding of what transpired during the mission. Yet, despite this, the book is not without its flaws.
At times the writing can be overly sentimental, and some readers may find the book too preachy or lacking in nuance. Overall, Through Gates of Splendor is a powerful and thought-provoking read.
The book’s themes of sacrifice, devotion, and faith will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. It is a testament to the courage and sacrifice of those who have given their lives in pursuit of their faith.
Although it may not be for everyone, for those seeking a deeper understanding of what it means to live a life of faith and devotion, this book is a must-read.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
