Through Gates of Splendor

"The will of God is always bigger than we bargain for."  Jim Elliot 1952


There are certain books that I feel close to- like family.  Through Gates of Splendor is one of those books.  It was written by Elisabeth Elliot, wife of Jim Elliot and missionary to the Auca Indians of Ecuador.  In it she recounts the story of five missionaries, who because of their passion for the gospel, and their love for people, boldly flew into the jungle to share the message of hope to an unreached tribe.  All five men were martyred for their faith on that fateful day- January 8, 1956.  That was 57 years ago.

Before I read Through Gates of Splendor, I read Passion and Purity: Learning to Bring Your Love Life Under Christ's Control (also by Elisabeth Elliot).  Both books had a profound and lasting effect on me in high school.  Elizabeth is a gifted writer and communicator and she was able to clearly convey  her thoughts on dating, courtship and marriage in a way few others had done before.  Her relationship with Jim was a model for me as I formulated my ideas about finding and being a God-honoring mate.


If you have a middle or high school student these two books should be high on the reading list for them.    They inspire Christians to live with holy abandon.  Enjoy!


"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."